Every person who has arrived at The Island School leaves with a story. It may be a week spent kayaking with peers, a first scuba dive on a coral reef, educators coming together from all over the world to re-imagine experiential education, a quiet moment during a 48-hour solo, Deep Creek Middle School’s School Without Walls, parents joining their student for a jump off High Rock during Family Weekend, or Elementary Learning Center students learning to sail for the first time. For more than 25 years, these experiences have shaped thousands of young people into thoughtful leaders and have impacted the educators, families, and friends who have supported them. Students become leaders who understand that the health of our communities and the health of our planet are inseparable.

These stories did not happen by chance; they were made possible by a community that believed in a different kind of education and that has supported, and continues to support, the founding vision of The Island School.

Today, we are pleased to introduce the Rising TIDE Campaign: Transforming Initiatives, Driving Excellence, a five-year, $30 million comprehensive campaign inspired by more than 25 years of your transformational stories, Leadership Effecting Change, and the remarkable community that has made it possible

A Celebration of Community

The Rising TIDE Campaign is, first and foremost, a celebration of what this community has made possible for every student who has arrived on the Island School campus, and for every student still to come. Every gift, every introduction, every conversation, and every volunteer has together created this moment. Because of the extraordinary generosity, partnership, and commitment of alumni, families, faculty, staff, volunteers, and friends, the campaign has already reached 87% of the $30 million campaign goal.

Together, we are building the foundation for the next generation of students.

Guided by Our BLUE Horizon strategic plan, the Rising TIDE Campaign is investing in the people, places, and programs that define The Island School. It will strengthen the faculty and staff community through a new housing community at The Grove; grow the endowment to ensure long-term sustainability; expand scholarships and annual giving so more students can experience this transformative education; and renew the campus that has become home to so many.  The pillars that arose from Our BLUE Horizon Strategic Plan also inform the pillars of the campaign: 

Belonging – $6 million
Building The Grove, a new faculty and staff housing community that will attract and retain exceptional individuals.

Longevity – $10 million
Growing the endowment to provide long-term fiscal sustainability and increase impact 

Unity – $12 million
Strengthening annual giving to provide more scholarships, increase access, create opportunities for more students, and support our staff who make this experience possible.

Excellence – $2 million
Renewing and enhancing campus spaces and systems that support transformative learning, research, and community.

Join In and Learn More

On October 24, 2026, we invite you to the New England Aquarium in Boston to celebrate this moment, honor the legacy that has brought us here, welcome the next chapter of The Island School, and look toward the horizon together.

The story of The Island School has always been written by its community. We hope you will join in writing the next chapter.

To learn more about the Rising TIDE Campaign or make a gift, visit capeeleutherafoundation.org/rise.

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“The Island School changes the lives of our students and is helping shape the future of our planet. We continue to be inspired by the next generation of leaders, and the Rising TIDE Campaign will ensure that The Island School’s legacy continues for generations to come.”

Chris and Pam Maxey
Founders, The Island School

“When I was a student in the first class, I could never have imagined what The Island School would grow into. The changes I’ve witnessed in the community, the physical campus, the mission’s reach, and the lives it has touched never cease to amaze me. That’s why I’m so excited about what the Rising TIDE Campaign will allow the school to accomplish next.”

Francesca Forrestal, F99
Chair of The Island School Board of Directors
Co-Chair of the Rising TIDE Campaign Committee

“The Island School thrives because it dreams bigger and envisions a future stewarded by passionate leaders trained at our one-of-a-kind Bahamian campus. Through our Rising TIDE Campaign, we will strengthen and solidify Chris and Pam Maxey’s visionary foundation for many generations of young leaders. With the support of many stakeholders, we have developed a strategic plan for stability and growth that will power Island School into the future.  As Campaign Committee chairpersons, we are grateful for the early commitment and support of this endeavor and delighted to launch the public side of the Rising TIDE Campaign.  Please join us in the commitment to The Island School’s future.”

Will Nystrom, PS15, PF15, PS20/21
Chair of The Cape Eleuthera Foundation Board of Directors
Co-Chair of the Rising TIDE Campaign Committee