By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
A new chapter in girls’ education is about to unfold in Sierra Leone as Olive B. Academy, a state-of-the-art Christian boarding school, exclusively for girls, prepares to welcome its first students on September 8th, 2025. Founded by Olive Baimba and her husband, Fofi Baimba, the school is situated on Olive B. Drive, Kerry Town, off the Waterloo–Tombo Peninsula Highway and is set to offer a transformative learning experience grounded in both academic excellence and personal development.
Olive B. Academy’s mission is clear: to nurture the next generation of female leaders through a world-class education that blends the Cambridge curriculum with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The school will start with Junior Secondary School (JSS) levels 1–3, with plans to extend to Senior Secondary School in the coming years, ensuring that pupils progress under its own nurturing environment.
For co-founder, Olive Baimba, education is more than academic achievement; it is a tool for empowerment, community transformation and national development. Drawing from personal experiences, she believes titles and positions can be taken away but knowledge and skills remain for life. Her vision for Olive B. Academy is to close the gender gap in education and leadership by equipping young girls with the skills, confidence and global perspective needed to thrive.
“Our goal is to see more women in leadership and professional spaces,” she said. “This academy is a step towards making that happens not only in Sierra Leone but across Africa.”
The school boasts modern facilities with the capacity to host 750 pupils, maintaining a class size of just 25 to ensure personalized attention. However, the “switch spot”, their optimal operational number is set at 550 pupils to maintain quality learning and living conditions.
Pupils accommodations are well-furnished dormitories, each fitted with beds and equipped with essential personal items. A unique “Pupils’ Minister Quarters” will house student leaders, with selection based purely on merit and academic performance.
Classrooms are designed for interactive learning, each equipped with whiteboards and TVs. Notably, teachers have no fixed chairs in class, encouraging constant engagement with students. Every pupil will be issued an HP Chromebook to support digital learning. And the school is backed by a robust 75kva solar power system and 24-hour internet connectivity.
Beyond academics, the Academy features a modern library, male and female teachers’ bathrooms, accessible facilities for students with disabilities, well-equipped science laboratories (chemistry, biology, and physics), a robotics lab, and a design and technology lab. National identity will be an integral part of school culture, with the Sierra Leone flag and anthem embedded into daily routines.
Olive B. Academy’s Cambridge and STEM curricula are designed to prepare students for both local and international opportunities. The institution offers a broad academic scope covering sciences, arts, commercial studies and domestic sciences, ensuring a balanced, globally relevant education.
Teachers were recruited nine months before opening and were subjected to rigorous selection exams. They also underwent intensive training to ensure readiness. The Academy takes teacher development seriously introducing an innovative platform for continuous education. Professors from across the globe will provide ongoing training and annual assessments to keep educators at the forefront of teaching practices.
“We will not only prepare our pupils for the future,” Olive Baimba explained, “we will also continuously prepare our teachers, because quality education starts with quality educators.”
Olive B. Academy also has a digital smart classroom platform that allows students to interact virtually with industry experts, leaders and educators worldwide. Without leaving their offices, prominent figures from media professionals to political leaders can connect directly with pupils for mentorship and inspiration. This same platform will be used for teacher training, ensuring knowledge transfer from global education experts.
To maintain focus, internet access is restricted to designated learning zones like smart classrooms and mobile phones are prohibited. Communication between students and parents will be facilitated through a dedicated department allowing pupils to concentrate on their studies.
As a boarding school, security is paramount. The campus is fully fenced with strategically placed CCTV cameras and trained personnel. The school enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for abuse of any kind and encourages a safe, supportive environment where pupils’ voices are valued. A pupil’s governing body will participate in decision-making further developing leadership skills.
Counselling services are available to provide mental and emotional support, recognizing the importance of holistic development in a boarding school environment.
To ensure the well-being of every child, OBA has its own fully equipped health centre staffed with qualified medical personnel. This allows pupils to receive prompt treatment for minor illnesses without leaving the school premises ensuring minimal disruption to learning. Only in cases of serious illness will students be referred to external medical facilities.
For its inaugural year, Olive B. Academy is keeping admissions selective to maintain high standards and avoid overcrowding. Admission is open to pupils who have passed the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) and succeeded in the academy’s entrance test.
At a cost of 23,000 Leones per term, the tuition covers boarding, meals, a personal learning device, internet access and participation in all school programmes which is a competitive rate compared to similar institutions in Sierra Leone and beyond.
While Olive B. Academy is based in Sierra Leone, it has already attracted interest from families in countries such as Canada, the United States, Togo and others. Its founders believe the Academy will not only shape individual futures but also contribute significantly to the development of Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole.
As September approaches, Olive B. Academy stands ready to open its gates not just to educate but to inspire, empower and prepare young girls to lead in a complex and interconnected world.
Parents interested in enrolling their daughters can contact the school via telephone at +232 90 244 444 or +232 73 244 444, email info@olivebacademy.org, or visit their website at www.olivebacademy.org for more information.
