Luke O'Neill

1997

Luke O'Neill

Shackleton Schools, Inc.

http://www.shackleton.org

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Education & Youth Leadership

The Bold Idea:

The mission of Shackleton Schools was to inspire and educate young men and women to be leaders, educators, community builders, entrepreneurs, and stewards of the earth. To accomplish this goal, they created a vibrant learning community in the form of a residential high school serving young people ages 14-18. The curriculum is expedition-based to give students the chance to explore their potential as leaders. The organization thrived from 1996 to 2005 in Ashby, Massachusetts, until sustainability issues caused the Board of Directors to close the school.

Biography:

Luke's current role is overseeing the western U.S. region for Meritas, LLC, a for-profit educational venture launched in 2005 and based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His primary duties include serving as the President of The Henderson International School, a member of the Meritas family of schools. The school serves 900 students from age 3-18. He is also the President of the Cape May Fund, a non-profit educational foundation supporting start-up schools. Finally, he continues to instruct wilderness education courses for Outward Bound USA when time permits.