Approximately 3,200 of our island’s permanent residents are school age children. And as the summer months draw to a close, it’s time for many of us to think about getting back in the classroom. While local children may like nothing more than to forget about books and soak up some final rays of sun, our Nantucket schools are always a point of interest among visitors. We’re here to take some of the mystery out of our island education. Read on for the low down on sports, recreation, and more at our public and private schools.

Grades K-8

Nantucket Elementary School, Intermediate School, and Cyrus Pierce Middle School

Our island is seeing more year-round children than ever, and public schools were quickly running out of education space for younger students. Thus we are incredibly lucky to now have the Nantucket Intermediate School. In 2017, grades three through five moved into this new $45 million-dollar building, while pre-k through second grade remained at the original Nantucket Elementary School.

Just a short walk away from the Elementary and Intermediate Schools lies Cyrus Pierce Middle School, which caters to grades six through eight. Here, students can join field hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball teams. Who do they play? Like any other sports team, they travel to nearby towns for competition. For the Nantucket Whalers, this means the added challenge of a ferry ride and the possibility of games being cancelled due to rough seas. There are also a number of off island sports leagues if students can’t find what they’re looking for at home!

Nantucket New School

Nantucket’s first private school opened in 1985 with six kindergarteners. Today, the school accommodates students from pre-school to grade eight. For each child, there is an emphasis on close student/teacher relationships and strong community involvement. At Morning Meeting, the entire school gathers to listen to the students who are leading that week’s gathering.

Off-site learning is an important part of a Nantucket New School education. In 2010, the school partnered with Strong Wings, a popular adventure school and summer camp. Over the years, students will visit the whaling museum, Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket Land Council, and much more. Each year, the school’s older students travel to New Hampshire’s White Mountains, while younger students explore Plimoth Plantation.

Nantucket Lighthouse School

Nantucket’s newest school was founded in 2000 and began with just 12 students. Now, the Nantucket Lighthouse School caters to a host of children between the ages of 3 and 14. The youngest children can jumpstart their education in the Small School, with a loosely structured day and opportunities for creative and physical play. Here, mathematics and daily thankfulness are deemed equally important, and individuality is both recognized and embraced.

Something which makes this school really special is its outdoor garden and greenhouse. Students help cultivate vegetables, herbs, and flowers in this great learning space. You also won’t want to miss the Nantucket Lighthouse School’s annual Yuletide Fair. Browse beautifully crafted holiday gifts and trinkets, pick up some fresh baked goods, or enjoy children’s activities at this fundraiser in early December.

Grades 9-12 

Nantucket High School

There is only one schooling option for students entering grades 9-12 on the island. While some former Lighthouse and New School students may choose to attend boarding school elsewhere, many integrate themselves into our public-school system and attend Nantucket High School. The average graduating class size is around 120 students and growing each year.

In typical island style, students gather before and after school in the Hall of the Whale, which features a giant hanging whale skeleton. With a wealth of diverse activities to choose from, students are kept incredibly occupied during our quiet winter months. Some try their hand at field hockey, swimming, tennis or sailing. Others join our award winning school newspaper Veritas, the culinary club, or the quiz bowl team.

Nantucket Community School

While this is not a school in the traditional sense, the Nantucket Community School provides educational programming and resources to Nantucketers of all ages. From early childhood playgroups to dance classes and drivers education, their programs are essential to many island youth. Meanwhile, adults can take advantage of career training, CPR certification programs, language classes, and more.

One of the most exciting parts of the school is the Nantucket Community Pool. Our youth swim team the Nantucket Dolphins trains here, along with the Nantucket Whaler Swim & Dive team. The pool is also open for family swims and individual workouts- so check out their online schedule and stop by for a dip!

Higher Education and Beyond

As you might expect, there are no institutes of higher education on the island (at the University of Nantucket, you’ll discover t-shirts, not diplomas). But you can find NHS graduduates in colleges and universities across the North East and the country.

Born and raised on Nantucket, Lisa is incredibly excited to be starting her senior year at Dartmouth College. She feels most at home on the water and has an immense appreciation for the beauty and entertainment it provides. During the school year you may catch her taking a break from her economics studies to sail New Hampshire’s lakes. When she’s not assisting with marketing at Fisher, you can find her working on a new ceramic piece or catching the sunset from the mountains or the beach!