Fri | Apr 3, 2026

JC breaks 39-year drought with SCQ victory over Westwood High

Published:Thursday | April 2, 2026 | 10:22 PM
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The Jamaica College Schools' Challenge Quiz team at the 2026 final against Westwood High School in April 2. (Antoine Lodge photo)
The Jamaica College Schools' Challenge Quiz team at the 2026 final against Westwood High School in April 2. (Antoine Lodge photo)
Westwood High's Schools' Challenge Quiz team at the 2026 final against Jamaica College on April 2. (Antoine Lodge photo)
Westwood High's Schools' Challenge Quiz team at the 2026 final against Jamaica College on April 2. (Antoine Lodge photo)
Members of the Jamaica College team celebrate with the TVJ's Schools’ Challenge Quiz championship trophy after their victory on April 2, 2026. The trophy was presented by Joseph M Matalon, Executive Chairman of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group. (Antoi
Members of the Jamaica College team celebrate with the TVJ's Schools’ Challenge Quiz championship trophy after their victory on April 2, 2026. The trophy was presented by Joseph M Matalon, Executive Chairman of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group. (Antoine Lodge photo)
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Jamaica College captured the 2026 TVJ Schools’ Challenge Quiz (SCQ) title in a tense final on Thursday evening, securing its first championship since 1987.

The St Andrew-based institution prevailed over Westwood High, a first-time finalist and the second all-girls' school to make the final since the competition started in 1969.

The score ended 30-28.

The 231-year-old JC lost to Titchfield High in the 2025 final.

The final was contested over three rounds - an alternate section, a speed section featuring three 60-second periods, and a buzzer section where teams had five seconds to respond after they were identified.

JC led 7-5 after the first round but Westwood gained in the speed section, which ended in a deadlock 28-28.

The win comes during a strong week for Jamaica College, following their boys’ title triumph at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships.

Westwood High, a 144-year-old Trelawny-based girls’ institution is known for its strong academic tradition and jippi-jappa straw hats, first entered the competition in 2016.

The 2026 staging marked the 57th season of the Schools’ Challenge Quiz, which was established in 1969.

The season was also marked by several upsets, with traditional powerhouses exiting early and schools such as Jonathan Grant and Dinthill Technical making deep runs.

The final was hosted by Jean-Paul Menou.

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