Islesboro Central School

Islesboro Central School Website

Current Enrollment: 52 students.  PK-5: 19 students; 6-8: 11 students; 9-12: 22 students.

Teaching Faculty: 15

Class of 2027:  6 students

About Islesboro Central School

Islesboro Central School is a PK-12 institution serving the picturesque island of Islesboro, Maine. Islesboro is located in Penobscot Bay, 3 miles off the mainland, and is accessible by Department of Transportation ferry or private boat only. The ferry runs six to seven times daily between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Year-round, the island has a population of roughly 600 residents, and the population triples in the summer months. The school’s student population consists of two groups: on-island residents and magnet day students. Six faculty members and one third of our high school students commute from the mainland each day.

Even though it can be cost-prohibitive to sustain a PK-12 school on an unbridged island, Islesboro continues to support Islesboro Central School as an integral part of the community. The vast majority of Islesboro’s economic activity occurs as a result of our seasonal community. Major employers that provide full-time work are as follows: Islesboro Central School, Pendleton Yacht Yard, Islesboro Marine Enterprises, Dark Harbor Boat Yard, Islesboro Preschool, two family-owned markets, the Town Office, and the health clinic. Affordable housing continues to be a major challenge for families wishing to move to the island or remain year-round residents. 

Additional information is available on our website.  Our School Board meeting minutes are also available there.

Educational Philosophy

Our educational philosophy is an approach that puts students at the center of their learning. Islesboro Central School utilizes a student-centered and holistic process to support each student’s path through high school and beyond, and each student is provided with options and input on individual pathways they can pursue during their high school journey. We believe our individualized and student-focused approach is critical to the success of our students and emphasizes meeting each learner’s unique needs. Students who choose to enroll in a Pathway experience can request to receive elective credit for their experiences with proper approval, documentation, and reflection. 

Graduation Requirements:

25 total credits are required for graduation.

Honors, Advanced Placement, and Early College Courses:

All ICS students are taught at a rigorous, college preparatory level. When feasible, a teacher will offer an honors-level course for a group of students in Mathematics or Science courses. AP courses are available for students through the Maine AP4ME program. Students are also able to take college courses through the Maine Early College Program through the University of Maine System.

Career and Technology Education Center:

Mid-Coast School of Technology provides a skilled trades-focused curriculum designed to foster knowledge and work-based training. Students attend Region 8 in Rockland and commute on an every-other-day rotation. 

https://mcst8.org/

Individualization:

Each student has opportunities to participate in a Pathway Experience which is a hands-on, off-site experience tied to a student’s interests and learning/career goals. Typically Pathway Experiences are off-site internship or work experiences, but it can also include alternative coursework for students such as online courses, distance learning with ICS teachers, or independent studies.

Credit Awarding:

Credit is awarded by semester for full and half-year courses. GPA is reported as unweighted, and if a student has enrolled in Early College courses, Honors, or AP courses, a weighted GPA is also reported. High school credit is awarded for high-school-level math courses completed during middle school.

Weighted GPA Formula

AP and Early College courses, a weighted factor of 1.10. Honors courses and Oxbridge courses, a weighted factor of 1.05. For all other courses, a weighted factor of 1.0.

Recent College Acceptances:

Amherst College, Babson College, Bates College, Bentley University, Brandeis University, Boston University, Brown University, Central Maine Community College, Clark University, Connecticut College, Culinary Institute of America, Endicott College, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Hamilton College, Husson University, New College of Florida, Maine College of Art, Maine Maritime Academy, Marquette University, Middlebury College, Mt. Holyoke College, Northwestern University, Olin College of Engineering, Providence College, Roger Williams University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Sewanee: University of the South, Simmons College, Skidmore College, Smith College, Stanford University, St. Andrews University (UK), St. Anselm College, St. Joseph’s College, Thomas College, Tufts University, University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, University of Maine Farmington, University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont, Vassar College, Villanova University, Wheaton College, Wellesley College, Williams College, Yale University.