offshore

Updates from North Haven Community School

Volume 2526: Issue 2

Go Offshore: A Unique High School Experience on the Coast of Maine

Dear Friends of NHCS:

As with many schools throughout the state of Maine, we are slowly thawing out and stretching our legs in preparation for a new school year. It is rare to have the opportunity for a clean slate, which is exactly what we get to do each September as educators and students.

On North Haven, as an island community, we exchange the hustle and bustle of a busy summer tourist season for the quietudes of fall. Throughout the fall and winter seasons in particular, our school is a primary hub of activity on the island. That means any student at NHCS has the opportunity to experiment with a wide variety of opportunities. Do you want to design your own classes and teach others? We can make that happen. No experience in theater? No problem, you can land a leading role or design sets! Ever want to play a totally new instrument and have the opportunity to perform on stage multiple times? Well, here's a trombone. Go for it!

Thank you for your continued interest in NHCS and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Warmly,

Dr. Shaun Johnson
North Haven Community School
93 Pulpit Harbor Road
North Haven, ME 04853
Website

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Community Days

Community Days are a very busy time on North Haven, with a number of events occurring over the course of several days. It's a time for everyone to come together and celebrate what makes North Haven unique. Staff and community members alike rallied to bake a variety of baked goods to support student scholarships, raising nearly $2000 in just a few hours.

Projects Building

Community members were invited to one of our first summer showcases in our "makerspace," engaging seasonal residents in conversations about education and our school. Visitors observed many of our digital tools in action, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, as well as sample boatbuilding in our manual trades area and agricultural projects in our garden and greenhouse.

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Go Offshore: A Unique High School Experience on the Coast of Maine

Dear Friends of NHCS:

My name is Dr. Shaun Johnson and I’m the principal of North Haven Community School, located on the beautiful island of North Haven, just 12 miles off the coast of Rockland, Maine.

I want to personally invite you to learn more about Offshore, our one-of-a-kind magnet program for high school students in grades 9 through 12. Offshore gives students the chance to live and learn on the island for a semester, a year, or even longer. It’s more than a change of scenery—it’s a chance to rediscover who you are and what education can be.

At North Haven, we keep things small on purpose. Our class sizes are small, our programming is highly personalized, and our entire island community becomes part of your educational journey. Students who join us are often those who feel unheard or lost in larger schools—young people with so much to offer, but not always the space to shine. Offshore is a place where your voice matters.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore a range of interests, with a particular focus on marine and environmental sciences, hands-on learning, and real-world projects that connect classroom learning to the world around us.

If you’re looking for something different—something meaningful—Offshore might be the place for you.

Monthly Offshore Updates

We are excited to share the latest news and highlights from North Haven Community School. Each month, we’ll offer a window into the life of our small but vibrant island school—celebrating student learning, sharing stories from the classroom and beyond, and offering ways for you to stay connected to our mission. Whether you live here year-round or join us for the summer season, we’re grateful for your continued interest in and support of our work.

This newsletter is our way of keeping you informed about the innovative programs, community partnerships, and student achievements that make NHCS such a special place. We hope it helps you stay connected and pique your interest in our Offshore magnet program for students in grades 9-12. Information on the program and how to apply are always available on our website.

Please direct all questions about the Offshore program to offshore@nhcshawks.org, or give us a call at 207-867-4707.

Warmly,

Dr. Shaun Johnson
North Haven Community School
93 Pulpit Harbor Road
North Haven, ME 04853
Website

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