St. James Seminary Senior High School

St. James was established in 1978 by Most Rev. James Kwadwo Owusu, then Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sunyani. The school opened privately with 14 students under its first rector, Monsignor Robert Mensah Abrampah.

The school's official history explains that St. James was created as both a senior high school and a Catholic minor seminary, so academic preparation and formation have always developed together.

Those early years were difficult. The school operated with limited staff and resources, and some teachers handled several science subjects at once. The school that students know today grew out of that much smaller beginning.

St. James did not start as a large, established school. Its reputation was built gradually from a very modest first intake.

The current school register lists Business, General Arts and General Science at St. James.

The school's own academic pages reflect the same three departments. That makes the choice clearer than it is at schools with six or seven programmes, but it also means you need to confirm that one of these options actually contains the subjects you need.

If General Science interests you, the General Science guide will help you check whether it fits your plans at St. James Seminary SHS.

St. James Seminary Senior High School admits first-year students through the national placement system. Check the subjects in Business, General Arts and General Science before putting St. James Seminary SHS on your list.

The seminary identity can be confusing if you are seeing the school for the first time. Not every student at St. James is preparing for the priesthood. Seminarians and non-seminarians share the wider school environment.

When placements are released, check your St. James Seminary SHS result on the CSSPS website and note whether it says day or boarding.

The campus has to support classroom learning, science work, boarding, dining, worship and the additional formation activities that come with the school's seminary tradition.

Old boys continue to contribute directly to those everyday needs. In 2025, the school's JOBA 1996 year group donated dining-hall benches and tables for current students.

Students at St. James grow up inside a strong Catholic culture, but school life also includes sport, academic competition, clubs, leadership and alumni activity.

The school calls students "The Saints," while old boys organise through JOBA. That connection remains visible in alumni chapters, donations and mentoring long after students leave Abesim.

The school also participates regularly in national academic competition, including the National Science and Maths Quiz.

St. James Seminary Senior High School takes day students as well as boarders. Meals, evening study and dormitory routines are part of the week for boarders at St. James Seminary SHS.

When your St. James Seminary SHS placement arrives, look for the part that says day or boarding.