Place-Based Learning
Islesboro Central School embraces the philosophy that education can happen virtually anywhere. Education happens beyond the walls of the classroom and the school; therefore, ICS encourages and promotes learning in a multitude of settings. Through this, Islesboro students gain an understanding and appreciation of the natural world and develop a strong ethic of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Individual Attention
Each Islesboro student is trusted, respected, and supported by a broad learning community of teachers, staff, parents, community members, and other students. All members of the learning community make themselves accessible to the extent possible in order to support each other.
Accountability is part of Islesboro’s learning culture. Students are accountable for being actively engaged in meeting their learning goals. Parents are accountable for supporting their child’s learning. Educators and staff are accountable for creating an exciting and productive learning experience. The administration is accountable for promoting, advancing, and leading the implementation of the vision. The school board is accountable for establishing policies and procedures that realize the vision.
Educational Excellence
Honors Classes:
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, with the exception of Foreign Language, Social Studies, and Fine Art, which do not offer honors-level courses. This year, ICS offers honors sections of Biology, Geometry, and Calculus.
Advanced Placement Courses:
AP courses are offered on an every-other-year basis, based on student need and interest. On average, 75% of AP students score a 3 or better.
Career and Technological Education Center:
Mid-Coast School of Technology provides a skilled trades curriculum designed to foster knowledge and training necessary to directly access career placement or community colleges. Students attend Region 8 in Rockland and commute on an every-other-day rotation. http://midcoast.mainecte.org/ Individualized: Alternative educational program that facilitates individualized learning plans toward the achievement of graduation requirements and postsecondary goals. This can be modified coursework for students who excel and need alternative educational opportunities or as part of a student Pathways Plan.
Pathways Program
At ICS, we recognize that high school is not one-size-fits-all. Our Pathways approach allows students to explore individual interests and goals through flexible learning opportunities, while still meeting graduation requirements.
A "pathway" is a student’s unique journey through high school, shaped by their skills, passions, and future plans. In some cases, students may pursue approved independent volunteer or work-based learning experiences during the school day.
ICS faculty and staff support students in building meaningful, personalized learning experiences when feasible, and help connect them with opportunities in the community and beyond.
To learn more, contact Lindsay Dakers, 6–12 School Counselor.
Technology-Forward Curriculum
Ranked #11 in Maine for STEM by Niche.com, ICS has a long history of investing in technology-forward facilities, classes and programs.
Technology for every student:
Chromebook tablets for grades K - 5
Full-size Chromebooks for grades 6 - 8
Macbooks for grades 9 - 12
Interactive whiteboards and projection systems in every classroom.
Classes, resources, and achievements
ICS provides basic-through-advanced technology curriculum for high-school students. Scholars can learn everything from common applications and basic programming to industry-standard software and robotics. Students in advanced classes are encouraged to pursue independent study projects on the subject of their choosing. A recent advanced student learned CAD to design a tri-hulled lobster boat, pier, bait house, and float, then built models using a 3-d printer.
In Middle School, students participate in a LEGO robotics course, and compete in the annual LEGO Robotics Track Meet. In the 2025-2026 school year, ICS teams placed first and second for robots that can pull heavy weights, first place for fastest robot, second place for climbing robots, and honorable mention in steeplechase.
Sustainability and Environmental Education
ICS Sustainability
There is a growing trend of schools and educational institutions working towards the widespread integration of sustainability on-campus; recognizing an opportunity to improve public relations, foster civic-minded and environmentally conscious students, and reduce costs through resource conservation efforts.
Islesboro Central School has long recognized the importance of sustainability to our students and island community, noting the importance of “traditional island values: self-reliance, civic-mindedness, neighbor-helping-neighbor, tolerance, ingenuity, conservation, and stewardship – to prepare its students to be productive in the global world of the 21st century” in its vision statement adopted in 2008. As such, ICS has a strong track record when it comes to sustainability and environmental-awareness: a robust school farm effort, high efficiency lighting/water systems, school-wide recycling, environmentally centered courses, and the regular occurrence of local/organic foods in our school cafeteria.
Current school-wide initiatives:
Formation of a “Sustainability Committee”
Approval by the ICS School Committee to create a new academic program expressly focused on Sustainability Studies by expanding the mission of an aquaculture program to incorporate new themes/projects in such areas as energy, natural resource management, and culinary arts under the broader scope of sustainability.
Exceptional Results
ICS has a 100% graduation rate, and typically all graduates have been accepted into college programs. Of the 37 students graduated in the last five years, 29 of them have gone on to pursue post-secondary education. ICS’s unique programs and location stand out on college applications, giving students a leg-up in the admissions process. We also encourage other future endeavors outside of college and students are encouraged to "choose their own adventure".
Recent College Acceptances
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American University
Amherst College
Barnard College
Bentley University
Brandeis University
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Clark University
Colby College
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Drexel University
Emerson College
Endicott College
Florida International University
George Washington University
Harvard University
Kansas State University
Maine College of Art
Maine Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Middlebury College
Mt. Holyoke College
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Parsons School of Design
Pratt Institute
Princeton University
Roger Williams University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Simmons College
Skidmore College
Smith College
SUNY Maritime College
Swarthmore College
St Andrews University (UK)
St. Anselm College
Syracuse University
The Culinary Institute of America
Tufts University
Unity College
University of Chicago
University of Maine
University of Southern Maine
University of Maine Machias
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
University of Vermont
Vassar College
Villanova University
Washington State University
Wesleyan University
Wheaton College
Williams College
Yale University.