KINGSTON Jamaica—At-risk students at Charlie Smith High School in Trench Town, along with their parents, are celebrating life-changing results following the completion of the Agents for Transformation programme, a partnership between Sterling Asset Management Limited and the Joy Town Community Development Foundation.

Launched in August 2022 and completed in March 2023, the initiative targeted 30 third-form students identified as being at risk of expulsion, suspension, gang involvement, and other negative behaviours.

Of these, 23 students completed the intensive intervention, which combined life skills training, academic support, counselling, case management, and parental engagement to foster positive behavioural and academic change. The programme also extended to parents, with 13 receiving positive parenting training to help reduce violence in the home and provide stronger support for their children.

There were measurable improvements in behaviour, academics, and life skills for the students, many of whom went on to sit the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English examinations.

At these exams, the school recorded remarkable improvement in English passes, rising from 13.1 per cent to 75 per cent.

“We wanted an opportunity to support students academically but also to provide them with real-world tools to make better decisions, manage conflict, and see brighter possibilities for their future,” said Michelle Valentine, AVP marketing and communications of Sterling Asset Management.

Through the programme, students participated in career-focused life skills sessions hosted by the University of Technology (UTech), the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and HEART/ NSTA Trust (National Tool,
Engineering Institute (NTEI). These sessions exposed participants to new environments and possibilities, inspiring them to set goals and pursue opportunities they had previously considered unattainable.

“These interventions created a holistic framework to strengthen families and communities,” shared Camille Johnson, programme manager of Joy Town Community Development Foundation.

The impact was equally evident in academics, as the students demonstrated stronger vocabulary, reading, comprehension, and mathematical skills. According to self-reported surveys, 100 per cent of participants felt their reading had improved, 90.5 per cent reported they now valued education more, and 86 per cent indicated improvements in mathematics. Teachers corroborated these findings, citing increased focus, confidence, and consistent participation in class.

Students like Kasheina Allison, a 17-year-old Charlie Smith graduate who went on to be a proud President’s Award recipient, are proof that with the right guidance and opportunities, transformation is possible, even while residing in Jamaica’s most volatile communities.

“Before the programmes, I had a lot of anger issues,” shared Allison. “These programmes really helped me to control my attitude and focus more on school. My grades improved a lot.”

Allison now works in retail while preparing to begin her studies in food and nutrition at HEART/NSTA Trust.

She dreams of becoming a chef and one day serving in the JDF. She advises others, “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Challenges help you grow.”