Welcome To
Bald Head Island Academy™Embedding Respect For Self, Others, and Our Environment
For Generations To Come
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
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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
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
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.