Coates Academy (most commonly referred to as "Coates") is a private, elite boarding school, situated close to Perdido Beach. It is where troubled or "difficult" children are sent by their mostly rich parents. This implies that all students at Coates are relatively intelligent. Major characters that went to Coates include Caine, Diana, Drake, Taylor, Computer Jack, Brianna, Bug, and Dekka. There is a slight rivalry between the children at Coates and the children at Perdido Beach school.