Jamaica College became the winners of the 2026 schools challenge quiz, edging out Westwood High, but did you know that Jamaica College originated in the Garden Parish?
Strap on your seat belt...
The History of Jamaica College: From 1789 to a Historic 2026 Triumph
Jamaica College (JC) stands as one of the most prestigious and historically significant educational institutions in Jamaica, renowned for its academic rigor, athletic dominance, and enduring motto, "Fervet Opus in Campis" (The Work is Warming on the Fields). Founded in 1789 as the Drax Free School, the institution has evolved through centuries of social and political change to become an all-boys day school that has produced National Heroes, Prime Ministers, and industry leaders. The school's journey culminated in a defining moment for the modern era on April 2, 2026, when its Schools' Challenge Quiz (SCQ) team ended a 39-year drought to capture the national title.
Early Foundations and the Drax Legacy
The origins of Jamaica College trace back to the will of Charles Drax, a wealthy planter originally from Twickenham, England, who owned estates in Barbados and Jamaica. Drax, who served as a representative for various parishes including St. Ann, St. David, and St. James during the early 18th century, left a substantial bequest in his will for the education of "poor white children" . At the time of his death in the 1700s, the term "free" in the school's name did not refer to free tuition, but rather indicated that the school was for children of "free people" who were not enslaved .
The school was officially founded in 1789 in the parish of St. Ann, making it the sixth oldest continuously running high school in Jamaica . Legal proceedings delayed the release of Drax's funds until the St. Ann Vestry could assume control. In 1806, Walton Pen was purchased as the school's first permanent site, and by 1807, legislation officially renamed the institution "The Jamaica Free School" .
For much of its early history, the school operated under various names and locations, including a move to the Barbican Great House in St. Andrew. It was not until the early 20th century that the school found its permanent identity and location.
The 20th Century: Amalgamation and Relocation
A pivotal moment in the school's history occurred in 1902, when the Jamaica High School and the University College were amalgamated to form Jamaica College. This merger created the first University College in Jamaica, predating the establishment of the University of the West Indies by several decades .
From 1902 to 1967, Jamaica College functioned as a boarding institution, attracting students from across the island and the Caribbean. During this period, it solidified its reputation as a center for elite secondary education. In 1967, the school transitioned to a day school model, allowing it to serve a broader cross-section of Jamaican society while maintaining its high academic standards .
The school eventually settled at its current location on 189 Old Hope Road in St. Andrew, where it remains today. The campus includes historic buildings such as Drax House, named after the founder, and Murray House, honoring Reginald Myrie Murray, the school's third principal .
Academic and Athletic Excellence
Jamaica College has long been celebrated for its dual excellence in academics and sports. The school is widely recognized as an all-male institution with a student population of nearly 1,900 and over 100 staff members . Its alumni network, known as the Old Boys Association, includes influential figures in Jamaican politics, business, and the arts, including former Prime Ministers and National Heroes .
Athletic Dominance
The school's athletic program is legendary, particularly in track and field. Jamaica College has won the boys' title at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships a record 21 times in the competition's 101-year history . The school consistently places in the top five and has maintained a strong tradition of excellence in other sports as well, including table tennis, lacrosse, and football .
In the week leading up to its 2026 quiz victory, the school had already secured the boys' title at the 2026 ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships, along with Under-14 and Under-16 schoolboy football titles, setting the stage for a historic academic triumph .
The Schools' Challenge Quiz Legacy
The TVJ Schools' Challenge Quiz (SCQ) is Jamaica's premier academic competition, established in 1969. Jamaica College has a storied history in the quiz bowl format, having won the title multiple times. However, the school had not secured the championship since 1987, a gap of 39 years .
The 2026 competition was highly anticipated, with traditional powerhouses facing early upsets and new contenders like Jonathan Grant and Dinthill Technical making deep runs . The final between Jamaica College and Westwood High School became a historic matchup, as Westwood became only the second all-girls' school to reach the final in the competition's 57-year history .
The 2026 Triumph: A Historic Victory
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the 57th season of the TVJ Schools' Challenge Quiz reached its climax at the TVJ studios in St. Andrew. The final featured a tense battle between Jamaica College and Westwood High School, with the score tied at 28–28 heading into the final buzzer round .
The Final Match
The competition was divided into three rounds:
Alternate Section: Jamaica College took an early lead, winning 7–5 .
Speed Section: Westwood High mounted a strong comeback, resulting in a deadlock at 28–28 .
Buzzer Section: In the nerve-wracking final segment, where teams had only five seconds to respond, Jamaica College held their nerve to secure a 30–28 victory .
The winning team consisted of:
Marvin Whyte (Captain)
Mason-Jai Edwards
Jamarli Banton
Ryhomah Muir
Reactions and Significance
The victory was met with emotional celebrations from students, staff, and alumni. Captain Marvin Whyte emphasized the significance of the win, stating, "Tonight's victory is significant for each and everybody... it shows this is the renaissance of JC. We are good at sports... and winning Quiz is just extraordinary for the school" .
Principal Wayne Robinson expressed his relief and pride, noting that the win was "very special" after years of near misses. He remarked, "We have been in semi-finals, we have been in finals and we have lost, so this is really something very special for the school" . The victory was so significant that Principal Robinson noted, "if we had a choice between this and Champs, we would have chosen this" .
The trophy was presented by Joseph M. Matalon, Executive Chairman of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, marking the end of the longest drought in the school's quiz history .
Preserving the Legacy
In recent years, Jamaica College has taken steps to preserve its rich history. A museum was established at the school to house records, artifacts, and achievements of past students, ensuring that the triumphs of the past serve as role models for current and future generations . The museum's information is also being digitized and connected to a dedicated website, allowing Old Boys and the public to access the school's historical records .
The school's crest, featuring the red cross of England and five golden pineapples from Jamaica's Coat of Arms, symbolizes the values of justice, trust, and honor . The pineapple, which gives its own life to produce a single fruit, serves as a metaphor for self-sacrifice and dedication.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as the Drax Free School in 1789 to its historic 2026 Schools' Challenge Quiz victory, Jamaica College has remained a beacon of excellence in Jamaican education. The 2026 triumph not only ended a 39-year drought but also signaled a "renaissance" for the institution, reaffirming its status as a leader in both academic and athletic pursuits. As the school continues to write its history, the legacy of Charles Drax and the enduring spirit of "Fervet Opus in Campis" remain at the heart of its identity.