Academics

Many courses have hands-on elements, but more than a third are primarily experiential. In these courses, students spend most of their time engaged in practice, whether painting a still life, designing a building, taking water samples, varnishing a boat, fabricating a component, white-water rafting, or programming a robot.

One in four draws substantially on our unique cultural, historic, or natural resources. Our students research local flora, fauna, and the environment; examine local geography, economy, and human resources; learn about local fisheries in Ocean Studies; read fiction and nonfiction about Maine and by Maine authors. These are a few examples of how our students engage with local resources. In doing so, their understanding deepens, but they also learn what it takes to be good community members and stewards of these resources.

More than one in four help students make substantial connections to our communities. Our students connect with the community in many ways, through field trips and expert interviews; class visits by local authors, politicians, and small-business owners; public performances, like the winter concert; Spring Arts Festival; and ISIP.

Many courses provide students with skills they need for careers wherever they live, but some prepare them specifically to work in fields of local importance, like healthcare, marine resources, building trades, and scientific research.

Coming soon