Dolphins Go Back to School

The Class of 2017 began their senior year Monday as the largest graduating class in Ocracoke history. (They will soon be surpassed by the sophomore class, who number two more.) These sixteen kids have grown up together – most of them have been sharing their classrooms, teachers, teams, coaches, and other extracurriculars with each other since Pre-K at Ocracoke Child Care. 

Last August, the school year started with 181 students, up from 166 in 2014-15. When I asked Mr. Padgett about it last year, he said that Ocracoke School's great reputation draws families to the island. It must be true – there are eight new students this year who've recently made Ocracoke their home. (A few kids also moved away. The tide ebbs and flows, but the school enrollment, like the sea levels, keeps on rising.)

Welcome, Class of 2030! The nine littlest young'uns at Ocracoke School are in the Pre-K class with teacher Jennifer Daniels and assistant Chrisi Gaskill. They are beginning thirteen years of matriculation at the Home of the Dolphins!*

These Dolphins rule the school! Kyle, Dylan, Hunter, Jordi, Eldon, Waylon, Karen, Stacey, Sydney, Bricia, Brieanna, Spencer, Karla, Carson, and Kaylee. (Not pictured: Matteus)

Left to right: Liam, Miss Chrisi, Daira, Chloe, Lizzeth, Lizbeth, Morgan, Joseph, Miss Jennifer, Owen, Ange, and Jordan: the Class of 2030!

*Believe it or not, more than a few visitors have wandered down School Road to see the dolphin training school and been disappointed to find human children instead of cetaceans.