Global Community Institute (GCI)

Global Community Institute (GCI) is a nonprofit educational organization formed in Bellingham in 1988. The founders of GCI were motivated by two needs: the need for effective strategies that fully engage and provide meaning for learners and the need for educational organizations that address issues of social justice and ecological balance.

From 1988 through 1991, the founders worked to define the vision of the organization, designing programs, drafting a mission statement and writing articles of incorporation. In 1991 GCI became incorporated and began running its first programs. These were chiefly summer field courses for youth, emphasizing interpersonal skills and environmental education, as well as professional development seminars for educators.

In 1993, GCI became a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, which allowed us to invest our full energy into the creation of a top-quality, experientially oriented school. The school began operating in the spring of 1995 as a pilot program and moved into full operation in the fall of 1995.

The primary goal of Global Community Institute, since 1995, has been to develop Explorations Academy as a premiere secondary school, linking experiential education with academic challenge that contributes to the larger community through the many service projects we sponsor.  We continue to serve educators through our professional development program.

Explorations received full accreditation by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools in 1998. In 2007 we embarked on a path toward gaining accreditation through the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools achieving candidate school status in May 2010.