On the small Caribbean island of Caye Caulker, a well-established independent non-profit high school is standing its ground against a government push to end its operations, as authorities move forward with plans to launch a competing public secondary institution on the island. Ocean Academy, a beloved community-centered secondary school that has served local students for years, has formally rejected a formal request from Belize’s Ministry of Education to voluntarily revoke its operational license, confirming it will remain an independent educational provider for the island’s community.
School leadership confirmed to local outlet News 5 that ministry representatives explicitly stated the upcoming government-run secondary school would operate with no formal affiliation or partnership with Ocean Academy, leaving the independent institution with no clear role in the new public project. Following a series of consultations with parents of current students, alumni, and other key community stakeholders, the school’s governing body voted unanimously to reject the government’s request.
Founder Heidi Curry explained the decision was rooted in deep community ties and widespread support for Ocean Academy’s unique educational model. “We have generations of alumni who deeply value their Ocean Academy diplomas and the reputation that comes with the school’s seal,” Curry said in an interview. “Parents are also consistently enthusiastic about our hands-on experiential learning framework, our specialized programs, and the unique curriculum we have built over the years. As a non-profit rooted in this community, we listened to what our stakeholders wanted, and we made the decision to keep moving forward on our independent path.”
The standoff comes as Ocean Academy is already navigating significant post-disaster recovery challenges. The school’s original campus suffered months of disruptive closures after severe flooding left widespread mold damage across the building. After extensive structural repairs and renovations to the upper floors of the campus, most students were able to return to in-person learning at the main site in April 2026. To adapt to the remaining damage, school administrators repurposed one upstairs classroom into new office space and restrooms, and the entire contaminated ground floor was permanently abandoned. This overhaul has left the school two classrooms short of its needs, forcing one group of students to continue attending classes at an off-site location as the region’s annual rainy season approaches.
To address the immediate classroom shortage while the school works toward a long-term solution of building a permanent new campus, Ocean Academy has unveiled plans to construct two modular movable classrooms on a nearby parcel of land. Curry noted that the school has already secured preliminary permission to use the temporary site, and has partnered with an architect to design the movable structures, ensuring that any investment in the facilities can be repurposed for the permanent campus down the line. “We designed the buildings to be movable so that every dollar we invest will benefit our students for years to come, rather than being locked into a site we won’t use long-term,” Curry explained.
To fund both the temporary movable classrooms and the future purchase of a larger plot for a permanent campus, the school has launched a public fundraising campaign branded as Ocean Academy 2.0. Early responses from the donor community have already been promising, with one donor already committing a $25,000 pledge that will go toward a down payment on the future permanent campus property. The proposed new permanent site would allow the school to add long-missing athletic facilities, including a basketball court, volleyball court, and running track, amenities the current campus has never had the space to accommodate.
The school has launched a dedicated website for the initiative, where it will post regular updates on fundraising progress for the movable classrooms, and will eventually share full details of the land purchase agreement once terms are finalized. As the government moves ahead with its plans for the new public school, Ocean Academy remains committed to continuing its 501(c)(3) educational mission on the island, backed by widespread community support.