The Chesapeake Watershed Semester is a fully-accredited, one-semester, place-based academic program for high school juniors, seniors, and postgraduates that combines college-prep academics with immersive field experiences focused on environmental science, public policy, and leadership.

Students choose to join CWS for a variety of different reasons. Some students want to gain an in-depth understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystems and microhabitats. Other students are fascinated by the culture and the history of the Chesapeake region. Still more students are interested in the intersection of environment and politics. Some are motivated by the desire to learn how to help the nature that surrounds them. Some have a sense of adventure and want to learn outside of the traditional classroom. The reasons that a student chooses CWS are as unique as each student, but they all share a deep curiosity about the world and all of the systems that are in it, both natural and human.

Motivated high school juniors, seniors, and postgraduates, including both day and residential students. Given the size of the program, we offer personalized application support for every applicant.

The program runs in the fall semester, from mid-August to mid-December. This is the optimal time for weather and travel in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Each semester runs 15–16 weeks, including 10 weeks on campus and approximately 5 weeks in the field.

The program is housed on the campus of The Gunston School in Centreville, Maryland, located on the Corsica River. However, we consider the entire 64,000 square miles of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to be the “campus” of the CWS program.

Students may enroll as day students or live with a local host family for a residential experience. Gunston’s multi-decade experience with local host families make this a superb option for residential students.

Yes, Gunston is fully accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools, as well as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore, all CWS credits are formally recognized by secondary schools and colleges. Students receive transcripts from The Gunston School, and the CWS team works closely with sending school guidance counselors to ensure a smooth credit transfer.

• Environmental Science & Restoration Ecology (AP Environmental Science option)

• Environmental Policy & Politics (AP US Government & Politics option)

• Literature of Land and Water (AP English Literature option)

• Leadership Seminar

• Math/Foreign Language (AP options available)

• Capstone Research Project

Students continue their studies in these subjects through a combination of on-campus instruction or the use of online platforms, with support from CWS faculty.

Colleges report to us that CWS is a unique and distinguishing feature of a student’s college application, and CWS alumni have enrolled at highly selective schools like Columbia University, the US Naval Academy, Bowdoin College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Wake Forest University, and the University of Maryland’s Honors program. Students who wish to take AP Environmental Science, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP English Literature may sit for those exams in the spring with support from their sending schools. In addition, students can pursue AP options in Math and Foreign Language.

As a fully accredited program of The Gunston School, the Chesapeake Watershed Semester provides each student with a transcript, and the CWS administrative team works with sending schools to ensure smooth credit recognition.

There 5 distinctive overnight expeditions, each with their own focus. Students report that these expeditions are a highlight of their experience.Each semester includes five overnight expeditions lasting 2-4 nights each, plus multiple day trips.

Locations include Tangier Island (VA), Harrisburg and Lancaster (PA), Washington DC, Annapolis (MD), Norfolk (VA), and the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Field science, ecological research, policy meetings, cultural site visits, leadership exercises, and more.

The semester begins with a multi-day expedition to help students bond and establish connection to the watershed.

Students learn in state-of-the-art facilities like Heron House, the Sail Loft, and Cliff House, and have access to riverside labs, study lounges, and outdoor classrooms.

With carefully vetted host families near campus, who provide room, board, and transportation.

Cohorts typically range from 12–15 students.

Approximately 1:6.

Each afternoon, CWS students participate in a 2-hour athletics and fitness program to ensure that a healthy mind/body balance is maintained. We offer a diverse range of athletics & fitness opportunities for students to choose from. Chesapeake Watershed Semester students are considered fully enrolled at The Gunston School, and are therefore eligible to participate in the school’s interscholastic athletic program, including on our rowing and sailing teams. Each year, the leadership of CWS works closely with Gunston’s athletic leadership team to minimize the overlap between CWS Expeditions and interscholastic athletic contests. Gunston is a member of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Conference (MIAA) and the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC), so before participating it is important for CWS students to review the conference transfer guidelines of their sending school conference, as this may impact athletic eligibility. There are no conference restrictions for rowing and sailing.

Although a majority of a CWS student’s academic and expedition time is spent with their cohort, there are opportunities for CWS students to regularly interact with students from The Gunston School (TGS). CWS students are invited to participate in student clubs, dances, and athletics. They often eat lunch in our atrium with TGS students. Meanwhile, CWS students participate in our special school traditions like Embarkation (where new students arrive at school by boat) and Green and White Day (our all-school spirit day).

The Chesapeake Watershed Semester welcomes students with diverse learning profiles, and if needed, academic support coaching is offered through The Gunston Learning Center, which provides individually tailored assistance in the specific areas of need of each student. Academic coaches work in conjunction with subject teachers and advisors to assist students toward developing mastery in skills and content. The Gunston Learning Center is staffed by a coordinator and a team of support coaches. Academic coaches bring professional experience in education, learning differences, and/or related fields of literature, writing, math, and science. Regular academic coaching at Gunston is a contracted service, and coaching sessions would be scheduled during homework periods in alignment with the CWS class schedule.

This is best explained on the website, with guidelines for internal vs. external candidates. For more information, email Program Director Brad Hirsh at bhirsh@gunston.org.

• Early deadline: December 15

• Regular deadline: February 1

The capacity to navigate a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, curiosity, a spirit of adventure, and a demonstrated interest in environmental issues and leadership.

Yes.

Yes.

• Day students: $21,075 (for Fall 2025)

• Residential students: $24,275 (for Fall 2025)

Yes. Generous need-based financial aid is available through The Gunston School and the Gunston Environmental Scholars Fund. In 2024, the E.E. Ford Foundation supported the creation of the Environmental Scholars Fund to increase access. Families interested in financial aid will apply through the Clarity platform, and each application is reviewed by the school’s Financial Aid committee. If a family still feels that it needs more financial support after the financial aid award, they may apply for a scholarship from the Environmental Scholars Fund.

Tuition, academic instruction, expedition costs, program fees, and (for residential students) housing and meals.

In general, families of CWS students are expected to purchase gear such as hiking boots, sleeping bags, and swim suits. Students are provided with gear such as tents, sleeping pads, kitchen utensils.

Graduates attend top colleges and universities including Columbia, Bowdoin, UMD, VMI, St. Mary's, and many others.

Alumni are active in fields such as science, government, education, journalism, business, and the arts.

CWS is a distinctive academic experience that strengthens college applications through leadership, research, and field-based learning. 12th graders also receive application support.

Yes. CWS alumni stay connected and often return as guest speakers, mentors, or advocates. They also are welcome to connect to other CWS students through the Gunston Alumni Portal.

In several cases, CWS students have enjoyed the experience to the extent that they sought full admission to The Gunston School, and since they met the school’s admissions criteria, they were enrolled.

Let us direct you to the testimonials of CWS alumni, who can best attest to the transformative nature of the CWS experience. LINK