In a quiet but commanding stride, Maverley Primary School has delivered one of its most noteworthy academic performances in this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP), signaling not just growth—but transformation.
The St. Andrew institution, nestled in a community often framed by social challenges, has managed to overturn narrative and expectation alike. This year, all core subject areas saw marked improvement, with three male students—disciplined, focused, and well-supported—earning placements at Jamaica’s elite traditional high schools.
Principal Valentine Spencer attributes the school’s upward trajectory to a confluence of strategy, structure, and support. “This year, the level of proficiency we’re seeing among our students has been unprecedented compared to last year,” he said. “But this isn’t magic—it’s deliberate effort from our entire team.”
A New Strategic Arsenal: Chess, Reading, and Outreach
Far from relying on outdated teaching formulas, Maverley Primary has retooled its academic arsenal. Chess, once an extracurricular afterthought, is now central to the school’s intellectual culture.
“Chess isn’t a side game anymore. It’s embedded in how we shape minds,” said Spencer. “It teaches discipline, focus, and forward thinking—and we’re seeing the results in how students analyze and approach academic problems.”
The sport is now played by nearly all students from Grade 3 upwards and is being credited with sharpening reasoning and boosting performance across subjects, particularly mathematics and science.
Paired with this is a renewed push in reading—a foundational skill that the school is strategically targeting ahead of the new school year. “Reading is non-negotiable. It’s how we expand minds before we expand grades,” Spencer added.
Collaborative Teaching Model: Beyond the Classroom
Support has also come from outside the school gates. In an innovative twist, students from Immaculate Conception High School have been volunteering weekly, helping younger pupils bridge academic gaps through peer-style mentorship. The impact has been immediate.
This model of shared learning—one school uplifting another—has underscored the value of community in academic success.
Parental Involvement: The X-Factor
But the secret weapon isn’t always found in the classroom. According to Spencer, the students who climbed highest had more than talent—they had involved parents.
“When we look at our top performers, we find strong parental engagement. Parents who reinforce discipline, monitor study habits, and collaborate with teachers are producing the top outcomes,” he noted.
One such case is Caleb Newland, who will attend Calabar High School in September. “My mother and stepfather made sure I studied three times a day. They never let me slack,” Caleb said. His gratitude extends to Grade 6 science teacher Miss Fridginate, whose tireless commitment became a rallying force.
Similarly, Travaine Graham, heading to Jamaica College, spoke with clarity and confidence: “I always come first, and I always pray and study with my mom.” His mother, Afranci Brooks, stood firm in her oversight—pushing Travaine even when fatigue set in. “Sometimes he studied past midnight,” she shared. “But I stayed with him. We don’t believe in excuses.”
Fridginate’s hands-on approach was no exception. Known for calling parents to insist students attend unless gravely ill, she has become an anchor in the school’s mission to eliminate avoidable setbacks.
Looking Ahead
With 17 students on the highest PEP academic Pathway 1 and a steady climb in overall performance, Maverley Primary is no longer operating in the shadows. The school is proving that structure, strategy, and a belief in young minds can overpower circumstance.
As the next school year approaches, Spencer says the mission is clear: strengthen reading initiatives, deepen critical thinking, expand parental engagement—and never underestimate the power of a chessboard in a child’s hands.
