St. Augustine Senior High School is a renowned all-boys boarding institution rooted in Catholic tradition, located in Cape Coast, Ghana. Established to provide holistic secondary education, the school emphasises both academic rigour and character development. Over the decades, St. Augustine has built a reputation for nurturing disciplined, well-rounded young men who excel in various fields. With a strong sense of community and a commitment to service, the school continues to attract students seeking quality education in a supportive environment

History

St. Augustine Senior High School was founded in 1930 by the Catholic Church under the leadership of Bishop William Porter and the Society of Missionaries of Africa. Initially named St. Augustine’s College, the school began with a modest number of students and teachers, focusing on core subjects and moral instruction.

In 1968, it was elevated to full secondary status and became known as St. Augustine Senior High School. Over time, the curriculum expanded from its original emphasis on classical studies to include science, business, and technical programs. Throughout its history, St. Augustine has remained true to its founding principles of faith, discipline, and academic excellence.

Location

Situated along the Cape Coast–Elmina road, St. Augustine Senior High School occupies a scenic hilltop overlooking the Atlantic coastline. The campus lies approximately two kilometres east of central Cape Coast, making it easily accessible yet nestled in a peaceful setting.

Nearby landmarks include the St. Francis Xavier Hospital and the historic Cape Coast Castle. The elevated terrain provides natural ventilation, while lush trees and gardens lend the grounds a serene atmosphere. Its coastal proximity also affords students pleasant sea breezes, enhancing the overall campus experience.

Population

As of the 2024–2025 academic year, the student population at St. Augustine Senior High School stands at around 4,000 boys, ranging in age from sixteen to nineteen. Enrollment typically exceeds three thousand, reflecting the school’s popularity among families in the Central Region and beyond.

A teaching staff of approximately 180 professionals supports this body of students, yielding an average student-to-teacher ratio of about 18 to 1. While the majority of students hail from Ghana, there are also small numbers of international boarders from neighbouring West African countries.

Campus

The St. Augustine campus spans roughly 240 acres of hilly terrain, blending historic colonial-era buildings with modern facilities. The main administrative block and some original dormitories date back to the 1930s, exhibiting classic architectural features such as arched windows and red-tiled roofs.

Newer structures include science laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology; an ICT centre with broadband connectivity; and dedicated workshops for technical subjects.

The library contains thousands of volumes, study carrels, and a computer kiosk for research.

Outdoor facilities feature a main athletic field for football and track, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a sizable swimming pool. The chapel, centrally located, serves as the spiritual heart of the campus, hosting daily Mass, retreats, and prayer services.

Lush gardens and tree-lined pathways create quiet spots for study and reflection.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular involvement is a hallmark of St. Augustine Senior High School. The school fields competitive teams in football, hockey, basketball, and athletics, regularly participating in regional and national tournaments. A vibrant drama and theatre club stages annual productions that draw audiences from across Cape Coast.

The debate and public-speaking team competes in zonal contests, honing critical thinking and oratory skills. Musical opportunities abound through the school choir, brass band, and traditional drumming ensemble, which perform at social functions and religious ceremonies.

Technical clubs, such as the Robotics and Engineering Society, engage students in hands-on projects, while the Environmental Conservation Club leads campus clean-up campaigns. Service clubs like the Red Cross Society and the Catholic Action group organize community outreach programs, blood drives, and literacy workshops in nearby villages.

Boarding Houses

St. Augustine Senior High School maintains eight boarding houses, each named in honour of significant figures in Catholic history or former headmasters. These include houses such as Porter House, Kelly House, and May House.

Each dormitory accommodates roughly 300 to 400 students and is overseen by a Housemaster, matrons, and a team of prefects from senior classes. House activities encompass morning study sessions, scheduled devotionals, and regular meetings to address academic progress and student welfare.

Inter-house competitions—ranging from sports relays to quiz bowls and dramatics—foster healthy rivalry, camaraderie, and leadership. The house system plays a key role in shaping each student’s sense of identity and belonging.

School Uniform

The St. Augustine uniform consists of a yellow short-sleeved shirt bearing the school crest on the breast pocket, paired with brown shorts for junior boys (Forms 1 and 2) and brown trousers for senior boys (Forms 3 and 4). On formal occasions, students wear a brown blazer featuring the school emblem, accompanied by a brown tie striped with yellow.

Plain brown socks and black lace-up shoes complete the ensemble. Physical Education days require a separate kit: a white polo shirt with the school logo and brown shorts. Strict regulations govern grooming—hair must be kept neat and short, and shoes worn polished, reflecting the school’s emphasis on discipline and self-respect.

Courses Offered

St. Augustine Senior High School offers a broad curriculum aligned with the Ghana Education Service guidelines for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The school provides five main academic tracks: General Science, General Arts, Business, Visual Arts, and Technical.

The General Science track includes Elective Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science. The General Arts program features Literature in English, History, Government, Geography, and Elective Mathematics. The Business track comprises Accounting, Economics, Business Management, and an Elective Mathematics Course. Visual Arts students study Graphic Design, Painting, Sculpture, and Art History alongside core subjects. The Technical department offers courses in Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, and Technical Drawing for students interested in vocational pathways.

All students take compulsory subjects such as English Language, Core Mathematics, and Integrated Science. The faculty includes subject specialists who receive ongoing professional development to maintain high teaching standards.

Motto and Ethics
Beyond academics and extracurriculars, St. Augustine places great emphasis on moral and spiritual formation. The school’s motto, “Omnia Vincit Labour” (“Work conquers all”), underscores the value of diligence and perseverance.

Daily Mass, weekly chapel services, and periodic retreats build students’ faith lives, while a dedicated chaplain provides pastoral care and counselling. The on-site health clinic, staffed by a nurse and visiting doctor, attends to medical and mental health needs. A student-run cafeteria supplies three balanced meals a day, with options for special dietary considerations.

To foster community engagement, senior students participate in outreach programs—including literacy drives, health screenings, and agricultural projects—in partnership with local Catholic parishes. The Old Augustinian fraternity, comprising alumni worldwide, actively supports the school through scholarships, infrastructure projects, and mentorship initiatives.

Facilities

St. Augustine’s Senior High School boasts a wide range of well-maintained facilities that support both academic and extracurricular excellence. The school has modern science laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology, fully equipped to aid practical learning. Its ICT center provides internet access and computer literacy training for students.

The library is spacious and stocked with relevant academic resources, including textbooks, reference materials, and digital research tools. For physical development, the school features a large football field, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a swimming pool.

The campus also includes a chapel for spiritual activities, a medical clinic for healthcare needs, and several workshops for technical and vocational subjects. These facilities contribute significantly to the holistic development of students and reflect the school’s commitment to high educational standards.

Ranking

When assessing St. Augustine Senior High School’s has consistently recorded strong WASSCE pass rates in core subjects, with a high proportion of students achieving distinctions. Teachers employ interactive methods, laboratory-based science lessons, and project-driven learning to enhance comprehension.

St. Augustine’s campus is a category A school that ranks among the better-equipped institutions in the Central Region, with modern science laboratories, an ICT centre, a well-stocked library, and multiple sports facilities. The boarding houses are well-maintained, and recent upgrades include a refurbished dining hall and expanded classroom wings.

Read More on: ALL SHS in Ghanaand their Categories

Top 10 Category A Schools in Ghana

With success in regional sports leagues, drama festivals, and national quizzes, the school offers a rich array of activities that complement academic life. Its music and arts programs regularly feature in inter-school carnivals, showcasing the talents of students.

St. Augustine’s reputation extends beyond national borders through student exchanges with partner schools in the United Kingdom and occasional visits from international educators. Graduates frequently receive admission offers from universities in Europe and North America.

The Old Augustinian network includes professionals in fields such as medicine, law, engineering, politics, and academia. This alumni presence enhances the school’s reputation and provides mentorship opportunities for current students.

Considering these factors—teaching quality, infrastructure, extracurricular vibrancy, and global outreach—St. Augustine Senior High School is widely regarded as one of the best senior high schools in Ghana. Its commitment to excellence, grounded in a strong moral framework, positions it among the country’s leading second-cycle schools.

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