Pope John Senior High School, commonly known as POJOSS, is a leading Catholic public high school located in Koforidua, in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Established to provide holistic education rooted in Christian values, the school has earned a reputation for academic excellence, moral formation, and character development
Over the years, Pope John has nurtured young men and women into responsible citizens, equipping them to excel both locally and beyond.
History
Pope John Senior High School was founded in September 1958 by the Catholic Mission, under the leadership of Bishop Joseph Wilfrid Holland. It began with a small group of boarders and day students, offering a curriculum that balanced classical subjects with technical and vocational courses.
The school was named in honor of Pope Pius XII, reflecting its commitment to Catholic education. In its early decades, the institution grew steadily, adding new classroom blocks, laboratories, and workshops. By the 1970s, it had established itself as one of the foremost second-cycle schools in the Eastern Region. Successive headmasters continued to broaden the school’s offerings, ensuring that POJOSS stayed attuned to evolving national education standards.
Location
POJOSS is situated on a gently sloping site just outside the town center of Koforidua, along the Accra–Kumasi highway. Its address is P.O. Box 65, Koforidua.
The campus occupies approximately 80 acres of land, bordered by lush vegetation and often cooled by gentle breezes from nearby hills. Its proximity to main roads makes it easily accessible for day students and visitors, while still offering a tranquil setting removed from urban noise.
Population
As of the 2024–2025 academic year, Pope John Senior High School has an enrollment of about 3,200 students. The student body is mixed, with both boarders and day students represented in roughly equal measure.
A teaching staff of around 160 professionals supports the academic and pastoral needs of learners, producing a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 20 to 1. The school draws students from all ten regions of Ghana, creating a culturally diverse community that enriches campus life.
Campus
POJOSS’s campus blends historic and modern architecture. The original administration block and chapel date back to the late 1950s, featuring classic red-brick facades and carved wooden doors.
Newer structures include purpose-built science laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as dedicated workshops for technical subjects like woodwork and metalwork.
The library houses over 15,000 volumes, alongside computer terminals for research.
Sports facilities include a full-sized football pitch, a multi-sport court for basketball and volleyball, and an athletic track.
Dining halls, staff bungalows, and an on-site health clinic complete the campus infrastructure, ensuring that both academic and welfare needs are met.
Extracurricular activities
Students at Pope John Senior High School can choose from a wide range of clubs and societies that foster talent and leadership. The debate and public speaking club regularly competes in regional competitions, sharpening students’ critical thinking and communication skills.
Music lovers join the school choir or brass band, performing at liturgical services and public events. Sports teams in football, athletics, hockey, and volleyball have won numerous zonal titles, reflecting a strong culture of physical fitness. Technical and vocational clubs—such as the robotics society and the agricultural science club—give hands-on experience in areas that complement classroom learning.
Service-oriented groups like the Red Cross Society and Scripture Union lead community outreach programs in nearby villages.
Boarding houses
The boarding system at POJOSS is organized into six houses, each named after prominent figures in the school’s history or Catholic tradition. Each house accommodates around 250 boarders in dormitory-style rooms.
A housemaster or housemistress, supported by matrons and senior prefects, oversees the welfare, discipline, and academic progress of members. Daily routines include supervised study periods, morning devotion, and house meetings.
Friendly inter-house competitions in sports, quizzes, and cultural displays build school spirit and a sense of belonging among students.
School uniform
The school uniform at POJOSS reinforces unity and discipline. Students wear a white short-sleeved shirt with the school crest embroidered on the pocket. Male students pair this with dark grey trousers; female students wear dark grey skirts.
On formal occasions such as Speech and Prize-Giving Day, students add a grey tie striped in the school’s maroon and gold colors. Plain black lace-up shoes and grey socks complete the outfit. For physical education, students change into a white polo shirt bearing the school logo and maroon shorts.
Strict grooming standards ensure neat hairstyles and polished footwear, reflecting the school’s emphasis on self-respect.
Courses offered
Pope John Senior High School follows the national curriculum leading to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). It offers five main program tracks: General Science, General Arts, Business, Visual Arts, and Home Technical. General Science students study elective mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science.
In the General Arts track, pupils take literature in English, history, geography, government, and economics. The Business stream comprises accounting, economics, business management, and elective mathematics.
Visual Arts includes courses in painting, graphic design, sculpture, and art history. The Technical department offers specialized training in woodwork, metalwork, electrical installation, and building construction, alongside core academic subjects.
Other relevant information
Beyond academics and extracurriculars, POJOSS places a strong emphasis on moral and spiritual formation. Daily Mass and weekly chapel services foster reflection, while a resident chaplain provides pastoral care and counseling.
The on-site health clinic, staffed by a nurse and visiting doctor, attends to medical and psychological needs. A guidance and counseling unit supports career planning, university applications, and personal development.
The active alumni association frequently organizes mentorship sessions, scholarship programs, and infrastructure projects, maintaining strong ties between past and current students.
Ranking
When evaluating Pope John Senior High School, several dimensions come into view. Quality of tuition is reflected in consistently strong WASSCE pass rates, particularly in science and technical subjects. Facilities—ranging from modern labs to sports grounds—rank highly among regional schools, offering students a conducive learning environment.
Extracurricular achievements in sports, debate, music, and technical competitions underscore a vibrant campus life. While there is no formal international ranking for Ghanaian secondary schools, POJOSS’s reputation extends through partnerships with overseas institutions and its graduates’ success in universities abroad.
POJOSS is a category A senior high school in Ghana. It is among the best boys and overall senior high schools in Ghana.
Considering teaching quality, infrastructure, extracurricular vitality, and global connections, Pope John Senior High School stands as one of the top boys boarding institutions in the Eastern Region and a respected name on the national stage.
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