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Search & filter all 5 schools Compare 5 schools in Kenya

International Schools in Kenya

Compare 5 international schools in Kenya. Filter by curriculum, fees (average KES 2,144,989), location, and more to find the right international school now.

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Schools listed
5
Curricula
12
Average annual fee
KES 2,144,989
Fee range
KES 319,800 – 4,361,610
More school facts
Most common curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE (3 schools)
Average school size
500 pupils
Largest by enrolment
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Oldest
Pembroke House School (1927)
With boarding
5
About international schools in Kenya

International schools in Kenya are concentrated in Nairobi but also serve other regional centres and the coast, with both day and boarding options available to relocating families. They most commonly offer British (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels), International Baccalaureate and American-style programmes, with English as the principal medium of instruction and Kiswahili and other modern languages widely taught as additional languages. Annual tuition varies a great deal - broadly from the lower international tier at roughly KES 400,000 a year up to more than KES 3 million at higher-fee campuses - and many schools bill by term or semester and add one-off entry deposits, development levies or capital fees. Academic calendars differ: many international schools follow a northern-hemisphere August/September - June/July year while Kenyan-curriculum schools use a January - November cycle, so families should start enquiries months before the main intake and allow time for assessments, places and relocation logistics.

View by curriculum (3)

View by curriculum

British (4) IB (1) International (1)

Choosing an international school in Kenya

Curricula

There are 5 international schools in Kenya covering 12 curricula. The most widely offered are Cambridge IGCSE (3), Cambridge A Levels (3), British Curriculum (2), Cambridge International AS Levels (2), BTEC Qualification (1). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.

Fees & what they cover

Annual tuition across Kenya runs from about KES 319,800 to KES 4,361,610, averaging roughly KES 2,144,989. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.

Admissions & timing

Sought-after schools in Kenya run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.

Boarding

5 of the 5 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.

How doris stays impartial

doris lists every international school in Kenya we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.

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FAQs for Kenya

Which curricula will I find and how do they affect university options?
Most international schools in Kenya offer British (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels), the International Baccalaureate and American-style programmes; some also offer blended or bespoke pathways. These qualifications map differently to university entry - A-Levels and the IB Diploma are widely recognised in the UK and Europe, while an American high-school diploma plus APs is commonly used for US admission - so choose a curriculum that aligns with your child’s likely university destination.
How much should I budget beyond published tuition?
Expect additional, predictable costs on top of annual tuition: application and registration fees, one-off placement deposits or capital levies, examination charges, school transport, meals, uniforms and clubs. Fee levels vary strongly between schools and years - budgeting for a wide range (from several hundred thousand to a few million Kenyan shillings per year) and asking schools for a full schedule of compulsory and optional charges will avoid surprises.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process usually involve?
Apply several months before the school’s main intake: British and many international schools typically admit at the start of the August/September academic year, American-calendar schools often use an August start and Kenyan-curriculum schools open in January. Admissions normally require an application form and school reports, an assessment or entrance test and an interview; some schools maintain waiting lists and require a deposit or capital levy on acceptance, so allow time for that paperwork and for securing visas and housing.
What ages and stage-names should I expect for my child?
International schools commonly cover early years through to age 18, with Early Years/Reception, primary (Key Stages or grades), lower/secondary and sixth form or grades 11 - 12 for pre-university study. In British systems students typically take IGCSEs around 14 - 16 and A-Levels at 16 - 18; the IB Diploma is normally a two-year programme for 16 - 19 year-olds, while American systems use grade levels through Grade 12.
My child is not fluent in English - what support is available?
English is the main language of instruction at international schools in Kenya, but many schools provide English as an Additional Language (EAL/ELL) support, smaller class options and tailored entry assessments to help non-native speakers. Schools also commonly teach Kiswahili and other modern languages as part of the curriculum, so ask each school for details of their EAL provision, class sizes and how language progress is assessed.