Cape Palmas High School

School Profile

Cape Palmas High School CPHS, originally called Cape Palmas Seminary located in Maryland County, is the oldest high school in Southeastern Liberia. It was established in February, 1927 as a result of Rev. Dr. William C. Cummings’ vision to educate the children of Cape Palmas, Harper and its environs. It was initially called the High School. The school started with three teacher, namely Prof. E.S.A Brooks, Ed. Briggford Cummings and Rt. Rev. Dr. William C. Cummings.
The school was transferred to the Grebo Church in Kru town, Harper City, where it operated and was again transferred to the Cavalla River Company (CRC) building due to high enrollment. The school was later transferred to the Rock School Parish building where the Episcopal Church has its school. Although the space available to the school was small and inconvenient, it did not deter the dedicated teachers and the leadership from educating the sons and daughters of Maryland County.
For a third time, the school was transferred to the Cape Palmas Seminary building using the afternoon hours for its work. By this time the number of teachers had increased to include Professors Edward Briggford Cummings, Prof. E.S.A. Brooks and Messrs. Nathan Barnes Sr. H. Nyema Prowd, Mansfield Yancy and Mrs. Martha A.R. Tubman – Pratt, and Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Gibson.

In 1932, a committee was set up by the Department of Education (now the Ministry of Education) with Counselor William V.S. Tubman Sr. as Chairman to come up with a name of the school. Several names were proposed, including Maryland County High School, Epiphany High School, Gbenalu High School, Cape Palmas High School. After careful revision by the Committee in 1936, Cape Palmas High School (CPHS) was selected and the original name, Cape Palmas Seminary was dissolved.

CPHS was turned over to the Government of the Republic of Liberia under the leadership of Dr. G.W. Gibson who was then secretary of Education and Rev. Dr. W.C. Cummings was made President Emeritus. After Dr. Cummings retired, the administration of the school was turned over to his son, Mr. Edward Briggford Cummings. About his time, the Motto: "Rise up to the Sky" was given and Cape Palmas High School was built during the leadership of President William V.S. Tubman.