Knox College, Jamaica

Knox College is a coeducational high school in Clarendon, Jamaica for both day pupils and boarders. Founded in 1947, it occupies about 100 acres (40 ha) of land. The school is named after John Knox.

The complex is administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the United Church. Each school operates under its own principal and board of management, nominated by the church and established by the Ministry of Education.

Co-Founders of the complex of schools are Rev. Lewis Davidson – First Principal and Mr. David Bent-First Bursar and Builder. Other pioneers of the school include workers such as Mr. Leo Jones, Mr. Louis Byles, Mrs. Gloria Swaby, Mr. Richard Clarage, Mr. George Scott, Dr. Barbara Jones and Mrs. Helen Stills.

Knox College is a grant-aided secondary institution. It remains today as the only secondary co-educational boarding school in Jamaica. Most students come from the surrounding districts and towns. However, a significant number of students are from other parishes throughout the island. With seven grades (7-13) and up to seven streams, Knox College takes in approximately 300 students each year.

The Curriculum

The broad-based curriculum is geared at equipping students for life. All students sit the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations at the end of the grade eleven year. The course work for these examinations begins in the ninth grade for all students. English Language, English Literature and Mathematics are compulsory.

Work Programme

The Student service work programme initiated in 1968 continues as an integral part of the course, providing invaluable learning opportunities for students.Seniors are required to complete at least fifty hours of an assignment in the work programme under the supervision of their teachers. This programme is geared at building effective work ethics, and providing work experience, as students are selected to work in a department that complements their career choice.

Student Leadership

The purpose of the Students Council and Prefect Council is to enhance the involvement of students in their education while developing their skills in decision-making and leadership.

Students choose their own student council representatives. From the pool of elected representatives, teachers and students select a president and vice-president in a democratic election process. The academic staff selects the prefect body based on positive leadership qualities, academic performance and attitudes. From the complement of prefects, the head boy and head girl are selected.

Extra Curricular Activities

In extra curricular activities, the school participates in a number of national and regional competitions, often receiving awards. Among these are Science competitions, Spanish competitions Literacy, Visual and Performing Arts competitions, the Junior Achievement and 4H competitions.

Knox College has some thirty active clubs and societies. These bodies provide important opportunities for students to enrich their education and experiences outside the normal classroom sessions. These cater for a wide variety of interests and include athletic, creative, intellectual, recreational and spiritual activities. Students are encouraged to be actively involved in at least one club.

Some of the current clubs and societies include: Cadets, Drama, Inter School Christian Fellowship, Junior Achievement, 4H, Literary & Debating, Music, Rangers/Guides, Science And Technology, Schools’ Challenge Quiz, Spanish, Speech, Tourism Action, Red Cross, Girls Brigade, Male Empowerment Fraternity, Journalism Club, Sign Language Club, Information Technology Club, Duke Of Edin Burgh, Environmentalist Club, Passion and Purity

Sports

Knox College has particular interest in the sports of:

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Netball
• Cricket
• Football
• Tennis
• Badminton
• Swimming
• Track and Field

Knox College has also enjoyed major success in the sporting field of Basketball since the inception of the school boy competition. Knox College has recently won the ISSA Under 14 Basketball National Championships.

See also

• Education in Jamaica
• List of schools in Jamaica
• List of universities and colleges in Jamaica