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Kenya High school Structure

Find High Schools

Secondary education in Kenya lasts for 6 years according to the new system. Secondary school education in public schools is subsidized by the government, while students have to pay for education at private schools. There are various secondary schools in Kenya including private, public, and community schools. Some are fully funded by the government while others are partially funded, communally funded r privately funded. Secondary education consists of junior secondary and senior secondary school.

  • Grades: 7-13
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Primary Languages: English
  • Terms                          : 3 terms
  • Admission Term: Beginning of the term- January.

Secondary curriculum

Subjects offered at the academic secondary level can be grouped into six learning areas as follows:

  • Languages- English, Kiswahili, Arabic, German, French
  • Sciences- mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology
  • Applied Sciences- home science, agriculture, computer studies
  • Humanities- history, geography, religious education, life skills, business studies
  • Creative Arts- music, art, and design
  • Technical Subjects- drawing and design, building construction, power and mechanics, metalwork, aviation, woodwork, electronics.

In junior secondary education, students can take as many as 13 subjects which will be reduced to eight subjects in the final two years. There are three core and compulsory subjects taken by all students, namely English, Kiswahili, and Mathematics. they must also take two science subjects, one humanities subject, and either one applied science or one technical subject.

 

Let’s take a brief look at some international schools considered by ex-pats to be offering some of the best education in Kenya.

Hillcrest Secondary School

This is an international school guided by the British curriculum. It offers education for children from 18moths to 18 years. The school inspires each child to grow individually and achieve their full potential. The school aims to stimulate every child’s abilities and talents in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The school also offers boarding in a safe and secure environment where students can feel at home. The secondary school here is a place of cultural, sporting, academic, and creative diversity where students can thrive in any aspect.

  • Established: 1965
  • Address: Langat5a Road, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Fees range: Ksh 540 000- 725 000
  • Student population: 440
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Grades: pre-school to Grade 12
  • Curriculum: IGCSE (Cambridge), National Curriculum for England
  • Type: Co-educational
  • Campus: urban
  • School Year: September – July
  • Opening Hours: 8.10 am - 3.45 pm
  • Memberships: Ac. member COBIS, HMC.
  • Accreditations: Independent Schools Inspectorate

Programs here are meant to equip students to develop into effective citizens, provide growth opportunities, and broaden their minds or thinking skills.

Curriculum: The school offers an IGCSE curriculum for years 9 to 11 and an advanced level curriculum for years 12 to 13. The school's choice examination is the Cambridge International Examination. Year 9 is the first year of the IGCSE where the student also selects some of their chosen subjects. In year 10, at middle school, the students can select up to 10 subjects, including 6 compulsory subjects and some optional subjects and languages. In form 6, the school offers advanced level courses, with AS level and Advanced level qualifications or BTECH courses.

IGCSE subjects include English language and literature, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, and physics), computing, history, geography, modern foreign languages, personal, social, and health education (PSHE). Electives include art and design, music, drama, design and technology, food and nutrition, and academic physical education. In middle school, in years 10 and 11, students can expect to study languages such as English language and literature, mathematics, at least one science subject from biology, physics, or chemistry, physical education (non-examinable), Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) which is also non-examinable, and students can also choose any language including French, Swahili, Spanish, or Latin.  Optional subjects at this stage include academic physical education, computer science, art and design, business, drama, design and technology, food and nutrition, geography, global perspective, information and communication technology, history, and music.

Prospective students- hillcrest provides a supportive community for students from other countries who are transitioning here. International students can easily thrive here with support from the admissions team and other students. Students must be proficient in English, must provide all necessary documentation, and can even schedule a tour of the school to check if it is the right fit.

 

Brookhouse schools

This is a private is a co-educational, independent day and boarding school serving international students from pre-school to secondary school. The school has 2 campuses namely the Brookhouse Karen Campus, and the Brookhouse Runda Campus. The Runda Campus fosters experiential education and ensures the holistic development of each child while the Karen Campus caters to the professional, business, and diplomatic communities. Brookhouse schools follow a northern hemisphere academic year running from September to July.

  • address: Magadi Road, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
  • established: 1981
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Student population: 700
  • International representation: 40+ countries
  • Type: coeducational
  • Terms                          : 3 terms
  • Admission Term: Beginning of the term
  • School Hours: 8.15 am to 3.30 pm
  • Calendar: September - July
  • Accreditation: Council of International Schools (CIS), Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
  • Memberships: AISA, IAPS, Round Square, Inspired Education.

The Karen Campus school is next to Nairobi National Park. The secondary school is built in a well-landscaped area where students can study in the shade of the jacaranda trees. The Secondary School year starts with a one-year Pre-IGCSE education in Year 9 and after that, two years of the IGCSE programs in Year10 and 11. The following subjects are typically available at the IGCSE level at Brookhouse: Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Computer Studies, Economics, Drama, English Language, English Literature, French, German, Geography, History, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, and Spanish. Upon completion of the IGCSE course, the student will progress to the AS and Advanced level courses in Year 12 and 13. Programs offered here include Music, Law, Drama, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and Business Studies. BTEC courses in various vocational subjects are also available.

Extracurricular activities- the school is divided into 4 main houses namely Amboseli, Mara, Samburu, and Tsavo. In these houses, students take part in a variety of activities, and may also compete against each other. inter-house cultural events and inter-house sports events are held frequently. Some of the activities and clubs include sculpture club, ballet, cookery, steam, jewelry making, rollerblading club, taekwondo, drama, and public speaking. Sports activities include soccer, rugby, netball, swimming, athletics, and hockey while Arts activities include music, drama, and art, to mention but a few.

 

Greensteds International School- It is an international co-educational day and boarding school, offering first-class holistic education with a diversity of cultures and offering the British national curriculum. It offers education from the early years to senior school (advanced level). The School offers an outstanding environment allowing students to embrace and tap into their hidden potential while providing cutting-edge resources and technology.

  • address: Nakuru-Nairobi Road, Highway Building, Nakuru, Kenya
  • established: 1936
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Student population: 300+
  • Type: coeducational
  • Terms                          : 3 terms
  • Admission Term: Beginning of the term
  • School Hours: 8.00 am- 5.15 pm
  • Calendar: September - June
  • Accreditation: Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Council of International Schools (CIS).

Memberships: Council of International Schools (CIS), the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) and is a member of Kenya Association of Independent International Schools (KAIIS).

 

The school offers unmatched academic excellence. The curriculum offers subjects such as the humanities, arts, physical education, music, French, technology and sports, and various core academic subjects.

Senior school- the senior school level aims to help all students to reach their full potential, and offers differentiated, students centered teaching.

Curriculum- Subjects offered here include Mathematics, P.S.H.E., English Language, IGCSE ICT, BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Creative Media Production, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Spanish, Swahili, IGCSE Music, Coordinated Science, Chemistry, Biology, French, IGCSE History, Physics, IGCSE Physical Education, and BTEC Art

Form 6- In the Sixth Form, the school aims to provide students with critical life skills to enable them to make sound and educated choices, relevant for the next steps in their academic journey and future life. The school offers a wide range of subjects ranging from sciences to the arts. These are offered under the Cambridge International Examinations board or the Edexcel Board. students will pick 3 to 4 subjects to study at AS Level and At least 3 subjects will be continued into Year 13 and A-Levels.

Sports- students take part in a variety of sporting activities at secondary school including Cricket, Athletics and Cross Country, Hockey and Swimming, Rugby, Rounders, and Netball, to mention but a few. students are separated into 3 houses namely Batian, Nelion, and Kibo, where they compete frequently with each other.

Extracurricular activities- the school aims to build well-rounded students by offering activities that promote creativity, practicality, and life skills. These include Horse-riding, World Scholars, Music, Drama, Sport, and Taekwondo, to mention but a few.

Prospective students- parents f students who intend to study here must send an inquiry and schedule a school visit at an agreed date and conduct a tour of the school. They need to provide the following along with their application forms:

  • copies of  previous school  reports
  • reference and examination results where applicable
  • copies of birth certificate
  • copies of passport
  • 4 passport sized photographs

Tuition and fees

Students can expect to pay the following as fees. Note that these are subject to change:

Fees Structure Effective from September 2021- 2022

Year/ grade                                                                            Day (Ksh.)      Boarding (Ksh.)

Year 7 to 8                                                                              285 000           643 000

Year 9                                                                                     309 000           712 000

Year 10 to 11                                                                          348 000           772 000

Year 12 to 13                                                                          418 000           848 000

These fees are inclusive of accommodation, meals, and tuition. Textbooks and exercise books are provided, as well as Lunch and snack break for day students.

 

 Entry Fees

                                                                                                Ksh                             USD

Admission fees: Residents– Year 1-13                                  50,000

Non Residents- Year 1-13                                                                                           2000

Caution Money- Refundable (once off) Years 1-13               50000                          

Year 12/ A- Level Fees: Science Subjects Per Term                                                  5 000                           

 

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