About

Clan Carthy High School is a co-educational secondary school serving the communities of Kingston and St. Andrew. For more than four decades, we have prepared students for CSEC, CAPE, and life beyond school, ready to take their place in tertiary education, the workforce, and the wider Jamaican society.

A group of citizens and the political representatives of the area decided to make developmental plans for South East St. Andrew. Education was the most critical on the list as parents complained about the limited space available for children at the common entrance level. The Vineyard Town community had a primary school but no nearby secondary school to accept common entrance awardees. The Carthy family donated the land on which the school now sits. In October 1980, the Vineyard Town Secondary School was opened to three hundred and fifty (350) students in Grade 7, a principal, and ten (10) teachers. Between November 1980 and January 1981, two (2) teachers and thirty-six (36) students joined the group. Also, in place by January 1981 were six (6) ancillary staff members, two (2) cooks, a bursar, a clerical assistant, a principal’s secretary, and a typist. As the student population increased, the demand for space resulted in the evolution of the shift system in 1983. During the 1990s, the school underwent three name changes during the period 1990-2001. The name changed from Vineyard Town Secondary to Clan Carthy Secondary, then to Clan Carthy Comprehensive, and then to its current name, Clan Carthy High School. In keeping with the school’s quest to enhance the students’ performance and create a culture of excellence, the school abandoned the shift system in 2008. The school’s first principal and vice principal were Miss Dorrell Chambers in 1980 and Mrs. Inez Miller, respectively. To date, the school has had three other principals and acting principals. Upon the passing of Miss Chambers, Miss Lorretta Walker acted as principal until Mr. Anthony Eldemire was appointed in September 1994. Mr. Trevor Samuels assumed leadership in 1997 and was followed by Mrs. Hazel P. Cameron, who became principal in 2005. During the transition in leadership, Mr. Ekle Bailey has acted as principal on several occasions. Since its inception, the school has vastly developed. Today, there are approximately 1300 students and over 70 highly trained and experienced teachers. The school has sought to maintain a balance in the male and female teacher ratio. Students are offered a variety of subject areas, such as Technical and Vocational subjects, the Visual & Performing Arts, and Business Education. Many students have transitioned to higher education both locally and overseas. Many students proudly represent the school in Debating, Cadet, School’s Challenge Quiz, at the Penn Relays, Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, and other ISSA competitive sporting events, as well as Cheerleading competitions. From the onset, we committed ourselves to changing the poor image of New Secondary Schools. We worked to achieve high standards comparable to those of any traditional high school and, as such, are now proud of the achievements we have had. Our Motto is “Vertice Sidera Tangemus” – “Hit the Star at the Highest Point”