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Rosslyn Academy

Kenya, Nairobi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KES 815,850 - 2,175,000
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 690
Type Co-educational
Opened 1947
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Korean
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Rosslyn Academy is a Christian international day school in Nairobi, Kenya, serving students from ages 4 to 18. For 75 years it has offered a North American-based curriculum, including Advanced Placement in the high school, and it prepares students for service in their communities. The 40-acre campus sits in Gigiri district near United Nations complex and the U.S. Embassy, serving missionary, diplomatic, and business communities while preserving Christian heritage. Facilities include a high school gym, a library, and computer labs. A solar plant powers up to 90% of electricity on sunny days, and a Water Treatment Plant enables recycling of up to 50% of water. There are two recycling centers and thousands of indigenous trees on campus. The school maintains a closed campus during school hours, offers English as an Additional Language program, private music lessons, and an array of co-curricular activities and sports through ICSA network globally and beyond.

The Essentials

Rosslyn Academy has 690 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; 40-acre campus in the diplomatic suburb of Gigiri, about one mile from the UN complex and the U.S. Embassy.

Stages
Preschool; Elementary; Middle School (Grades 6–8); High School (Grades 9–12).

Type
Private, co-ed day school with a North American curriculum.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Nationalities represented: numerous; most common nationality is American (41%). Kenyan local share 35%; international share 65%; local:international ratio approximately 7:13. Total students about 675.

Additional learning support
Learning support for mild to moderate learning needs; inclusive mainstream classroom; accommodations and curricular modifications; EAL support.

Country affiliation
Affiliation with United States via American-curriculum; serves an international community.

Religious affiliation
Christian.
Fees

Annual tuition at Rosslyn Academy ranges from KES 815,850 to KES 2,175,000 for 2026/27.

Application and Admission Fees
- Non‑refundable registration/application fee: KES 26,000 (reported as the standard registration charge).
- Acceptance / admission deposit: KES 129,000 (reported as the deposit required to confirm a place). An additional acceptance fee figure of KES 45,325 is also reported by third‑party summaries.

Tuition fees by year group (term and annual)
- Preschool (early years): reported around KES 271,950 per term (termly basis). Estimated annual cost (three terms) approximately KES 815,850.
- Elementary (approx. Grades 1–5): reported termly range KES 426,000–564,000 per term. Estimated annual total (three terms) KES 1,278,000–1,692,000.
- Middle School (approx. Grades 6–8): reported termly range KES 522,000–641,000 per term. Estimated annual total (three terms) KES 1,566,000–1,923,000.
- High School (Grades 9–12): reported termly range KES 600,000–850,000 per term. Estimated annual total (three terms) KES 1,800,000–2,550,000.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are charged on a termly basis (three terms per academic year) and quoted term amounts above reflect the common reporting format (per term). Parents are required to pay fees by the start of each term; termly payment is the reported billing rhythm in the available summaries. Specific published due dates, late‑payment penalties, or detailed installment plans are not available in the public materials reviewed.

Boarding fees
- Not applicable. Rosslyn Academy operates as a day school; there is no routine boarding program or boarding fee for students.

Other costs and recurring extras
- School bus/transport: the school operates a bus service; bus fees are charged separately. Exact route‑zone pricing and term amounts are provided by the school's transport office when parents apply for bus service. Students suspended from bus service are not entitled to a refund for the suspended period.
- Meals, snacks and some co‑curricular activities: third‑party summaries report that tuition commonly covers snacks, lunch, co‑curricular activities and some excursions for certain year groups; this varies by grade level and the reported fee band. Confirmed itemization and which year groups have meals included are not published in a single public fee sheet available to reviewers.
- Textbooks, damaged/lost book fines and incidental fines: textbooks are school property and parents are charged for replacement or damage; fines for lost locks, damaged property and missing textbooks are enforced and must be paid before records are released. Example fine: KES 500 for a lost locker lock is referenced in school policies.
- Uniforms and personal supplies: uniform and personal school supplies are additional to tuition; specific uniform pricing is not published in the materials reviewed.

Refund information
- Acceptance/placement deposits: some third‑party summaries report a refundable security deposit component (figures reported in summaries vary); other admission charges (for example the registration fee) are reported as non‑refundable. Exact refund conditions, timelines, and what portion (if any) of acceptance deposits are refundable are not included in a single public fee schedule available to reviewers. The school's published policies note circumstances where refunds are not issued for particular services (for example bus suspension).

Payment methods and fee payment options
- Specific published details of accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, mobile money) were not located in the public materials reviewed. Parents should use the school's finance office or admissions office for the available payment channels and any bank account or invoicing instructions.

Summary of findings and limitations
- Rosslyn Academy is a day school and does not charge boarding fees. The school's official parent/student materials reviewed (2025–2026 handbooks and profiles) do not contain a single public, itemized 2025/26 or 2026/27 fee schedule with confirmed line‑by‑line charges; consequently the termly figures above are taken from recent third‑party fee summaries and media reporting that present indicative per‑term ranges and reported admission deposits. Third‑party summaries show consistent termly ranges across sources but differ on precise amounts and on whether certain charges are refundable. Where an exact, official line item or up‑to‑date published fee table was required, that full public schedule was not located in the documents reviewed.
Academics

Rosslyn Academy teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
The school follows a North American Curriculum, including the Advanced Placement Program (AP) in the high school.

Student Teacher Ratio
Class sizes are small; Elementary class sizes are typically around 20 students.

Higher Education Progression
The school prepares students for university and life beyond.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Rosslyn Academy has a Counseling Department that works with students, teachers, parents, and administrators to facilitate personal, social, emotional, and academic growth. The Counseling Department coordinates with the Learning Support Team, Chaplaincy, Transition Care, Guidance Office, and school Principals to implement school-based interventions, including Behavioral Intervention Plans and 504s for emotional/behavioral needs where appropriate. Chaplaincy and Pastoral Services provide spiritual mentorship and weekly chapel services, with two full-time chaplains serving Middle School and High School. Guidance Counseling is available to assist with scheduling and course selection and to support students through transitions. The Counseling Department collaborates with Learning Support and other student services to address students' well-being.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Rosslyn Academy provides learning support (special education) services for students with learning needs. The program primarily supports neurodivergent learners and those who may need temporary academic assistance, using pullout or inclusion services with accommodations and curricular modifications. Typical disabilities served include dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, speech and language disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1). Admission is on a case-by-case basis and depends on available personnel, resources, and current caseload; there may be additional fees. Rosslyn does not typically admit students with moderate-severe intellectual or emotional disabilities.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language Handbook 2024-2025 is published by Rosslyn Academy. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is described in the handbook, which outlines procedures and guidance for EAL provision.

Mental Wellbeing
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Services provide spiritual mentorship and organize weekly chapel services, with two full-time chaplains serving Middle School and High School. The Counseling Department addresses emotional, behavioral, spiritual, and academic needs and coordinates with Learning Support, Chaplaincy, Transition Care, Guidance Office, and school Principals to implement school-based interventions, including Behavioral Intervention Plans and 504s. Guidance Counseling assists with scheduling and course selection and supports student well-being.

Safeguarding
Rosslyn Academy participates in Child Safety and Protection through memberships with the Child Protection & Advocacy Network (CPAN) and the Child Safety & Protection Network. The school trains staff, parents, and students on child safety policies and maintains a Child Safety Policy and a Concerns Referral Form.
Parent Experience

History
Rosslyn Academy is a Christian international school in Nairobi, Kenya. It has more than 75 years of history. It offers a North American curriculum. The campus is 40 acres in the Gigiri area, near the United Nations complex and the U.S. Embassy. It serves missionary, diplomatic, and business communities and preserves a Christian heritage while inspiring students to develop God-given gifts for service in the world.

Community
The Rosslyn community is connected through the Parent Teacher Fellowship, which organizes school-wide events such as the Christmas Craft Fair, Spring Fling, a Farmers Market, Harvest Carnival, Open House, and International Day. Parents from all grade levels volunteer to support these events. Moms in Prayer meets weekly to pray for students, staff, and families. After-school and evening gatherings include MS Movie and Activity Nights, HS Bonfires, Friday Night Fellowship (HS), and The Walk (MS), helping students connect beyond classes.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Rosslyn PTF is a principal avenue for parent involvement. Every parent/guardian, teacher, and administrator is encouraged to join PTF and can attend monthly meetings. The two main goals are fostering community at Rosslyn and fundraising for initiatives outside the school budget. The PTF runs a Spirit Store for PE uniforms and Rosslyn-branded merchandise. It also organizes events such as monthly Farmers' Markets and an April Appreciation Week, with fundraising activities to support these initiatives.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rosslyn Academy sits on a 40-acre campus in Nairobi's Gigiri area. A solar plant powers up to 90% of the school's electricity on sunny days, and a Water Treatment Plant enables recycling and reuse of up to 50% of water. Two recycling centers operate on campus, and thousands of indigenous trees cover the grounds. The campus includes a high school/upper gym, a library, and computer labs to support learning. Use of facilities is coordinated by the activities office, and non-school use is subject to campus guidelines; Rosslyn maintains a closed-campus policy during school hours.

Sports Facilities
Rosslyn Academy supports interscholastic sports including soccer, basketball, cross country, tennis, swimming, field hockey, rugby, volleyball, and water polo. The school participates in athletics through the International Christian Schools Africa (ICSA) network. A High School gym on campus supports indoor activities. Sports seasons are organized in three annual seasons with specific teams and competitions. Facility use for athletics is guided by school policies and scheduling through the activities office.

Academic Facilities
The school follows a North American-based curriculum and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the high school. The library and computer labs are available to support learning. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides linguistic support for students. Private music lessons are offered on campus, coordinated through the activities department. Graduation requires 1.5 credits in fine arts and 0.5 credits in applied arts.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-Curricular Programs include field trips, chapel, and student-led activities. There is a National Honor Society chapter on campus. The Student Leadership Team and class officers provide student governance opportunities. Private music lessons are available on campus through the activities department. Athletics are part of the extra-curricular program with three seasons of sports, including soccer, basketball, cross country, tennis, swimming, field hockey, rugby, volleyball, and water polo.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school provides an American-based K-12 educational program and seeks to integrate faith and learning while developing thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. A wide variety of co-curricular activities is provided to enrich and enhance the basic curriculum at all grade levels. Students are encouraged to express personal interests and develop skills that may be used in future occupations.

Arts & Creative
Drama is a featured part of the program, with fine arts opportunities as part of the co-curricular offer. Clubs have included coloring and watercolor, and worship teams participate in chapel. These activities provide creative outlets and performance experiences that complement academic study.

Cultural & Language
Cross-cultural experiences are provided through Cultural Field Studies (CFS) and Model United Nations (MUN). These programs foster understanding of different peoples and cultures and help students develop a global perspective. Participation supports learning beyond the classroom and aligns with Rosslyn's mission and values.

Social & Hobbies
Co-curricular clubs and activities promote social skill development and peer collaboration. Past clubs have included football, word games, ping pong, chess, coloring, watercolor, and worship teams for chapel. Students engage in performances, competitions, and group activities that build friendships and teamwork.

Community & Service
Service-oriented learning is emphasized, with opportunities to serve within the school, in Nairobi, and beyond. The school's mission centers on Christ-like service and community involvement. The Rosslyn Academy Parent Teacher Fellowship engages parents in school life and community events.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development is fostered through the Student Leadership Team (SLT) and other student-led initiatives. The school supports leadership and collaboration with teachers in school activities. Involvement with the PTF also provides opportunities to develop organizational and community leadership skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports are a central part of student life, with intramurals and interscholastic sports available. Physical education emphasizes fitness and health, with regular activity and structured teams. A weekly chapel supports spiritual wellbeing and personal growth.
Languages

Language Provision
French, Spanish, Kiswahili, and Korean are taught as language options. Kiswahili is offered in Elementary School as part of ES Specials (Kiswahili and Kenyan Culture). Middle School offers exploratory language classes in French, Spanish, Kiswahili, and Korean. The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help EAL students acquire English, and a Transitional English class is available in High School to ease the transition into upper-level English courses.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Rosslyn Academy has fairly stringent admissions policies. Students must display satisfactory academic records, typically at or above a 'C' average if coming from North American schools. They must demonstrate a history of acceptable social and moral behaviors.
2. All students coming from non-North American school systems are required to take an admissions test and must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in reading, language skills, and math. The school does not admit students into grade 12 coming from non-North American school systems. The acceptance rate for the 2025-26 year was approximately 46%, but varies from year to year.
3. Admission decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and admission depends on the school's ability to serve the student well. The Guidance Office provides university and career planning resources, and university representatives visit Rosslyn's campus to meet with students and parents. The Guidance Office also maintains materials to assist families with post-secondary planning.
4. Rosslyn Academy is a testing center for the SAT (SAT I), SAT Subject (SAT II), ACT, and AP exams. Registration for the SAT must be done through LTS or online at College Board; registration for the ACT must be done online at ACT's site. AP exams are taken through the school and payment is made directly to Rosslyn. The PSAT is administered internally by the Guidance Office each year, and the office also oversees standardized testing timelines and preparation resources.

Scholarships
Rosslyn Academy offers school-based scholarships with multiple components. Missionary Students receive a reduced tuition, less than half of regular tuition, with an estimated cost of about $10,000 per year per student. This program is designed to support missionary families serving abroad and to enable them to continue their field service.
Kenyan National Church Students program admits one Kenyan child per year (into 9th grade) from one of the Mission Owner's local church partners; this program is limited by funding.
In addition, Make A Kingdom Investment fundraising has provided a 4-year scholarship to one exceptional student with a compelling story and a desire to attend Rosslyn Academy. This funding support is intended to expand access to Rosslyn for qualified students in need of financial assistance.
School Events
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