About Class Afloat

Leaders in experiential learning since 1984.

Class Afloat offers rigorous and internationally acclaimed academic programs for Grade 11, 12, University and Gap Year students while they voyage on land and sail the world’s oceans aboard a majestic tall ship. Class Afloat has a long legacy of commitment to academic excellence, community service, leadership and personal development since first setting sail 40 years ago.

In 1984, under the banner of International Youth Year, the United Nations invited schools and agencies worldwide to interpret the themes of “peace, participation and development”. In response to that call and with a commitment to those themes, Class Afloat- West Island College International was formed.

A History of Excellence

Since 1984, over 2,000 Class Afloat students have sailed more than 700,000 nautical miles to over 250 ports of call worldwide

Past Our School

Class Afloat – West Island College International was founded in 1984. Our school headquarters is located at the Lunenberg Academy in beautiful Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. This “brick and mortar” head office is where our administrative team oversees the classroom, ship and land based activities of every school year. Planning is always underway for our upcoming voyages.

We are pleased to be a part of the community of Lunenberg. The rich sailing, fishing and ship-building traditions of Nova Scotia help power us forward, as we fondly look back at the legacy left by great tall ships of the past.

Present Our Students

Class Afloat students come from all over the world. They are a diversified group of open-minded youth between the ages of 16-19, inspired by the challenge of life at sea and committed to broadening their horizons through travel.

Through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, a rigorous routine of sail-training and academics, and encounters with new cultures, our students acquire the skills required of a 21st century education.

Future Our Grads

Class Afloat graduates have matriculated to some of the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities including University of St. Andrews, Columbia University, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Acadia University and more.

The majority of Class Afloat students gain acceptance to their first choice of post-secondary institution following their Class Afloat school year experience.