History

Cornwall College is a public high school for boys located on 1, Orange Street in Montego Bay, St. James. It is the third oldest high school in the county of Cornwall. The school was started in 1896 at the Barracks Road in Montego Bay and was originally called "Montego Bay Government Secondary School".

Early history

The people of St. James had long wanted high schools to educate the youth of the parish. In 1895 a Presbyterian Minister named Rev. Adam Thompson and a government representative for the parish of St. James and Trelawney, Hon. John Kerr persuaded the Jamaican government to allocate 500 pounds for secondary education in Montego Bay. As a result in 1896, Cornwall College (then known as Montego Bay Government Secondary School) was formed. The school started its life under the stewardship of Mr. E.V. Lockett, B.A.,and had 21 students and was located at Barracks road in Montego Bay. Mr. Locket was succeeded as principal of the institution by Rev. George Leader who held the position for 19 years. The institution soon ran into difficulties due to the shortage of classrooms and the increase in student numbers. In 1909, the Hon. D.H. Corinaldi helped to obtain 2500 pounds from the government to assist in the purchasing of a new school site.

During 1910 and 1911, 34 acres (137,593.2 m²) of land were bought at the Pleasant Hill Estate where the institution was relocated. The school was officially opened at the new location in 1911 by the then Governor of Jamaica, Sir Sidney Oliver. In 1922, the school was renamed Cornwall College.
In 1953, the first Jamaican national to be principal of Cornwall College, E A Barrett became headmaster. The school's population by then had expanded to over 650 boys. Cornwall College was named the first government school in Jamaica and was also the first high school in the West Indies to offer chemistry and physics as subjects in its curriculum. This gave Cornwall College the distinction of producing most of Jamaica's doctors and pharmacists for many years.

Present

Cornwall College now has over 52 classrooms and 1,200 students. The current principal of the school is Mr. Denham McIntyre who started administrating in early 2006.

Extra-curricular activities

Cornwall College has been successful in extracurricular activities such as the performing arts, essay competitions, and debating competitions.

The school has an outstanding Key Club and has been the pride of Division 5 (D5)
The school has advanced twice in the last three years to the finals of the annual Burger King National School's Debate Competition.

The Art Department is a well-known patron of numerous national poster competitions. In the last three years the school has dominated the Science Research Council's High School Poster Competition.

Sports

Since its inception, Cornwall College has been very successful in sports and has been named the top male institution in football, as it has won the famous Olivier Shield over 11 times. When the daCosta Cup competition was initiated, the all male institution went on to win the trophy in 1953, 55, 56, 58, 59, 63,82, 83, 95, 2000, and 2001.

Noteworthy alumni

• Ralston Milton "Rex" Nettleford Rex Nettleford
  Rex Nettleford
  Ralston Milton "Rex" Nettleford, OM ,FIJ, OCC, was a Jamaican scholar, social critic, choreographer, and Vice-Chancellor Emeritus of The University of the West Indies , the leading research university in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Born in Falmouth, Jamaica, Nettleford...
  
  , Rhodes Scholar and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

• Garth Taylor (ophthalmologist)
  Garth Taylor (ophthalmologist)
  Dr. Garth Alfred Taylor, OJ was a Jamaican ophthalmologist, professor, and humanitarian.Born in Montego Bay, Taylor was a Queen's Scout in his youth. He received his education at Cornwall College in Jamaica and Queen's University in Ontario...
  
  , ophthalmologist and philanthropist.

• Dr. Kenneth Baugh, current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

• Dr. Horace Chang, Member of Parliament for North-West St. James and Minister of Water and Housing

• Sir Rowland Phillips, Chief Justice

• Sir Herbert Duffus, Chief Justice

• Derrick Heaven, Ambassador

• Kenneth Smith, former Chief Justice

• Walt Crooks, owner of Club Inferno Resort.

• William Billy Craig, former Custos Rotulorum of St. James.

• Dr. Karl Blythe, former Member of Parliament

• Lindel Frater
  Lindel Frater
  Lindel Frater is a former sprinter who specialised in the 60 metres and 100 metres events.He competed at the 2000 Olympic Games, reaching the semi-finals in the 100 m and finishing fourth in the 4 × 100 metres relay as part of the Jamaican team which broke the national record...
  
  , athlete

• Lloyd B. Smith, editor of the Western Mirror

• Oral Seymour, SIFE Sam Walton Fellow