Accra Girls Senior High School (Facilities, Campus, Courses)

BEST GIRLS SHS IN ACCRA

Accra Girls Senior High School is a prominent all-girls boarding school located in Accra, Ghana. Established in the mid-20th century, the school has built a reputation for academic excellence, strong moral values, and a supportive environment that encourages personal growth.

Over the decades, Accra Girls has produced many alumnae who have excelled in various fields, both nationally and internationally. The school’s commitment to providing a well-rounded education ensures that its students develop not only academically but also socially, culturally, and spiritually.

Accra Girls Senior High School is the best girls’ SHS in Accra. It is also among the top 10 best girls’ senior high schools in Ghana.

Read More: Top 10 Best Girls’ SHS in Ghana

History

Accra Girls Senior High School was founded in 1960 by the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic religious order dedicated to education and service. Originally known as St. Theresa’s Secondary School, it began with a small cohort of students and a handful of teachers.

In its early years, the school focused on building a strong foundation in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, while also emphasising Christian values. As the student body grew, the school expanded its curriculum and facilities.

In 1992, the name was officially changed to Accra Girls Senior High School to reflect its status as a public second-cycle institution managed under the Ghana Education Service. Since then, the school has continued to evolve, adapting to educational reforms and broadening its academic offerings.

Location

The school is situated on Teshie-Nungua Road in the Greater Accra Region, approximately 20 kilometres east of central Accra. The site occupies several acres of gently sloping land, offering pleasant views of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Its proximity to the Tema Motorway provides easy access for visitors and connects the school to major urban centres. The surrounding area blends residential communities with small commercial enterprises, making it a convenient location for both boarding and day students.

Population

As of the 2024–2025 academic year, Accra Girls Senior High School has an enrollment of around 3,100 students, all of whom are female. The student population is drawn from various regions of Ghana, reflecting the school’s national appeal.

There is a diverse mix of cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds among the students, which enriches the school’s communal life. The teaching staff numbers approximately 120, including subject specialists, counsellors, and support personnel. The student-to-teacher ratio averages around 18 to 1, allowing for personalised attention and mentoring.

Campus

The campus of Accra Girls Senior High School features a blend of traditional and modern buildings. The main administrative block houses the headmistress’s office, staff offices, and the bursar’s department.

Adjacent to this block are classroom complexes built in the 1990s, each containing multiple lecture halls, laboratories, and resource rooms. The science laboratories—fully equipped for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology practicals—are centrally located to facilitate easy access for all streams. There is also an ICT laboratory with internet-enabled computers for research and coursework.

The school library holds a collection of over ten thousand volumes, including textbooks, reference materials, and digital resources. A multipurpose assembly hall serves as the venue for morning prayers, assemblies, and school functions.

Outdoor facilities include a full-sized football field, basketball and volleyball courts, and spaces for track and field events. A well-maintained staff bungalow and quarters for teaching and non-teaching staff are located within the campus boundary, promoting a sense of community among faculty members.

Extracurricular Activities

Accra Girls Senior High School offers a broad range of extracurricular activities aimed at nurturing students’ talents and interests beyond the classroom. The school’s choir, known for its harmonious performances, regularly participates in inter-school music festivals.

There is also a drama club that stages plays and skits during cultural events, showcasing both contemporary and traditional Ghanaian themes. Students interested in debate and public speaking join the Oratory Club, where they hone their skills through weekly sessions and competitions at the district and regional levels.

Sports play a significant role in school life, with teams for football, basketball, athletics, and volleyball. The school has produced athletes who have represented the Greater Accra Region in national track and field events.

Additionally, clubs such as the Science and Mathematics Club, the Environmental Conservation Group, and the Community Service Club provide platforms for students to engage in academic challenges, ecological projects, and outreach programs. These activities help build leadership qualities and teamwork among members.

Boarding Houses

As an all-girls boarding school, Accra Girls Senior High School maintains six residential houses, each named after a patron saint or a distinguished figure in Ghanaian history. Every house is supervised by a housemistress, matrons, and prefects chosen from senior students.

The dormitories are designed to accommodate between 200 and 300 boarders per house, with shared rooms that encourage camaraderie among students. Regular house meetings address academic progress, discipline, and welfare concerns. Inter-house competitions in sports, quizzes, and cultural displays further strengthen unity and house pride.

School Uniform

The school uniform at Accra Girls Senior High School is designed to promote unity and a sense of identity.

Students wear a white short-sleeved blouse paired with a navy-blue skirt that falls below the knee. The blouse features the school emblem embroidered on the upper pocket. During formal occasions, students don a navy-blue blazer bearing the school crest and a matching tie.

Physical education days require a separate PE kit consisting of a white polo shirt with the school logo and navy-blue shorts. The uniform policy enforces neat grooming standards, including regulations on hairstyles and footwear, which must be closed-toe black shoes.

Courses Offered

Accra Girls Senior High School follows the Ghana Education Service curriculum, leading to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). There are five main academic tracks: General Science, General Arts, Home Economics, Business, and Visual Arts.

In the General Science track, students study core subjects such as Elective Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science.

SCIENCE COURSE COMBINATIONS

Option 1 (S1)	Option 2 (S2)	Option 3 (S3)	Option 4 (S4)
CHEMISTRY	CHEMISTRY	CHEMISTRY	CHEMISTRY
PHYSICS	PHYSICS	PHYSICS	PHYSICS
E. MATHS	E. MATHS	E. MATHS	E. MATHS
BIOLOGY	BIOLOGY	BIOLOGY	GEO/BIO/ICT

Those in the General Arts program focus on Literature in English, History, Economics, Government, and Geography.

GENERAL ARTS COURSE COMBINATIONS

Option 1 (A1)	Option 2 (A2)	Option 3 (A3)	Option 4 (A4)	Option 5 (A5)	Option 6 (A6)	Option 7 (A7)	Option 8 (A8)
ECONOMICS	ECONOMICS	GOVERNMENT	GOVERNMENT	GOVERNMENT	GOVERNMENT	GOVERNMENT	GOVERNMENT
GEOGRAPHY	GEOGRAPHY	GEOGRAPHY	GEOGRAPHY	HISTORY	HISTORY	HISTORY	HISTORY
E. MATHS	E. MATHS	LITERATURE	CRS	CRS	CRS	CRS	LIT
FRENCH	ICT	MUSIC/CRS	FRENCH	TWI	GA/TWI	FRENCH/TWI	FRENCH

Those in the Home Economics program focus on Food and Nutrition, Management in Living, General Knowledge in Art (GKA), Clothing and Textiles, and Biology.

HOME ECONOMICS COURSE COMBINATIONS

Option 1 (H1)	Option 2 (H2)	Option 3 (H3)	Option 4 (H4)
MIL	MIL	MIL	MIL
FOOD & N	FOOD & N	FOOD & N	C & T
GKA	GKA	GKA	GKA
BIOLOGY	BIOLOGY	BIOLOGY	BIOLOGY

The Business track includes Accounting, Economics, Business Management, and Elective Mathematics.

BUSINESS COURSE COMBINATIONS

Option 1 (B1)	Option 2 (B2)	Option 3 (B3)
ECONOMICS	ECONOMICS	ECONOMICS
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT	BUSINESS MANAGEMENT	BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
ELECTIVE MATHS	ELECTIVE MATHS	COSTING
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING	FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING	FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

The Visual Arts track provides instruction in Graphic Design, Art History, Painting, and Sculpture.

VISUAL ARTS COURSES

Option V1
GRAPHICS
CERAMICS/JEWELLERY
GKA
ICT

Each student also takes Ghanaian Language, Religious and Moral Education, and Core Mathematics.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Apart from academics and extracurriculars, Accra Girls Senior High School emphasises moral and spiritual development, guided by its Catholic heritage. Weekly chapel services are held, and student-led prayer groups meet regularly to foster reflection and ethical decision-making.

A student counselling centre staffed with trained counsellors offers guidance on personal, academic, and career matters. The school also runs a health clinic with a full-time nurse, ensuring prompt medical attention for minor illnesses and injuries. To promote community engagement, students participate in outreach programs such as literacy campaigns in nearby villages and clean-up initiatives in local neighbourhoods.

FACILITIES

Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS) boasts a range of facilities designed to support both academic excellence and the holistic development of its students. A notable feature is the modern multi-purpose sports facility, enclosed by a secure fence, which provides an ideal environment for various sports, including basketball, netball, and handball.

This facility serves as a focal point for student recreation, physical education classes, and school-wide sporting events. The development of this sports complex was made possible through the generous contributions of the Accra Girls Old Students 81 Year Group, whose names are proudly displayed on a commemorative board, symbolising their commitment to giving back to their alma mater.

In addition to the sports amenities, AGISS provides well-equipped classrooms and science laboratories that cater to the academic needs of students across various disciplines. The campus also houses an infirmary, ensuring that students have access to basic healthcare services when needed. These facilities collectively contribute to a conducive learning environment, reflecting the school’s commitment to fostering both the intellectual and physical growth of its students.

Ranking

When evaluating the performance of Accra Girls Senior High School, several factors are considered. The quality of tuition is evident in the school’s WASSCE results, which regularly place it among the top girls’ schools in the Greater Accra Region.

Facilities, including modern laboratories and sports fields, rank highly compared to many other public schools in the area. Extracurricular achievements—such as victories in regional quiz competitions and athletic meets—underscore the school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals.

While there is no formal international ranking system for secondary schools, Accra Girls’ reputation has spread to neighbouring countries through exchange programs and alumni who pursue higher education abroad. Overall, based on academic performance, infrastructural quality, extracurricular success, and alumnae accomplishments, Accra Girls Senior High School consistently ranks as one of the leading girls’ secondary schools in Ghana.

Conclusion

Accra Girls Senior High School stands as a testament to the enduring value of quality education grounded in strong moral principles. Through its history, the school has remained dedicated to empowering young women with knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills.

With a supportive campus environment, robust academic programs, vibrant extracurricular life, and a focus on student welfare, Accra Girls continues to prepare its students for success in higher education and beyond. As it looks to the future, the school aims to build on its traditions, embrace innovation, and maintain its position among Ghana’s finest institutions.