Nairobi is one of the few cities in Africa where internationally mobile families can comfortably choose between a dozen serious international schools across British, American, IB and French curricula. That depth is a blessing, but it also makes the choice harder, because the surface-level differences between Nairobi schools often hide what really matters to a child's experience. This 2026 guide pulls apart the decision for relocating families who want to make a choice they will still be happy with in two or three years.
Curriculum first, campus second
In Nairobi, the curriculum decision is the most consequential choice you will make. The city offers:
- English National Curriculum: by far the most common international curriculum, offered with IGCSE at age 16 and A Level at 18.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: available at several Nairobi schools for students aged 16 to 18, often alongside IGCSE.
- American curriculum: delivered with Advanced Placement, serving the US diplomatic community and American-linked corporate families.
- French national curriculum: offered at Lycée Denis Diderot, with the French baccalauréat at the end.
- Kenyan national curriculum (CBC): offered in a strongly international form at a few well-regarded private schools, which is an interesting option for families planning to stay longer term.
Decide where your child is likely to apply to university, then work backwards. If the answer includes UK universities, British curriculum with A Level or IGCSE plus IB Diploma is ideal. For US universities, an American curriculum with AP or an IB Diploma both perform well. For families staying in Kenya, schools following the CBC with English as the language of instruction are worth a serious look.
Top international schools in Nairobi
Braeburn School
Braeburn School is part of the Braeburn Group, one of the best-known British curriculum networks in East Africa. It offers English National Curriculum, IGCSE and A Level, and has a strong sporting and co-curricular programme.
Braeburn Garden Estate School
Braeburn Garden Estate is another Braeburn campus in Nairobi, offering the same British curriculum pathway in a family-oriented setting. Good for families who want the Braeburn structure closer to the Garden Estate area.
Braeside School
Braeside School completes the Braeburn Group's Nairobi footprint. Smaller and with a focus on pastoral care, it suits families who want the continuity of the Braeburn curriculum but in a more intimate campus.
Hillcrest International Schools
Hillcrest International Schools is one of the oldest international schools in Kenya, teaching the English National Curriculum with IGCSE and A Level. It has an established reputation and strong UK university pipelines.
Kenya High School
Kenya High School is a long-established girls' school often on the shortlist of families who want an academically strong, locally anchored environment with a recognised leaving credential.
Neighbourhoods and commute
Nairobi traffic shapes the school decision in ways newcomers often underestimate. Westlands, Gigiri, Runda and Rosslyn are traditional expat hubs, with multiple international schools within a 15 to 30 minute radius outside peak hours. Karen and Lavington are further south and west, closer to schools such as Hillcrest and Braeburn, and popular with families who want larger plots and a more suburban feel. Kitisuru and Nyari have grown as expatriate options in recent years. As a rule, pick your neighbourhood to sit within 30 minutes of your shortlisted schools during rush hour, not just off-peak. A 90-minute one-way school run through Nairobi traffic, three terms a year, is the sort of thing that quietly undermines the best school choice.
Boarding and weekly boarding
Unusually for a city, several Nairobi international schools offer weekly or full boarding from Year 6 or Year 7 onwards. This can be a useful option for families whose work takes them to field locations, for regional expats whose home country lacks equivalent senior schools, or for teenagers who benefit from the structure of boarding as they prepare for A Level or IB Diploma. Ask to visit during a weekday evening, not only on an open day, and talk to current boarders if you can.
Fees and what to budget
Nairobi private school fees span a wide range depending on curriculum and campus:
- Early Years / preschool: KES 400,000 to 900,000 per year.
- Primary (Years 1-6): KES 700,000 to 1,700,000 per year.
- Middle years (Years 7-9): KES 900,000 to 2,100,000 per year.
- IGCSE / MYP (Years 10-11): KES 1,100,000 to 2,400,000 per year.
- A Level / IB Diploma: KES 1,300,000 to 2,700,000 per year, plus examination entries at cost.
Add KES 150,000 to 500,000 per year for transport, meals, uniforms and trips. Weekly or full boarding typically adds another KES 500,000 to 900,000 per year. Many schools charge a one-time enrolment fee on joining, plus an annual capital or development contribution.
Admissions: what to expect
Applications usually open in October for the following January, with a rolling window for the September start. Required documents typically include:
- Application form and fee.
- The child's passport copy and any valid Kenyan visa or residence permit.
- The last two years of school reports.
- A teacher reference, especially for senior school entry.
- Medical and vaccination record.
- Assessment in English and mathematics, proportional to age.
Senior school entry may also include subject-specific tests and an interview with the head of school. Families moving from unusual curricula (including home education) should expect a longer review process and, where needed, a placement assessment to set the right entry year.
Where to shortlist
For a curated overview of international schools in Nairobi with verified profiles and full contact details, browse International School Advisor and filter by curriculum, stage and neighbourhood. Shortlist three schools, not one, and visit in person before accepting a place.
Frequently asked questions
Do international schools in Nairobi teach Swahili?
Most international schools offer Swahili as a subject from primary, and some continue it as an option through secondary. If your family plans to stay in Kenya beyond two years, ask how Swahili is taught to non-native speakers and whether your child will have access to a meaningful programme rather than just an introduction.
How do I handle security when choosing a school?
All reputable Nairobi international schools have detailed security protocols, perimeter controls, vetted transport providers and incident response plans. Ask to see the school's security policy during your visit, and ask how drills and parent communication work. Most families are reassured by what they see, but it is a conversation worth having in person.
Can my child transfer later from an international school into a Kenyan university?
Yes. Kenyan universities accept IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma for admission. Subject-specific entry requirements apply, so sequence your child's IGCSE and A Level subject choices with an eye on the programmes they may eventually apply to, in Kenya and abroad.