A snapshot: schools in Nairobi considered (but not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expats.
Schools with a full GSGI review are noted with 
next to their names.
(pending) means that the school is on our list to review.
By full GSGI review, we mean school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final reviews take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details and descend on the school for an exhaustive visit. We are aware of the other schools on this page and we continually add or remove schools, as deemed appropriate.
International schools
Aga Khan Academy Nairobi (pending)
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. The International Baccalaureate Diploma scores tend to be in the low to mid-thirties, against the global figure of just under 30. Graduates often move on to Ivies in the US, Russell Group universities in the UK or to top Kenyan universities.
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 and in the latest results published, 20 students out of 27 achieved scholarships to schools either in the UK or in Kenya. Inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).
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. 15-20 per cent British students and around 25 per cent Kenyan nationals. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for the British Schools Overseas (BSO).
Click here to read our full review of the Braeburn School
Brookhouse International Schools (pending)
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).
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 (240 beds) with an element of day pupils. Alumni have regularly moved on to global universities. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
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. Inspected by the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO). 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 International Baccalaureate Diploma (70 per cent take-up). Dually accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle Schools Association of Schools and Colleges(MSA).
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. Inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).
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. Inspected by the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) and the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).
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 a 50/50 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. Like the senior school, inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).
Click here to read our full review of Peponi House Preparatory School
Peponi Secondary School (pending)
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. Inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).
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. Inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
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.
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.
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.
