Beals Elementary School has been a partner in our school program network since 2014. The town of Beals, where the school is located, actually encompasses two islands—Great Wass and Beals Islands. What makes Beals Elementary special? With around 40 students attending annually in pre-K–8, it’s a very close-knit community and one that’s tied to the local fishing industry.

“Our school is located on a scenic island in Downeast Maine. This is the home of a large lobster-fishing fleet where you can watch fishermen hauling their traps and delivering the day’s catch at waterside markets. Our community offers spectacular views of the mainland.”

We saw this passion for students’ island home reflected in a stunning poem written during a special visit with author and illustrator Jamie Hogan.

Download “A Day in Maine”

We know that when we visit Beals Elementary School, we’re in for a treat. Students always put immense time and care into their projects that are displayed for our arrival. The featured books and authors/illustrators that IRW brings are integrated across the curriculum.

This model of Texarcana was built by Beals Elementary School students from it depiction in Stephen Costanza’s picture book biography King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin.

Inspired by the graphic novel Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness, (an adaptation of Donn Fendler’s famous memoir Lost on a Mountain in Maine) illustrated by Ben Bishop, Beals students built a model of Mt. Katahdin, including key locations and animal encounters from the book.

We’ve had many adventures at Beals Island Elementary school over the years, even bringing student projects like the ones above to showcase at our Dear Teacher conference! We’re excited to continue visiting with new generations of island students.