The Petersfield High School commenced operation on September 14, 1970 with twenty teachers and Eight Hundred and Sixty-two students.

 

During the first year many programmes such as extra curricular activities/house system were introduced so as to enhance the students involvement and development.ay 10, 1971 saw the opening of the school's library with 500 books. Today the library has a collection of over 500 books.

 

The school was officially opened on September 16, 1971 by the Rt. Hon. Hugh Shearer, then Prime Minister of Jamaica.By September 1974 the school's population had grown to 1200 students and teaching staff of 33.

 

During this month too, the shift system was introduce and the school leaving age changed from 15 years to 17 years to accommodate the grades 10 and 11 programme.

 

The school was reclassified as a Comprehensive High School in September 1991 when students were admitted based on the results of the Common Entrance Examination. At this time the school began operating on an extended day, meant that the upper and lower school overlapped. The school day began from 7:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 10:05 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

An increase in the population saw the school reverting to the shift system. Under the new reclassification of Secondary School programme, the school is now named Petersfield High School. It presently has a population of 1856 students and 75 teachers.

 

The school s motto "Ad Astra Per Aspera" - These are Latin words, which means - To The Stars Through Bolts and Bars .....Simply expressed as You can reach the top or succeed through hard work