Celebrating 75 years of purpose and possibilities
From 13 students in a hillside villa to a thriving campus in Frenchman’s Bay, this is the story of the people, places, and moments that made Antilles.
Trace the journeyAntilles students in the Havensight era
Tracing the journey of Antilles
Antilles School began in 1950 with a bold vision for education in the Virgin Islands. Founding families, pioneering faculty, and generations of students built more than a school—they built a community.
Through growth, hurricanes, achievement, and change, each chapter reflects an enduring commitment to learning, belonging, and a purposeful life.
A Legacy Archive
Turn through the complete 75th anniversary timeline and legacy exhibition, featuring more milestones, archival photographs, and memories from across the decades.
Act I · 1950–1969
A bold idea took root on St. Thomas: educate the whole child and build a school around curiosity, character, and community.
13 students · PreK–9
Antilles opened on October 4 at Villa Santana in Denmark Hill. Founding Head of School Deborah Finch welcomed 13 students in PreK through ninth grade—and set a whole-child philosophy that still guides the School.
A new four-acre campus
With enrollment growing, Antilles moved to Estate Poinciana, a four-acre campus above the West Indian Company docks. The larger home gave students and teachers room to imagine what the School could become.
Antilles becomes a PreK–12 school
Antilles added a high school and celebrated its first graduating class. The milestone transformed a growing island school into a lasting PreK–12 institution.
Act II · 1970–1989
A permanent campus and a growing community created the foundation for generations of learning, friendship, and possibility.
27 acres in Frenchman’s Bay
Antilles moved to its present home in Frenchman’s Bay. The 27-acre campus made space for purpose-built classrooms, playing fields, the arts, and the next chapter of the School’s growth.
Mark C. Marin · Head of School, 1979–2001
Mark C. Marin began a 22-year tenure as Head of School. During his leadership, Antilles grew in size and diversity while strengthening access, academic ambition, and its place in the wider Virgin Islands community.
Act III · 1990–2009
New recognition, new facilities, and deeper investment in access turned possibility into lasting momentum.
National recognition for excellence
Antilles’ Middle and Upper School program was named a Presidential Blue Ribbon School—one of only 266 schools nationwide to receive the recognition that year.
$8 million raised
A transformative capital campaign set out to fund major facilities and grow the endowment. The community surpassed its $6 million goal, ultimately raising $8 million to complete the work.
Library · Athletics · Performing arts
The Henry L. Kimelman Library, Mark C. Marin Center, and Prior Jollek Hall opened in succession—creating enduring homes for scholarship, athletics, theatre, music, and community life.
7 national titles
The Hurricanes sailing program captured seven national championships, including a rare 2006 double crown in fleet and team racing. Antilles sailors went on to collegiate All-American honors and the Olympic stage.
Act IV · 2010–Today
Through achievement, disruption, and renewal, Antilles continued to show what a resilient and caring school community can do.
$1.1 million ELC renewal
A donor-funded $1.1 million renovation transformed the Early Learning Center, while sustained investment in financial aid and faculty development expanded opportunity across the School.
Resilience in action
After Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused $5.5 million in damage, Antilles reopened on September 25. The Marin Center served the wider community, and students launched Canes Care—a tradition of service across St. Thomas.
Learning together—wherever we are
Antilles launched the Canes at Home remote-learning model, then returned to full-time in-person learning. In 2021, Shannon Harris became Head of School and opened a new chapter focused on access, teaching, and student experience.
Honoring our past · Inspiring our future
A campus-wide learning environment refresh introduced flexible, student-centered spaces. As Antilles celebrates 75 years, the School carries forward the same spirit of purpose and possibility that began with 13 students in 1950.
Act V · Inspiring our future
The next 75 years will be shaped by the same forces that built the first: thoughtful educators, curious students, committed families, and a community willing to imagine what is possible.