Sir Novelle Richards Academy: Antigua's Complete 2026 School Guide
Sir Novelle Richards Academy (SNRA) is Antigua's newest government secondary school, founded in 2017 in St. George's Parish. It serves over 500 students with a strong STEM focus, a 79% CSEC pass rate ranked 3rd island-wide, and a groundbreaking Driver's Education programme, the first of its kind in the country. A new EC$5 million academic block was approved in June 2026 and is expected to be ready for the September 2026 term.
Sir Novelle Richards Academy: Antigua's Complete 2026 School Guide
TL;DR: Sir Novelle Richards Academy (SNRA) is Antigua's newest government secondary school, founded in 2017 in St. George's Parish. It serves over 500 students with a strong STEM focus, a 79% CSEC pass rate ranked 3rd island-wide, and a groundbreaking Driver's Education programme, the first of its kind in the country. A new EC$5 million academic block was approved in June 2026 and is expected to be ready for the September 2026 term.
Choosing the right secondary school for your child is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. If you live in or near Tomlinson's Estate, Potters, or anywhere in St. George's Parish, Sir Novelle Richards Academy almost certainly tops your shortlist. And right now, it's getting a lot of attention.
In June 2026, Cabinet approved a brand-new EC$5 million academic block for SNRA, timed to open for the September term. Parents are searching, prospective students are comparing, and interest in the school is at an all-time high. Yet the only content ranking above this guide is a short press release and an ABS TV news clip. You deserve the full picture.
This is the complete parent-facing guide to Sir Novelle Richards Academy: what the school offers, how it performs, what's new in 2026, and how it compares to the other secondary options across Antigua. Whether you're a local family choosing a first form placement or a relocating family new to the island, read this before you decide.
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What Is Sir Novelle Richards Academy?
SNRA is a free government secondary school located at Tomlinson's Estate in St. George's Parish, Antigua. It was founded in 2017, making it the newest secondary school plant on the island. The school currently serves over 500 students from Forms 1 through 5 and operates under the motto "Raising the Standard Through Dedication and Commitment."
The Sir Novelle Richards Academy sits on Sir Novelle Richards Drive in Tomlinson's Estate, close to a community health clinic, several sporting facilities, and a busy commercial district. That location matters. Students can access resources beyond the classroom walls, which aligns with the school's philosophy of holistic education.
The academy is named in honour of Sir Novelle Richards, a respected Antiguan statesman and the country's second Governor-General. The name carries weight, and the school takes that legacy seriously.
Classes at SNRA are given motivational names: Star, Hope, Faith, Charity, and Sparks. It's a small touch that says something about the school's culture. These aren't just labels. They signal that SNRA treats student development as more than academic scores.
The school falls within St. George's Parish, which covers the Potters area northeast of St. John's. It's a growing community, and SNRA's expanding enrolment reflects that growth. The school's main office number is (268) 562-9212.
What CSEC Results Does SNRA Achieve?
SNRA achieved a 79% overall pass rate in the 2021-2022 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, placing the school 3rd island-wide. That ranking puts SNRA ahead of several older and larger government secondary schools in Antigua.
The CSEC is administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council and is the standard school-leaving credential across the English-speaking Caribbean. It is broadly comparable to GCSE O-Levels in the British education system. Universities in the UK, Canada, and the United States generally accept CSEC results for admissions purposes.
A 79% pass rate from a school that only opened in 2017 is genuinely impressive. Most secondary schools take a decade or more to build a consistent academic track record. SNRA built one in under five years.
The school's debating team reinforces that academic confidence. In 2026, SNRA's debaters beat Antigua Grammar School in the CUB Inter-Secondary School Debating Series, scoring 86.8% against AGS's 86%. Beating the island's oldest and most selective school in any head-to-head competition is no small achievement.
SNRA students are also representing Antigua at the international level. In October 2026, student Sidea Ambrose was selected as a member of Antigua and Barbuda's first all-girls national team competing at the FIRST Global Challenge robotics competition in Incheon, Republic of Korea. That kind of global reach is a direct reflection of the school's emphasis on science and technology.
What Is the New EC$5 Million Academic Block?
In June 2026, Cabinet approved an EC$5 million investment to build a new academic block at SNRA, with construction expected to be completed before the September school term. The new building will deliver additional classrooms and specialized learning spaces to accommodate the school's growing student body.
The announcement was made by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during a post-Cabinet media briefing. Merchant confirmed that the project is part of the government's broader investment in educational infrastructure, designed to keep pace with community growth and rising enrolment demand.
The new block sits alongside another major development in the area: the redevelopment of the nearby Potter's Sports Field into a multi-sport complex. That facility will include an Olympic-size swimming pool and sporting infrastructure for multiple disciplines. Merchant confirmed it will serve neighbouring institutions, including SNRA and Potter's Primary School.
For families considering SNRA for the 2026-2027 academic year, this investment signals a school on an upward trajectory. More classroom space means better staff-to-student ratios over time. Specialized learning spaces mean improved access to labs, technology rooms, and practical environments that a STEM-focused school requires.
This level of government capital investment at a single school is rare in Antigua. It reflects confidence in SNRA's performance and the real demand coming from the communities of St. George's Parish.
What Is SNRA's Driver's Education Programme?
Sir Novelle Richards Academy is the first educational institution in Antigua and Barbuda to successfully introduce a Driver's Education programme. The course is available to students aged 15 and older, covers theory and practical components, and is delivered in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board (ABTB).
The programme launched in February 2024 and has already completed multiple cohorts. The most recent batch saw 18 students receive their Learner's Permits in April 2026 after passing the theoretical component and reaching the age of 16.
The curriculum covers traffic laws and road rules, vehicle knowledge, safe driving practices, and related road safety topics. The ABTB delivers the theory classes. Authorized Driving Instructors (ADI) handle the practical lessons. The goal is clear: prepare students to qualify for their Learner's Permit and, eventually, their full driving licence before they leave secondary school.
SNRA teacher Kamalie Mannix described the response as "overwhelmingly positive," with strong backing from both parents and staff. The programme was initiated through a joint proposal from ABTB Project Officer Mrs. Bowens and a formal request from Principal Mrs. Listine Bradshaw.
No other government secondary school in Antigua currently offers this programme. It is a genuine national first, and it speaks to how SNRA approaches real-world skills alongside traditional academic subjects.
The Ministry of Education has also cited the Driver's Education programme as one of the reasons SNRA was selected (alongside Glanvilles Secondary) to pilot an extended school hours initiative, running Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM with a focus on co-curricular and creative activities.
What Subjects and Programmes Does SNRA Offer?
SNRA's curriculum centres on STEM, delivering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects as the academic core. But the school's breadth goes well beyond the laboratory.
The English department covers English A, English B, and Theatre Arts. Students compete in the National Secondary School Theatre Arts Festival, and SNRA's record there is strong. The school's Dancing Stars claimed three awards at the most recent festival: Most Outstanding Group Performance, Most Outstanding Choreography, and Spirit of the Festival Dance Award.
The school also runs a unique agricultural programme with a working poultry unit on campus. Form 3 students visit and work the unit as part of their hands-on learning. SNRA even operates a "Farmacy," selling fresh farm produce to the community including whole chicken, brown eggs, tomatoes, and sweet peppers. Orders go through the school office at (268) 562-9212.
Sports are taken seriously. Students compete in cricket, football, and netball at the national level. SNRA's Under-15 cricket team reached the national final in 2026. Two students, Jordan Murray and Kaiique Martin, were selected to the Antigua and Barbuda Boys' U14 Squad for the 2026 CFU Under-14 Challenge Series.
Creative arts also feature prominently. In 2026, student Javelle Wint won the AnuCon Art Competition. Two SNRA graduates, Lutrell John and Gabrielle Hamlet, were selected as CHOGM 2026 correspondents, representing the island on the world stage.
The school distributes government-issued laptops to students and operates a structured textbook collection system each August, with dedicated sessions for each form year. Students in Forms 3 and 4 also complete option sheets to guide subject selection for their CSEC preparation years.
For families needing extra academic support, the GIO Tutoring Centre on AntiguaSearch offers private CSEC tuition across core subjects.
How Does SNRA Compare to Other Antigua Secondary Schools?
SNRA sits firmly in the top tier of Antigua's government secondary schools by CSEC results, ranking 3rd island-wide. It differs from most competitors by combining a dedicated STEM focus with unique programmes like Driver's Education, extended hours pilots, and a working agricultural unit. Here's how it stacks up against the main alternatives.
Antigua Grammar School (AGS): The oldest secondary school in Antigua, founded in 1884. AGS is an all-boys, selective school that reserves places for the top scorers in the Grade Six National Assessment. It has around 600 students and a long academic tradition. AGS is widely considered the island's benchmark for CSEC performance. But selection is out of most families' hands; placement depends entirely on Grade Six results.
Antigua Girls' High School (AGHS): The girls' counterpart to AGS. Also selective and academically rigorous. Placements go to the highest-scoring girls in the Grade Six assessment. AGHS and AGS together represent the island's most competitive academic tier.
Ottos Comprehensive School (OCS): A large coed government secondary in St. John's with a strong reputation in business and accounting. OCS produces consistent CSEC performers and has strong corporate links, including an annual Grant Thornton award for outstanding Accounting and Business students. It received moderate CSEC Agricultural Science results in 2024.
Private options: For families on the Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) visa or those seeking internationally recognized qualifications, the private school landscape is covered in detail in the complete Antigua schools guide for 2026. Island Academy offers the IB Diploma at up to EC$25,860 per year. CCSET International Academy offers the Canadian OSSD. Antigua International School offers a bilingual English-Spanish programme. Note: from September 2026, a new Cabinet policy requires foreign students to complete three years at a registered private school before transferring to a public school like SNRA.
Where SNRA stands out: For families living in St. George's Parish who want a STEM-forward education in a modern school plant with innovative programmes, SNRA is the strongest option among government secondary schools in the area. The campus is the newest on the island. The Driver's Education programme is unique in Antigua. And a 3rd-place CSEC island ranking proves the results are real, not aspirational.
How to Connect With or Enrol at SNRA
SNRA is a government secondary school. Placements for Form 1 are allocated through the Grade Six National Assessment process managed by the Ministry of Education. Families cannot apply directly. Placement is based on assessment results and school preferences submitted at the primary school level.
For families with children transferring from another school or arriving in Antigua from abroad, the process involves contacting both the school and the Ministry of Education directly. You will need to provide academic records, a birth certificate, vaccination records, and proof of legal residency.
For foreign students arriving after September 2026, the Cabinet's new admissions policy requires three consecutive years at a registered private school in Antigua before a transfer to a government secondary school becomes possible.
To speak with the school directly, call (268) 562-9212 during term time. SNRA's textbook collection days are announced each August, with different forms called on separate dates between 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM.
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Conclusion
Sir Novelle Richards Academy is not just Antigua's newest secondary school. In under a decade, it has become one of the island's most compelling options for secondary education. A 79% CSEC pass rate. A 3rd-place island ranking. The country's only school-based Driver's Education programme. Theatre Arts Festival victories. Robotics students representing Antigua on the world stage. And now a brand-new EC$5 million academic block arriving for the 2026 September term.
Three things to know before you decide:
- SNRA is a top-performing government secondary with a genuine STEM edge and life-skills programmes no other school on the island currently offers.
- The new academic block signals continued government investment and growing capacity at the school.
- Placement for Form 1 is through the Ministry of Education's national assessment process. Start the conversation at your child's primary school well before the Grade Six assessment.
Explore the full range of education options across Antigua and Barbuda on AntiguaSearch, from secondary schools and tutoring centres to professional development programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sir Novelle Richards Academy? Sir Novelle Richards Academy (SNRA) is a free government secondary school in Tomlinson's Estate, St. George's Parish, Antigua. Founded in 2017, it is the newest secondary school plant on the island. The school serves over 500 students from Forms 1 through 5, focuses on STEM subjects, and runs a wide range of co-curricular programmes including Theatre Arts, sports, Driver's Education, and agriculture.
What CSEC pass rate does SNRA achieve? SNRA achieved a 79% overall pass rate in the 2021-2022 CSEC examinations, ranking 3rd among all secondary schools island-wide. The CSEC is administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council and is broadly comparable to GCSE O-Levels in the British system. It is accepted by universities in the UK, Canada, and the United States for admissions purposes.
What is the new EC$5 million academic block at SNRA? Cabinet approved an EC$5 million investment in June 2026 to construct a new academic block at SNRA. The building is intended to provide additional classrooms and specialized learning spaces to accommodate the school's expanding student population. Construction was announced with a target completion date before the September 2026 school term opening.
Is SNRA really the first school in Antigua to offer Driver's Education? Yes. SNRA became the first educational institution in Antigua and Barbuda to introduce Driver's Education classes when the programme launched in February 2024. The course is available to students aged 15 and older and is delivered in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, covering both theory and practical components. Students who complete the theoretical requirements and reach the age of 16 can obtain their Learner's Permit.
How do I enrol my child at Sir Novelle Richards Academy? Form 1 placements at SNRA are allocated through the Grade Six National Assessment process managed by the Ministry of Education. Placement is based on assessment results and school preferences submitted at the primary school level. Families transferring from another school or arriving from abroad should contact SNRA at (268) 562-9212 and the Ministry of Education directly, presenting academic records, birth certificate, vaccination records, and proof of legal residency. From September 2026, new Cabinet policy requires foreign students to complete three years at a registered private school in Antigua before transferring to a government secondary school like SNRA.