Isle of Wight County Schools students will soon have the opportunity to learn about and step aboard a living piece of history. Through a new partnership with the Pride of Baltimore II, IWCS is participating in Sail250® Virginia, a once-in-a-generation celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The event will bring a fleet of more than 60 international tall ships and military vessels to the Chesapeake Bay region in June 2026, with Norfolk serving as an official port welcoming ships, crews, and visitors from around the world in a celebration of history, international goodwill, and shared maritime heritage.
As part of the Sail250® Virginia Adopt-A-Ship program, IWCS has “adopted” the Pride of Baltimore II, a replica of a historic Baltimore Clipper and a sailing ambassador representing the rich maritime traditions of the Chesapeake Bay. This partnership offers students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences tied to history, innovation, and global culture.
As part of this initiative, middle school gifted and academically enriched students across the division will participate in an interdisciplinary learning experience centered on the ship. Students will explore the vessel’s history and design, examine the science of sailing, and investigate life at sea, bringing their learning to life through student-driven projects such as podcasts, exhibits, and documentaries. They will also have opportunities to interact virtually with crew members and potentially visit the ship during Sail250® events.
“This partnership brings history to life in a way that is both meaningful and memorable for our students,” said Dr. Theo Cramer, Superintendent of Isle of Wight County Schools. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, opportunities like this allow our students to engage deeply with the past while building skills in research, creativity, and critical thinking that will serve them well into the future.”
The Pride of Baltimore II, launched in 1988, is a reproduction of the fast and agile Baltimore Clippers that played a vital role during the American Revolution and War of 1812. The ship has sailed to more than 200 ports in over 40 countries, serving as an international ambassador of American maritime heritage.
IWCS’s participation in Sail250® builds on the division’s ongoing commitment to innovative, project-based learning tied to the VA250 initiative. Previous efforts include the creation of the Revolutionary Roots podcast series, a collaborative project between Windsor High School and Smithfield High School students. Through this initiative, students researched historical sources and produced original podcast episodes exploring Revolutionary War themes and their continued relevance today. Additional VA250-related projects across the division have included student art exhibitions and research presentations.
Families of participating students will also have opportunities to engage in Sail250® events, including visiting the ship during Harborfest celebrations in the Hampton Roads region.
Community members can follow the journey through the IWCS social media series, “Tall Ship Tuesdays: Voyage to 250.” The posts will highlight student experiences, ship history, and the division’s connection to Sail250® Virginia in the weeks leading up to the event. The series launched on April 14 on the division’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
By connecting students to a globally recognized vessel and a historic international event, IWCS continues to expand learning beyond the classroom. This work anchors education in authentic experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world.
Photo Credit: David Sites