Cavina School vs Kenton College Preparatory School

	C Cavina School Nairobi, Kenya	K Kenton College Preparatory School Nairobi, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 355,500 - 1,145,400	Fees / year KES 756,000 - 1,400,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 13 years	Age range 3 - 13 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 117	Pupils 346
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1950	Opened 1924
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya. The campus sits on a leafy site in the heart of Kilimani. It is accessible by local roads with nearby amenities and transport links.	Location Kenton College Preparatory School is located on Gichugu Road in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya. The postal address is PO Box 25406-00603, Lavington, Nairobi.
Stages	Stages Pre-Prep Unit (ages 2–5) and Prep School (ages 6–13).	Stages Early Years and Preparatory, up to Year 8.
School type	School type British-curriculum preparatory school with a Christian foundation.	School type Preparatory school (Early Years to Year 8).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Cavina provides in-class support for pupils with special educational needs. Pupils identified as needing additional provision receive small group or one-to-one interventions, and, where necessary, specialists and therapists are brought in to support the child.	Additional learning support Pastoral care and wellbeing support; a dedicated Pastoral Care team led by the Headteacher, with Deputy Head Pastoral and Deputy Head of Juniors and EY, plus Heads of Year, House Parents, Form Teachers, the Listening Team, pupil pastoral mentors, the school doctor and nurses.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Kenya.	Country affiliation Kenya
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Christian.	Religious affiliation Christian values with an inclusive environment welcoming families of all faiths.
School day structure	School day structure Each school day begins with a Christian act of worship. Fridays feature morning devotions arranged by house captains and House Assemblies use the Book of Common Prayer. The daily life integrates spiritual life with academic learning.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers a bus service with defined routes and transport arrangements.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and registration fees - Registration (application) fee: KES 7,500 (non‑refundable). - Admission deposit: A full term's tuition fee is payable to secure a offered place; this deposit is non‑refundable if the place is not taken up. Tuition fees (per term) and annual equivalents by year group - Playgroup (age 2–3): KES 118,500 per term — annual equivalent KES 355,500. - PP I (age 3–4): KES 159,000 per term — annual equivalent KES 477,000. - PP II (age 4–5): KES 220,200 per term — annual equivalent KES 660,600. - PP III / Year 1 (age 5–6): KES 263,500 per term — annual equivalent KES 790,500. - Form I / Year 2 (age 6–7): KES 323,100 per term — annual equivalent KES 969,300. - Form II / Year 3 (age 7–8): KES 323,100 per term — annual equivalent KES 969,300. - Form III / Year 4 (age 8–9): KES 342,300 per term — annual equivalent KES 1,026,900. - Form IV / Year 5 (age 9–10): KES 381,800 per term — annual equivalent KES 1,145,400. - Form V / Year 6 (age 10–11): KES 381,800 per term — annual equivalent KES 1,145,400. - Lower VI / Year 7 (age 11–12): KES 381,800 per term — annual equivalent KES 1,145,400. - Upper VI / Year 8 (age 12–13): KES 381,800 per term — annual equivalent KES 1,145,400. Discounts - Sibling discount on tuition (tuition only): 5% for the second child, 10% for the third child, and 15% for the fourth child (applies from PP1). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is charged per term (fees shown above are per term per child). Parents are required to pay the deposit (a full term's fees) to secure a place after admission acceptance. - Withdrawal policy: One full term's written notice is required when removing a child from the school, or one full term's tuition fee in lieu of notice. The notice must be acknowledged by the headmaster. Boarding fees - Cavina operates as a day preparatory school; there are no boarding fees because boarding is not offered. Other costs and recurring charges (per term) - School lunches (per term): Playgroup KES 19,000; Pre‑Prep unit KES 21,000; Preparatory school KES 25,000. - AAR ambulance service fee: KES 1,000 per term. - Uniforms and compulsory clothing: Wearing the school uniform is compulsory. Uniform items are available from the school's official supplier (Animet Ltd — contact details provided by the school). Prices for uniform items are set by the supplier. - Optional activity or external provider fees (e.g., extracurricular providers) may be charged separately as applicable; specific activity charges are invoiced when applicable. Refund information - The registration/application fee (KES 7,500) is non‑refundable. - The admission deposit (one term's fee) is non‑refundable if the offered place is not taken up. - Other refund situations are governed by the school's notice and withdrawal policy (one term's notice or one term's fee in lieu). Specific refunds beyond these stated items are not published. Fee payment options and contact for payment queries - No specific public listing of accepted payment methods (bank transfer, card, cheque, online portal) is published in the school's public fee documents. For confirmation of accepted payment methods and to obtain payment instructions, contact the Admissions or Finance office directly by phone or email: Admissions +254 708 387 746; Main line +254 706 232 334; email admissions@cavina.ac.ke or admin@cavina.ac.ke. Important practical notes - All tuition amounts above are quoted per term; multiply by three to obtain an approximate annual tuition figure based on the school's three‑term year. - For matters not stated explicitly in the fee documents (for example, detailed payment procedures, exact uniform prices, or exceptional refund cases), contact the Admissions or Finance office using the phone numbers or email addresses above.	Fee details Application & admission fees - Application fee: KES 5,500 per application. - Enrolment (admission) fee: KES 44,000 (one‑off). Application and enrolment fees are non‑refundable. Tuition fees (per trimester and annual totals by year group) - Early Years Foundation: KES 152,000 per trimester — annual total KES 456,000. - Early Years 1: KES 224,000 per trimester — annual total KES 672,000. - Early Years 2: KES 224,000 per trimester — annual total KES 672,000. - Year 1: KES 252,000 per trimester — annual total KES 756,000. - Year 2: KES 280,000 per trimester — annual total KES 840,000. - Year 3: KES 294,000 per trimester — annual total KES 882,000. - Year 4: KES 336,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,008,000. - Year 5: KES 336,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,008,000. - Year 6: KES 336,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,008,000. - Year 7: KES 406,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,218,000. - Year 8: KES 420,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,260,000. - Year 9: KES 420,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,260,000. - Year 10: KES 448,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,344,000. - Year 11: KES 672,000 per trimester (two trimesters billed) — total KES 1,344,000 (costs for Year 11 candidates are collected over two trimesters). - Year 12: KES 700,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,400,000. - Year 13: KES 700,000 per trimester — annual total KES 1,400,000. Optional / additional recurring charges - Lunch (optional): amounts depend on year group (examples from published schedule): - Kindergarten: KES 28,500 per trimester — annual KES 85,500. - Prep (Years 2–6) example: KES 43,000 per trimester — annual KES 129,000. - Middle/junior/senior examples: amounts range (examples shown include KES 50,000–100,000 per trimester for older year groups). - School text‑book deposit (refundable): typically KES 25,000 for many year groups; higher deposits (KES 50,000) apply for some upper years. - Individual music lessons (per instrument): KES 20,000 per trimester (KES 60,000 per year). - Clubs and activities (examples): swimming breakfast KES 8,000 per trimester; skating club KES 8,000 per trimester; organic soap/skincare club KES 15,000 per trimester. - Medical evacuation cover (annual): KES 2,200. School transport (bus) fees - School transport is available with zone‑based annual rates. Example two‑way annual rates published range from KES 31,000 to KES 76,000 depending on zone and route; many central Nairobi zones are shown at KES 60,000 per year (two‑way) while outlying zones are higher or lower depending on distance. Transport fees are billed separately from tuition. Boarding - Boarding is not listed among the published charges; fees and charges shown are structured for day scholars (day school). No boarding fee is published. Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties - Fees are billed by trimester. All trimester fees must be paid in advance according to deadlines communicated at the start of each trimester. - Late payment penalty: KES 5,000 per month for fees not paid by the due dates. - Late pickup penalty: KES 5,000 per hour (or part thereof) for children picked up after the published collection time. - Withdrawal policy: a trimester's written notice is required (or payment of one trimester's fee in lieu of notice); the notice must be submitted during the first week of the final term the child is attending. Refunds and refundable items - Application and enrolment (admission) fees are non‑refundable. Refundable items explicitly stated include the school textbook deposit (amounts vary by year group). Withdrawal notice rules apply as above; other refund specifics are governed by the school's terms. Fee payment methods - The published fee schedule does not specify accepted payment instruments (for example, which banks, bank transfer details, or credit card acceptance). For the school's billed payment instructions and accepted payment methods, contact the school administration at admin@kenton.ac.ke or by telephone. Sibling discounts and concessions - Sibling discount on tuition only: 2nd child 5%; 3rd child 10%; 4th child or more 15% (applies to tuition). Notes on the academic year used - The fee figures above are taken from the school's published fee schedule for the September 2024 – August 2025 academic year (this schedule is the most detailed published fee schedule found). The figures above reproduce the published trimester and annual rates, refundable textbook deposits, optional charges, transport zone rates, billing terms, penalties, and the stated withdrawal and refund provisions.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The Cavina curriculum is British-curriculum preparatory for children aged two to 13. The school is divided into Pre-prep and Prep School. The Common Entrance examination, taken in the final year, includes eight major subjects: Mathematics, English, French, Science, British History, Geography, Scripture, and Latin. English is central, with English language and literature taught to all pupils. The curriculum also includes Computer Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, and the Performing Arts; by age 13 pupils are introduced to three languages and undertake independent projects and broader learning experiences.	Curriculum details The curriculum in the Junior School is based closely on the English National Curriculum. Mornings include English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Information and Communications Technology, Kiswahili, Religious Studies, Art and Design Technology, Music and Physical Education, with French from Year 4. Languages taught include Kiswahili, French, Spanish and Latin. Subject delivery is supported by specialist teachers for some subjects. Year 8 scholars have earned a Scholarship or Exhibition to their next schools, and over 85% of Year 8 pupils have achieved A*-B in English Common Entrance since 2018.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results Past and current Cavina pupils have won academic, sports and music scholarships to top senior schools such as Peponi Secondary, St Andrew's Turi, Brookhouse and Hillcrest. The Beacon Scholarship provides two-thirds of the costs for secondary and UK university education.	Exam results Over 85% of Year 8 pupils have achieved A*-B in English Common Entrance since 2018. Year 8 scholars have earned a Scholarship or Exhibition to their next schools. The Year 8 Debating team won the Debate With Hart competition in 2023 and 2024. Some pupils have achieved academic scholarships to senior schools, including the Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematics Award.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Many Cavina pupils win scholarships to senior schools in Kenya and abroad, and some go on to study at world-class universities. The Beacon Scholarship provides two-thirds of the costs for secondary and UK university education.	Higher education progression Pupils leave Year 8 to a wide variety of schools in Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Scholarships are available for high achievers, including the Kenneth Mason Scholarship (for Year 7) and the Founder's Scholarship (for Years 5–6), with a maximum of two scholarships awarded per year. The Kenneth Mason and Founder's Scholarships recognize outstanding ability in sports, music, acting or art and require academic excellence and leadership potential. The Beacon Scholarship is a leadership bursary that provides up to two-thirds of costs for secondary and UK university education.	Gifted and talented Design and Technology provides pathways into engineering, architecture, product design and applied mathematics, supporting scholarships in DT. Drama offers the potential for a Drama Scholarship for Year 9. Some pupils receive academic scholarships to senior schools, including the Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematics Award.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Enquiry: Prospective families submit an enquiry online using the enquiry tab or email the admissions registrar, Ms. This begins the Cavina admissions process. The school provides information about age groups, class availability, and the admissions timeline after the enquiry. An enquiry does not commit a family to a place. 2. Tours and registration: Cavina conducts regular school tours throughout the year, and Ms. Minayo will place you on a tour following your enquiry. After the tour, you may register your child if you wish to proceed. A non-refundable registration fee of 7,500 Kenyan Shillings is payable at this stage to cover the administrative costs of maintaining the waiting list. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee a place. 3. Waiting list and intake: The waiting list for some classes is long, so early applications are encouraged. The main intake is in Playgroup, with a maximum of 25 places per year. Priority is given to siblings, then generally by date of application, while other factors such as balancing the numbers of boys and girls may influence offers. In some years, places are only available when vacancies arise due to a pupil leaving; Cavina aims to reduce class sizes toward the top of the school and may not replace pupils who leave after Form IV. 4. Registration timing and exceptions: Registration is accepted after you have toured the school, with exceptions for families living outside Kenya at the time of application. The process is designed to be straightforward and supportive for families navigating international admissions.	Admissions 1. Entry point is decided based on age bands. The Headteacher confirms whether a suitable place is available in the Year group requested. This initiates the admissions process and determines whether the applicant can proceed to the next stage. 2. The Registrar is provided with the following details: full names, date of birth and gender of the child; nationality; details of the current school; names and contact details of the parents (including email address and cell numbers); details if a previous application has been made, including one for another child; a request for a Parents (ONLY) meeting with the Headteacher. 3. A Parents meeting with the Headteacher is requested. A tour of the school follows. 4. Year 2 Entry and Year 3–8 Entry follow the same age-band based process, with the same steps applied to each entry point.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships: Cavina offers a maximum of two scholarships per year. The Kenneth Mason Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining in Lower VI (Year 7) who is outstanding in sport, music, acting, or art, and who demonstrates academic excellence and leadership potential. This scholarship provides a 30 percent reduction in school fees, with an additional bursary of up to 30 percent if required. The Founder's Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining in Form IV or Form V (Years 5 or 6) who is outstanding in sport, music, acting, or art and demonstrates academic excellence and good character. This scholarship provides a 20 percent reduction on school fees, with up to 30 percent bursary available. Bursaries are means-tested and offered only to Kenneth Mason or Founder's Scholars, requiring full disclosure of finances to Cavina's accounts department. The maximum bursary is 30 percent but may be lower depending on means testing. The Beacon Scholarship is a leadership bursary that provides two-thirds of costs for the child's secondary education and UK university education; past Cavina pupils have been awarded scholarships to top senior schools including Peponi, St Andrew's Turi, Brookhouse and Hillcrest.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist There is a waiting list for some Cavina classes. A non-refundable registration fee of 7,500 Kenyan Shillings is payable at registration to cover waiting list administrative costs. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee a place. The waiting list length varies by class, and early applications are encouraged.	Waitlist —
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