Amazing Field Trip to Mexico: Five of Ocean Academy's top Jr. Science students went on an educational trip offered by the Mexican Embassy to visit a Planetarium and Mayan Museum in Chetumal, Mexico. Donor Valerie Baggett generously sponsored the students' costs from the island to the Embassy, and Science teacher Sarah Requena chaperoned.

October 2011

Student Leadership Council: Ocean Academy students elected their leadership council to represent student views, promote positive school spirit, and plan fun school events. Teacher sponsors are Ms. Natalie Arceo and Principal Hilda Marin.

September 2011  

Mercedes to represent Caye Caulker at Youth Conference: Youth Leaders from across Belize will meet September 30th-October 1st for the consultation "Strengthening National Youth Governance Networks and Leadership in Belize". The consultation is facilitated by Youth for the Future, and trainers from Barbados and Guyana associated with the Commonwealth Youth Centre Caribbean Programme. Ocean Academy is proud that Mercedes was invited, and confident she will do a great job speaking on behalf of Caye Caulker youth.

Compost and Gardening Group Wins National Awards: Ocean Academy's Compost and Gardening Group won three prestigious national awards, presented at Belize City's Bliss Centre on September 13th by the Ministry of Education and Youth For the Future. The Awards theme was "Young Patriots" and Ocean Academy won in three categories: 1st in Youth Environmentalism, 2nd in School Club and 2nd in Youth in Agriculture. The after-school club is now so popular that an elective in landscaping/gardening has been added to the school schedule. Congratulations to founding club members Mercedes, Kyle, Yuma, Estrella, Lilly and Elizabeth. Thank you to the Caye Caulker Village Council for seed money, club mentors, business clients, and Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association for transportation to the ceremony. Read more about the event.

Congratulations Osmin! Osmin is the proud recipient of a full tuition and books scholarship from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Scholarship Fund. Read all about it.

June 2011

June 11, 2011 First Graduation Ceremony. Amira Marin, Danny Marin, Lexee Marin and Morgan Carrasco are the pride of Caye Caulker as the very first graduates of Ocean Academy. This group of young people have great plans for their futures! Danny has been accepted into the University of Belize, and Amira will study at Muffles. Morgan will continue to work with local conservation groups. Lexee has been hired by Belize Diving Services after successfully completing her Advance Diving course through Ocean Academy's aquatic tourism P.E. You can read the full press release, and see more photos of the celebration.

Official Crest Unveiled at Graduation and Awards Ceremonies: The open book tops our shield illustrating that learning is paramount to what we do at Ocean Academy. Three gold coins represent the three founders who sacrificed time, effort and funds to establish our school. The dolphin is a symbol of the freedom that education brings. Rolling waves are a metaphor for our perpetual desire to push forward and break barriers. Mangroves signify strength and stability rooted in education. The foliage around the shield indicates Ocean Academy's committment to environmental education and conservation.

School Trip to Goff's Caye: Despite the drizzly weather, students and staff had a great June 17th

Friends of Swallow Caye (FOSC) and Ocean Academy teamed up for a community service project to paint and decorate the new FOSC Front Street office. The exterior reef scene decorations, including the manatees, were made from recycled materials. Learn more about FOSC's manatee protection programs.

Awards Ceremony 2011: Many businesses and individuals generously donate tuition scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships currently range from $25-$500usd and are credited directly to the student's tuition account at Ocean Academy. Some donors have also created Memorial Awards to honour loved ones. Tuition assistance makes the world of difference to the academic futures of many students. Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring a tuition scholarship.

Congratulations Gardening & Composting Group!

Chocolate's Gift Shop Award for Environmental Conservation

Hilda Marczak Memorial Trophy for Community Involvement

Amanda & Scrumpy Award for Community Involvement

Congratulations Mercedes!

Iguana Reef Visionary Award

Raggamuffin "Spirit of Ocean Academy"

Sea Dreams Hotel for Top Achievement in Form III

Greg Bailey English Award: Excellence

Renewal of International Friends of Belize scholarship

Honour Roll

Congratulations Lilly!

Lazy Iguana Attendance Award

Seaside Cabanas Citizenship Award

Raggamuffin "Spirit of Caye Caulker"

Sea Dreams Hotel for 2nd Top Achievement in Form III

Jeanne Link Effort in English

Greg Bailey English Award: Excellence

Patty Holden Memorial for Effort in Math

Renewal of International Friends of Belize scholarship

Honour Roll

Congratulations Elmir!

The Split Complex Award for Sacrifices, Perserverance & Determination

Sharon Uscheller and Ilna Auxillou Scholarship

Caye Caulker Village Council "Spirit of Caye Caulker"

Congratulations Evelio!

Raggamuffin "Spirit of Ocean Academy"

Tropical Paradise Award for a Professional Student in Form I

Tsunami Adventures Award for Honesty & Integrity

Sea Dreams Hotel for 2nd Top Achievement in Form I

Wilber Carballo Effort in Math

Greg Bailey English Award: Promising Writer

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award for Effort in Social Studies

Honour Roll

Congratulations Kyle!

Frenchie's Diving Award for Aquatic Excellence

Congratulations Ramon!

Caye Dreams Real Estate for Great Improvement Over the School Year

Habanero's Caana Award for Great Improvement

Congratulations David!

Caye Caulker Condos Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit

Habanero's Caana Award for Great Improvement

Congratulations Estrella!

Molly & Neil Bradley Tourism Skills Award

Congratulations Michael!

Belize Diving Services Award for Presentation Skills

Sea Dreams Hotel for 2nd Top Academic Achievement in Form II

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award for Effort in Information Technology

Sharon Uscheller Scholarship

Honour Roll

Congratulations Ramir!

Belize Diving Services Award for Communication Skills

Congratulations Cheyenne!

Tropical Paradise Award for a Professional Student in Form I

Greg Bailey English Award: Promising Writer

Congratulations Clifton!

Molly & Neil Bradley Award for Tourism Skills

Congratulations Yuma!

Walter Marczak Memorial Trophy and Book Prize for Science in Form I

Congratulations Denzel!

Molly & Neil Bradley Award for Tourism Skills

Congratulations Artie!

Caye Caulker Condos Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award for Effort in Business

Congratulations Ashley, Xena, Idalia!

Caye Caulker Condos Award for Courtesy

Congratulations Sophia!

Sea Dreams Hotel Award for Top Achievement in Form I

Honour Roll

Congratulations Angel!

Sea Dreams Hotel Award for Top Achievement in Form II

Honour Roll

Congratulations Yvon!

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award for Effort in Spanish

Greg Bailey English Award: Promising Writer

Sharon Uscheller Scholarship

Congratulations Osmin!

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award for Effort in Science

Hol Chan Marine Reserve Scholarship

Congratulations Stephanie!

Caye Caulker Plaza Hotel Scholarship

Congratulations Anifa!

Syd´s Restaurant Award

May 2011

Crocodiles in our Backyard: Ocean Academy students Kyle and Yuma helped catch, tag and release a neighbourhood croc.

Science Fair A Great Succes: Students welcomed classes from the primary school and members of the public to view their interactive exhibits and experiments. Water purification is shown in this photo. To see photos of other displays, click here (lemon juice rocket, solar power, circuits, cohesion, waste management solutions, animal habitats and more).

National Scholarship Winners: Congratulations Lilly, Jaison and Mercedes for a renewal of tuition scholarships for next school year by International Friends of Belize. The donors are an organization of former Peace Corps volunteers, and they selected this year's winners from over 50 applicants nation-wide.

April 2011

Night School Adult Graduates. Students in the Spanish (left) and English Second Language (right) gathered together on their last night of classes for an interactive graduation ceremony. Teacher Yeseni asked students to dress in a job uniform and then paired both classes of language learners in role plays: Spanish and then English. Congratulations to all graduates of level I languages, and thank you to volunteer instructors Diana and Leah.

February 2011

NASA guest speaker

Science class project

5 Students awarded full entrance scholarships:  The Caye Caulker Village Council and San Pedro Water Taxi offered 5 full scholarships to deserving students entering Form I at Ocean Academy.  The students are Xena, Sophia, D'Arcy, Osmin and Lidy. Congratulations and welcome!

National Winner and Youth Role Model!  Congratulations to Jaison Hernandez who won 5th place in the national selection of youth role models, by the community policing Du Di Rite Ting Awards.  Jaison, along with Ocean Academy's 5 regional winners, was recognized at a cermony at Old Belize on July 14th.  Jaison won $400 and, when he graduates from Ocean Academy, he has won his tuition for a 2-year Associate's Degree (Jr. College) at St. John's College in Belize City.  We couldn't be more proud!

International Friends of Belize Scholarships:  Congratulations to Mercedes Requena, Jaison Hernandez and Lilly Aldana who each won a $1000Bz scholarship from International Friends of Belize.  More than 50 students applied nationwide, so it is great honour to be selected.

With Community Support, Students Shine at Awards Ceremony: Students, staff and community members gathered Friday June 18^th to celebrate Ocean Academy’s end-of-the-year awards ceremony.  Students, led by Form III's Ramir Villanueva, arrived early to transform the Caye Caulker Community Centre into a beautiful reception area decked out with lights, balloons and glittery decorations in the school colors of blue and orange. 

“Good Conduct Awards” for receiving fewer than four demerits during the school year.

“Good Conduct with Distinction” was awarded to Lilly Aldana for no demerits during the entire school year.

2010 honor roll for maintaining an academic average of 86% or higher.   

Corporal Geban presented regional winners of the community policing “Do Di Rait Ting” award to Lilly Aldana, Danny Marin and Michael Blease (Mercedes Requena and Jaison Hernandez were awarded earlier in the year).  These awards recognize youth role models. 

Community business owners rewarded deserving students with 22 tuition scholarships ranging from $50-$400, redeemable at Ocean Academy.  Students and staff would like to express a big thank you to the Caye Caulker community for their ongoing support of educational opportunities for the island youth, and recognition of excellence. 

Bahia Convenience for Attendance and Punctuality

Neil and Molly Bradley Award for Tourism Skills

Seadreams Hotel for Highest Academic Achievement in Form III 

Congratulations Mercedes Requena

Chocolate's Conservation Award 

Iguana Reef Visionary Award

Juan Karim Math Excellence

Hilda Marczak Memorial for Community Activism

Seadreams Hotel for Highest Academic Achievement in Form II

Congratulations Lilly Aldana 

Lazy Iguana for Attendance and Punctuality

Oceanside for Effort in Math

Raggamuffin Tours "Spirit of Ocean Academy"

Seadreams Hotel for 2nd Highest Academic Achievement in Form II

Village Council "Spirit of Caye Caulker"

Congratulations Clifton Burgess

Frenchie's Award for Aquatic Excellence

Congratulations Estrella Jimenez

Belize Diving Services for Communication & Presentation Skills

Congratulations Arturo Allen

Joe Habanero's Caana Award (Great Improvement)

Congratulations Jaison Hernandez

Amanda & Scrumpy Award for Community Involvement

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award

Congratulations Angel Fuller

Caye Caulker Condos "Aim High"

Iguana Reef for Attendance and Punctuality

Seadreams Hotel for Highest Academic Achievement in Form I

Walter Marczak Memorial for Form I Science

Congratulations Michael Blease

Seadreams Hotel for 2nd Highest Academic Achievement in Form I

Tropical Paradise Hotel for Professsional Student Conduct in Form I

Congratulations Carl Burgess

Seaside Cabanas for Citizenship

Congratulations Carring Chen

Cayeboard Connection Internet Award

Tropical Paradise Hotel for Professional Student Conduct in Form I

Congratulations D'Arcy Lopez 

Caye Real Estate for Academic Determination

Congratulations Elmir Arana

Juan Clemente Marin Memorial for Work Ethic

Tropical Paradise Hotel for Professional Student Conduct in Form I

 Congratuations Dylan Ceballos

 Caye Caulker Properties for Sale & RE/MAX for Entrepreneurial Skills

April 2010

 Apprenticeships: Masonry, Electrical Work and Carpentry -  Cornelio, Christian, Rudy and Artie spent their first weekend of Easter Break...working and learning!  The students assisted Dane Dingerson and his crew in the construction of a downstairs Principal's Office, Counselling Office, and student cafeteria area.  In addition to a working wage, the boys gained valuable worksite appentriceship skills.

Congratulations to 5 newly certified Scuba Divers (March 6):  Congratulations to students who earned their PADI Open-Water certification in Ocean Academy's P.E. Aquatic Tourism class: Mercedes, Clifton, David, Bryon and Estrella.  The owners of Belize Diving Services, Chip and Danielle Petersen, generously volunteered their staff time and equipment.  Experienced diver Patrick Savage and Belize Diving Services staff member Pablo volunteered their time to instruct the group.  Ocean Academy just opened up another classroom: the underwater world of Caye Caulker.

"Do The Right Thing" Award: We are very proud of Form II student Lilly, for winning the February regional award for the  "Do The Right Thing" community policing award.  Each month highschools are invited to nominate one deserving student who is a role model for youth doing positive things in their community.  Lilly will be eligible for scholarship prizes in June when all nominations are judged nationally.

 "Do The Right Thing" Award: We are very proud of Form II students Mercedes and Jaison, for winning the November and January regional awards for the "Do The Right Thing" community policing award.  Each month highschools are invited to nominate one deserving student who is a role model for youth doing positive things in their community.  Mercedes adn Jaison will be eligible for scholarship prizes in June when all nominations are judged nationally.

Honor Roll students:  86% average or higher in semester 1