Who would have thought a trip to the resort island of Ambergris Caye would be the motivation for the founding of Holy Cross Anglican School 20 years ago?
Francis and Vernon Wilson were Episcopal missionaries from the Diocese of Virginia working in Belize City for the Anglican Diocese. During the occasional week day trip to Ambergris Caye, the Wilsons were surprised to find many young children who were not attending school. They began to inquire why the children were not in class and were told there was not enough classroom space for all of the children on the island and many of the families could not afford tuition for school. After discussing this situation with the mayor of the island, the Wilsons were asked to build a school and Holy Cross Anglican School was born.
The Wilsons found that a school in the disadvantaged neighborhood of San Mateo would serve some of the most at risk children on the island. The Anglican Church was given eight acres of mangrove swamp land by the Belizean government to be used for a school. In 2006 three classrooms were built and 62 students were enrolled at the school named Holy Cross Anglican School. The first three classrooms lacked running water, books, furniture and school supplies. Despite these challenges the school quickly grew and became known as a beacon of learning
and an important member of the San Mateo community.Today the school educates over 400 students each year from preschool to Standard 6 (8th grade). For those who cannot afford to pay the tuition scholarships are available. Students also receive school supplies, shoes, and uniforms if needed. To provide for the health of the students, a nutritious lunch and snacks are provided as well as dental care and access to volunteer doctors.
In 2024 a new multi-purpose building was constructed on the Holy Cross campus. The building is used for school events and church services for the students, teachers, and community. Father Kesner Ajax is the chaplain for the school and also celebrates holy communion on Sundays in the chapel for the newly formed Holy Cross Anglican Church. Holy Cross School provides an excellent educational experience for their students and exposes them to the world beyond their neighborhood of San Pedro. In September of 2024 a vocational training initiative was launched. Beginning with culinary skills raining and held in the school’s kitchen/cafeteria, San Pedro Institute of Culinary Education, SPICE as it is known, is highly successful. The first 10 students graduated with employment opportunities in local restaurants and a second group completed the course in 2025.In the last 20 years Holy Cross School has graduated over 634 students, some of whom have continued their education at high school and college levels and many who are working in the community in a variety of occupations. From its humble beginnings in three unfurnished classrooms built in the mangrove swamp, to the 17 classrooms and 450 students today, Holy Cross continues to serve the surrounding community of San Pedro.
Who knew in 2006 that eight acres of swamp and the dream of a school would become reality? With Francis and Vernon’s vision and many volunteers, Holy Cross Anglican School was built. It continues to offer an outstanding education and many opportunities for children like those that Francis and Vernon saw 20 years ago without a school to attend. Over the next several months we will be highlighting some of the former students of Holy Cross. Please watch your inbox and Facebook for posts about them. “Where are they now?” Learn about where they work and how Holy Cross helped them achieve their goals. Did they have a special person or teacher who encouraged them at Holy Cross? What are their successes and accomplishments after attending Holy Cross? Do they have a favorite memory of the school? More to come.
Happy 20th Anniversary Holy Cross!
