International schools in Nairobi offer a unique educational experience for expat families and local students looking for an alternative to the Kenyan national education system. These schools provide a range of curricula, including the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the British education system, and other international systems such as the American curriculum.
The cost of attendance at an international school in Kenya can vary greatly depending on the specific school and its location. That said, most international schools in Nairobi will charge between $5,000 and $20,000 per year in tuition fees.
Despite the high fees, international schools offer resources such as state-of-the-art classrooms and technology, extracurricular activities, and highly qualified teachers. These resources can provide students with a top-quality education that prepares them for higher education and future careers.
Read: KCSE Top 100 Private Schools in Nairobi County
Additionally, many international schools in Nairobi offer financial aid and scholarship options to help make education more accessible to families. It’s important to research and ask about these options when considering international schools.
This article takes a look at these schools, their curriculum, location and other important factors that make one school stand out from another. Read on to find out which school is the best for you!
Best International Schools in Nairobi
1. The Brookhouse School
The Brookhouse School has two campuses (one in Langata and one in Karen) in Nairobi, Kenya. It offers a range of curricula based on the British education system and is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
It is also a member of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization. The school serves students from ages 2 to 19 and has over 50 nationalities represented.
Brookhouse offers a well-rounded education with strong academics and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Tuition fees range from $10,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on the grade level and boarding status of the student.
2. Braeburn International Schools
Braeburn Schools is a group of international Schools that offers the British curriculum and caters to students from ages 3 to 18. It has several campus locations in Nairobi, including one in the city center and another in the suburb of Kitisuru.
Tuition fees at Braeburn Schools range from $7,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on the grade level and boarding status of the student.
The schools are accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and are members of the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization.
3. International School of Kenya (ISK)
International School of Kenya follows the IB and the American curricula and serves students from ages 3 to 18. It is located in the suburb of Karen and has a reputation for being one of the top international schools in Nairobi.
ISK offers a high-quality, international education to students from over 50 different countries and has a strong focus on academics, offering a range of programs, including the IB Primary Years Program, IB Middle Years Program, and IB Diploma Program.
ISK fees vary depending on the grade level of the student and whether they are a day student or boarding student. The fees range as follows:
- Day student (Kindergarten – Grade 5): KES 935,000 per year
- Day student (Grades 6-8): KES 1,050,000 per year
- Day student (Grades 9-12): KES 1,165,000 per year
- Boarding student (Grades 6-12): KES 1,890,000 per year
In addition to tuition fees, there are also fees for books, uniforms, and extracurricular activities. Financial aid is available to families who demonstrate financial need.
4. Nairobi International School (NIS)
NIS offers the IB curriculum and caters to students from ages 3 to 18. It is located in the suburb of Langata and has a diverse student body, with over 50 nationalities represented.
The school has a strong focus on academics and offers a range of programs, including the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Middle Years Program (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP).
The exact fees will depend on the grade level and specific program of study, but parents can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 per year.
5. Rosslyn Academy
Rosslyn Academy is a private Christian international school offering the North American curriculum and serves classes from preschool to twelfth grade. The school is located in Parklands, Westlands constituency, Nairobi city.
Fees at Rosslyn Academy vary upwards from $2,000 to over $5,000 per year.
The school does offer financial assistance options, including scholarships and bursaries, to help make education more accessible to a diverse range of students.
6. Hillcrest International Schools
Hillcrest International School is a private international school located in Karen Nairobi and has a unique reputation within East Africa. The school has a diverse student body and offers a range of curricula based on the British education system.
The school caters for students from pre-school to high school.
Tuition fees at Hillcrest International School range from $6,000 to $20,000 per year, depending on the grade enrolled and whether a day or boarding student.
The school offers a well-rounded education with a focus on academics, sports, the arts, and service learning, as well as opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. Hillcrest values traditional values and promotes lifelong learning and a wide range of skills.
7. The Nairobi Academy
The Nairobi Academy is a coeducational institution that serves students between the ages of 2 and 19. The school follows the British National Curriculum and prepares students to take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGSE) and the General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-Level exams.
The school also offers the Pearson-Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme as an IB world school.
The Nairobi Academy is located in Karen, along Langata Road, Next to Mamba Village in Nairobi.
The tuition fees at The Nairobi Academy are as follows:
- Pre-preparatory school termly fees range from KES 90,000 to KES 158,000 for PP1 (age 2 – 3 yrs) to PP4 (YR 1 – age 5 to 6 yrs).
- Preparatory school termly fees vary between KES 178,000 to KES 299,000 for YR 2 to YR 7.
- Secondary school fees (YR 8 to YR 13) is about KES 1.05 million per year.
- BTEC Programme goes for KES 885,000 per annum while IB Diploma Programme is KES 1,056,000 per annum.
8. Gems Cambridge International School
Gems Cambridge International School Nairobi is a private school located in Karen Nairobi along Magadi Road. It follows the curriculum and assessment standards of the University of Cambridge and offers education for students from preschool (kindergarten) to secondary school.
The school is part of the Gems Education Group, which operates international schools around the world. Gems Cambridge International School Nairobi aims to provide students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in higher education and beyond.
Overall, Gems Cambridge International School Nairobi is a respected and well-regarded educational institution that provides students with a strong foundation for the future.
The tuition fees start from USD 6,000 for pre-primary and from USD 1.4 million for primary and secondary schools.
9. The Banda School
The Banda School is a co-educational institution located in the Karen suburb of Nairobi, Kenya along Magadi Road. It offers education for boys and girls aged 2 to 13 years and follows the British Curriculum. The school is located near the Nairobi National Park and caters to the international, professional, and local business communities.
At The Banda School, students are prepared for Independent Senior School Scholarships and the Common Entrance Examination (ISEB). The school’s academic program aims to provide a strong foundation for future success and to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in its students.
Children from over 30 nationalities in the school move on to leading secondary schools in the UK, Kenya and South Africa.
Follow this link for current Banda School fees: bandaschool.com/489/admissions/school-fees.
10. Millennium Global International School
The Millennium School Nairobi is a private, mixed-day school located on Peponi Rise, off Peponi Road, in Kitusuru, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. The school offers the Edexcel British Curriculum from Pre Primary, Primary and Secondary at affordable and pocket-friendly rates.
The school draws on the experiences and expertise of a global network to create fun, challenging, and engaging lessons for students. This approach helps students develop critical thinking and independent thinking skills, leading to success in exams.