SailFuture Academy
A student in foul-weather gear on deck at sunset during a sailing expedition

At Sea

Full Tuition Scholarships Available

Grades 8–12

High School Designed for the Real-World

At the SailFuture Academy, students earn paychecks, run businesses, and sail to other countries, all while earning an accredited diploma. Tuition-free for qualifying families.

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Step Up For StudentsCognia accreditation badge

Cognia AccreditedStep Up For Students Provider

Grades 8–12 · Hands-On Practical Curriculum

St. Petersburg's only high school where students learn by working, building, earning, and sailing the world.

Most high schools ask students to spend six hours in a chair and trust it pays off someday. At the SailFuture Academy, the payoff starts now. Students manage real budgets, pitch real investors, and sail real oceans while earning their diploma. Once school feels like an adventure, “when will I ever use this?” turns into “what’s next?”

  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • Stand Together
  • AT&T
  • YASS Prize

Nationally funded & recognized by Google, LinkedIn, Stand Together, AT&T and the YASS Prize.

Aerial view of the SailFuture Academy campus in St. Petersburg, Florida
  • Step Up For Students
  • ImageGoogle
  • Florida Community Loan Fund
  • Eckerd Connects

27°47′45.8″N · 82°39′46.0″W

Welcome to SailFuture Academy

Grades 8–12 on a 35,000-square-foot campus in St. Petersburg, Florida.

  • A student in a harness reaching up the mast at the bow

    Up the Mast

    Harnessed in and climbing, trusting the gear and the crew below.

  • Students and staff together on the dock beside the sailboats

    The Crew

    Students and staff on the dock after a day on the water.

  • Students launching a small catamaran from the beach

    Launching From the Beach

    Getting the boat off the sand and into the water, together.

  • A graduate in cap and gown holding a diploma between two teachers

    Graduation Day

    Diploma in hand, with the teachers who helped earn it.

  • A sailor in a life vest on the deck of a boat

    On Deck

    Life vest on, ready for whatever the day on the water brings.

  • Students rigging a catamaran at the water's edge

    Rigging Up

    Preparing the boat at the water’s edge before heading out.

  • The graduating class in caps and gowns on stage with their teachers

    The Graduating Class

    A class that sailed, built and worked its way to the stage.

  • Students rigging the sails on deck

    Rigging the Sails

    Every line has a job, and every student learns them all.

  • Students smiling together outdoors, their faces dusted with coloured powder

    Crewmates

    Friendships built on the water carry back to campus.

  • An instructor pointing the way while a student steers at the helm

    At the Helm

    Taking the wheel and learning to steer with confidence.

  • A teacher helping students plan a project

    Planning a Build

    Sketching the plan with a teacher before the first cut.

  • A graduate flashing a peace sign while a teacher straightens their cap before the ceremony

    Caps On

    One last adjustment before walking across the stage.

  • A student working a problem on the whiteboard beside a teacher

    Math, Applied

    Numbers that matter: budgets, measurements and navigation.

  • Students in life jackets on the dock

    Sailing Crew

    Life jackets on and ready to launch from our home dock.

  • Two students laughing arm in arm at an outdoor lunch table

    Around the Table

    Lunch outside, with the whole school at one long table.

  • A student holding an award certificate beside a proud family member on the school steps

    Celebrating Milestones

    Every achievement is shared with family and staff.

  • A student crew member smiling on the dock at the marina

    Dockside

    Our St. Petersburg waterfront, where every sailing lesson starts.

Our Curriculum · Grades 8–12

Fully Accredited Curriculum Where Theory Meets Practice

Traditional grades, GPAs, transferable credits, and a fully accredited Cognia curriculum.
  • A student in a suit presenting figures on a screen to a panelVentures That Earn Real Revenue

    Entrepreneurship

    Students launch and manage actual businesses, learning everything from financial planning and market analysis to pitching investors and managing operations. This isn't theoretical—it's building ventures that generate real revenue.

    Financial Planning · Market Analysis · Pitching Investors

    01 / 08
  • A student and instructor in life jackets, smiling aboard a 420 sailboatAboard a 100-Foot Vessel

    Maritime Leadership

    Students master the fundamentals of maritime operations through hands-on training in sailing 420s, marine sciences, navigation, and seamanship. This progressive curriculum prepares them for international expeditions aboard our 100-foot vessel.

    Sailing 420s · Navigation · Seamanship

    02 / 08
  • A student and teacher building a wooden truss model of a houseConcept to Completion

    Design Lab

    Students tackle complex building projects from concept to completion, working with real materials, managing budgets, and meeting deadlines.

    Real Materials · Budgets · Deadlines

    03 / 08
  • A student presenting plated salads to guestsCulinary & Guest Service

    Hospitality

    Students learn the business of hospitality in our commercial kitchen and Hospitality Lab, from cooking for real guests to service, events, and front-of-house operations.

    Culinary · Guest Service · Events

    04 / 08
  • Students and an instructor plotting a route on a nautical chartImmediately Relevant

    Applied Mathematics

    Math becomes immediately relevant as students use it for navigation calculations, business finances, project budgeting, and real estate analysis.

    Navigation · Finance · Budgeting

    05 / 08
  • Students writing side by side at a tableProfessional Communication

    Communication & Writing

    Students develop professional communication skills through business proposals, investor presentations, research papers, and workplace correspondence.

    Proposals · Presentations · Research

    06 / 08
  • Students working together at their desksBeyond Academics

    Social Emotional Intelligence

    Beyond academics, students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills essential for workplace success through structured SEL curriculum and crew experiences.

    Self-Awareness · Conflict Resolution

    07 / 08
  • Students gathered around a car engine at an auto shopTest-Drive the Future

    Career Pathways

    Rather than theoretical career exploration, students test-drive potential futures through internships, industry mentorships, and hands-on experience, graduating with clear plans and professional networks.

    Internships · Mentorships · Networks

    08 / 08
  • Cognia accreditation badge

    Accreditation

    Fully Accredited by Cognia

    • Traditional Letter Grades and GPAs on Official Transcripts
    • Credits That Transfer Seamlessly to Other Schools
    • A Certified Florida Department of Education Diploma

    Recognized by Colleges and Universities Nationwide

Signature Experiences

Signature Educational Experiences

Every student completes paid internships, a year-long externship, an investor-pitched business plan and a 7-week sailing expedition as graduation requirements, not extracurriculars.
  • The deck of the expedition ship under sail, open water aheadGraduation Requirement

    7-Week Sailing Expedition

    7-week sailing journey to destinations like Antigua and Nova Scotia fosters self-worth, work ethic, and broadens world experiences.

    Antigua · Nova Scotia · and Beyond

    01 / 08
  • Students meeting employers across interview tables2 Days a Week · Juniors

    5 Professional Paid Internships

    Juniors work paid internships with partner companies two days a week, gaining real work experience in fields they choose.

    Paid · Partner Companies

    02 / 08
  • A mentor guiding students as they cut material on a table saw3 Days a Week · Seniors

    1 Year-Long Professional Externship

    Seniors spend three days a week with a mentor in their chosen field, building specialized skills over a full year.

    Specialized Skills · Mentors

    03 / 08
  • A student presenting a project outline on the screen behind themPitched to Investors

    Business Plan Thesis

    Students complete a capstone business plan thesis for a business of their choice and present to a panel of investors.

    A Business of Their Choice · Investor Panel

    04 / 08
  • A student writing in a journal on deck at sunsetBudget · Save · Plan

    Personal Life Map

    Students define post-graduation goals and plan for budgeting, saving, insurance, transportation, and more for real-world success.

    Goals · Budgeting · Insurance

    05 / 08
  • Students building a wooden truss model of a house togetherCareer Ready

    Industry Certifications

    Students earn professional certifications alongside their diploma, proof of real-world skills for employers and colleges.

    Professional Credentials · Portfolio

    06 / 08

Sailing Expeditions

Seven weeks at sea that prepare your child for what’s next.

Every SailFuture Academy student completes a 7-week sailing expedition before graduating. Alongside their teachers, students sail to remote corners of the world aboard our 100-foot vessel, sharing the work of running the boat and looking out for one another.

It’s a rite of passage that builds what a classroom can’t. Your child comes home with new confidence, a stronger work ethic, and friendships that last, ready for the challenges of life after graduation.

Our Voyages

A globe turning slowly, dotted with every passage SailFuture Academy students have sailed: 106 ports in 30 countries and territories, from the home port in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Every dotted line is a passage our students have sailed.

Follow S/Y Whatever It Takes in real time as our students navigate the Caribbean and Atlantic. Parents have live access to the vessel's position throughout every expedition.

106

Ports visited

30

Countries and territories

Next expedition

16days

Monday, October 26 · the first day of Term 2

View Our Live Tracker
S/Y Whatever It Takes · last reported June 28
Home Port · St. Petersburg, FloridaPassages Sailed by Our Students

Our School Reviews

Rated As One of the Top Private High Schools in St. Petersburg

Parents and students agree there's nothing else like it in Tampa Bay. Discover an education experience where students thrive because school finally makes sense.

Parent Reviews

  • This school has been a saving grace for my son! Since being at SailFuture Academy he has not only started to grow socially but in his education, he is actually buying in. He tells me how he loves the more hands on approach that he is receiving in the school and that he is actually learning things because he is getting more one-on-one attention.

    SailFuture Academy Parent

  • My child has enjoyed this program since the day she stepped on campus. She is fully immersed in her maritime lab and enjoys learning Math and Science through construction. Her ambition is to become a business owner. She has classes in business, marketing, and communications that are helping her prepare for that goal. I'm so grateful that we found SailFuture for her.

    SailFuture Academy Parent

Tuition & Financial Aid

An Exceptional Education, Accessible to Every Family

Where a student goes to high school shouldn't depend on what their family can pay. For qualifying families, scholarships bring $28,000 in tuition down to as little as $500 a year.
Maximum allocation example: tuition and scholarships per year, for qualifying families
Tuition & aidPer year
Annual Tuition$28,000
Step Up For Students ScholarshipThe amount varies by family−$7,000 to −$10,000
Opportunity ScholarshipThe remaining balance, funded by our endowment−$17,500 to −$20,500
Your Family PaysWith the maximum awards. Families qualify on a sliding scale, based on household size and household income.As Little As$500Per Year

of our students receive financial aid

90% of our students receive financial aid based on household size, income, and assets. We're also an approved Step Up For Students scholarship provider. We work with qualifying families to make SailFuture accessible.

Image

Step Up For StudentsApproved Scholarship Provider

Submit an InquiryHow Aid Works

We're Proud to Announce

SNAP families pre-qualify for a full-ride scholarship.

If your household receives SNAP benefits, your child is already pre-qualified. Submit an inquiry and we'll walk you through the next steps.

Submit an Inquiry

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Still Have Questions?

Contact us at admissions@sailfuture.org or 727-209-7846.

Email UsCall or Text

SailFuture serves grades 8-12 students who learn best through hands-on experience. We're ideal for students who prefer doing over studying, those who've become disconnected from traditional education, and career-focused teens ready to jumpstart their professional future while still in high school.

Begin with an online application, schedule a campus tour, complete an untimed academic assessment (about one hour), and have a conversation with our team about goals and fit.

90% of our students receive financial aid based on household size, income, and assets. We're also an approved Step Up For Students scholarship provider. We work with qualifying families to make SailFuture accessible.

Absolutely. Our graduates maintain strong college acceptance rates and often receive scholarships. Unlike traditional schools, students graduate with both a diploma AND real-world experience—including professional certifications, work experience, and portfolios that make them stand out.

Yes, SailFuture Academy is a fully accredited private high school. Students earn a certified Florida Department of Education high school diploma. Our credits transfer seamlessly to other schools and are recognized by colleges and universities nationwide. We maintain the same academic standards required for college admission while adding real-world experience that makes our graduates stand out.

Yes. Students receive traditional letter grades (A-F) and maintain a cumulative GPA that appears on official transcripts for college applications. While we also provide narrative evaluations and professionalism scores, your child will have the traditional academic records colleges expect—plus the added advantage of professional work experience, and a portfolio of real achievements.

Students receive traditional letter grades and GPAs. Final grades comprise 40% classwork, 30% professionalism scores (time management, effort, maturity), and 30% projects. We also provide detailed narrative evaluations. Our 70% passing requirement exceeds most public schools.

Yes. Every student must complete a 7-week international sailing expedition as a graduation requirement. This transformative experience builds leadership and confidence in ways classroom learning cannot.

Juniors complete paid internships two days per week with partner companies. Seniors complete year-long externships three days per week. Students gain professional experience while building their resumes and testing potential careers.

Students must achieve NWEA scores of 230+ in math and 225+ in reading, complete five internships plus a year-long externship, successfully finish our 7-week sailing expedition, develop a business plan thesis, and create a Personal Life Map for post-graduation success.

Many of our most successful students struggled in traditional environments. Our hands-on approach engages different learning styles through practical projects. Students who felt disconnected often find their spark here because education becomes meaningful and relevant.

Yes. We evaluate each student individually and focus on their willingness to take responsibility and commit to growth. Past challenges don't define future potential.

Submit an inquiry form on our website. Our admissions team will contact you to schedule a campus tour and guide you through the process. Enrollment for 2025-2026 is open now with limited spots available.

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