Herald International School vs Lycée Français International Denis Diderot

	H Herald International School Nairobi, Kenya	L Lycée Français International Denis Diderot Nairobi, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 225,000 - 360,000	Fees / year KES 12,000 - 2,162,963
Age range	Age range 5 - 16 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)	Curriculum French Curriculum, British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 676
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1962
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Physical address: Msanaka Road, 2nd Parklands Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. The school is located in the Parklands area of Nairobi.	Location Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi (Near Yaya Center)
Stages	Stages Year 1 to Year 11.	Stages Ages 2 to 18
School type	School type Private school.	School type Private international school; accredited by the French Ministry of Education; member of the AEFE network
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Differentiated lessons provide individual and personal attention to students with special challenges.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Kenya	Country affiliation France
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition (per term) — Year groups - KES 75,000 per term — Year 1. ⁠ - KES 80,000 per term — Year 2. ⁠ - KES 85,000 per term — Year 3. ⁠ - KES 90,000 per term — Year 4. ⁠ - KES 95,000 per term — Year 5. ⁠ - KES 100,000 per term — Year 6. ⁠ - KES 110,000 per term — Year 7. ⁠ - KES 120,000 per term — Year 8. ⁠ Annual tuition (calculation used) - Annual tuition = per-term tuition × number of academic terms in the school year. The published fee schedule lists the amounts as “per term.” The school operates a three-term academic year (Autumn, Spring and Summer), so annual tuition is the per-term fee multiplied by three (for example, Year 1 annual tuition = KES 75,000 × 3 = KES 225,000). ⁠ One‑off / admission and security charges - Admission fee (payable once on admission): KES 10,000. ⁠ - Maintenance fee (payable once): KES 5,000. ⁠ - Caution fee (payable once; refundable): KES 10,000 (refundable). ⁠ Meals and co-curricular extras - Hot vegetarian lunch: KES 15,000 (listed alongside fees). ⁠ - A range of co‑curricular activities (football, art club, netball, science club, film club, music club, Le Club Français, karate, board games, reading club, cooking club, multiskills) are listed as offered; costs for individual activities beyond the lunch charge are not itemised in the published fee schedule. ⁠ Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is stated as a per-term charge; the per-term amounts above are the unit of billing. Annual billing for the academic year is conventionally calculated as three terms per year (annual amount = per-term × 3). Specific due dates, instalment deadlines, late‑payment penalties, or discounts are not listed in the published fee schedule. ⁠ Boarding fees - No boarding fees are included in the published fee schedule and no boarding charges are listed in the materials available with the fee schedule. If boarding is required, separate boarding fees would apply but are not published in the current fee schedule. ⁠ Uniform and supplier - A supplier is identified for school uniform items; the published fee schedule does not list uniform prices. The school's published links point to an external uniform supplier used by the school. Uniform item prices are not itemised in the fee schedule. ⁠ Refund information - The caution fee is explicitly marked refundable: KES 10,000 (refundable). No further refund policy (for tuition, maintenance fee, lunch, or other charges) is detailed in the published fee schedule. ⁠ Fee payment options - The published fee schedule does not list accepted payment methods or bank details. The school's public contact details (telephone and email) are provided for enquiries. Parents should use the school contact telephone numbers or the school email address for payment‑method instructions and for arranging payments. ⁠ Contact details for fee queries - Telephone: +254 734 585 727; +254 756 131 313. - Email: info@heraldinternationalschool.com. ⁠ Notes on missing items in the published fee schedule (summary) - The published fee schedule provides per-term tuition for Years 1–8 and the one‑off admission/maintenance/caution charges, plus a lunch charge, but it does not provide: specific payment due dates or instalment schedules, detailed payment methods (bank account numbers, M‑Pesa, card acceptance), boarding fees, itemised uniform prices, or a full refund policy for tuition and other non‑caution charges. These items are not published in the available fee document. ⁠	Fee details School year covered - Annual fee schedule and related charges shown below apply to the 2025–2026 academic year. Application & registration fees - Application / dossier fee: KES 12,000 per child. - First-time registration fee: KES 120,000 per child (charged at time of acceptance; must be paid within 10 days). - Re‑registration advance: KES 80,000 (advance on annual tuition fees) — non‑refundable. - These enrollment payments are not refundable. Annual tuition fees and per‑term (tranche) amounts — French & Kenyan nationals (KES) - Maternelle (annual): KES 700,000. Tranche 1 (40%): KES 280,000; Tranche 2 (30%): KES 210,000; Tranche 3 (30%): KES 210,000. - Élémentaire (annual): KES 1,154,449. Tranche 1: KES 461,780; Tranche 2: KES 346,335; Tranche 3: KES 346,335. - Collège (annual): KES 1,311,837. Tranche 1: KES 524,735; Tranche 2: KES 393,551; Tranche 3: KES 393,551. - Lycée (annual): KES 1,754,237. Tranche 1: KES 701,695; Tranche 2: KES 526,271; Tranche 3: KES 526,271. - All amounts shown in Kenyan shillings (KES). Annual tuition fees and per‑term (tranche) amounts — Other nationalities (KES) - Maternelle (annual): KES 800,000. Tranche 1 (40%): KES 320,000; Tranche 2 (30%): KES 240,000; Tranche 3 (30%): KES 240,000. - Élémentaire (annual): KES 1,423,361. Tranche 1: KES 569,344; Tranche 2: KES 427,008; Tranche 3: KES 427,008. - Collège (annual): KES 1,614,764. Tranche 1: KES 645,906; Tranche 2: KES 484,429; Tranche 3: KES 484,429. - Lycée (annual): KES 2,162,963. Tranche 1: KES 865,185; Tranche 2: KES 648,889; Tranche 3: KES 648,889. - All amounts shown in Kenyan shillings (KES). Billing schedule and payment terms - Two main payment rhythms: - Annual single payment: pay the full annual tuition before 30 September to receive a 5% discount. - Three‑installment (trimestrial) payment: tuition payable in three fractions (tranches). - Standard tranche due dates (when paying by trimester): Trimestre 1 due 15 September; Trimestre 2 due 15 January; Trimestre 3 due 15 April. - Late payment penalty: 5% per month applied to overdue amounts; penalties are cumulative. - Sibling reduction: 20% discount on tuition applicable from the third child of the same family (and for each subsequent child). - For students joining or leaving mid‑year, tuition is invoiced pro rata (the month of arrival or departure is billed in full unless exceptional weekly prorating is approved). - Invoices are issued through the school billing platform EDUKA; invoices must be paid according to the calendar above. Proof of payment should be sent to caisse@lyceefrancaisnairobi.com when required. Boarding fees - No boarding charges are listed in the school's fee schedule; the Lycée does not publish a boarding programme or boarding fees in the 2025–2026 fee documentation. Canteen (school lunch) — annual fees (KES) - Maternelle: 5 days/week KES 84,000; 4 days/week KES 67,200; 3 days/week KES 50,400. - Élémentaire: 5 days/week KES 101,500; 4 days/week KES 81,200; 3 days/week KES 60,900. - Secondaire: 5 days/week KES 119,000; 4 days/week KES 95,200; 3 days/week KES 71,400. - Canteen tariffs are indicative (based on a 35‑week year) and may vary with calendar days. Exam, option and ancillary fees (charges and timing) - Exam fees (billed in Trimester 3): DNB (Brevet): KES 9,400; Baccalauréat Première: KES 18,000; Baccalauréat Terminale: KES 51,370. - Cambridge language exam (mandatory for CM2 and 2nde): KES 17,550 to KES 27,000 (billed in Trimester 3). - Section Internationale Britannique (SIB) option (collège & lycée): KES 52,000 (billed in Trimester 1). - Model United Nations (MUN) option: KES 23,300 (billed in Trimester 1). - Extra‑curricular activities: average KES 25,000 per activity (charged when applicable). - Daycare / garderie: if registered, fixed package KES 3,500 per month; if not registered, KES 400 per day. - Textbooks, basic stationery supplies, one sports kit and a medicalized transport insurance are included in the tuition. Refunds and non‑refundables - Dossier (application) fees and first‑time registration payments are non‑refundable. - The re‑registration advance (KES 80,000) is explicitly stated as an advance on annual tuition and non‑refundable. - General rule in the financial regulations: enrollment‑related payments that validate registration are not refundable. Fee payment options and practical payment details - Accepted payment methods: - Bank transfer in EUR, KES or USD (school lists accounts for transfers). - Cheque payable to “Lycée Français Denis Diderot.” - M‑Pesa Paybill: Paybill number 453553 (the payment reference must be the invoice number). - Cash payments are no longer accepted. - Invoices issued in the EDUKA platform include amounts in Euro, KES and USD; the exchange rate applied is the chancery exchange rate on the date of invoicing. - In specific cases the school may agree a payment plan; approved plans are formalized and may require a direct debit or monthly instalments (for example nine monthly instalments from September to May if a plan is agreed). - For payment identification, use the student identity or family code shown in EDUKA and send proof of payment to caisse@lyceefrancaisnairobi.com when requested. - Failure to pay according to the calendar may result in penalties, suspension from activities, withholding of transfer documents or withholding of end‑of‑year certificates/diplomas until accounts are settled. Notes on discounts and penalties - 5% reduction on tuition if full annual payment is received in the school's bank account by 30 September. - 20% sibling reduction applied from the third child of the same family (on tuition). - Late payments incur a 5% monthly penalty, cumulative.
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 Cambridge Primary is used for Year 1 to Year 6, focusing on learners aged 5 to 11 with English (first or second language), mathematics, science, Cambridge Global Perspectives and ICT. The Cambridge Primary framework sets clear learning objectives and supports progression across the core subjects. The programme is flexible; schools can offer any combination of Cambridge Primary subjects to align with the school or national curriculum. Cambridge Primary assessments include Cambridge Primary Progression Tests and Cambridge Primary Checkpoint to benchmark learners' progress over time. The school emphasises spiral progression and ongoing professional development for staff, including the Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers. Facilities include a library and ICT Suite, and Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship education (PSHCE) is delivered following SEAL (Social Emotional Aspects of Learning).	Curriculum details The Lyce9e Frane7ais Denis Diderot offers the full French curriculum from Kindergarten to Lycee in Nairobi. It provides a bilingual French-English education, with Kindergarten taught by a French-speaking teacher, supported by assistants and an English teacher from the first year. The Primary program runs five years, developing core knowledge, with eight hours of foreign languages per week, including two hours of Swahili. Middle School spans four years with core disciplines and languages; a new foreign language is introduced in the second year. High School lasts three years; in the second year students choose majors and sit the French baccalaureate exam to prepare for higher studies. Parcours PARLE promotes multilingualism, and a British International Section is available on a trial basis, leading to the French international baccalaureate.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Studies after the French Baccalaureate can be pursued in many countries. France remains a privileged option for higher education, with opportunities in preparatory classes for Grandes Ecoles and admission to top universities (INSA Lyon, Louis-le-Grand, Montaigne, etc.). Graduates have enrolled in Canada (HEC Montre9al) and the United States (HULT International Business School), as well as programs in Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Egypt and Malaysia. Orientation support for continuing with the STUDENT PLAN, including the Future course and resources from ONISEP, CIDJ, AEFE and PARCOUREO, plus the PRIO platform, helps families explore post-baccalaureate options.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
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 Step 1. Online Admission Form: Herald International School provides an Online Admission Form. The form collects applicant details including Name (First and Last), Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Gender, Nationality, and Address. It asks for the Class in which admission is sought (Year 1 through Year 11) and for details of any siblings who have or are attending the school. It records information about previous schools attended (Name of School, Class, From, To) and health details, including any health problems requiring special attention. It includes sections for Extra Curricular Activities and a Declaration, and requires the parent/guardian's contact information. Step 2. Attach supporting documents: The form requires attachments of the child's Birth Certificate, Previous School Leaving Certificate, Result Slip, and two Passport-sized photos.	Admissions Step 1. New students are welcomed at the beginning of the school year (September) and throughout the year. Registrations for the 2025-2026 year are now open. The registration process is initiated online via the Online Registration link in the Registration section. The online registration is accessible to families as part of the admission process. Step 2. Step to registration. Online registration is the primary route to apply. The process is accessed by clicking the Online Registration link. Families are directed to follow the online steps to complete the application. The 2025-2026 registration cycle is specified on the page. Step 3. Important information. Tuition is paid by families and the financial terms are described in the Financial Regulations. Canteen: school meals are compulsory for primary pupils on three long days (Monday-Tuesday-Thursday). Immigration: it is the parents' responsibility to be in good standing with Kenyan immigration authorities; a certificate of enrolment and a school letter may be provided to complete the student pass application. Communication: information relating to school life is distributed electronically to the email address provided by the parents. School Insurance: the school insures its pupils for school insurance and medical transport. Step 4. Admission procedures. Admission procedures are differentiated by the pupil's prior schooling background. Case 1 applies to pupils enrolled in a public or AEFE network school in France or a French school abroad during the previous school year or the current school year. These pupils are admitted to the class indicated by the orientation decision or the dialogue form, for entry into 2nde, 1ère and Terminale, with priority given subject to availability of places. Case 2 applies to pupils who attended a school not approved by the French Ministry of Education during the previous or current school year, or who have had an interruption of 3 months or more in the AEFE network; a placement test will be carried out to determine the appropriate level.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The Lycée is a non-profit school, subsidized by the French state, which allows tuition fees to be 30% to 27% lower than other international schools in Nairobi. AEFE scholarships: French families can apply for a grant from AEFE. This tuition assistance is reserved for children of French nationality residing with their families in Kenya, and under certain means conditions, the scholarship may cover up to 100% of tuition fees. Applications and renewal files can be collected from the French Embassy. Two committees meet during the year: in May, for the regular committee ruling on applications for the upcoming school year; and in October/November, for the remedial commission concerning new students enrolled in the Lycée for the current year. The opening dates of the scholarship campaign and submission of files are published on this site. A brochure AEFE is available for more information.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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