Jamaica is fortunate to be the home of some of the most prestigious all-male high schools in the world. These schools enrich their curriculum by making sports a vital part of the learning experience, and they have produced many of the nation’s leaders.
1) Calabar High School
This school is known for its motto: ”The utmost and the highest” and its green and black colors. It has proudly produced athletic greats, a number of Rhodes scholars, and has won the “Champs” trophy 21 times since 1930. Students from Calabar have also won the School Challenge Quiz and participated in the finals of this prize for a number of years. Some of the school’s most notable graduates include Dr. Franklyn Prendergast, Director of the Mayo Clinic, Comprehensive Cancer Research Center; Roger Mais, Writer; Paul Geddes, Founder of Red Stripe Beer; Reverend Hugh Sherlock, Author of Jamaica’s National Anthem; and The Honorable P.J. Patterson, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica.
2) Jamaica College
The blue and white colors of Jamaica College are well-known, as is the school motto “May the college flourish, work is burning in the fields.” The meaning of the motto is designed to convey the idea of striking while the iron is hot.” The College strives for excellence in academics and sportsmanship. Jamaica College won the Mortimer Geddes trophy in 2011 and has won a number of javelin competitions and decathlons. The institution has produced 15 Rhodes scholars. It is one of the few school to offer flight training and a robotics program. Jamaica College took third place in the Robotics Competition in 2012, the only school outside the United States to achieve this feat. The school has won the Manning Cup, Walker Cup and Oliver Shield honors in football. Among its illustrious graduates are Dennis Scott, Playwright, Poet, Dancer and Actor of the Cosby Show; Monty Alexander, Jazz Pianist; Carlton Alexander, former Chairman of Grace Kennedy & Company; and former Prime Ministers Norman Washington Manley, Michael Manley and Bruce Golding.
3) Saint George’s College
This Roman Catholic institution is a traditional rival of Kingston College and the “Brother” school of the Convent of Mercy Alpha (Alpha Academy Girls’ School). The St George’s motto “For the greater glory of God” is taken seriously by students in all their endeavors. Its colors of blue and white are displayed on student uniforms and on celebrations on Sports Day. While the school has participated in competitive sports like basketball, badminton, cricket, football, lawn tennis, table tennis, rugby swimming, track & field and water polo, it has not acquired many athletic awards. The school has produced six Rhodes scholars and many exceptional graduates. however, including Professor Emeritus Anthony Chen, Member of Nobel Prize in 2007; Musicians Stephen Marley and Ziggy Marley; former Prime Minister Bruce Golding; and Andy Williams, 1998 World Cup Reggae Boy.
4) Kingston College
The students and graduates of Kingston College wear their purple and white colors proudly and remember their motto, “The brave may fall but never yield” as it speaks of their endeavors in sports and academics. The school participates in a variety of sports, including basketball, rugby, football, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball and cricket. The school has produced four Rhodes scholars and its alumni include Stephen Vasciannie, law professor, Jamaica Ambassador to the United States; Delroy Chuck lawyer, journalist and politician; Anthony Hylton Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; and Dr. John Hall, Neurologist, Chairman, Medical Council of Jamaica.
5) Wolmer’s Boys’ School
Wolmer’s was once referred to as the “University of Cricket” and boasts the most wins for the Sunlight Cup. It is the largest producer of cricketers for the Jamaican and West Indies Cricket Teams. Its colors of maroon and gold complement the school crest, which describes the sun of learning bursting through the cloud of ignorance. Wolmer’s has been responsible for providing many of the country’s political leaders, Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Sir Florizel Glasspole, Governor General of Jamaica; and Keeble Munn, Minister of Agriculture & Minister of National Security, Owner of Blue Mountain Coffee. Other graduates include singer Harry Belafonte, recording artist Diana King, Olympic track star Michael Frater, and Maxim Rochester, the Managing Partner of Price Waterhouse Coopers. The school has produced 21 Rhodes scholars over the years.
Past and present Jamaican schoolboys feel a great sense of pride toward their alma maters, and even after they have graduated, their strong support for these schools continues.
