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Our Application for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open.

If you are interested in applying for our Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 semesters, you are invited to submit an application before our February 15 priority deadline. Click here to start your application.

Are you ready for an exciting, challenging academic experience on the Maine Coast?

We seek students who are looking for an exciting and challenging experience, thriving at their own school, and ready to seek new ways of learning for themselves and new ways to contribute to others. Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki is not for everyone. Students who enroll here-–high school juniors and seniors from a diverse array of communities across the country-–are self-directed, motivated, enthusiastic, and joyful. Come grow with us!

Visit Campus

See What We Mean by Life-Changing Learning in Nature Interested in learning more about life changing learning in nature? We highly encourage you to come see our 400-acre campus and ...

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition Our comprehensive fee (inclusive of tuition, room, board, and books/academic materials) is $38,800 per semester for the 2026-2027 academic year. Financial aid at Maine Coast Semester is exclusively need-based ...

FAQ

What is a semester school? Semester schools, in general, are similar to the college-level “junior year abroad” but for high school students. The semester school model provides a boarding-school-like atmosphere ...

Contact Admissions

Reach out today: Admissions inquiries can be addressed to admissions@chewonki.org or by calling (207) 656-5817. Maine Coast Semester 485 Chewonki Neck Road Wiscasset, Maine 04578

Start or Resume Your Application

Please note! The priority application deadline for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 is February 15, 2026. × Apply Now for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Start a New Application Resume ...

Admissions Events

Upcoming Admissions Events Past Events

Application Checklist

Please note! The priority application deadline for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 is February 15, 2026. × Application Checklist 1. Complete the Online Application (required) Our application includes several ...

Virtual Admissions Center

Life-Changing Learning to Prepare You for College and Beyond The Most Transformative Four Months of Your High School Experience Await! Step outside the typical classroom walls and dive into a ...

See what parents and students are saying about Maine Coast Semester:

"If you are considering going to Maine Coast Semester, I can’t recommend it highly enough."

More than any other experience, it promoted my growth into a mature, self-knowing individual who could collaborate, share my passions and values with others, and work hard toward a shared goal. The experience is stripped of unnecessary fluff. You live in a wood stove-heated cabin on the Maine coast, take courses that place the material in the context of the natural world around you and the experiences you are gaining as a group, have amazing adventures hiking and canoeing in the Maine wilderness, and build a community with peers from around the country who become life-long friends.

"The faculty was amazing and I cannot express enough gratitude for the lasting memories she made on campus."

My daughter attended the Maine Coast Semester program during her Junior year in high school. This was a very different experience for her coming from a traditional high school in Kentucky. She thrived in so many ways! Some of the highlights included: hands on immersion with real life coastal science and working on a farm, she loved being witness to baby farm animals being born, she grew in her critical thinking skills and independence, no cell phones was a huge plus for getting outside and forming deep and lasting relationships that have continued to grow outside of the program.

"Our son attended the spring semester of Maine Coast Semester."

It was definitely a transformative experience. As an only child, he learned to live with others cooperatively. He developed skills he would never have encountered in a traditional high school, especially an appreciation for the environment, cooking, maintaining the farm, heating their cabin, safely enjoying the outdoors, and being solo in the woods. He earned the highest grades he had ever had despite the academic program being more challenging than even his competitive private high school. He is now an adult, and we can see the skills from Maine Coast Semester carried over into his work and family life.

"It changed my life."

I was a Maine Coast Semester student in 2002. I became more independent, realized that I had the power to choose my own life course, and met people from all over the country. It was a great opportunity to expand my horizons.

"It was truly life changing for all of us."

It’s hard to describe the respect and admiration we have for the people who helped our daughter gain the confidence she needed to lean into the things she loves, learn from mistakes, and find her voice. What would I change? Possibly a full year experience to live and experience 3 seasons at the school. We love you Chewonki!!

"From the moment we were greeted…"

…by the Chewonki faculty and administration, to the handmade sign greeting I got from my daughter and her friends on visiting day, to the snowy pickup of our amazing daughter, we felt the love of nature, the joy of community and the commitment to the environment of this very special place.

"I would highly encourage anyone interested to explore Maine Coast Semester attendance."

Indeed, I very much hope to send my own children to Maine Coast Semester one day!

"My semester on Chewonki neck taught me the power of a truly intentional, connected community."

We lived close to the land and in tune with the natural world, and while the academics were rigorous, the faculty helped us keep the larger goals of cultivating curiosity, open-mindedness, and thoughtfulness always at the fore. Even now, many years later, I continue to draw lessons from those meaningful days and the lasting friendships I built during that time.

"I attended Maine Coast Semester during the fall of my junior year of high school."

Even after amazing subsequent college and graduate school experiences, Maine Coast Semester remains the single most transformative educational experience of my life.

"I would highly recommend this school for a semester program away!"

The faculty was amazing and I cannot express enough gratitude for the lasting memories she made on campus. She retold many joyful stories of playing outside at night on frozen ponds, “coffee shop” style talent shows, and a two day culminating “solo” camping trip that helped her reflect on herself as a friend, student, and community member.

"My daughter’s time at Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki was life-changing for her!"

From the moment she arrived until the last hug goodbye, she was challenged in new ways, encouraged by wonderful teachers, and found lifelong friendships. We are so grateful she took a leap of faith and went outside of her comfort zone. The administration’s thoughtful care and communication with parents was also much appreciated. She returned to her sending school with more confidence, a greater sense of herself, and lasting memories.

Student Life

For Enrolled Students

Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki is a four-month, college-preparatory semester school for motivated high school juniors. Students live and learn on a 400-acre coastal campus in Maine, taking rigorous courses in science, humanities, math, and languages while conducting field research, working on a sustainable farm, and building leadership skills in the outdoors.

Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki • 485 Chewonki Neck Road • Wiscasset, Maine 04578 • (207) 656-5817 • info@chewonki.org
Chewonki is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. ©2022 All Rights Reserved.