Mombasa boasts coastal beauty and a laidback lifestyle, all at a reasonable cost. And although the choice of schools may be much narrower than in the capital Nairobi, the ones that are available have a lot to offer.
Education in Mombasa
Kenyan national schools used to follow the 8-4-4 system but have changed the curriculum framework to a New Education System. This means they now follow two years of pre-primary and six years of primary (in English), roughly equivalent to English National Curriculum year 1 – 6, during which they take five subjects: maths, English, Kiswahili, science, social studies, and Christian RE. Secondary level is divided into two stints of three year sections. The academic year starts in January, unlike the British and American schools, which follow their overseas counterparts.
But international parents rarely choose to send their children to these schools, more commonly favouring the international schools on offer, although there are barely any of them.
Choosing a school in Mombasa
With two out of three most obvious choices of international schools being day – not boarding – schools, location is clearly important. Many families therefore decide school first, and where they are going to live second.
If you already know which curriculum you are looking for, your school choice will probably be very easy. If you want your child to go down the International Baccalaureate route, for example, it narrows down to one school - while the other two schools both offer an adapted English curriculum from pre-school to graduation, with one of them having added BTEC qualifications to its range.
Also consider the size of the school – two are literally half the size of the bigger one, which might influence your choice.
Best schools in Mombasa
Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa 
PYP/ MYP/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 6-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 625 students
Established in 2003, the first of the Aga Khan Development Network academies and now providing a boarding capacity for 300 students. The group has schools in the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda in its African sector and is investing large sums in the region. Selection is on merit and 50 per cent receive financial aid. Several graduates have moved on to leading global universities.
Click here to read our full review of the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.
Braeburn Mombasa International School
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE; ages 2-16; co-ed; day and weekly boarding; independent; privately owned; 870 students
Part of the Braeburn group of schools. The primary and secondary schools are the only schools in Mombasa to be accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the primary school is also inspected by the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS).
Click here to read our full review of the Braeburn Mombasa International School
This school has been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider updating our review.
Mombasa Academy
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 300 students
Small school established in 1978 in the smart residential area of Nyali. Divided into a junior, preparatory and senior school following the English curriculum through to A levels. Around one third of the students are expats.