The Landing School

05/29/2026

The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design Enters Agreement with Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science

ARUNDEL, Maine and FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — The Landing School and Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science (NMI) are pleased to announce that the parties have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a collaborative framework through which The Landing School’s educational mission, institutional legacy, and community presence may continue well into the future.

While the viability and precise contours of any long-term arrangement remain subject to comprehensive due diligence, regulatory review, and definitive agreements, both institutions are committed to conducting an expedited and good-faith evaluation process over the next thirty (30) days.

Most importantly, both organizations want current and incoming students, families, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to know that every effort is being made to preserve continuity, stability, and confidence in the future of The Landing School. Students who have already committed to programs are strongly encouraged to remain engaged during this process as the institutions work diligently toward a sustainable operational pathway that protects educational opportunities and preserves the School’s unique identity.

Founded in 1981, Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science is one of America’s leading private maritime educational institutions, recognized internationally for workforce development, maritime safety, technical education, simulation-based training, and credentialing programs supporting the maritime, transportation, offshore energy, and marine industries. Through its campuses, global partnerships, and advanced digital learning infrastructure, NMI has developed a reputation for creating practical, employment-focused educational pathways while preserving the traditions and values of the maritime profession.

The discussions between the institutions are centered on preserving and strengthening The Landing School’s longstanding role as one of New England’s most respected centers for experiential education, craftsmanship, marine systems technology, wooden boatbuilding, yacht design, and applied technical training.

“For generations, The Landing School has represented something deeply important through the preservation of craftsmanship, innovation, hands-on learning, and the maritime traditions that have helped shape New England’s identity,” said Eric R. Dawicki, President of Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science. “Our objective is not simply to preserve a school, but to help protect a legacy, support its students and faculty, and work collaboratively toward a future where The Landing School can continue serving its community for decades to come. We strongly encourage students to stay the course with confidence as we aggressively explore a framework designed to provide long-term stability and renewed opportunity.”

For students who have already enrolled, deposits will continue to be securely maintained during this accelerated diligence period. However, any student who wishes to request the return of their deposit may do so expressly and directly through The Landing School.

Both institutions look forward to providing additional updates as discussions progress over the coming weeks. The most up-to-date information will be shared on The Landing School website at www.landingschool.edu as well as official email and social media channels.

For more information and updates: https://www.landingschool.edu/tls-enters-collaborative-agreement-with-northeast-maritime-institute

05/20/2026

The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design Announces Formal Closure

ARUNDEL, Maine (May 20, 2026) — The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design in Arundel, Maine today announced it will be closing after nearly five decades of preparing students for careers in the marine industry. On May 19, 2026, the Landing School Board of Trustees reached the difficult decision to close in response to sustained enrollment declines and financial headwinds. The administration is notifying students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the closure as it commences an orderly winding down this summer.

When The Landing School opened its doors in 1978, it was built on a singular mission: to prepare skilled boatbuilders, designers, and technicians for meaningful careers in the marine trades. For generations, that mission guided everything the school did, from its curricula to the hands-on, immersive education that became its hallmark.

“For 47 years, The Landing School evolved alongside the industry it served by adapting programs, embracing new technologies, and refining its approach in service of its founding purpose. What the school could not overcome was declining enrollment,” said John V. Caron, President of The Landing School. “The broader forces reshaping higher education — rising costs, shifting workforce trends, and changing perceptions of higher education have hit small, mission-driven schools like ours especially hard.”

“The Landing School experienced a sustained and significant decline in student enrollment. Despite strategic planning, program adjustments, and the sustained efforts of its Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff, the enrollment shortfall created financial pressures that made it impossible to sustain operations at the level our mission demands,” said John Caron.

The Board of Trustees considered multiple paths forward, including efforts to grow enrollment and explore strategic partnerships. Ultimately, none provided a sustainable way forward without compromising the quality of the student experience that defines The Landing School.

The Landing School proudly celebrated the graduation of its final cohort of students on May 16, 2026. Students who submitted a deposit for the fall 2026-2027 academic year will receive a refund as well as support from The Landing School admissions team.

“While our doors are closing, The Landing School lives on in every graduate who carried their skills to a boatyard, design studio, or workshop,” said Susan Swanton, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “It lives on in the vessels built, the careers launched, and the communities strengthened by the marine professionals we helped shape. Nearly five decades of craftsmanship and passion do not disappear, they endure in the hands and work of the people we were privileged to teach. To our students, alumni, faculty, staff, industry partners, and supporters: you are The Landing School. You gave this institution its meaning and its heart. We are profoundly grateful.”

“What we cannot close is the legacy of this institution. The Landing School lives on in the people it trained and in the work they continue to do every day. That legacy will endure,” said Susan Swanton.

The most up-to-date information will be shared on The Landing School website at www.landingschool.edu as well as official email and social media channels.

For more updates: https://www.landingschool.edu/school-closure-information

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05/17/2026

🎓 Commencement at The Landing School

This year, we celebrated alongside our students, faculty, staff, families, and friends as the Class of 2026 stepped up to receive their diplomas and launched into the next chapter of their lives. Today was filled proud smiles, heartfelt moments, and the unmistakable joy that makes Commencement the best day of the year at TLS.

We were honored to welcome commencement speaker Margherita M. Desy, curator and historian of New England maritime and early U.S. Navy histories. Her message reminded graduates to make their own history, practice gratitude, and embrace the unexpected turns life may bring.

We were also thrilled to welcome alum Mia Jackson back to campus to address students and families, sharing encouragement from someone who once stood exactly where this year’s graduates stood.

Special thanks goes to our wonderful student speakers:
⚓ Adnan, Yacht Design
⚓ Zach, Wooden Boatbuilding
⚓ Steve, Marine Systems

To the Class of 2026: thank you for your passion, dedication, and the mark you’ve left on The Landing School community. As Margherita said, "Wishing you fair winds and following seas" (and hoping you'll be back someday soon to say hello).

05/16/2026

The Landing School’s annual Blessing of the Fleet is a longstanding maritime tradition celebrating the completion of student projects and blessing the vessels for safe voyages ahead. ⚓

This year, students, family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the launch of three student-built Jericho Bay Lobster Skiffs — the result of 9 months of craftsmanship, dedication, and hard work. The fleet was blessed and the ceremonial bottle was smashed by our commencement speaker, Margherita M. Desy.

Thank you to Kennebunk Savings for their generous sponsorship of this event.

One more sleep until commencement day, everyone!

05/15/2026

Behind the scenes of the Blessing of the Fleet

This tradition is a reminder of the craftsmanship, dedication, and maritime heritage that connect us all.

Rain may have moved us indoors, but it did not dampen the spirit of the day!

05/13/2026

Due to Friday’s rain forecast, The Landing School’s Blessing of the Fleet will now be held indoors in the Wooden Boat Shop.

We look forward to gathering together to celebrate this longstanding maritime tradition — rain or shine!

Blessing of the Fleet
Friday, May 15, 2026
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

NEW LOCATION:
Wooden Boat Shop at The Landing School
286 River Road
Arundel, ME 04046

05/13/2026

We love seeing our alumni making waves in the marine industry. 🌊

The Landing School alum Keeron Wilson, Composite Boatbuilding ’19, was recently featured in an article by The New York Times Company’s The Athletic highlighting his work in SailGP.

Congratulations, Keeron—we’re proud to see where your career has taken you!

📖 Article: “Bermuda SailGP: Keeron Wilson was serving cocktails on a tourist boat. Now he’s building F50s” by Andrew Rice, The Athletic / NYT

📸 Photo credit: Jason Ludlow for SailGP

Keeron Wilson left Bermuda for England to become a specialist boat builder for SailGP.

05/12/2026

⚓ From the shop to sea trials

Today, our Wooden Boatbuilding and Marine Systems students brought their hard work to the water for sea trials. Three Jericho Bay Lobster Skiffs launched for testing alongside Marine Systems project boats.

From the rumble of engines to the spray off the bow, sea trials are where months of craftsmanship, troubleshooting, and dedication come to life.

And Maine delivered the perfect backdrop: a cormorant drying its wings on the rocks, an eagle overhead, and student-built boats running proudly across the water.

05/07/2026

POV: When it's PICTURE DAY for graduates and you leave your camera outside for 2 minutes.