Construction of Christel House Jamaica’s new High School is 55% complete. As the first cohort of students sit their Grade 6 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Exams, Christel House Administration and Operations teams are preparing for their first day of high school at the end of August. “We anticipate that the remaining work will be completed in time to welcome our first Grade 7 students for the coming school year,” says Chief Financial and Operations Officer Rory Jack.

The two-storey high school will be located on Christel House Jamaica’s Twickenham Park, Spanish Town campus, which now houses Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. The school will include a strong STEM/STEAM program, computer and science labs, and ramps for students with disabilities.

The program will prepare students for CSEC, City & Guilds, CAPE and Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs). “It’s important for our students to have a well-rounded education, including a trade, and access to SATs, which they would not readily have access to, in another institution,” explains Jason Scott, Executive Principal. “We will also collaborate with HEART Trust/NSTA, CMU, UTECH and other tertiary institutions to maximize their exposure.”

The high school is just the second phase in the Christel House model, which also includes up to 5 years of college and career counselling after graduation. Sister schools have partnered closely with businesses to provide mentorship and internship opportunities for high school students.

Christel House Jamaica was established in 2020 by the late philanthropist Christel DeHaan, Founder of Christel House International, who was determined to help break the cycle of poverty for children around the world through education.

Jamaican Co-Founder and National Ambassador, Hon. Sally Porteous, negotiated the public-private partnership with the Jamaican government to secure the land on which the school sits, in addition to a contribution towards student scholarships.  Christel House International is committed to covering 25% of the school’s program and service costs with the balance raised through fundraising from donations locally and in the diaspora.

Christel House Jamaica serves over 400 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 and plans to grow its numbers to 840 by 2031, adding 60 Kindergarten students each year.  Each child, when ready, will have the opportunity to matriculate to the high school.

In addition to a character-based education in a safe and secure environment, Christel House Jamaica provides daily breakfast and lunch, transportation to and from school, uniforms, books and supplies. Their trauma-informed approach also includes health and social interventions, all free of cost to the students.

Since opening the first school in Mexico in 1998, the Christel House network has grown to 9 schools in 5 countries, including India, South Africa, and the United States. Jamaica is the newest in the network of schools, but not for long. Christel House International is exploring expansion to new countries, while also seeking to broaden its reach in existing countries.

The Christel House model has proven results in sister schools since its inception in 1998. By combining rigorous academic instruction with parental involvement and five years of college and career counselling after graduation, internationally, Christel House graduates outperform their peers. Over 90% of students pass final exams, and over 90% of Christel House graduates go on to tertiary level enrolment or gainful employment.