Many people are often unaware of the semester schools available to high school students. However, with a quick visit to the Semester Schools Network, you can browse schools that offer varying adventures, life lessons, and communities that are uncommon in a typical high school environment. So what are semester schools?
What is a semester school?
A semester school is a semester-long program for high schoolers with transferable high school credits. These schools are built to offer experiential learning in a close-knit community while also offering rigorous coursework. Students can publish marine research and present to local government officials at The Island School, explore the history and ecology of the regions of southern Africa or South America at the Traveling School, or contemplate who they are and deep environmental questions at Chewonki. These are just a few examples of the opportunities offered by semester schools. Check out each one in detail below:
Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki
Wiscasset, ME
Founded in 1987, Chewonki sits on a 400-acre peninsula called Chewonki Neck, where there are a variety of ecosystems such as intertidal zones, boreal forests, and freshwater ponds. In addition to a strong experiential education, there is an emphasis on asking important questions as well as finding and challenging yourself. Furthermore, there is a horse-powered organic farm that is an important aspect of students’ learning and daily life.
Academics:
At Chewonki you take five courses. See below.
Two required classes:
Natural History of the Maine Coast
Literature of the Land
Choice of three classes among the list below:
Math (classes range from Algebra II to Calculus BC)
World Languages (either Spanish or French)
US History (with a choice of the AP or Honors class)
Art and the Natural World
Environmental Issues
In addition, all students take a wilderness first aid certification training through Wilderness Medical Associates
Class Description:
Program is for: juniors and seniors
Total number of students: 42
Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Living:
Students share a wood-heated cabin with 5-8 other students. As a part of their living, students split the wood, install solar panels, harvest food, care for farm animals, and turn compost.
Admissions:
Applications for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 are still open!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Priority deadline was February 15th.
Learn more here https://mainecoastsemester.chewonki.org/
The Mountain School
Vershire, VT
Founded in 1984, The Mountain School is the first recognized semester program in the country. With a strong mission “to know a place and take care of it”, environmental stewardship is at the forefront of The Mountain School’s priorities. Students take rigorous classes (many with an environmental focus) and work on The Mountain School’s farm, which produces 75% of the vegetables, meat, eggs, and maple syrup that students eat there.
Academics:
At The Mountain School you take seven courses. See below.
Three required classes:
Environmental Studies
English
TMS Core Seminar
Choice of four classes among the list below:
Math (classes range from Algebra II to Calculus BC)
World Languages (either Spanish or French)
Culinary Studies
Environmental Humanities, Art & the Environment
And more…
Class Description:
Program is for: sophomores (spring), juniors, and seniors
Total number of students: 45-50
Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Living:
Students share a house with 6-11 students per house. All gender and single gender dorms are offered.
Admissions:
Applications for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 are still open!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Priority deadline was February 15th.
Learn more here https://www.mountainschool.org/
The Outdoor Academy
Pisgah Forest, NC
The Outdoor Academy lives up to its name, where their classroom is a 182-acre campus. Built on the four cornerstones of intellect, craft, environment, and community, The Outdoor Academy offers many opportunities for students to learn and grow in the natural world. In addition, students go on expedition trips where they backpack, whitewater paddle, and climb. Former outdoor experience is not required.
Academics:
All classes are taught at an honors level, and all students take the following six courses:
An English class: Either Reading the Landscape or Writing our World
US History / Civics or World History
Environmental Science: Ecosystems and Societies
Outdoor Education
Appalachian Craft
CIRCLE Health and Wellness- CIRCLE stands for Community, Identity, Relationships, Communication, Leadership, and Ethics. This class discusses healthy relationships, group dynamics, conflict resolution, diversity and privilege, etc.
In addition, students can also choose:
Math: choice of Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Common Core Math 3 Block
Spanish: Levels I-IV or a Language Independent Study
Furthermore, 30 service hours transferred to their high school as students also work on a Work Crew with faculty.
Class Description:
Program is for: sophomores (spring) and juniors
Total number of students: 24
Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Admissions:
Applications for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 are still open!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Priority deadline was February 15th.
Learn more here https://www.enf.org/outdoor-academy/
The School of Ethics and Global Leadership
Washington, DC, Johannesburg, South Africa, or London, England
The mission of the School of Ethics and Global Leadership is to help motivated high school students shape themselves into ethical leaders ready to “create positive change in the world.” Students can take their semester in Johannesburg, London, or Washington DC. Furthermore there is a summer program offering in Washington, DC.
Academics:
Classes are taught at the AP/honors level.
Required classes:
Ethics & Leadership
English
Other class offerings:
History: US History
History: Comparative Government and Politics
Languages
Mathematics
Science: Physics
Independent Study
Class Description:
Program is for: juniors and seniors
Total number of students: 24
Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Admissions:
Applications are still open!
Learn more here https://www.schoolforethics.org/
Alzar School
Cascade, Idaho and Patagonia, Chile
At the core of the Alzar School are the Six Foundations: leadership, development, academics, cultural exchange, outdoor adventure, service learning, and environmental stewardship. These core values are embedded into the adventures at the Alzar School, where students spend 5-6 weeks in Patagonia, Chile and the rest of the time on the Idaho campus, where they can hike, whitewater raft, and kayak.
Academics:
Students usually take seven classes and all classes other than leadership and physical education are taught at an honors or AP level:
Math: choice of Algebra II Honors, Precalculus Honors, or AP Calculus BC
Science: choice of Environmental Science (Honors or AP), Chemistry Honors, Biology (Honors or AP), or Physics (Honors or AP Physics 1)
English: choice of English 10 Honors, English 11 Honors, or AP English Language and Composition
History: choice of US History (Honors or AP) or World History (Honors or AP: Modern)
Spanish: choice of Spanish 1 Honors, Spanish 2 Honors, Spanish 3 Honors, Spanish 4 Honors, or AP Spanish Language and Culture
Leadership
Physical Education
Class Description:
Program is for: sophomores, juniors, and gap-year students
Total number of students: 35-40
Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Admissions:
Applications for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 are still open!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Learn more here https://alzar.org/
High Mountain Institute
Leadville, CO
Ready to adventure in Colorado and Utah? With a priority on conservation and environmental protection, the High Mountain Institute offers rigorous courses and three wilderness expeditions (including backpacking, backcountry skiing, and rock climbing (Fall only)) ranging from 10-16 days.
Academics:
All courses are at an AP or Honors Level.
Traditional and place-based courses are offered:
Traditional: Math, History, and Spanish
Place-based: Natural Science, English, and Wilderness Ethics
Class Description:
Program is for: juniors, seniors, and gap-year students
Total number of students: 45-50
Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Living:
Students live in off-the-grid, sustainable cabins.
Admissions:
Applications are still open.
Learn more here https://hminet.org/
The Island School
Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas
The Island School is a semester program in the Bahamas, where there is a strong emphasis on marine conservation and self-growth. In addition to the innovative classes offered there, students publish their own research and present it to public officials, spend five mornings each week training for a half-marathon or four mile open ocean swim, earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification, and participate in three and eight day sea kayaking trips.
Academics:
Students take the following classes six days a week:
Community and Culture
Sustainable Systems
Creative Writing and Storytelling
Elements of Ecology
Art and Movement
Scientific Research
Each of these courses can be transferred as more standard high school classes.
Class Description:
Program is for: sophomores (spring) and juniors
Total number of students: 24
Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Admissions:
Applications for Summer 2025 are currently closed.
Learn more here https://islandschool.org/
The Traveling School
South Africa or South America
The Traveling School is an all-girls semester program that travels to either South Africa (Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa) in the fall or South America (Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia) in the spring. With the mission to “amplify female voices through transformative education to ignite positive change,” The Traveling School is more than just a vacation. It exemplifies the four pillars of “experiential education”, “community engagement”, “outdoor pursuits”, and “transformational leadership” which allow The Traveling School to offer a once in a lifetime experience to learn and grow.
Academics:
Students take the courses listed below:
Honors Global Studies
Honors Literature & Composition
Honors History & Politics
Honors Environmental Science
Leadership & Life Skills
Physical & Outdoor Fitness
Honors Spanish (Level I, II, and III)- only required on South America trip
Students also have the option to take these courses as well:
Statistics
Advanced Financial Algebra
Independent Study (upon approval)
Class Description:
Program is for: sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Total number of students: 16
Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Admissions:
Not currently accepting applications
Learn more here https://travelingschool.com/