Learning with a personal touch - Students enjoying small classrooms at Greater Life Academy
Published:Sunday | January 27, 2019 | 12:00 AMCarlene Davis/Gleaner Writer
Tara-Lee Keane was having a hard time getting a transfer from her old high school in the western end of the island, when her family found Greater Life Academy in the Corporate Area.
Today, Keane is the head girl at the school, which she says she was lucky to have found.
“I was recommended by the Ministry of Education. At first it was a bit challenging for me because I was not used to a small school, as my past school was a big compound, and lots of students. But after I adjusted, it became better,” said Keane.
The 17-year-old sat and passed five subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in grade 10 and is preparing to do three more this year.
“This school pushes me to help myself more. I go home, I ensure I do my homework. I would encourage other students to come here because this school, even though it is small, it gives you what you need to become a successful person in the long run.
“I get the attention I’m supposed to get because the capacity is not a lot so I got more one-on-one attention from teachers,” said Keane.
Jalon Higgins, who plays the keyboard and wants to be a musician and a police officer, enrolled in Greater Life after his old school closed down. The grade 11 student was also having a hard time finding another school.
“I am doing six subjects this year. I would encourage others to come here. It’s a small number of students and you get more space to interact with the teachers. You can go the teachers anytime even when they are having lunch. you can say, ‘Miss, I don’t understand so and so,’ and they will help you.
“I, too, found it challenging at first, because I was also moving from a big school with lots of students and I’m a person who loves to socialise, but after I got used to it, it wasn’t an issue,” said Higgins, who is the deputy head boy at the school.