It is one of the oldest boarding schools in Jamaica,[1] and was founded in 1858, two years after its all boys counterpart Munro College.

The school was originally named Fort-Rose,[1] and was constructed from funds received from the Munro and Dickenson Trust.

[1][2][3] The school's motto is in Latin, "Summa Virtute Et Humanitate", which means: "With Utmost Courage and Courtesy".

[3] On 21 January 1797[4] Robert Munro left a residuary request in his will,[1][2] addressed to his nephew Caleb Dickenson and the Churchwardens of St Elizabeth.

[6][2][7] A piece of granite left over from the construction of Usher Hall in Edinburgh was donated by the builder of the Scottish War Memorial, Neil McLeod.