Collège de la Retraite


The Collège de la Retraite is a bilingual secondary school in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. It is a Catholic institution managed by religious leaders.
Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit under the name Collège du Saint-Esprit, it initially admitted only girls. In 1960, the Cameroon welcomed the Sisters of the Retraite, who were heavily involved in education. Consequently, the school was renamed Collège de la Retraite.
Collège de la Retraite has one of the highest success rates in the Baccalauréat examinations in Cameroon. It regularly ranks at the top of the annual list of high schools established by the Office du Baccalauréat du Cameroun, and it consistently appears at the top of the national honors list for baccalauréat distinctions, last published in February 2015.

History

The Collège de la Retraite was founded in 1950 by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit under the name Collège du Saint-Esprit, initially admitting only girls, all of whom resided in a boarding facility. In 1960, Cameroon welcomed the Sisters of the Retraite, who took over management of the Collège du Saint-Esprit, leading to its renaming to Collège de la Retraite. From that year onwards, the school became co-educational.
From 1950 to 2000, the Collège de la Retraite primarily focused on literature and economic courses. In 2000, with the departure of the sisters and management taken over by Cameroonians through the Archdiocese of Yaoundé, the school introduced a scientific curriculum, becoming a full-cycle secondary school.

Administration

  • Clément Mathieu Belinga
  • Armand Messi Essam
  • Marie-Hélène Mbarga
  • Rev. Sr. Joséphine Julie Ntsama
  • Rev. Father Abraham Ndongo Minkala
  • Rev. Father Clément Nkodo Manga

Achievements

Since its establishment, Collège de la Retraite has consistently ranked among the top schools according to the baccalauréat office's rankings. The lowest position it has held was fourteenth in 2006.
Each year, the school presents around 900 candidates for official exams administered by the OBC and is regularly the school with the most candidates among the top 15 in the rankings.

Notable alumni