A SCHOOL REBORN

Just three years ago, Aberdeen High School was facing serious challenges. With low pass rates, dwindling enrolment as parents pulled their children out, and staff morale at an all-time low, the school was in crisis.

Today, however, Aberdeen is being hailed as a model of transformation. Pass rates for mathematics in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations skyrocketed from just 10 per cent in 2022 to an impressive 87 per cent in 2025. English Language results also surged – from 29 per cent to 75 per cent over the same period.

“When I got here my first year, we had parents transferring out their children like crazy,” recalled principal Kemishia Reid-Simpson, who took over at the St Elizabeth-based school in 2022.

“And for last year and this year, I notice that we’ve had persons wanting to transfer their child into the institution. So, we have had a significant reduction in transfers out and an improvement in transfers into the institution. That is a win for us.”

In recognition of this dramatic turnaround, the Ministry of Education commended Aberdeen in August, describing its performance as “exemplary”.

“This remarkable achievement is a clear reflection of your school’s culture of excellence and a demonstration of the consistent dedication, discipline, and collaborative effort among students, staff, and the leadership team,” Susan Nelson-Smith, director of regional education services, said in a letter to the school.

For Reid-Simpson, the commendation was a deeply validating moment.

“I was elated because it meant that all the work, the strategies, the mechanisms we had embarked on were yielding fruit. That, for me, was a wow moment, because the core of our existence is to ensure that our students are academically ready to transition into the world of work,” she told The Gleaner.

ROAD MAP TO TURNAROUND

Aberdeen’s transformation began with a three-year academic improvement plan developed in partnership with the ministry. Clear targets were set for mathematics and English language, and the school was rebranded under a bold new mantra: ‘Excellence, Our Habit’.

The administration collaborated closely with the English and mathematics departments to roll out a comprehensive intervention strategy. This included academic marathons, spelling bees, inter-school competitions, and continuous professional development for teachers.

A key driver of the school’s success was its renewed focus on instructional supervision. Senior leaders began conducting regular classroom visits, offering real-time feedback and hands-on support to teachers.

“At the end of the month, they submit reports showing how many classes they visited and what support was offered. We also have our monthly academic focus, which channels the teacher as to what to put emphasis on,” Reid-Simpson explained.

These monthly themes – ranging from gamification and STEM subjects to music, drama, and inquiry-based learning – were designed to spark creativity and boost student engagement. The result? A marked shift in classroom dynamics and teaching confidence.

“We’ve seen teachers transition from lacking confidence to gaining confidence, from teacher-centred to more student-focused lessons,” she added. “It’s heartwarming to see that professional growth happens right there in the classroom.”

Recognising that many students were reading below grade level, the school launched a suite of literacy initiatives. These included reading competitions, annual spelling bees, quizzes with prizes sponsored by local businesses, and a dedicated Literacy Day to celebrate student progress and foster excitement around reading.

Additional support came from an APSE (Alternative Pathways for Secondary Education) coach assigned by the ministry. The coach worked directly with struggling students and helped teachers develop more effective literacy instruction methods.

“Many of our students were reading at primary level,” said Reid-Simpson. “And because of low comprehension, math was also suffering. But with help from the APSE coach and our interventions, we’ve seen real improvement.”

Aberdeen also embraced peer-to-peer capacity-building, collaborating with neighbouring high-performing schools. The school invited external teachers for targeted workshops and sent its own educators to share best practices.

One particularly impactful collaboration was in response to a weakness in summary writing.

“We identified summary writing as a weak area and brought in an English teacher from a nearby school to work with both students and staff,” Reid-Simpson told The Gleaner.

Despite the remarkable gains, the principal acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in parental involvement.

“Student success really depends on parental engagement. It is an investment; it may not be tangible, but it is an investment in our country’s future. It is an investment in their child’s future,” she stressed.

“And so, it is something that should not be gambled with. It should be a dedicated task and a passionate endeavour. And it goes beyond buying the books and the pencil; it’s really about being visible and showing up for your child,” she added.

While the school narrowly missed its 80 per cent English language target for this year, Reid-Simpson remains proud of the progress and committed to intensifying support strategies going forward.

Looking ahead to the new academic year, the principal said Aberdeen is fully prepared, thanks to strategic oversight from its board of governors, and remains committed to its guiding mantra of excellence.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com