SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On World Teachers' Day, Academy salutes the teachers behind the remarkable accomplishments of its students at the 2026 May-June Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Of the 23 subjects sat by a combined total of 126 candidates (88- Form 5; 34- Form 4 and 4 -Form 3), 90.1% earned acceptable grades (Grades I–III). Nearly three in four (72.1%) were at Grade I or II, and one in three (318, or 33.9%) was a Grade I.
All 88 candidates at Form 5 who sat a full programme of 8 to 12 subjects passed at least six thereby guaranteeing the 100% matriculation to tertiary learning by the Class of 2026. Of these, 82 (93.2%) achieved five or more passes including both Mathematics and English A, the benchmark most often required for further study and employment.
Leading the class is Jeremiah Cantave with an exemplary 11 grade ones–each with straight A profiles and one grade 2. Cantave earned Grade I: Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Electronic Document Preparation & Management, English A, English B, French, Human & Social Biology, Information Technology, Mathematics and Physics.
He completed his programme with a Grade II in Caribbean History. Spanning the sciences, mathematics, languages and technology, his results reflect both rare talent and the steady guidance of the teachers who supported him. Cantave credits Almighty God, his family and hardworking teachers as the engineers who shaped him for ultimate success.
Contenders for the top 10 positions included exceptional performances by Ashmini Persaud who sat 12 subjects at the CSEC level and Communication Studies at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). Persaud attained 9 Grade Ones, 3 Grade Twos and One grade three. Other students who shared the distinction of 9 Grade Ones include Atarah Baptiste (12 subjects: 9 (I) 2(II); Maya Curiel 9 (I) 2 (II); Hadassah Isaac 9(I), 2(II); Xinyi Feng 9 (I) 1(II). Students sharing the honor of completing 11 subjects and attaining eight grade Ones include: Mike Browne 8(I) 3(II); Gelisa Peynado 8 (I) 3(II); Xavier Aventurin 8(I) 1(II) and 2 (III). Maya Curiel stands out with eight straight-A Grade Ones, second only to Jeremiah Cantave. Atarah Baptiste matched Cantave's full slate, passing all 12 subjects. Despite the Science students dominating the top ten, equal rivals from the business department were Xinyi Feng and Adjwoa Bernabe who registered outstanding performances. Bernabe, an accomplished debater ranked 1st on the school’s merit list in English A while earning 7 grade Ones, 1 (II) and 2 (III).
The results come as the world marks World Teachers' Day on October 5; St. Maarten Academy takes this occasion to thank the teachers whose dedication, sacrifice and diligence made them possible.
Twelve subjects with a 100% pass rate
In twelve subjects, every single candidate passed, and today we want to give a special salute to the teachers behind each of these perfect scores.
Three classes distinguished themselves even further. Under the astute tutelage of Ms. Kester Small, all 31 candidates earned Grade I in Electronic Document Preparation & Management. Ms. Ranish Sullivan matched that feat in Physical Education & Sport, where all 15 of her students earned Grade I. In Theatre Arts, Ms. Melissa Hamm capably guided 14 of her 15 students to Grade I, with the remaining student earning Grade II.
However, Academy lauds The English Department led by Mrs. Sharon Layne Lam and supported by Mrs. Vanessa Anderson for a spectacular performance which saw all 112 English A candidates obtaining Grades I or II, with 88 at Grade I, a result described in more detail below.
In the sciences, Mr. Elias Brown's Biology students earned 15 Grade Ones among 19 candidates, with 18 at Grade I or II. Mr. Simon Tagarira's Physics class returned 14 Grade Ones among its 19 candidates. Ms. Karen Roberts saw all 47 Integrated Science candidates pass, and she and Mrs. Thekara Chandler together brought all 38 Human & Social Biology candidates through, 13 of them at Grade I.
Some of the school's largest classes also achieved a perfect pass rate. Mr. Julian Mason and Mr. Kenver Regis guided all 75 Information Technology candidates to a pass, 68 of them at Grade I or II. Mrs. Cameca Brown Henry Ranger's 69 Principles of Business students all passed, with 16 Grade Ones and 60 at Grade I or II. In Social Studies, Ms. Perdessa Abrams and Ms. Anansa Payne saw all 50 candidates succeed, 45 of them at Grade I or II.
Rounding out the list, Ms. Daphne Jacobs Richardson's three Music candidates all passed, one with a Grade I and two with Grade II.
English A: every candidate at Grade I or II
English A, the school's largest subject, produced one of its finest results. All 112 candidates passed, and every one of them earned a Grade I or II: 88 Grade I (78.6%) and 24 Grade II.
Much of that success is credited to Mrs. Sharon Layne Lam, Teacher of English and Head of the English Department. She taught 94 of the 112 candidates. Seventy-one of her students earned Grade I, 31 of them with straight A profiles, and the other 23 earned Grade II. Together with her colleague Mrs. Vanessa Anderson, she led English A to a 100% quality pass rate at Grades I and II only. Commendations are also in order for the lone Form 4 candidate Anthony Klien who wrote both English A and B securing top spots on the school’s merit list with straight A profiles: 2nd place in English A and 1st place in English B.
Mathematics: 94.4% pass rate
The mathematics department returned a pass rate of 94.4%. Of these, 24 earned Grade I, 44 Grade II and 16 Grade III, so that more than three in four candidates (76.4%) finished at Grade I or II. Honorable mention is made of Jaden Moore, the lone Form 4 student to sit General Mathematics and merited 10th place with a straight A profile. We congratulate Mr. Jeremiah Clarke and Mr. Alberick Arrendell, Head of Mathematics and member of Management, who prepared and guided these students to success.
Exemplary results above 80%
Seven more subjects recorded pass rates above 80%, and the school commends the teachers who carried them there.
Caribbean History came closest to perfection, with 20 of its 21 candidates (95.2%) passing under Ms. Sharon Warner. Chemistry followed closely: Mrs. Thekara Chandler guided 18 of 19 candidates (94.7%) to success, 11 of them at Grade I. In Visual Arts, Ms. Silvia Carty Rozema saw 10 of the 11 students who sat the examination (90.9%) pass.
Principles of Accounts returned 89.9% (69 candidates) under Ms. Maura Bute and Mr. Kenneth Gombarume. Ms. Christel Brandy's Geography class achieved an 88.2% pass rate, with 15 of 17 candidates succeeding. In Economics tutored by Mr. Kenneth Gombarume, 20 of 23 candidates (87.0%) passed. Rounding out the group, Ms. Sujamol Perrepadan led 13 of 16 Additional Mathematics candidates (81.3%) to a pass in one of the most demanding subjects on the CSEC syllabus.
Against all odds– we commend our modern languages teachers, who guided students to success despite a weak foundation in Spanish and French. That gap stems from a severe shortage of teachers in both languages over the past four years. Spanish candidates passed at 78.9% (30 of 38), with 15 at Grade I. Special recognition is accorded to our 4 candidates from Form 3 who returned grade I passes, some with straight A profiles. In French, 33 of 54 candidates (61.1%) passed with grades I-III, including 7 at Grade I. Kudos to Ms. Emlynn Francis (Head of Modern Languages) and her team –Ms. Pamella Benjamin (French) and Ms. Alexandra Ferrance (Spanish). Academy also salutes the late Renate Brison who would have helped to lay the foundation for our Spanish candidates.
Dutch NT2 Results
In February 2026, 91 students sat the Dutch as a Second Language (NT2) examination, which tests four skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. There were 89 fifth formers and two fourth formers sitting the exam a year early.
Students performed strongly in the productive skills but continue to be challenged in listening skills. In speaking, 82 of the 91 candidates (90.1%) reached level A2 or higher, four of them at B1. In writing, 69 (75.8%) reached A2 or higher, three of them at B1.
The school congratulates the eleven students who earned the full NT2 certificate. Imani Moeloet and Alicia Nijbroek achieved level B1 in all four skills, and Omari Smith reached B1 in writing. Honorable mention is made of Wei Jie Chen, Joshua Henry, Tiara Hodge, Khalil Lake, Ashmini Persaud, Maalik Richardson, Krish Sidhwa and Andreescio Thomas also passed every component.
Imani Moeloet and Andreescio Thomas did so as fourth-form students, a year ahead of schedule. Academy salutes the commitment and dedication of teachers Mrs. Oeshakoemarie Baidjnath Misier Bhaghu and Mrs. Marita Lagadeau Cederboom (Head of the Dutch Department) who toiled with their students to ensure their success.
“These results belong to our students, but they were built in our classrooms,” remarked Vice Principal Joanna Trim. “A 90% pass rate, twelve subjects where every candidate passed, and a total of 318 Grade I results reflect the commitment of teachers who give far more than the timetable asks. We are also clear about where we must grow,” Trim continued. “Our modern languages teachers have achieved a great deal despite years of staffing shortages, and we will keep investing in Spanish, French and English B so that every subject can match the standard our students have set this year.
“On behalf of the FAVE Board, it is with great pride and gratitude that we celebrate the Class of 2026 and the teachers who shaped them. Twelve subjects with a 100% pass rate, 318 Grade One results, and full matriculation to tertiary study for every Form 5 candidate are a testament to what is possible when talented, dedicated and hardworking students meet teachers who give more than any syllabus requires.
“That this achievement is being recognized on World Teachers' Day makes it all the more fitting; these results belong to our teachers as much as our students. The Board extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026, and its deepest thanks to the School Management, every teacher, parent, and guardian whose support made this year possible," said drs. Tallulah Baly, Executive Director.
The Management team led by Principal, Kim Lucas Felix, supported by Vice Principal- Joanna Trim and members of management Mrs. Doreen Edwards Mac Intosh, Mr. Alberick Arrendell, Mrs. Souad Azbouni Meskini (Discipline Coach) and the staff of the Department of Student Care extends congratulations to the students and heartfelt thanks go to the parents and guardians for their steady support, and corporate donors who support the school annually. Congratulations to the Class of 2026.”
St. Maarten Academy extends its heartfelt thanks to its entire faculty, management and support staff, and wishes its graduates every success in the next stage of their journeys.
ADJWOA BERNABE
GELISA PEYNADO
ASHMINI PERSAUD
ATARAH BAPTISTE
JEREMIAH CANTAVE
HADASSAH ISAAC
MAYA CURIEL
MIKE BROWNE
XAVIER AVENTURIN
XINYI FENG
