Approximately 300 boys and girls attend Proctor in Andover, NH, each trimester. An additional 40-something students attend off-campus elective programs at any given moment. The first of these, Mountain Classroom, headed west 33 years ago. Almost immediately, (in 1974) additional immersion programs were established in Spain and France. Only a few years ago, we began placing students at a fine little school on the west coast of Costa Rica. In the early '80s, we launched the boldest experiential program of all: Ocean Classroom. Setting sail on a 130-foot schooner in Gloucester, MA, twenty-two students share the joys and hardships of life at sea while earning full academic credit for studies of maritime literature, marine biology, environmental science and navigational math.

This fall's Ocean Classroom encountered whales feeding on their first day out at sea, as they crossed Stellwagen Bank. After stops at New Bedford, MA and Mystic Seaport, the Harvey Gamage sailed to Norfolk, VA and then Charleston, SC.

The ship makes 14 stops at ports of historic and scientific interest, including Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island, Cumberland Island. Here, students and faculty explore pristine marine biological sites, undeveloped beaches and transitional forests.

Towering, ancient oaks--tolerant of this maritime microclimate--give way to sand dunes and a variety of beach grasses.

Heading southeast toward the out islands of the Bahamas, the deck provides a resting spot for a tired warbler.

Classes aboard ship come with challenging homework assignments. These kids are working on a science project.

Today, Ocean Classroom has dropped anchor at Eleuthera. In the days and weeks ahead, they will sail through the Bahamas, down to the Dominican Republic and on to Puerto Rico. Students will fly back from San Juan four weeks from now.