Mt. Alvernia High School began in 1925 as St. James Academy, a small boarding school, and was soon renamed Mt. Alvernia Academy. It was established by a small group of truly visionary and dedicated optimists. The Allegany Franciscan Sisters, then in Kingston, had been invited to open a school for the poor in Montego Bay, that is, Chetwood Memorial School. But, as this brought in no income, Mother Alacoque, who was the superior of the Franciscan Sisters on the island, decided to have the Academy for fee-paying students to support the work of the Sisters. The pastor, Father A. Tibbitts, SJ., invited families who could afford to pay fees to send their children to the Academy. Sister Theophane was the first headmistress. Assisted by one other sister. Sister Eugene, she taught twenty scholars ranging from Kindergarten to High School. Classes were held in the convent. The Sisters begin preparing children for the Cambridge University Junior Examinations and the London Royal School of Music Examinations

In 1932, the Convent became a separate house, independent of Kingston, with Sister Salome as Superior for the next three years. Sister Theophane continued as headmistress (and became Superior in 1935) and the school continued to grow. In March 1934, Sister St. Thomas joined the Montego Bay community and began to build the excellent Kindergarten with which her fame is associated. She remained at Mt. Alvernia until 1969.

In 1938, the old Convent was close to falling down, and Father Ray Sullivan, at the request of Bishop Emmett, S.J., undertook a complete renovation of the existing building. This necessitated the removal of the Sisters and the school to Bloomsbury Guest House. Due to the change of locale and lack of space, the numbers dwindled temporarily.

When Sister Antonius succeeded Sister Theophane as Superior and headmistress in 1939, the renovated building was ready for occupancy. There were then 28 scholars in the Preparatory and High Schools. Sister Antonius broadened the curriculum and set high standards of excellence for students. We cannot underestimate her role in setting the foundations of the High School as we know it today. Scholarships were obtained from friends of the school to provide for needy children. Among these were: Mr. Tony Hart, Mr. Joe Issa, Mr. G. DaCosta; and later, Dr. H. Eldemire, Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club, the Hotels Association, Kiwanis Club. Rotary Club and the Inner-wheel Club. Constant encouragement and assistance was given by Father Becker, S.J., Pastor from 1925-53.

In 1941, Sister Eloine Marie arrived. Of the forty-two scholars in the school, only seven were in the High School Department. Over the next few years, students continued to take and pass the Junior Cambridge Examinations. In 1949, students were first entered for the Senior Cambridge Examination. Though the numbers were small, for the next ten years the percentage of passes was 100%. Mention must be made of Sister Magdalen Marie, who came to help Mt. Alvernia even before she became a Franciscan Sister and worked for several years in building up the Preparatory Department. After her profession as a Sister In 1953, she returned to her beloved Prep, until 1964, It was at that point that the Prep. Department became a separate school.

In 1953, Sister Eloine. Marie became Headmistress and Superior. From 1954, the Sisters began working towards having Mt. Alvernia established as a Grant-in-Aid school. The curriculum was further enlarged; but one requirement before the government would grant aid was to have on staff qualified teachers with degrees. A number of persons generously gave much-needed assistance, some part-time; among them were: Miss Grace Cohen, an English lady teaching at Cornwall College; Mr. Michael Lester, the artist; and Mrs. Norah Birmingham, who was then teaching Science at Montego Bay High School. Miss Bonnie Tingle, an American graduate generously served as a full-time staff member. Mother Joan Marie, General Superior of the Franciscan Sisters at that time. provided financial assistance which helped to pay qualified stuff. In September 1958, Sister Danita, B. Sc. (Ed.) joined the I staff and gave a great boost to the school both academically and in extra-curricular activities. In August 1959, Mt. Alvernia became a Grant-Aided School. Mt. Alvernians should never forget the part played by Father Grenier, S.J., Mr. Reggie Mais, Mr. Clement Lloyd, Mr. Howard Cooke, Mr. Ross Murray, Mrs. Barbara Rerrie, and Mr. William Vernon, the first Mayor of Montego Bay, in obtaining Grant-in-Aid status which was finally given by Mr. F. Glasspole, then (as now!) Minister of Education. The school population was then 71. The Mission Society of Regis College in Weston. Massachusetts, sent out two graduates (called lay apostles) to help the school. This continued for a number of years and helped the school to progress. Stonehill College also sent volunteers. first Graduation was held in 1960 with three graduates: Marguerite Alien, Joan Yapp, and Angela Chang.

In 1962, the High School (population now 150) moved out of the Convent into the first floor of the present classroom block, which had been constructed as the result of years of hard work and deprivation on the part of Sister Antoninus and Sister Bloine and the generosity of Mr. and Mrs.Sharpe of Sharpe Construction Company. The Ministry of Education provided the desks and chairs and all other furnishings were the gifts of friends of the school. Sister Mary Rose arrived that year to set up the Science Department. The school population increased to 200, and to accommodate this, the second floor was opened in 1964. Later the same year, the Science Block was completed and opened. The Ministry provided money for the three Science laboratories and the rest was financed through a loan arranged in the United States by Reverend Mother Joan Marie Wheeker. (This debt was finally liquidated by the Mt. Alvernia Sisters in December 1970.) These facilities made Domestic Science and Art possible. Mr. Euclid King of the Ministry was especially helpful in providing furnishings and equipment for the new facilities. In 1965 the Tato property adjacent to the school was acquired by the Sisters through the assistance, again, of Reverend Möther Joan Mario and the Sisters of Immaculate Conception Convent in Kingston. This provided an area for a playing field, a great improvement in the Physical Education programme.