NYC Ferry Launches Floating Classroom for Students
The off-season program uses a repurposed ferry to teach public school students about marine biology and climate change on New York Harbor.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Primary Education
Live Poll
Do you think public schools should do more to get students learning outside the classroom?
NYC Ferry, the Economic Development Corporation, and Billion Oyster Project plan to launch the Floating Classroom, a 90-minute voyage on New York Harbor. Voyages will run weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Why it matters
The program aims to serve 10,000 K-12 public school students each year as schools look to curb excessive screen time following the COVID-19 pandemic. It also uses ferry capacity that typically goes unused during the off-season, when demand for the ferry system decreases.
The Floating Classroom is a 90-minute voyage with a daily capacity of 300 students, running twice per day on weekdays. Billion Oyster Project currently provides curriculum and teacher training across 109 schools, and the program's selection process has not been disclosed.
The players
NYC Ferry
NYC Ferry is the city's public ferry system, managed by the private operator Hornblower Group, with its highest ridership in July and August.
Billion Oyster Project
Billion Oyster Project is a nonprofit that provides curriculum, teacher training, and hands-on science programs across 109 schools and leads the Floating Classroom voyages.
The details
The Floating Classroom repurposes a portion of the NYC Ferry fleet as classrooms during the off-season. Voyages depart from DUMBO Ferry Terminal in Brooklyn Bridge Park and travel to Governor's Island, where Urban Assembly New York Harbor School partners with Billion Oyster Project on hands-on lessons in marine biology, climate change, and maritime careers.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: Floating Classroom launch announced at DUMBO Ferry Terminal
Labor Day to Memorial Day: Off-season period when Floating Classroom voyages run weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Culture Shift
The Floating Classroom extends New York City's 2nd-grade solo screen time ban into an in-person learning alternative, reflecting a broader move to pull students away from personal devices after pandemic-era school closures. More than 50 Harbor School graduates already work as NYC Ferry captains and deckhands, linking the program to local maritime careers.
Students in public schools across New York City could take part in weekday voyages between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The program's daily capacity of 300 students means participation will be limited on each run.
The takeaway
Families and educators interested in hands-on science can look to programs like the Floating Classroom as a way to connect children with local waterways and maritime careers. Schools that wish to participate should watch for announcements about how seats will be allocated.
Further reading
Explore more on Primary Education in New York City to see how local schools are expanding learning beyond the classroom.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily News.
Live Poll
Do you think public schools should do more to get students learning outside the classroom?
