Building a Public Academic High School for St. Maarten’s Future

Education is not merely about classrooms and curricula; it is about shaping the future of a nation. As Sint Maarten continues to evolve socially and economically, it is imperative that our public education system evolves with it, strategically, inclusively, and purposefully.

At present, several subsidized school boards operate well-established education pathways, where specific elementary schools naturally serve as feeder schools to their respective high schools. This continuity provides structure, identity, and academic direction for students within those systems. However, public education primary schools lack a comparable academic high school pathway, one that reflects the aspirations, realities, and future needs of our society.

It is time for Sint Maarten to seriously consider the construction of a public academic high school that serves as a natural continuation for students from public education primary schools. Such an institution would not only promote equity in educational access, but also ensure that all students, regardless of school board, have the opportunity to pursue a rigorous, future-focused academic track.

A modern high school must be designed with purpose. The curriculum, direction, and educational philosophy should be closely aligned with the needs of Sint Maarten’s labor market while simultaneously preparing students to compete and contribute globally.

Our economy relies heavily on tourism, hospitality, maritime services, construction, public administration, healthcare, and increasingly, technology. Yet the future will demand more: critical thinkers, innovators, problem-solvers, and digitally literate citizens.

This means our students must be equipped with:

• Strong literacy and communication skills

• Sound numeracy, mathematics, and science foundations

• STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)

• AI and digital literacy

• Financial management and entrepreneurship skills

• Civic education and critical thinking

Education should not only prepare students for jobs—it should prepare them for leadership, innovation, and responsible citizenship.

While global competitiveness is essential, education in Sint Maarten must also remain deeply rooted in our cultural identity. Our history, language, traditions, and shared values form the foundation of who we are.

A public academic high school should incorporate:

• Caribbean and Sint Maarten history

• Cultural studies and identity formation

• Multilingual competence

• Community engagement

Students who understand where they come from are better equipped to navigate where they are going.

A public academic high school is not about replacing existing institutions, it is about strengthening the entire education ecosystem. It ensures that public education primary schools have a clear, academically focused pathway for their students, just as other boards already do.

More importantly, it signals a national commitment to inclusive excellence: that every child in Sint Maarten deserves access to high-quality, future-ready education, regardless of their school board or background.

Education remains the most powerful tool for national development. By building a public academic high school aligned with labor market needs, global innovation, and cultural identity, Sint Maarten invests in its most valuable resource, its people.

The question is no longer if we should take this step.

The question is when.

And for the sake of our children and our country, that time should be now.

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