By Alusine Sesay
Kerry Town, Sierra Leone: In a bold and transformative move for girls’ education in Sierra Leone, Olive B. Academy is set to officially open its doors on September 8, 2025, welcoming its first cohort of Junior Secondary School (JSS) students. Located in Kerry Town, off the Waterloo–Peninsular Highway, the all-girls boarding school promises to deliver a globally competitive education rooted in the Cambridge curriculum and STEM-focused learning.
Founded by education advocate Olive Favor Baimba, the Academy is more than just a school—it’s a mission to empower girls, build character, and nurture future leaders. “No child should be left behind—especially girls in Sierra Leone,” Madam Baimba declared during a recent media tour of the campus.
The Academy will enroll 100% female students who have successfully completed their NPSE exams. With a strong emphasis on leadership, life skills, and academic excellence, Olive B. Academy aims to challenge gender disparity and redefine the potential of the girl child.
Although the school has the capacity to accommodate 750 students, it will begin with 550 pupils to ensure quality delivery in its inaugural year. The institution has already attracted interest from international families, including those in Togo and the diaspora.
World-Class Facilities on 20 Acres
Spread across 20 acres of fully fenced land, Olive B. Academy boasts an impressive array of modern amenities designed to foster a safe, comfortable, and tech-enabled learning environment: 28 fully equipped classrooms, including smart classrooms with LCD TVs for remote lectures, multi-purpose science lab supporting STEM education, comfortable dormitories with foam beds and pillows, mini clinic and 24-hour nursing station, counselling centre, orientation room and teachers’ quarters, reception lounge for parents, school mini-bus for student transport, CCTV security system and 75 kVA solar-powered electricity ensuring 24/7 power, internet and computer lab, personal computers for every student, and three nutritious meals daily
Female-Led Faculty and Rigorous Standards
In line with its mission to provide relatable role models, 80% of the teaching staff are women. The school conducted a rigorous recruitment process nine months ago, selecting only the most qualified candidates based on subject mastery and proficiency—especially in English and Mathematics.
Class sizes will be kept small, with 15, 20, or 25 students per classroom, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive learning environment.
Cambridge + STEM: A Future-Ready Curriculum
“We are doing the Cambridge and STEM system of education,” Madam Baimba explained. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for global competitiveness while instilling values, discipline, and a positive mindset.
Although Senior Secondary School (SSS) classrooms are already completed, those classes will commence in two years, allowing the Academy to focus initially on JSS 1 and JSS 2.
With a subsidized fee of Le23,000 per term, Olive B. Academy offers premium education at an accessible cost, thanks to the commitment of its proprietors.
A New Dawn for Girls
Olive B. Academy’s launch marks a watershed moment in Sierra Leone’s educational landscape. By combining academic rigor, holistic development, and a safe, empowering environment, the school is poised to reshape the narrative for girls across the nation—and beyond.
As Madam Baimba concluded, “Our aim is to change the perception of the girl child’s potential, challenge marginalisation, and nurture future leaders.”