A landmark educational opportunity is about to open new doors for four young Caribbean scholars, who have earned coveted spots in the 2026 boarding school cohort of the Marigot Development Corporation’s (MDC) U.S. Study Programme. As the award-winning initiative enters its 14th year of expanding regional access to global education, it is also adjusting eligibility rules in response to shifting U.S. immigration policies.
According to an official press statement from MDC, the four incoming students — Gabrielle St. Jean, Abria Bannis, Kherna Stevens, and Nkosi Woodley — will spend the next three years completing their secondary education at elite boarding institutions across the United States. Each scholar has been placed at a different school tailored to their academic and personal goals: St. Jean will enroll at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon; Bannis will join Grand River Academy in Ohio; Stevens will attend Wayland Academy in Wisconsin; and Woodley will pursue studies at St. Mary’s School in North Carolina.
More than just a chance to study abroad, the MDC U.S. Study Programme is designed to deliver holistic growth for emerging regional leaders. Beyond core academics, the boarding school experience is structured to build critical interpersonal skills, nurture confident leadership, and expose participants to diverse cultural perspectives that broaden their worldviews. The program also acts as a structured pathway to future higher education, preparing students competitively for admission to top universities across the United States and beyond, with the end goal of developing capable, globally minded citizens ready to contribute to their home communities.
MDC officials emphasized that the success of this year’s selected students dispels myths about limited opportunity in the region, proving that young people from Dominica and the wider Caribbean can thrive on global academic stages when given access to quality, tailored educational opportunities. The organization extended formal congratulations to the four students, as well as their parents, families, teachers, and community mentors who supported them through their application and preparation journeys.
As the 2026 cohort prepares to depart for their U.S. campuses, MDC has already scheduled the launch of the next application cycle, set to open on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Over its 14 years of operation, the program has supported roughly 120 students in accessing life-changing educational opportunities across the United States, ranging from secondary boarding school placements to undergraduate university placements and other immersive academic experiences. Today, MDC’s growing network of program alumni stands as a testament to the initiative’s long-term impact, and the transformative power of creating access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many talented regional youth.
In a key policy update for prospective applicants, MDC announced that holders of Dominican and Antiguan passports will not be eligible for the upcoming intake, a change implemented in response to recent shifts in U.S. immigration and visa eligibility rules. The organization encouraged all interested students and family members who meet eligibility criteria to reach out to program administrators via WhatsApp at 767-612-2248 for further details on eligibility requirements and the application process.
Reaffirming its core mission, the MDC U.S. Study Programme shared in its statement: “We look forward to welcoming the next generation of students and continuing our commitment to expanding educational opportunities for talented young people across the region.”