Belmont Academy in Westmoreland which
was built by the Government at a cost of $300 million opened its doors on
Monday with classes beginning for more than 200 students.
The students were placed at the school based on their performance in the Grade Six and the Grade Nine Achievement tests.
They will be entering grades seven and nine and will be promoted to higher grades next year, thereby facilitating the gradual population of the school.
When fully populated, Belmont Academy will accommodate 900 students.
The current Principal, Maurice Smith, is an employee of the Education Ministry.
He has been assigned responsibility for managing the school until a new Principal is appointed.
That individual will be given a three-year contract, which will be renewed based on the results of a performance evaluation.
Only trained graduates with specialization in relevant subject areas have been recruited to teach at the new school.
Although, workmen are still carrying out finishing touches on the new school, the interim principal says the teaching and learning process will not be affected.
Belmont Academy is the first public secondary institution that is being opened under the Centre of Excellence Scheme.
As a Centre of Excellence, the school will focus on the sciences and services.
The Scientific Research Council, SRC has already entered into discussions with the Ministry and the leadership of Belmont Academy on measures to support the school's science programme.
The Academy will also place emphasis on the visual and performing arts, character development, civic awareness, community services, volunteerism, critical thinking, technology and leadership.
The students were placed at the school based on their performance in the Grade Six and the Grade Nine Achievement tests.
They will be entering grades seven and nine and will be promoted to higher grades next year, thereby facilitating the gradual population of the school.
When fully populated, Belmont Academy will accommodate 900 students.
The current Principal, Maurice Smith, is an employee of the Education Ministry.
He has been assigned responsibility for managing the school until a new Principal is appointed.
That individual will be given a three-year contract, which will be renewed based on the results of a performance evaluation.
Only trained graduates with specialization in relevant subject areas have been recruited to teach at the new school.
Although, workmen are still carrying out finishing touches on the new school, the interim principal says the teaching and learning process will not be affected.
Belmont Academy is the first public secondary institution that is being opened under the Centre of Excellence Scheme.
As a Centre of Excellence, the school will focus on the sciences and services.
The Scientific Research Council, SRC has already entered into discussions with the Ministry and the leadership of Belmont Academy on measures to support the school's science programme.
The Academy will also place emphasis on the visual and performing arts, character development, civic awareness, community services, volunteerism, critical thinking, technology and leadership.
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