Welcome To

Bald Head Island Academy™

Embedding Respect For Self, Others, and Our Environment
For Generations To Come

Learn More

BHI Academy Summer Program Series

BHI Academy has something for every kid this summer!  From fashion and fitness to robotics and writing, we have a summer program that sure to keep your child entertained, engaged and educated. 

Check out all the tracks our Summer Program Series has to offer!

BHI Academy
Surf School

The surf is up at BHI Academy!  Our summer Surf School is open and taking surf lesson registrations.  Whether you want to surf with friends on a group lesson (up to 3 people), or take a solo lesson, we have slots available all summer along. 

Register now to reserve your place on the waves!

YouTube player

School Motto

“Embedding Respect for Self, Others, and Our Environment for Generations to Come”

Location: 2B Maritime Way, Bald Head Island, NC 28461

Mailing Address: PO Box 3499, Bald Head Island, NC 28461

Telephone: (910) 294-6644

Email: info@bhiacademy.org

Office Hours: M-F: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Our Philosophy

Open to all students, regardless of financial means, BHI Academy™ is staffed by best-in-class teachers educating children grades K through eighth.

BHI Academy provides its students with a rich, credentialed, on-island education, emphasizing earth sciences and maritime ecosystems. While the educational content complies with federal and North Carolina standards, the learning goes far beyond just these academic basics: It is designed to foster future leaders and teach our children the fabric of our island. We are breaking barriers and teaching children how to learn for life. Our innovative STEA+M curriculum (science, technology, English/languages, art, athleticism, and math) is designed to bring out the best in our scholars: excellence in academics, leadership, creativity, health, and stewardship.

We feel that implanting a culture of good stewardship in young minds is especially critical to our island’s long-term, intentional success. We believe in our c-squared e-squared approach: child-centric eco-education.

Mission

Bald Head Island Academy’s Mission & Vision

With a motto of Embedding respect for self, others, and our environment for generations to come, the school curriculum emphasizes BHI’s core values of conservation and its unique commitment to maritime sustainability and preservation of natural ecosystems and habitats. We believe it’s critical to teach all children about the importance of good stewardship, the impact of their actions, and the value of their informed participation on their world, on the world.

Bald Head Island History

Drag and Zoom to explore

More

Than School Colors

The school logo has a meaning and purpose:
The turtle and lighthouse are beloved icons that symbolize all things Bald Head Island. These iconic images are cocooned in an acorn, which represents the oak’s strength and deep roots that anchor our community. It is also a perfect symbol for our young students, who will be “trees of knowledge” one day. The school colors of blue, green, and dark red hold an intentional meaning for our island home. The green symbolizes the land, its flora, and our unique island topography. The blue represents how the sky unites with the ocean to surround our island paradise in a beautiful blue bowl. The dark red speaks to the passion behind the good, hard work that was and continues daily in the development of the island so many people call home. The union of all these elements will inspire our students to walk proudly in BHI Academy’s mission of respect for self, respect for others, and respect for the environment for generations to come.

Leadership

Sheree Vaickus

Co-Founder
Interim Head of School

Kit Adcock

Co-Founder & Advisor Emerita
Government & Public Affairs Officer

Robin Prak

Community Liaison

Mark J. Prak

A.B. Duke 1977, J.D. Duke Law 1980
Legal Counsel

Louis Vaickus

MD, FACP
Life Sciences Curriculum

Kess Clark

Director of Communications

Timothy Krist

CPA
Treasurer

Melanie Raskin

Secretary

Daniel Edwards

Behavior, Safety, and Security Officer

Craig Bandoroff

Capital Campaigns and
Fundraising Board Member

Calendar

Our Upcoming Curricular Events & Activities

NOW

 

 Open Enrollment:
Summer Program Series

Fun summer day camps for children ages 516. June 24 – August 16, 2024

NOW

 

Open Enrollment: Traditional School

An island school for island children, grades K through eighth, (ages 5-14). September 2024 – June 2025

 

 

24

June

Summer Program
Series Begins

Teacher Workdays

Teacher Work Days

Teachers only; no classes. Build a sand castle, picnic with your family, sit under a shady oak, identify an island insect.

January 24
March 11
April 10 and 29

HOLIDAYS

Presidents’ Day

February 19

Spring Break/Good Friday/Easter

March 25-29, April 1

Memorial Day

May 27

12

June

Last Day of School

Have a happy summer!

About Our School

Facilities and Volunteering

It takes an engaging, creative space and dedicated, talented people to build thoughtful leaders and good stewards of our beautiful island home. Our best-in-class teachers are supported by additional paid and volunteer staff in the areas of art, beekeeping, gardening, computer programming and coding, culinary arts, entomology, ESL (English as a second language), health and fitness, horticulture, human biology, Mandarin, marine biology, music, theater, photography, robotics, Spanish, surfing, and more. Interested in participating as an instructor or helper, regularly or for special classes? Contact us.

PTO Organization

This dynamic committee, organized by and for parents, will support the educational, governance, and fundraising activities of the school. It is supported by our Parent/Teacher Officer, an advocate and liaison charged with being the eyes and ears of parental concerns, issues, and good ideas and with the sole goal of ensuring everyone is working together in the best interest of our students and our island home.  

School Meals Menu

We provide delicious, nutritious lunches to our scholars during school days, as well as during our Summer School and Summer Enrichment Program.

Academic Standards

Our state- and federally-compliant, credentialed curriculum is taught by talented, accredited, NC-licensed educators. But, our program has a unique island focus on earth sciences and maritime environmental preservation.

Extracurricular Activities

Beyond regular classroom learning, the school also features lessons in entomology (bugs and insects!), ESL (English as a second language), golf, horticulture, human biology, Mandarin, marine biology, music, Spanish, surfing with BHI’s own Sandy Backpacks Surf School, and more.  There will be additional educational opportunities and field trips off-island. The Academy will provide extended day/after school programs as well.

Technology In the Classroom

Every child in the Academy will have a computer for use both during class and for homework, as well as the support of our programming and coding experts.  We deploy the latest video, web, and meeting technology to enhance learning.

Is the school public?

BHI Academy is a tuition-based school of blended classrooms: grades K-1 combined, grades 2-3 combined, and grades 4-5-6 combined, with future plans through grade 8.

Is the academy exclusively for BHI residents?

BHI Academy is designed for families who believe in conservation and a rich approach to learning about preservation and stewardship. The school will accommodate children grades K through eight (ages 5-14). Because BHI Academy Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, it offers scholarship funds to assist the children of families who are employed on the island and unable to cover tuition expenses.

Summer classes and programs are available to children of residents and vacationers who are staying on the island (minimum one week). Space is limited, so please check the website regularly regarding the summer series or contact the enrollment office ASAP by email at enrollment@bhiacademy.org.

How much does it cost to attend BHI Academy?

BHIA Founding Families (2024-25 school year)
$750 – intake fee
$750 – school fees
$16,000 – tuition
Total: $17,500 ($14,400 for additional children)

BHI-sponsored Families (2025-26 school year)
Off-island families sponsored by a BHI family
$750 – intake fee
$950 – school fees
$19,000 tuition
Total: $20,700 ($17,500 for additional child)

Tuition includes education, swimming lessons, some sport activities, and computers for each student. Tuition does not include the lunch program or school uniforms.

We accept payment by check, money order, and credit card via our Enrollment platform.

The school serves all children regardless of financial means via its philanthropic arm, the BHI Academy Foundation, which provides guidance on and raises funds for scholarships to  families with needs, school trips and activities, school improvement projects such as a robotics laboratory and culinary facilities, as well as much-needed equipment and school supplies. BHI Academy Foundation’s 501 (c)(3) designation allows the community at large to donate to this endeavor and receive a tax benefit.

Is BHI Academy™ a year-round school or by the semester? How is it structured?

This year’s school calendar runs September to June, with our exciting summer program camps scheduled this year from June 24 through August 16,2024. Traditional school day hours are 9:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(There may be extended school days and/or after-school program options as well.)

Who’s teaching at the school, what is the planned enrollment number, and what is the planned student:teacher ratio?

We have a number of talented, accredited, NC-licensed teachers, support staff, and volunteers who are committed to our model and student-to-teacher ratio of 4 to 5 students per-teacher, max.

May I enroll my child now?

We are accepting enrollment. Please submit an enrollment application at: https://bhiacademy.org/enrollment

How do I find out more about the school and the Foundation?

Feel free to send your questions to info@BHIacademy.org and a member of our team  will follow up with you. We will also be posting monthly updates on BHI’s and the school’s Facebook and Linked In pages.

Are more positions available?

Yes, the school is seeking instructors in the following subjects:
Computer Programming/Coding
Entomology
ESL (English as a second language)
Golf
Horticulture
Human Biology
Mandarin
Marine Biology
Music
Spanish
Swimming

If you’d like to participate, please reach out by email to info@BHIacademy.org.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in learning more about Bald Head Island Academy?  Here are answers to some of our most popular questions.

NOW

Open Enrollment:
Summer Program Series
Fun summer day camps for children ages 5-16: June 24 – August 16, 2024.

04

July

4th of July Holiday

24

June

Summer Series Camps Begins
Participants will leave the island physically and emotionally healthier and energized.

16

August

Summer Activities End

Last day of camp. Good-bye summer; get ready for traditional school!

Get In Touch

Location: 2 B Maritime Way, Bald Head Island, NC 28461

Mailing Address: PO Box 3499, Bald Head Island, NC 28461

Telephone: 910-294-6644

Email: info@bhiacademy.org

School Hours: M-F: 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Bald Head Island Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.