30+ of The Top International Schools In Kenya

Last updated on May 16th, 2024 at 08:53 am

Are you planning to relocate your family to Kenya? Do you have school-going children? At our international moving company, we understand that every progressive person values good education for their kids. That’s why we make it our mission to assist families in their school search before they even settle in Kenya! 

In fact, it’s not uncommon for us to hear our clients talking about school options before anything else. And those leaving Kenya always share their school experiences with us. That’s how important education is to us all. So, whether you’re packing up for your move to Kenya or planning to leave, let us help you make the best decision for your children’s education.

Kenya is a country with a diverse and vibrant education system that boasts some of the top international schools in the region. These schools offer world-class education, with a curriculum that combines both local and international perspectives, preparing students for success in the global arena. 

In this article, we will explore some of the best international schools in Kenya, highlighting their unique features, academic programs, and extracurricular activities. 

Catering to both expatriate and local students, international schools in Kenya provide globally recognized schooling standards with various curriculum models from various countries including the US, UK, France, and Germany, among others.

Whether you are a parent looking for the best educational opportunities for your child or a student seeking a challenging and rewarding academic experience, this guide will provide valuable insights into the top international schools in Kenya.

Top International Schools in Nairobi

Here are the top international schools in Kenya’s cities, ranked in no particular order:

1. International School of Kenya

Photo credit: International Schools of Kenya

The International School of Kenya (ISK) was started in 1976 through a partnership with the governments of the United States and Canada. Nestled in a 40-acre piece of land at Kirawa Road, off Peponi Road, it is a private, nonprofit coeducational institution offering quality education for Elementary, Middle School, and High School stages.

ISK offers day educational needs to both expatriate and East African students. The school is well-equipped and it offers the broadly based curricula of the American College Prep and International Baccalaureate Diploma alongside other exceptional extracurriculars. 

The school, in 2003, was ranked 7th out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac as a result of its outstanding quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile; online, and media visibility.

The International School of Kenya is dually accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle Schools Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA). It is also a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), The Council of International Schools, and Round Square

2. Durham International School

Durham International School in Nairobi recognizes the significance of each child’s first school experience or transition to a new school. Known for its caring, nurturing, and supportive environment, Durham Kenya plays a crucial role in fostering educational success. The school prides itself on creating a welcoming atmosphere where both children and staff feel a profound sense of belonging. This unique aspect of Durham Kenya is believed to be a cornerstone of its appeal and effectiveness.

At the heart of Durham Kenya’s ethos are the strong, genuine relationships that underpin both exceptional education and a joyful childhood. Each member of the school community is acknowledged, valued, and celebrated as an individual, contributing to a nurturing educational environment. The school’s dedicated staff, innovative curriculum, and top-tier facilities stimulate students to use their imagination, engage in creative thinking, and explore the world around them. These elements combine to ensure that high academic standards and the enjoyment of learning are not mutually exclusive but go hand-in-hand.

Durham Kenya sets itself apart with its commitment to academic excellence intertwined with a genuine appreciation for the formative years of childhood. Located off Peponi Road, on Thigiri Ridge at Thigiri Hilltop, Durham Kenya invites prospective parents and students to visit and discover firsthand what makes it a remarkable place for preparatory education. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit https://durhamkenya.com/

3. SABIS International School Runda

SABIS International School – Runda (SABIS® Runda) is a private, international school located in the suburbs of Runda, off Kiambu Road. The school’s state-of-the-art campus, set on 20 acres, features modern classrooms, extensive sports facilities, an independent kindergarten, and a boarding hall that can accommodate up to 70 students, offering them the option to study and live on campus.

The school is part of the global SABIS® Network with a presence in over 20 countries and prepares students to sit for IGCSEs, A-Levels, SATs, TOEFL, ACTs, and Advanced Placement® (AP®). In fact, in 2022, all SABIS® Runda students who took the IGCSE exams passed and 80% of them scored from A* to B.

SABIS® Runda is accredited by several international associations, namely The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), The College Board, Accreditation International (Ai) and Cambridge. A benefit of these accreditation is the recognition of the school’s High School Diploma by universities in the U.S., UK as well as other countries around the world.

Another exceptional feature of SABIS® Runda would be its vibrant and engaging student life, through which students become part of a mini-society that empowers them to get involved in the day-to-day experience at their school, including organizing academic and social events, hosting games and challenges, starting clubs, raising awareness on important subjects, and many more activities that are appealing to top-rated universities.

Learn more about how SABIS® Runda sets students up for success here: https://sabisrunda.sabis.net

4. Kenton College Preparatory School

Kenton College Preparatory School is one of the oldest international schools in Kenya tracing its history back to 1924. It began as an all-boys boarding school but changed to a co-ed school in 1992. Throughout its existence, Kenton school changed its location from Kijabe Hill overlooking Mt. Longonot and Lake Naivasha, where it began, to Gichugu Road, Lavington, Nairobi where it currently sits.

Most of the students are from British families but there are local students and others from outside Kenya. It offers an Adapted or School-Developed Curriculum at the Primary Level and Common Entrance Exam education system based on the UK curriculum. 

The school is a member of the IAPS and is inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).

5. German School Nairobi

The German School Nairobi is a German international school in Limuru Road, opposite Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya. It was founded in 1969 and is a co-ed institution offering day education to students from 30 countries. 

The school has a 12-year system comprising four levels: Primary School, Orientation level (class 5), Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary. The German School follows an academic program equivalent to that in Germany with a syllabus aligned to the curriculum of the Federal State of Thuringia. The syllabus gives special consideration to subjects relevant to what is also taught in Kenya. The main syllabus lessons are taught in German, with others, such as geography in Class 8 upwards where English is used. History classes are taught in both English and German from Class 9.

The German School Nairobi is accredited by the “Kultusministerkonferenz-KMK” – The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany and the relevant federal governing body in charge of schools abroad (BLAschA). 

6. The French School of Nairobi

Also known as the Lycée Denis Diderot (LDD), the French School of Nairobi, is a French international school in Nairobi located in Argwings Kodhek road in Kilimani near Yaya Center, Nairobi. The school was first established in 1962 in Westland’s, Nairobi, and it was known as the École française à Nairobi. It moved to its current location in 1989 when it was named after Denis Diderot, the famous philosopher, writer, and art critic.

The school is day and coeducational, and it includes kindergarten through secondary school education, which includes high school. The school has had various achievements and is involved in several academic, sport, and cultural events at local and international levels: rugby competitions, an art project at La Grande Lessive. 

The French School of Nairobi offers lessons in English and French with British and French Curriculums. With a beautiful learning transition, the school allows the secondary school students to choose, from year 7, to join the British international section, with the prospect of sitting the brevet and then a Baccalaureate (French) with an international option (OIB) and exams that follow the Cambridge Certification.

The school is a member of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), the world’s largest network of schools.

7. Crawford International School

Crawford International School is a boarding coeducational institution that first opened its doors in 2018 in Tatu City, Nairobi, Kenya. The school is part of the CrawfordSchools™ that has been a proud leader in progressive and high-end private education in South Africa since 1993 where it remains among the top nineteen private schools in that nation. The school features state-of-the-art facilities that earned the school a finalist spot at the acclaimed international World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam in 2018.

Crawford International School follows the British Curriculum and the Cambridge International Examinations Board as the preferred choice of the syllabus. The curriculum leads to IGCSE and in time the A-level examinations. Its other offerings include a unique and flexible, individualized timetabling that gives students a chance to study a wide range of subjects, including cryptocurrencies and blockchain education in technology.

Being part of the CrawfordSchools™, the Crawford International School is a member of South Africa’s JSE-listed ADvTECH Group, Africa’s largest private education provider.

8. Banda School

The Banda School is a privately-owned multinational British preparatory school situated along Magadi Road in Langata, opposite the Nairobi National Park. This co-educational day/boarding institution dates its origin to 1956 where it began as Kaptagat Preparatory School – named after an urban centre near Eldoret. It officially opened as Banda School in 1966 and has grown to be among the best international schools in Kenya.

The school offers the British learning system, a curriculum that identifies with various other international schools in Kenya. With a conducive environment for learning, Banda School provides excellent academics with a full choice of extracurricular opportunities. Their syllabus is in line with the National Curricula of England with the Common Entrance Exam. It also has a weekly boarding option.

Banda School is a member of the IAPS and is accredited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO). 

9. Brookhouse International Schools

Brookhouse International Schools are a day/boarding, mixed, independent, and privately owned institution famously known for the primary school’s castle design and modern facilities for both its students. It was established in 1981 and has two campuses in Karen and Runda serving both the national and international community at pre-school, primary, and secondary levels.

Brookhouse is a Round Square school and a member of the G-30 group, a group of prestigious education institutions operating in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The school follows the British National Curriculum and students take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-level examinations administered through the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Edexcel Boards.

In 2019, Brookhouse Schools took the lead in the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, making it the highest performing school in the region offering an excellent British curriculum education.

It also offers an international foundation year (IFY) bridging program in partnership with the Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK) as well as an extensive program of extra-curricular activities, including a wide range of sports and trips.

The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). It is a member of AISA, IAPS, and Round Square.

10. Hillcrest International School

The Hillcrest International Schools began in 1965 as a Hillcrest Preparatory School and it was not until 1972 that it acquired its international status after joining the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) – a conglomerate of leading prep schools delivering excellent standards of education and care in over 670 countries. Its campus is found on a 35-acre site along Langata Road, Nairobi.

The campus has three schools; Hillcrest Early Years (HEY), Hillcrest Preparatory School, and Hillcrest Secondary School, which was started in 1975. The school offers day/boarding coeducation with a British curriculum and A-Levels, IGCSE, and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. In 2019, it was taken over by the Dubai-based GEMS Education.

The school is affiliated with IAPS, is a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), and is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for British Schools Overseas (BSO). 

11. Peponi School  

With a preparatory school situated in Kabete, Peponi School traces its history back to 1989. It is an independent and privately-owned day/boarding co-education institution found on a 45-acre piece of land along the Nairobi-Thika Highway near Ruiru. The school caters to students from all over Kenya as well as other multinational students.

Although it has only existed for three decades, the school was designed to offer the British curriculum geared towards the Common Entrance Exam. Peponi School offers IGCSE education and in 2017, it began offering the US-based College Board examinations including SAT.

Peponi School is a member of the IAPS and is inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).

12. Rosslyn Academy

Rosslyn Academy is a Christian, co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit institution located in Gigiri, Nairobi, close to the US Embassy and the headquarters of the UN in Africa. The school traces its history back to the 1940s in northern Tanzania where it was founded as Mara Hills Academy. It moved to its current location in 1967 and opened a boarding facility offering K–8 education.

The school is owned by the International Mission Board (by proxy through the Baptist Mission of Kenya), the Eastern Mennonite Mission, and the Assemblies of God. 

Rosslyn Academy offers a North American education system with Advanced Placement (AP), American Elementary (or Primary) Curriculum, and American High School Diploma (College Preparatory). The school is also famous for its strong fine arts and sports programs. The Rosslyn Eagles consistently place among the top of their leagues in both men’s and women’s varsity and junior varsity sports. Most of Rosslyn’s Students attend post-secondary education.

The School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), Association of International Schools of Africa (AISA), AP/College Board, Child Safety Protection Network (CSPN), and International Association for College Admission Counseling (International ACAC).

13. The Netherlands School Society

Established in 1971, the Netherlands School Society is a Dutch institution for primary education for children aged 4 to 12. It also has a toddler group for younger kids. The school has been moved to various locations over the years and is currently located in Windy Ridge, off Ngong Road in Nairobi’s Karen estate. It is a day school for both boys and girls.

Classes in the Netherlands School Society are offered in both English and Dutch in an international setting using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The curriculum is used by more than 1000 schools in over 90 countries and is a comprehensive, thematic, creative curriculum, with a clear process of learning and specific learning goals for every subject. It also develops international mindedness and encourages personal learning. The curriculum is offered alongside a ton of other after-school activities.

The school is recognized by the Dutch Education Abroad Foundation.

14. Potterhouse School

Potterhouse School is another international co-educational school in Kenya that was established in the year 2002 and propelled by a strong Christian ethos. The school is located in Runda and is a day and boarding institution that today attracts pupils from different nationalities and backgrounds providing a rich diversity of culture and experience from kindergarten to high school.

Potterhouse School utilizes a British National Curriculum even though students can study two other languages besides English. The additional languages include French and Kiswahili. In year 9, students undertake a pre-IGCSE year of study, and in Years 10 and 11, they follow a two-year course leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations and thereafter go for the Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (A-levels).

The school is independently inspected and is not affiliated with the IAPS yet.

More Notable International Schools in Nairobi

Other notable institutions in Nairobi include:

• St. Austin’s Academy
• The Nairobi Academy
• Cavina School
• Brookhurst International School
• Nairobi International School
• Rusinga School

Top International Schools in Nakuru & Rift Valley

1. Greensteds International School

Founded over 80 years ago, Greensteds International School is a co-educational day and boarding school that sits on 50-acre land 11 miles from Nakuru town. With a culture of creative, academic, and sporting excellence, the school caters to the educational needs of students from over 20 countries, the majority being Kenyan students.

Greensteds offers a holistic education for students from early years to A-levels. The school provides a UK-based curriculum in its A-Levels, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), and IGCSE categories. Their exam bodies, however, vary since Greensteds offers both Edexcel And CIE.

The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and is also a member of the Kenya Association of Independent International Schools (KAIIS). It is a member of the IAPS.

2. Pembroke House

Pembroke House is more than 90 years old. It was established and conducted from the outset on the lines of a traditional British preparatory school, a tradition that has continued to this day. The school is a co-ed boarding institution, independent, privately owned, and non-profit. It sits on a massive piece of land along Nyahururu Road in Gilgil and it caters to students from all over Kenya and all-over East Africa.

The school offers a Pre-Prep, Junior, and Middle Schools syllabus guided by the UK National Curriculum. Most of these subjects are geared towards the Common Entrance curriculum. The school has made various achievements including the offering of scholarships to the top students.

Pembroke House is a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) and is also inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO).

3. St. Andrews School, Turi

St. Andrews School, Turi is an international preparatory and secondary independent boarding school found in Nakuru County, near the town of Molo. The name Turi was derived from its specific location where it sits on a beautiful 450-acre estate, on the edge of the Rift valley.

The school began in 1931 with an initial enrollment of 15 local children but has grown to cater to more than 600 students from Kenya and all-over East Africa. It offers an outstanding UK curriculum as well as other extensive co-curricular programs that includes choir, music, art, design technology, and cooking lessons, as part of timetabled lessons.

The British curriculum builds towards IGCSE and A-level examinations and every year, the school’s students achieve better academic results resulting in entry to top universities around the world.

The school is inspected by the Schools Inspection Service (SIS) for British Schools Overseas (BSO). It is also a member of IAPS and Round Square.

4. Rift Valley Academy

Rift Valley Academy (RVA) is a coeducational Christian boarding school run by the African Inland Mission. The school was founded in 1906 and is located in Kijabe, Kenya. It serves close to 500 missionary children from up to 30 nations and 80 mission organizations and churches alongside a few Kenyan national students and expatriate, non-mission students. 

The school offers a North American curriculum for all its students in Elementary, Junior High, and High School. The examinations build towards IGCSE and A-level examinations. With a unique syllabus offering, the school came 2nd out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003, based upon the quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet, and news visibility.

Rift Valley Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) and is a member of the National Association for College and Admission Counseling, and the Kenya Association of Independent International Schools.

More Notable International Schools in Rift Valley

Other notable institutions in Nakuru and Rift Valley include Greensteds International School, Pembroke School in Gigiri, Kipepeo International School, and Mustard Seed International School.

Top International Schools in Mombasa

1. Light International School (LIS)

Located Greenwood Drive, Mombasa, Light International School (LIS) is a unique private co-educational day/boarding schooling. The institution started in Karen, Nairobi in 1998, and offers quality education from kindergarten to A-level to students from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds. 

The school is one of six schools run by the Omeriye Educational Foundation and Medical Charitable Trust which was established in 2001. It is part of the Light Academy Schools spread across the country, including another one in Nairobi, and it administers an amazing international curriculum, where a balance between books and co-curricular activities is created. It utilizes a British curriculum that leads up to the IGCSE and A-level examinations.

The school has Cambridge accreditation.

2. Braeburn School

Braeburn School dates to the year 1968 when it was established as Braeburn House International School by an English expat. It is located along the Mombasa-Malindi highway, but it also has several other branches in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam. The Braeburn Group, the international educational management company, took it over in 1979 and integrated it among the Braeburn Group of International Schools.

The schools offer a British education system that follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales with the option of studying Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) lessons in conjunction with A-Levels. 

Braeburn School offers both day and boarding education for boys and girls. It is made up of British students and Kenyan nationals, and it has other campuses in the country and Tanzania.

The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for the British Schools Overseas (BSO). It is a member of the Association of British School Overseas (AoBSO), AISA, and IAPS.

3. Deenway International School

Deenway International School is an integrated learning centre offering holistic Islamic studies and British National curriculum – Edexcel with a main objective of shaping and moulding future generation to be progressive, balanced and holistic people versed in integrated Islamic Knowledge and Human Arts & Sciences.

Deenway International School (DIS) aims to provide a vibrant environment that allows its students and staff to flourish. With a world-class curriculum, infusing the best of Islamic and secular sciences and with a focus on character and moral education, Deenway aims to set the benchmark for premium quality Islamic schooling.

Deenway International School (DIS), combines the best of both Worlds. We firmly believe that to build our future generations, it is imperative that the school becomes a focal point of bringing creativity, passion and drive in our children.

Apart from IGCSE, Deenway School trains students according to the ILSC and IAL curriculums.

More Notable International Schools in Mombasa

Other international schools in Mombasa include (some have already been covered earlier in this article):

• Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa
• Braeburn Mombasa International School
• Visa Oshwal Academy
• Jaffery Academy
• Coast Academy
• Kencada International Academy

Top International Schools in Kisumu

Located in the outskirts of Kisumu, the Western International School of Kenya (WISK) is an institution built on inquiry-based philosophy.

The institution teaches both the Kenyan school curriculum, as well as IGCSE. They enroll students from Kindergarten to high school. Students in their 10th and 11th years can sit for IGCSE exams, while those in years 12 and 13 can undertake the Cambridge A-level exam.

More Notable International Schools in Kisumu

Other international academic institutions in Kisumu include (some have already been covered earlier in this article):

• Braeburn Kisumu International School
• Aga Khan Academy Kisumu
• Jalaram Academy
• White Oaks School
• Rainbow School International

These schools offer different curricula but what they have in common is their extensive resources, modern facilities, and top-notch education that eases entry into prestigious and highly regarded universities around the world including Oxford, Harvard, and Yale.

While this list doesn’t cover all the international schools in Kenya, it lists the most prominent ones. You may find a suitable institution in your neighbourhood, but its exclusion from this list doesn’t mean that they’re not good. 

Above all else, ensure that when picking a school for your child(ren), it checks the most important considerations for your needs.

Summary – The Top International Schools in Kenya