KINGSTON, Jamaica — A transformative investment in inclusive education is taking root in Jamaica, thanks to a US$20,000 grant from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ). The funding is earmarked specifically to build customized teaching facilities for neurodivergent learners enrolled in the island’s Grade 7 Academy initiative.
St Michael’s College, which shared the announcement via an official media statement issued Wednesday, confirmed that the grant has been allocated to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, the governing body that oversees the Grade 7 Academy program. The funding will go toward converting a shipping container into a suite of small, specialized classrooms at Holy Trinity High School, where the academy is hosted.
These compact learning spaces are purpose-designed to accommodate neurodivergent students, including those living with a range of learning differences that require tailored support. The project directly addresses a critical gap that program leaders identified during the Grade 7 Academy’s inaugural year at the school. During that first term, data collected from the cohort showed that roughly 20 students — equivalent to 13% of all incoming seventh graders enrolled in the program — displayed learning challenges that could not be adequately addressed in standard, full-size classrooms. Unlike their peers with typical learning abilities, these students require smaller group settings and one-on-one attention to thrive academically.
Program organizers emphasized that the grant will expand the initiative’s capacity to deliver targeted, appropriate instruction to every student, ensuring that neurodivergent learners do not fall behind their peers as they progress through their secondary education journey. The project marks a key step forward for inclusive education practices in Jamaica, prioritizing equitable access to learning support for students of all abilities.