Maude Crosse Preparatory School
A cornerstone of Charlestown childhood since 1977
Why Go
Behind a modest schoolyard gate in Charlestown sits one of Nevis's most beloved community institutions ΓÇö a small prep school whose motto 'Endure to Succeed' has shaped nearly five decades of Nevisian kids, from spelling-bee champions to cross-country runners tearing through Ramsbury Road each spring.
The Experience
Maude Crosse isn't a tourist stop ΓÇö it's a working preschool-through-Grade-6 school woven into daily Charlestown life. If you're on-island for more than a beach week (a long-stay family, a returning Nevisian, a relocating remote worker, or a visitor curious about local community rhythms), the school's calendar is a window into how Nevis actually runs. Morning drop-off spills onto the surrounding streets around 8am, uniformed kids clutching lunchboxes; recycling drives, tree-plantings, and cross-country meets pull in parents, government ministers, and neighbors alike. The After School Advantage Centre, recently upgraded with new desktops, doubles as a community tech hub. Attending a public event here ΓÇö a fundraiser fair, a cultural day, an end-of-term concert ΓÇö is one of the more genuine ways to meet local families beyond the resort bubble.
What to Try
If you're visiting during term, watch for the Annual Cross Country Runs (typically staged around the Ramsbury Site and open to spectators), the school's participation in island-wide recycling campaigns like 'Twelve Plastic Bottles = One T-Shirt,' and cultural-heritage days tied to St. Kitts and Nevis Independence in September. Relocating families should request a tour directly ΓÇö the small class sizes and pre-K through Grade 6 pipeline are a common draw for expats settling in Charlestown.
Insider Tip
Drive routes near Ramsbury Site slow to a crawl between 7:45ΓÇô8:15am and again around 2:30pm ΓÇö locals plan errands around it. If you're heading to Charlestown for a morning ferry, the Alexander Hamilton birthplace, or the Saturday market, aim to be past the school zone before 7:40 or after 8:30. And if you want to actually engage, the school's Facebook page posts community events and volunteer calls that outsiders are welcome to join.
The Practical Stuff
Located at Ramsbury Site, Charlestown, Nevis. Phone: 869-469-1080. Email: maude77crosse@gmail.com. Serves pre-school through Grade 6. School hours roughly 8amΓÇô2:30pm on weekdays during term; closed weekends, public holidays, and during Nevis school breaks (mid-summer, late December, and Easter). Not a walk-in visitor site ΓÇö contact ahead for tours, admissions, or event attendance.
Pair It With
- Birthplace of Alexander Hamilton Guide — A five-minute drive from the school and Nevis's most storied historical site ΓÇö pair a morning school-zone detour with the Hamilton museum for a full Charlestown heritage loop.
- Boddie's Restaurant Guide — Classic Nevisian home cooking nearby ΓÇö the kind of unpretentious local lunch spot where you'll overhear the same parents who did the school run.
- Bananas Restaurant Guide — A hillside favorite for a relaxed dinner after a day of community events, with sweeping views that reset the pace after busy Charlestown streets.
- Chill Beach Bar & Grill — When the school day ends and you want to decompress, this laid-back Pinney's Beach spot is the natural post-Charlestown wind-down.