During the first half of the 20th Century, most of the primary schools in the Caribbean islands were owned and operated by religious denominations, such as Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist. These denominations usually had a separate school for boys and another for girls.  This was the situation in St. Lucia at that time, with a large proportion of the educational institutions operated by the Roman Catholic Church.

As the second half of the century dawned, and universal adult suffrage was granted to these islands, the need for secondary level education became more pressing. Unfortunately, only a privileged few with the right combination of assets found places in secondary schools during these times. Other persons had no other institutional alternative for obtaining an education.

The growing S.D.A. population in the 50’s and 60’s became increasingly frustrated by the inaccessibility of educational facilities, in spite of their desire and willingness to educate their children.

It was out of this dilemma that the concept of the St Lucia SDA Academy was conceived. The church had already been operating a primary school on the premises of the Castries SDA Church on Waterworks road.

In 1961, Elder W.W. Cush, Education Director for the East Caribbean Conference of S.D.A., suggested that the primary school carry a first Form during the following year in preparation towards the establishment of a secondary school.

In 1962, therefore, Form One was created and treated as a higher class in the primary school, taught by one teacher – Mr. Francis Mason. In the following year, a Form Two was added.

It became quickly apparent that the accommodations on Waterworks Road proved less than ideal, especially as both the school and the church populations were growing quite handsomely.

So when Pastor David Mc Calla was posted to the District of St. Lucia in 1962, his special assignment was twofold— to establish a Secondary school and build a new church in Castries.

Pastor Mc Calla was a gifted and consecrated leader, and the elders of the church island wide were committed and equally consecrated.  To begin the school year 1964-65, the Secondary students—now occupying three Forms—entered a rented structure intended for a Guest house on L’Anse Road, while the Primary school remained in the church.

Within a few months, however, the building was put up for sale. Neither the Conference nor the local church had the money to make the purchase, so the fate of the school hung in the balance.

It was at this precarious juncture that six elders from the island council of elders decided to mortgage their families’ properties to secure a loan for the purchase of the property.

These brethren were Bro. Duplessis, the Joseph brothers (Hansen and Bernard), Bro. Brice, Bro. French and Bro. Bailey. We thank God for their sacrifice.

The Academy remained at L’Anse Road until it began to burst at the seams. In 1974, lands were secured at Sunny Acres. There, a new and far more extensive structure was built to accommodate the 700-plus students enrolled on a shift system.

This unusually large school population was the result of the policy of non-exclusion practiced by the administration of the institution. All faiths, races, ages and IQs were welcomed.

The Academy had become a door of hope, a bastion of second chances, and a redemptive, character-building institution that promised success to anyone willing to pursue it.

In its forty years since its existence, the Academy has had a galaxy of excellent Principals—besides a constellation of excellent Acting Principals.

Here is the list of all the Principals who have built or sustained the great name of this school:

1.   Ps. David Mc Calla

2.   Mr. John R Hill

3.   Mr. Francis Marcellin

4.   Mr. Josiah Maynard

5.   Mr. Ruben Wilson

6.   Mr. Wulstan Charles

7.   Mr. Joseph Blackett

8.   Ps. Wulstan Charles

9.   Dr. Thomas Alexander

10. Mrs. Genevieve Farrel

11. Mr. Donavan René

12. Dr.  W. Abijah Williams

13. Mrs. Yolande Reynolds

Among those who have served as acting Principal during the past 40 years are:

Beginning in 1964 as only the third Secondary school in Castries, and providing accommodation for all St. Lucians, the Academy has served its country well.

Since the proliferation of Secondary level institutions after independence, the school’s viability and resilience has been challenged.  But the Academy continues to thrive against all.

This past year, 2006, the Academy placed 7th at external CXC Examinations, among the country’s 21 Secondary Schools. It has become a commonality that we are among the top seven, however, in 1999 we placed third.

This school pledges to continue to pursue academic excellence and build Christian character through education.

The school currently offers 20 subjects at the C.X.C. level in the Sciences, Arts, Business and Tech/Voc. areas.  The Academy introduced the concept of a preparatory class (preparing weak and late learners for Form One) and the Academy continues to be the only secondary level institution that teaches Bible as a Bona Fide subject from Form One to Five.

If our graduates achieve academically, have sound morals, uphold sacred principles and manifest self-disciplined citizenship, then the founders and operators of the Academy would have accomplished their purpose.

Current Principal: Mr Cyrus Cepal

Contact information:  Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: 452 4195, 459 0805 (Principal’s direct lne)

Fax: 452 7210