DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS) is an independent school for Bahamian students in grades seven through nine. The school was founded by the Cape Eleuthera Foundation in September 2001, growing out of The Island School’s Community Outreach Program. DCMS is fully endorsed and recognized by the Bahamian Ministry of Education. In 2006, DCMS enrolled 36 students from settlements in South Eleuthera.

The objective of DCMS is to collaborate with the Bahamian Ministry of Education to build a place-based academic program that intellectually challenges students both in and out of the classroom. The experience is intended to open doors in education that otherwise may not be accessible to these students. Graduates of the Middle School are prepared to take necessary standardized tests in the Bahamas or the United States, enabling them to continue on at local high schools or abroad.

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Academic Information

The Middle School’s curriculum is based on schemes created by the Ministry of Education. Core subjects taught at the Middle School are:

English Math Science Social Studies Spanish Physical Education World Religions Health & Family Art

In addition to this academic program, students take part in a unique, two month Alternative Program that builds their knowledge of local history, geology and the environment. Grade 7 students are immersed in the environment, traveling to the location where settlers first landed, learning about the geology of the island, and studying marine life living in the oceans surrounding their homes. Grade 8 students study Sociology through a ‘Living History of Eleuthera’ project where they learn to interview people and transcribe the responses in a formal report. To commence their unit, the entire grade 8 class takes a two day field trip to the country’s capital city, Nassau where they visit government offices, talk to government officials and learn about the history of the area. Grade 9 students take part in a SCUBA certification program, integrating the physics of diving with their regular math curriculum, and learning to appreciate the sea around them in a whole new way .

Recent Accomplishments

The Bahamas requires that all grade nine students write standardized tests called the Bahamas Junior Certificate. In 2005, the ninth grade students who wrote the tests scored in the top fifteen schools in the whole country.

DCMS Opportunities

In 2006, six DCMS students are attending boarding schools in the United States. Each student has received a full-scholarship to continue their studies at the Proctor Academy, Lawrence Academy, Episcopal High School, Kimball Union Academy, and Vermont Academy. We have just learned that one of our current grade nines has also received a full scholarship to Lawrence Academy for the 2006-2007 school year!

DCMS students are also encouraged to take advantage of scholarships for summer academic, sports, and musical programs. This summer there are five DCMS students attending various camps on scholarship.

Tuition

Tuition for DCMS is $1,500 but the actual cost of educating each student is $6,500. Tuition payments are difficult for most families that we serve because of the failing economy in South Eleuthera. The Cape Eleuthera Foundation supports DCMS with generous help from individuals, families, and foundations.