Virtual Admissions Center - Maine Coast Semester

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 semester like no other at Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki. Designed for academically driven juniors and seniors, our immersive program combines rigorous Honors and AP-level coursework with hands-on learning in a stunning natural setting.

By exploring backcountry wilderness, conducting hands-on science labs, and embracing daily discoveries in sustainable living, our students gain more than knowledge: they gain the power to make a difference in the world. Spend four life-changing months in an inspiring community of ambitious peers from across the nation, all eager to maximize their high school experience and set the stage for success in college and beyond.

Join us at Maine Coast Semester and see why our alumni call it “the place I learned how to change the world.” Embrace the adventure that shapes you academically, personally, and globally. Apply now and let your journey begin!

Fast Facts:

3:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Required Course Credits

Academic Classes offered

Percent of Maine Coast Students go on to a four-year college

Full-time Faculty, plus 35 additional Chewonki support staff

100

Percent of faculty have an advanced degree

400

Acres of woods, waters, shoreline, fields, and forest

Teaching Fellows

Average years of teaching experience per faculty member

Average # of Students Per Class

Unique biomes to explore!

Join Us At An Event

Jan. 30 – Maine Coast Semester Virtual Info Session

Feb. 13 – Maine Coast Semester Virtual Info Session

Feb. 1 – NYC All-Chewonki Gathering

Experience a Day in the Life at Maine Coast Semester

What is it like to leave home and experience the rugged woods and waters of Maine for a semester?

Meet Our Admissions Team

Justin Fahey

Director of Admissions

Carter Ramquist

Associate Director of Admissions

Invest in Your Future: Tuition & Financial Aid

At Maine Coast Semester, we’re committed to making our life-changing semester program accessible to all motivated high school students. Tuition, room, and board for the 2025–2026 academic year total $37,800 per semester.

We believe in supporting you every step of the way. About 40% of our students receive financial aid, and our need-blind admissions process ensures that everyone who wants to join us has the chance to do so.

Ready to take the next step? We encourage every interested student to apply! We’ll work closely with you and your family to create an equitable financial aid package — so you can fully immerse yourself in everything Maine Coast Semester has to offer.

Explore the Curriculum Guide

From Natural History and Ecology of the Maine Coast to Literature and the Land, our nature-based curriculum will inspire and engage you with hands-on learning.

Start Your Application

We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Chewonki strives to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Our legacy of thoughtful self-reflection and purposeful change guides our efforts to create a place where all participants and staff can flourish.

Health and Wellness

Our Health and Wellness Center is staffed by a Director of Health Services, a full-time team of registered nurses, and a full-time mental health coordinator. Our first focus in risk management is to establish practices and policies that support a safe and healthy environment for our community.

Outdoor Program

There are three major outdoor experiences throughout the semester: Backcountry Expeditions, Outdoor Leadership Weekend, and Solos. During backcountry expeditions in the fall semester, students spend five days canoeing, backpacking, or sea kayaking, often setting up camp in a new location each night. In the spring semester, students spend four days cross-country skiing or snowshoeing and sleep in heated cabins.