St. John’s Grammar Senior High School, Achimota, is a respected coeducational day institution in Accra’s Achimota suburb.
Known for its balanced emphasis on academics, character formation, and community service, the school prepares students for the demands of higher education and the world of work. Over the years, St. John’s Grammar has built a reputation for nurturing confident, disciplined young adults.
History of the school
St. John’s Grammar was founded in 1960 by a group of educators and community leaders who recognized the need for a high-quality grammar school in the Achimota area. Starting with a small cohort of students and a handful of teachers, the school’s early curriculum focused on English, mathematics, sciences, and classical studies.
In the 1970s, it was formally integrated into the public Ghana Education Service while retaining its original mission of offering rigorous academic training alongside moral and spiritual guidance. Enrollment growth led to successive building projects in the 1980s and 1990s, expanding both facilities and program offerings.
Location
The school occupies a leafy compound on Achimota Road, just off the main highway linking Accra to the northern regions.
Its campus is nestled among residential neighborhoods, with easy access to public transport and nearby amenities such as shops, clinics, and sports centers. Achimota Forest and the golf course lie a short walk away, providing students with green spaces for recreation and class excursions.
Population
As of the current academic year, St. John’s Grammar enrolls approximately 2,700 students, split evenly between boys and girls. The teaching staff consists of around 100 subject specialists, resulting in a student‑teacher ratio of about 17 to 1.
Most students board in nearby hostels or live in family homes within commuting distance. The student body represents diverse ethnic and socio‑economic backgrounds, enriching the school’s cultural life.
Campus
The campus blends mid‑century architecture with modern additions across its ten‑acre site.
The main administration block houses offices and meeting rooms, while two classroom wings accommodate general and specialized subjects.
Science laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology are well equipped for practical work.
The library holds over 8,000 volumes and offers a quiet reading space.
An ICT center with internet‑connected computers supports research and digital learning.
Outdoor facilities include a football field, basketball court, volleyball court, and an assembly ground framed by mature trees.
Staff quarters and a school clinic are located on the eastern edge of the compound.
Extracurricular activities
Students can engage in a wide array of clubs and societies. The debate and public speaking society meets weekly and competes in inter‑school tournaments.
The drama and theater club stages annual productions that showcase Ghanaian and global plays. Musical groups include a choir, an instrumental ensemble, and a drumming and dance troupe. Sporting opportunities span football, athletics, basketball, and table tennis, with teams competing at district and regional levels.
Academic clubs such as the science and mathematics club, the environmental conservation group, and the entrepreneurship club foster intellectual curiosity and leadership skills.
Boarding houses
Although the school does not operate on a full boarding model, it maintains three on‑campus hostels that accommodate around 300 students. Each hostel is overseen by a house parent and supported by matrons and senior prefects.
Hostellers follow structured routines that include supervised study periods, morning devotion, and regular welfare meetings. The rest of the student body lives with guardians or in private hostels within a five‑kilometer radius, commuting daily under school‑arranged transport schemes.
School uniform
The uniform consists of a light blue short‑sleeved shirt bearing the school crest and navy blue trousers for boys or skirts for girls. On formal occasions, students wear a navy‑blue blazer and a striped tie in the school’s colors of light blue and white.
Plain black shoes and navy socks complete the outfit. For physical education, the kit includes a white polo shirt with the school emblem and navy sports shorts. Grooming standards enforce neat hairstyles, minimal jewelry, and polished footwear.
Courses offered
St. John’s Grammar follows the Ghana Education Service curriculum, leading to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Four main tracks are available: General Science, General Arts, Business, and Visual Arts.
The General Science program includes elective mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Arts students study literature in English, history, government, economics, and geography. The Business track covers accounting, economics, business management, and elective mathematics.
Visual Arts offers instruction in painting, sculpture, graphic design, and art history. All students also take core subjects such as English Language, Core Mathematics, ICT, and Integrated Science.
Ranking
St. John’s Grammar SHS is classified as a Category B school, reflecting solid academic performance and infrastructure. The quality of tuition is evident in steady improvements in examination results and university placements.
Read More: Top 10 Category B Schools in Ghana
All Category B Schools in Ghana
Facilities, including modern laboratories and an ICT center, meet national standards for second‑cycle schools. Extracurricular success in debates, drama, sports, and academic quizzes highlights a vibrant student life. While the school is not included in formal international rankings, its graduates often secure admission to reputable universities abroad.
Considering its category, teaching quality, infrastructure, extracurricular offerings, and community impact, St. John’s Grammar Senior High School stands as a respected institution within Ghana’s secondary education landscape.
Other relevant information
The school places strong emphasis on moral and spiritual development, with weekly chapel services and student‑led prayer groups. A guidance and counseling unit provides personal, career, and academic support.
The on‑site clinic, staffed by a nurse, attends to health needs and first aid. Annual events—such as Founder’s Day, Speech and Prize‑Giving Day, and sports carnivals—celebrate student achievements and foster school spirit.
An active alumni association supports scholarships, mentorship, and infrastructure projects, maintaining strong ties between past and present students.
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