Ahoy, Followers –
I just get so excited when I see the long list of schools, homeschools, clubs, libraries, and Scout troops participating in the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to some schools that have something in common with Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Are you wondering what that could be? All of these schools have the word “Academy” in their name.
Will you join me on a quick trip? Our first stop is Fireweed Academy in Homer, Alaska. You’ll need to bring your flashlight with you. Alaska is so far north that they experience limited sunlight in the winter months. Today, January 6th, the sun will rise at 10:01 AM and set at 4:22 PM in Homer. That’s just 6 hours and 21 minutes of daylight. Fortunately, the students at Fireweed Academy are so engaged in hands-on activities, that the darkness doesn’t bother them. The public charter school does not use a traditional textbook-based curriculum for all subjects. Lessons center around a theme that changes each quarter. Here is a link to the Fireweed Academy website: https://kpbsd.org/schools/fireweed-academy/
995 Soundview Avenue
Homer, Alaska 99603
Our second stop is Big Pine Academy on Big Pine Cay in Florida. You'll need some sunscreen and a hat. Big Pine Key is located 100 miles south of Miami. Big Pine Academy is a public charter school where the learning focus is on science, technology, art, and math. Keep watch as we pass the national Key Deer Refuge. These deer, native to the Florida Keys, are the size of a small dog. Here is a link to Big Pine Academy's website: https://bigpineacademy.com/
30220 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043
Our third stop is Montgomery Academy, a private day school in Montgomery, Alabama. The Lower School houses kindergarten to grade five and the Upper School houses grades six to twelve. Here is a link to Montgomery Academy's website: https://www.montgomeryacademy.org/
3240 Vaughn Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36106
We can't drive to our fourth stop. We'll need to take an airplane and bring our passport to travel to American Academy Casablanca in Casablanca, Morocco. Morocco is a North African country that borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The American Academy Casablanca is a private school with 750 students from thirty different nations. Here is a link to American Academy Casablanca's website: https://www.aac.ac.ma/
RN # 3020 Ville Verte
Bouskoura 27182, Morocco
We're heading back across the ocean to the coastal community of Norwalk, Connecticut for our fifth. We'll visit the Marine Science Academy within Brien McMahon High School. The specialized curriculum includes two years of Maritime Studies, two years of Maritime Business, and two years of Marine Science. There are opportunities for field experiences, internships, and apprenticeships. Here is a link to the Marine Science Academy's website: https://sites.google.com/norwalkps.org/bmhsmsa/home
300 Highland Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
We'll warm up when we get to our sixth stop, iPrep Academy in Miami, Florida. iPrep Academy is a top-rated, public, charter school. Students have the option to learn at home, or in a school setting that looks more like a living room than a classroom. Don't let the relaxed environment fool you, the curriculum is quite rigorous. Here is a link to iPrep Academy's website: https://iprepacademy.com/
1500 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33132
We don't have far to go to reach out seventh stop, Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Westminster Academy is a private PreK-12 Christian School that is an outreach of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. The school has a unique connection to our training ship. Westminster Academy was founded in 1971 by Dr. D. James Kennedy. That's right, the founder had the last name Kennedy. Here is a link to the Westminster Academy website: https://www.wa.edu/
5601 North Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 3308
Our final stop is Cape Cod Christian Academy. It is not considered a private school, but a tutorial serve for homeschoolers. Cape Cod Christian Academy is probably the newest school participating in the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program. Their first student was accepted in September 2020. Here is a link to the Cape Cod Christian Academy website: https://www.capecodchristianacademy.org/
One behalf of Captain Campbell, the cadets, and the crew of the TS Kennedy, I welcome the students at all of these Academies...and ALL of the students participating in the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program.
I can't WAIT for the TS Kennedy leave the dock on Sunday. Be sure to check this website throughout the weekend. Introduce your family and friends to the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program. There will be new posts on Saturday and Sunday.
Your favorite green pirate,
Little Buc