Compare British Curriculum International Schools in Jamaica

51 Upper Mark Way, Kingston 8, Jamaica. The school is located in Kingston 8. Prep School contact: (876) 905 3351; High School: (876) 905 3352; Main Office: (876) 925 1980; Admissions: (876) 941 2912. Admissions email: admissions@gohillel.com.

K1 – Grade 6 (Prep School); Grades 7 – 9 (Middle School); Grades 10–13 (High School – IGCSE and IB Diploma and Courses).

The school is non-denominational, independent, co-educational and multicultural, and a private not-for-profit institution.

Non-denominational

Prep School day starts at 8:00 and ends at 1:00. The timetable includes learning circles and thematic learning, with a lunch time and story time.

Prep School uniform requires a blue shirt with the school crest and blue shorts for boys; black shoes and navy blue socks above the ankle. Girls wear a blue dress with the crest (KG1–KG2) or a blue blouse with the crest and blue skirt (Grades 3–6); Grade 3 may wear either the dress or the dress-and-skirt combination; black shoes and navy socks above the ankle. Hair must be well-groomed and tied back if shoulder-length or longer; plain white, brown or blue hair clips may be worn with the blue uniform; boys may not wear earrings, while girls may wear one pair of small hoops or knobs.

Hot lunches and snacks are provided by the canteen at variable prices. The canteen is open 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Kindergarten 1 and 2 must bring their own lunch; Grades 1 and 2 may visit the canteen on two days; other grades may purchase from the canteen or bring lunch.

The school has a House System. Every student and teacher is assigned to a House; the Houses are Sinai (Blue), Masada (Red), Maccabees (Green) and Carmel (Yellow). All academic and athletic achievement earns House points.

Hillel Academy is a non-denominational, independent, co-educational and multicultural school operating as a private not-for-profit organization. The Board of Trustees and Governors governs the school, with responsibilities for governance, strategic decision making, financial oversight and policy; the Director holds executive prerogatives and is responsible for implementing Board policies, with accountability to the Board.

K1–Grade 6 follow the National Standards Curriculum, with Spanish introduced in Kindergarten 1 and continued through Grade 6. Primary learners develop collaboration, communication, creative and critical thinking, and self-regulation as part of preparing for Ministry of Education assessments. Each Grade comprises two sections, with dedicated spaces and resources for language, arts and life skills. Grades 7–9 implement the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), a rigorous, inquiry-based framework for ages 11–14 that emphasizes learning goals, international mindedness, independent and collaborative work, and Big Idea units; Hillel Academy is the only Jamaican school offering IMYC. Grades 10–11 offer Cambridge IGCSE, a two-year programme beginning in Grade 10 with eight subjects and a pathway to the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 12. Grades 12–13 provide the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Courses (IBDP), a two-year pathway designed to develop the whole student and prepare for higher education and employment.

The school creates a positive ethos and caring atmosphere. The goals include developing emotional, moral and social skills and attitudes to help students become productive, lifelong learners. It promotes positive self-esteem and collaborative learning, and aims to produce confident, caring and ethical individuals who can contribute to positive change. Guidance services support student well-being, and Peer Counsellors are available to assist students.

The school provides adequate learning support systems for those students with recognised needs.

The Wellness Centre supports student health and well-being. The school nurse handles minor illnesses and injuries, with protocols to contact parents or the family doctor and to arrange care when needed. Guidance services include counselling and college/career guidance to support students' emotional and social development, and Peer Counsellors provide additional support.

Accident insurance is provided for students and staff through Sagicor Life Jamaica. A school nurse handles minor illnesses and injuries, with procedures to notify parents or the family doctor and to arrange care as needed. Medical forms must be updated regularly and submitted on or before the first day of term. The school has established emergency procedures and disaster preparedness measures.

1. Kindergarten 1 and 2 admission: Children entering Kindergarten One (3-4 year olds) must have had their third birthday on or before August 31 of the year in which they start school. Children entering from other schools must present satisfactory previous school reports and other relevant documentation. Those seeking admission to our Kindergarten 1 and 2 classes for the following September will be invited to spend part of a day at school for informal group activities during the months of March–May preceding the admission date, and parents will be informed of the date at least two weeks in advance. The children's general social maturity and adaptability within a group, large/fine motor skills, and age-appropriate readiness skills for numeracy and literacy will be observed.

2. Grades 1–6 admission: Older children seeking admission to the Prep School will be assessed at age-appropriate levels in English and Mathematics on an individual basis. These assessments can be arranged at any time throughout the year. Report cards from their previous school(s), for up to three years, depending on the age of the child, must be submitted along with the Registration Form.

3. Please remember the registration fee. Download Admissions Procedures and Download Application Form are available to guide the admissions process.