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St. Austin's Academy

Kenya, Nairobi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KES 15,000 - 1,378,000
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 300
Opened 1971
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Swahili, French
Typical class size 21
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

St. Austin's Academy is a private Kenyan school serving ages 2 to 18, offering a continuous curriculum from Kindergarten through A Levels. The Early Years use a play‑based approach with an outdoor learning area, developing social, emotional and physical skills alongside early literacy. Kiswahili begins in Year 1 and French develops through speaking and listening before reading and writing. The Junior School emphasizes English and Mathematics while building language and numeracy through structured play. Lower Secondary follows the British National Curriculum (Key Stage 3), with external assessments in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT, preparing pupils for IGCSE study. Upper Secondary offers Cambridge IGCSE, AS‑Level and A‑Level qualifications, with a strong co‑curricular/PSHE program and opportunities such as the President's Award Scheme and East African Model United Nations. Facilities include competition‑size swimming pool, two music rooms, a dining hall, state‑of‑the‑art science labs, libraries, playing fields, a basketball court and an art room.

The Essentials

St. Austin's Academy has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 21, instruction in English.

Location

St. Austin's Academy is located on James Gichuru Road, Nairobi, Kenya. The postal address is P.O. Box 25138, Nairobi. Contact numbers are 020-2165653 and 0713-860206, and the email is info@staustins.ac.ke.

Stages

Kindergarten; Primary Curriculum; Junior School Curriculum; Senior School (Lower Secondary Curriculum); Senior School (Upper Secondary Curriculum); A Level

Type

Private school

Pupil Nationality Mix

More than 30 nationalities are represented in the student body.

Additional learning support

Special Education support is available for students who need it, and English Language Learner support is provided. The program includes advisory services to support individual students and promote development.

Country affiliation

Kenya

Bus service

Zone-based bus service with per-term transport fees: Zone A (2-Way) 45,500; Zone A (1-Way) 35,000; Zone B (2-Way) 42,000; Zone B (1-Way) 42,000; Zone C (2-Way) 59,500; Zone C (1-Way) 45,500; Zone D (2-Way) 63,000; Zone D (1-Way) 47,500; Zone E (2-Way) 68,000; Zone E (1-Way) 51,000; Zone F (2-Way) 70,000; Zone F (1-Way) 53,000.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

The school has a uniform policy for all students from kindergarten through senior year. The school gets its uniform from School outfitters, and a new uniform provider named Threads is being used for the upcoming year.

Food Options

There is a large dining hall. All food handlers have personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons and masks) to promote health and hygiene. Students wash hands before and after eating. Tables and chairs are spaced at least one meter apart and staggered dining shifts may be used; where possible lunches and snacks take place within each class; there is no sharing of food or utensils. Utensils and other kitchen items are cleaned with soap and hot water and disinfected by soaking in a 0.1% chlorine solution for one minute before air-drying.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Austin's Academy ranges from KES 15,000 to KES 1,378,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration Fee

- Registration fee: KES 15,000 (Nursery – Year 13).

Tuition fees (per term) — day students

- Nursery: KES 130,000 per term.
- K1: KES 170,000 per term.
- Reception: KES 190,000 per term.
- Year 1: KES 270,000 per term.
- Year 2: KES 315,000 per term.
- Year 3: KES 315,000 per term.
- Year 4: KES 335,000 per term.
- Year 5: KES 335,000 per term.
- Year 6: KES 335,000 per term.
- Year 7: KES 390,000 per term.
- Year 8: KES 410,000 per term.
- Year 9: KES 410,000 per term.
- Year 10: KES 448,000 per term.
- Year 11: KES 689,000 per instalment (see billing schedule).
- Years 12–13: KES 689,000 per instalment (see billing schedule).

Annual tuition (standard calculation)

- For year groups billed per term, annual tuition equals three times the term rate (term rate × 3). For example, Nursery annual tuition = KES 130,000 × 3 = KES 390,000; Year 1 annual tuition = KES 270,000 × 3 = KES 810,000, etc. (annual totals calculated from the per-term figures above).
- For Years 11–13 the published figure KES 689,000 represents a 50% instalment; two instalments of KES 689,000 give an annual total of KES 1,378,000 for those year groups. The three-term tuition for Years 11–13 is collected in two instalments as described under billing schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is billed on a term basis (three terms per academic year) for most year groups; payment of tuition secures a confirmed enrollment place.
- For Years 11, 12 and 13 the three terms' tuition fees are collected in two instalments (the published instalment amount is described as 50% of annual fees).
- Payment of the Registration Fee places the child's name on the waiting list; on acceptance, payment of tuition guarantees enrollment in the allocated year group.

Caution / security deposit (refunds)

- Caution (refundable) deposits by year group:
- Nursery – Reception: KES 5,000 (refundable).
- Years 1 – 6: KES 10,000 (refundable).
- Years 7 – 9: KES 20,000 (refundable).
- Years 10 – 11: KES 25,000 (refundable).
- Years 12 – 13: KES 30,000 (refundable).

Mandatory and recurring additional fees

- Emergency Medical Services: KES 2,000 per term.
- Parents Association Levy: KES 2,000 annual subscription per family.
- Year group lunch fees (termly):
- Nursery – Year 2: KES 25,000 per term.
- Year 3 – Year 6: KES 29,000 per term.
- Year 7 – Year 13: KES 34,000 per term.

Transport (zone) fees — termly

- Zone A (2-way): KES 45,500. Zone A (1-way): KES 35,000.
- Zone B (2-way): KES 42,000. Zone B (1-way): KES 42,000.
- Zone C (2-way): KES 59,500. Zone C (1-way): KES 45,500.
- Zone D (2-way): KES 63,000. Zone D (1-way): KES 47,500.
- Zone E (2-way): KES 68,000. Zone E (1-way): KES 51,000.
- Zone F (2-way): KES 70,000. Zone F (1-way): KES 53,000.

Boarding fees

- No boarding fees are published within the school's tuition and parents information; the school operates with day-student tuition and zone transport options as part of its fee structure.

Uniforms and other one‑off costs

- A school uniform is required; uniforms are supplied via the school's uniform provider(s) / outfitters. Specific uniform pricing is not listed in the public fee schedule.

Refund information (applicable items)

- Caution deposits listed above are refundable.

Fee payment options and practical steps

- Registration and tuition payments are administered through the Admissions Centre and the school's parent portal; parents are directed to the Admissions Centre for enrolment, payment of the registration fee to join the waiting list, and to complete enrolment by paying tuition. Contact the Admissions Centre or the school's parent portal to confirm accepted payment methods (bank transfer, card, mobile payment, or other).

Notes on timing and instalments

- Standard year groups follow a three-term billing cycle; Years 11–13 follow the two-instalment arrangement described above (KES 689,000 per instalment representing 50% of annual fees). Payment of tuition at the time of acceptance secures enrollment.
Academics

St. Austin's Academy teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum

Spans from Kindergarten through A Level. Kindergarten serves ages 2 to the end of Reception; Playgroup (2–3), Kindergarten 1 (3–4) and Reception (4–5) form the Early Years, with a play‑based approach and an outdoor learning area; activities include Drama & Music, P.E., Swimming, Cookery and Gardening, and there is emphasis on social, emotional and physical development as well as early reading and writing; Kiswahili is taught from Year 1 and French begins with speaking/listening before reading/writing. The Junior School extends from Pre‑Primary (ages 2+) with a focus on English and Mathematics and development of language, numeracy and social skills through structured play. The Lower Secondary curriculum is based on the British National Curriculum (Key Stage 3) with Year 7–Year 9 external assessments in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT, preparing students for entry into the IGCSE programme. The Upper Secondary curriculum offers Cambridge IGCSE, AS‑Level and A‑Level qualifications, with a strong co‑curricular/PSHE component including opportunities like the President's Award Scheme and East African Model United Nations. The A Level programme comprises Year 12 (general) and Year 13 (specialist) study, with students typically selecting four to five subjects in Year 12 and three in Year 13.

Exam Results

IGCSE results show 80.2% of IGCSE students (2024) scored A* to C; the class of 2023/24 transitioned to universities across the globe. These indicators reflect outcomes reported on the school pages for the IGCSE cohort and university destinations.

Higher Education Progression

The class of 2023/24 transitioned to various universities across the globe to pursue diverse degree programmes.
Parent Experience

History

The school was established in 1970. It is located on James Gichuru Road in Nairobi. St. Austin's Academy develops and nurtures the whole student across academics, athletics, the arts, social life, and spirituality. It is committed to building a community where all individuals belong and thrive, celebrating both the person and the community. Leadership and service are encouraged, and students are expected to be respectful, responsible citizens.

Community

St. Austin's fosters a strong sense of community where individuals belong and thrive. It is committed to developing and nurturing the whole student in academics, athletics, arts, social life, and spirituality, and to cultivating leadership and service. The school encourages students to be good citizens who demonstrate compassion and value living by a set of shared principles. This emphasis on community is reflected in classroom life, hallways, and extracurricular activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school has a competition-size swimming pool. There are two music rooms. A large and airy dining hall overlooks the grounds. There are state-of-the-art science labs. Libraries are available on campus. Lush, green playing fields, a basketball court, and an art room complete the facilities.

Sports Facilities

There are lush, green playing fields on campus. A basketball court is available. A competition-size swimming pool is available for swimming.

Academic Facilities

State-of-the-art science labs are on site. Libraries are available on campus. Pupils work with computers from the beginning of their time, encouraging use of technology. Information and Communication Technology resources are used to support teaching.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Extracurricular clubs are offered on campus. Model United Nations is available as an activity. Community Service is available as an activity.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

British National Curriculum is followed across Kindergarten, Primary, and Senior Schools. Lower Secondary is based on Key Stage Three and prepares students for the IGCSE; Upper Secondary offers Cambridge IGCSE, AS‑Level, and A‑Level qualifications. In 2024, 80.2% of IGCSE students scored A* to C, and the class of 2023/24 transitioned to universities globally.

Arts & Creative

Art and Design are part of the curriculum, with Music and Drama providing opportunities to perform. Drama and Music are integrated from early years, and students participate in concerts and plays. The school supports after‑school arts activities, including choirs and other performances.

Cultural & Language

Kiswahili is taught from year one, initially oral to build confidence in communication, with reading and writing developed as students progress. French is taught with emphasis on speaking and listening, with reading and writing developing over time. Model United Nations is offered as an educational activity to develop research, public speaking, debating and teamwork in an international context.

Social & Hobbies

A wide range of after‑school activities is offered, including basketball, football, badminton, volleyball, athletics, dodgeball, netball, swimming, gymnastics, cricket and rounders. The program aims to foster belonging, school spirit, cross‑grade collaboration, and interaction with teachers beyond class time.

Community & Service

Community Service is a key program with about 90% of students volunteering through outreach projects. Projects range from one‑day events to weekly activities and multi‑week trips in Kenya, with opportunities to engage with community partners in Nairobi. The Community Service Office comprises three faculty members, 25 student leaders and coordinators, coordinating off‑site volunteering and partnerships.

Leadership & Professional

Student Leadership opportunities include roles such as Head Girl and Head Boy, with leadership experiences highlighted by student reflections. The school supports leadership development through these positions and related activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Student Care and Support is holistic and wellness‑oriented, with a circle of care that includes teachers, coaches, and administrators. The staff stay current with best practices to support all learners, including English Language Learners and students with special needs. Health and safety procedures, psychosocial support, and counselor resources are in place to promote wellbeing for learners and staff.
Languages

Language Provision

Kiswahili is taught from year one, initially orally only, with emphasis on confidence and intelligible communication; reading and writing are developed as learners progress. French is taught with emphasis on speaking and listening, with reading and writing introduced as students advance.
Admissions

Admissions

Step 1 - Interview: The Principal and/or relevant staff interview the child and assess his/her level. For younger children, a day or half-day with the probable year group is often advised to determine appropriate placement. If proceeding, complete the 'Acceptance Form' and pay the Registration Fee. Step 2 - Waiting List: Payment of the Registration Fee places the child on the Waiting List for the year group. When a vacancy arises, the family is contacted in order of seniority on the list and offered the place, subject to a time constraint. Step 3 - Enrollment: If the offer is accepted, payment of the tuition fees guarantees enrollment in the year group. The child is formally accepted as a student at St. Austin's Academy.

Waitlist

Waiting List: Payment of the Registration Fee places your child on the Waiting List for the year group. When a vacancy arises, you will be contacted in order of seniority on the list and offered the place, subject to a time constraint.
School Events
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