School group at craft table

School Field Trips

SCHOOL FIELD TRIP INFORMATION

Take your class on a journey 

Some schools are eligible for free admission to the Aquarium. These include North Carolina K-12 Public Schools, Private Schools, Registered Home Schools, and Qualifying Preschools.
To receive free admission, schools must adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Reservations for the 2022/2023 school year are available for visit dates between September 7, 2022 and June 9, 2023. 
  • Reservations can be made for visits Monday - Friday only, black out dates apply for certain holidays and school break periods. 
  • Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of visit date. 
  • A ratio of one adult chaperone for every ten students is strongly recommended. Chaperones must remain with and supervise their students at all times.  
  • Reservations for free entry are for students in your classes only: siblings and other children are not included in the free admission. 
  • Additional guests must purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.  
Click the school descriptions below to find out more about school group options and rates.
NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS (K-12)
  • NC Public and Private School (K-12) staff are eligible for free admission with their group. 
  • Teachers can request reduced rate chaperone tickets as a part of their reservation. All chaperone tickets must be purchased together as one transaction.  
  • Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.  
LEARN ABOUT ALL SCHOOL PROGRAMS
REQUEST A SCHOOL RESERVATION
NORTH CAROLINA QUALIFYING PRESCHOOLS
  • Qualifying Preschools must operate in the State of North Carolina and receive State funding or be a part of the More at Four program. Proof of qualifying status may be requested at the time of your reservation.  
  • NC Qualifying Preschool staff are eligible for free admission with their group. 
  • Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.  
LEARN ABOUT ALL SCHOOL PROGRAMS
REQUEST A SCHOOL RESERVATION
NORTH CAROLINA HOME SCHOOLS (K-12)
  • Registered North Carolina Homeschool students are eligible for one free admission ticket per school year.  
  • NC home schools must be registered with the state of North Carolina to receive free entry. 
  • NC home schools must make individual school reservations, not as a group. 
  • Eligible NC home school reservations receive one complimentary adult admission per reservation for the adult listed on the NC Homeschool registration. 
  • Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Aquarium entry.  
LEARN ABOUT ALL SCHOOL PROGRAMS 
REQUEST A SCHOOL RESERVATION
OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS (K-12)
  • Out-of-state schools are not eligible for free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier. 
  • Out-of-state school groups may register in advance for a group rate discount. Groups of 15 or more qualify for 15 percent off admission, when the group registers two weeks in advance and purchases all tickets with one payment. For more information contact our registrar or call (252) 475-2314. 
  • If your group is not registering in advance for a group discount, you are welcome to visit the Aquarium by purchasing tickets online. 
OUT-OF-STATE HOME SCHOOLS 
  • Out-of-state home schools are not eligible for free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier. 
  • Out-of-state school groups may register in advance for a group rate discount. Groups of 15 or more qualify for 15 percent off admission, when the group registers two weeks in advance and purchases all tickets with one payment. For more information contact our registrar or call (252) 475-2314. 
  • If your group is not registering in advance for a group discount, you are welcome to visit the Aquarium by purchasing tickets online. 
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
  • Colleges and Universities are not eligible for free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums or Jennette’s Pier. 
  • Out-of-state school groups may register in advance for a group rate discount. Groups of 15 or more qualify for 15 percent off admission, when the group registers two weeks in advance and purchases all tickets with one payment. For more information contact our registrar or call (252) 475-2314. 
  • If your group is not registering in advance for a group discount, you are welcome to visit the Aquarium by purchasing tickets online.