We're always surprised to hear how many expats and Kenyans send their kids away to boarding schools in South Africa or the UK. Frankly we wouldn’t bother to look outside Kenya, where schools maintain high academic standards and pupils move on to top universities worldwide. But you’ll need deep pockets and a 4x4.
Education in Nairobi
As you might expect from an ex-colonial stronghold, English curricula predominate in the international schools, with the vast majority offering A levels. The primary schools (modelled on English preps) are still send the majority of children to major British public schools for the next stage of their education.
In fact, Kenya still has elements of harking back to its colonial past, and nowhere is this more apparent at the rural (think bush) boarding schools which tend to have very strong links with the Empire.
Kenyan private schools generally maintain a healthy balance between strong academics and extracurricular activities. Most participate in East African Model United Nations (the UN Headquarters for Africa is in Nairobi) and the Presidents Award (the Kenyan equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh Award). The better funded schools have impressive theatres and music schools and almost all have excellent sports facilities. The Kenyan climate and environment are favourable for educational field trips. But note that Kenyan private schools can be costly - in some cases, fees can exceed South African school fees and airfares combined, but there are the cheaper options too, including schools subsidised by certain religious communities.
It is rare – if not unheard of - for expats to send their children to Kenyan schools even though some offer IGCSEs and get great results. The main problem is that while English is spoken in the playgrounds, so is the local language of Kiswahili (and other tribal languages), which could isolate a foreign pupil.
These national schools (some of which have a mix of fee-paying and subsidised students) used to follow the 8-4-4 system but have hanged the curriculum framework with a New Education System. That means Kenyans now follow two years of pre-primary and six years of primary (in English), roughly equivalent to English national curriculum year 1–6, when they study five subjects: maths, English, Kiswahili, science, social studies and Christian RE. Secondary level is divided into two three-year sections. The academic year starts in January, unlike the British and American schools, which follow their overseas counterparts.
Bear in mind that most schools in Kenya (even the best) have a hotch-potch of teachers - some seem to have degrees without an educational additional, others have teaching diploma without the degree. The schools just have to recruit who they can, including – occasionally – expat wives.
Choosing a school in Nairobi
You are very likely to find school to suit your child, whether you want old-fashioned British, an American curriculum or something more alternative (eg Rudolph Steiner). You’ll also have plenty of choice when it comes to day vs boarding, larger vs smaller school or an emphasis on sports, arts or academics (or all three).
The first thing to consider when choosing the right school for your child is that the traffic in Nairobi is horrendous and the streets are a battlefield. The savvy solution is to get out your cheque book (also eyed up by the school bursar) and live in the most expensive spot you can afford - the main reason being that you’ll have a chance of getting your child to school before lunchtime.
There are exceptions, but most expat families choose to live either in Westlands Muthaiga and Karen. Along with ticking the right social box, Muthaiga and Westlands offer the largest choice of easily reachable international schools – and although some are easier to reach from Karen, it is definitely the underdog when it comes to range of choice within easy driving distance.
Once you’ve got your house sorted, buy the biggest 4x4 you can find as the road drill is simple here - big is good, bigger is better, gigantic wins. Some expats have their own drivers, and it’s also worth noting that most Kenyan private schools provide bus services, some of them door-to-door. It’s generally inadvisable for youngsters to use local transport services.
Best schools in Nairobi
Banda School (The) 
National Curriculum for England/ Common Entrance; ages 1-13; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 400 students
In the residential suburb of Karen, opposite the Nairobi National Park, grown from an original 24 children to its present size, with room for 34 flexi-boarders. A Common Entrance specialist school, with all leavers tending to gain entry to their first choice schools.
Click here to read our full review of The Banda School.
Braeburn School Nairobi
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 870 students
Braeburn Prep was established in 1968 as Braeburn House International School by an English expat and taken over in 1979 by the Braeburn Group, an international educational management company which directs nine campuses in Kenya and Tanzania. The prep was joined by the High School in 2003 and they are now amalgamated on neighbouring sites, offering an all-through British education with the option of studying BTECs in conjunction with A levels.
Click here to read our full review of the Braeburn School
Greensteds International School
National Curriculum for England/ I/GCSE/ A Level; ages 4-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 300 students
Founded over 80 years ago and now on a 50-acre site in Nakuru in the Rift Valley, set behind a green gate decorated with pink flamingos. Approximately 60 per cent of the students are Kenyan with the remainder coming from 20 different nationalities. Basically a boarding school with an element of day pupils. Alumni have regularly moved on to global universities.
Click here to read our full review of Greensteds International School.
Hillcrest International Schools
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 18 months- 18; co-ed; day and boarding (from age 10); independent; privately owned; 440 students
Three separate schools on the same campus, in the Nairobi suburb of Karen: Early Years; Hillcrest Preparatory; Hillcrest Secondary. Taken over in 2019 by Dubai-based GEMS Education, adding to their Kenya portfolio. Emphasis on academics with impressive results. A co-ed boarding house rather charmingly named Toad Hall.
Click here to read our full review of Hillcrest Secondary School and here for Hillcrest Preparatory School.
International School of Kenya
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 950 students
Divided into three schools (elementary, middle school, high school) and owned jointly by the American Embassy and the Canadian High Commission. Well-equipped, modern, cosmopolitan school on a former coffee plantation. A truly multi-national feel with student expats from over 65 countries, as well as Kenyan families. Offering a North American accredited diploma and the IB Diploma (70 per cent take-up).
Click here to read our full review of the International School of Kenya
Kenton College Preparatory School
National Curriculum for England/ Common Entrance; ages 6-13; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 350 students
Founded in 1924 as an all-boys boarding school and one of the oldest international schools in Kenya. Run on British preparatory school lines with a strong house system and music department. Students from local British families are in the majority but they also come from ten other nationalities. Post Kenton destinations are schools in the UK, USA and Kenya.
Click here to read our full review of Kenton College Preparatory School.
Pembroke House
National Curriculum for England/ Common Entrance; ages 2-13; co-ed; boarding; independent; private non-profit; 200 students
A conventional British-style prep school that has been educating children for over 90 years in a rural location in the Rift Valley, two hours from Nairobi. Pupils come from the remoter parts of Kenya and from all over East Africa, many of them children of alumni. The majority of leavers after Common Entrance gain entry to top global schools with around one third achieving scholarships or awards.
Click here to read our full review of Pembroke House.
Peponi House Preparatory School
National Curriculum for England/ Common Entrance; ages 6-13; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 370 students
Established over 30 years ago in Lower Kabete, a north-western suburb of Nairobi. Teaching a traditional British curriculum to over 35 nationalities with an equal gender split across the school. Aiming at Common Entrance exams for predominantly Kenyan and UK secondary schools but also incorporating Kenyan culture with Kiswahili taught from year 2. Rebuilding the entire school, including a science block, music centre and outdoor learning areas.
Click here to read our full review of Peponi House Preparatory School
St Andrew's Turi Preparatory School
National Curriculum for England/ Common Entrance; ages 5-13; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 250 students
The school teaches an adapted English curriculum leading to the Common Entrance exams. On the same 450 acre estate as the senior school, to which the majority of pupils move up. The remainder continue their education either in the UK or at other African senior schools.
Click here to read our full review of St Andrew’s Turi Preparatory School
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Aga Khan Academy Nairobi
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-19; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,020 students
Established nearly 50 years ago, the main school is located in the Parklands suburb of Nairobi with the nursery school (for approximately 250 children) on a separate campus. Roughly the same number (350) in both junior and senior schools. Graduates often move on to Ivies in the US, Russell Group universities in the UK or to top Kenyan universities.
Braeburn Garden Estate International School
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers/ BTEC; ages 2-18; co-ed; day and weekly boarding ; independent; privately owned; 750 students
One of the schools owned and run by Braeburn Limited, which is now the largest group of private schools in Nairobi. This school was opened in 1985 and is inspected (as are all Braeburn schools) by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO) but also accredited by the Council of Independent Schools (CIS). Although the majority of students are local, they also come from over 80 different nationalities.
Braeburn Imani International School
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ BTEC; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 200 students
The smallest of the Braeburn Group’s schools, based outside Nairobi, in Thika offering an English-based curriculum throughout, including BTECs to mainly local students. Inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO) and an Accredited Member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).
Braeside School
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ BTEC; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 725 students
An all-through member of the Braeburn Group, founded in 1994 and offering BTECs as well as A Levels. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO). Originally teaching Kenyan nationals, it now caters for over 50 different nationalities in the Nairobi suburb of Lavington.
Brookhouse International Schools
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 2-19; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 700 students
Famous for the primary school’s ‘castle’ design (dreamed up by the kids) and for its modern boarding facilities (separate houses for boys and girls, 200 altogether). The ethos of the school is influenced by its membership of Round Square, founded by educationalist and outdoor enthusiast Kurt Hahn of Salem and Gordonstoun fame. Approximately a third of the students are European with 45 per cent African and the remainder mainly from Asian families. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Durham International Nursery and Pre-Prep School
National Curriculum for England; ages 2-6; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned
Located in Thigiri, close to the United Nations headquarters. Durham International opened the school at the beginning of 2021 and this is the first phase of a projected primary and secondary school. This school and Durham School for Girls in Doha are offshoots of the 600 year old Durham School in the UK.
Nairobi Jaffery Academy
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 600 students
Founded in 1998, in the Nairobi suburb of Lavington. Reasonable school fees as the school is subsidised by the Shia Muslim community. Doors have been opened to pupils from other faiths and cultures, and the school is keen to develop a multi-cultural policy. However, girls must wear head-scarves, and there’s no music taught as it goes against the Shia Muslim religion. Academically competitive.
Peponi Secondary School
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 13-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 320 students
On a purpose-built campus, complete with four boarding houses, classroom blocks and sports pitches, set in 30 acres outside Nairobi. Although established in 1989, it was designed to provide the traditional British public school ethos for pupils from a wide variety of backgrounds. The relaxed atmosphere, full and weekly boarding options, and success in team and individual sports make it a popular choice.
Rosslyn Academy
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 650 students
Located in Gigiri, Nairobi, close to the US Embassy and the headquarters of the UN in Africa. Originally, a school for the children of Mennonite missionaries, it still has a strong Christian ethos. Known for proscribing that clothing should ‘cover midriffs, undergarments and all cleavage’, it sends graduates to leading American universities. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA).
SABIS International School Runda
SABIS; ages 3-15; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 210 students
Opened in 2018, aiming to expand upwards into an all-through school offering IGCSEs and AP. The school is part of the general SABIS accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) but has not been individually inspected as yet.
St Andrew’s School Turi Senior School
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 13-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 600 students
On a large estate outside Molo in the Kenyan Highlands. Now a senior international boarding school with a sixth form college. The majority of students come from East Africa and, after impressive exam results leave, at 18, for universities in the UK and USA or East and South Africa.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on the Good Schools Guide international search.