Hillcrest International School vs Peponi School

	H Hillcrest International School Nairobi, Kenya	P Peponi School Nairobi, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 577,600 - 3,055,000	Fees / year KES 2,055,570 - 4,361,610
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 12 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 630	Pupils 352
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1965	Opened 1989
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Hillcrest International Schools is located on Hillcrest Road in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. The mailing address is P.O. Box 24819 - 00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.	Location Rural campus just outside Nairobi, East Africa.
Stages	Stages Early Years; Preparatory; Secondary; Sixth Form.	Stages Shell (Year 9) to Upper Sixth (Year 13). The year groups are organised as Shell (Year 9); Lower and Upper Fifth Form (Year 10–11); and Lower and Upper Sixth Form (Year 12–13).
School type	School type The school is a private international school with boarding facilities and is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.	School type Independent coeducational school for both boarding and day pupils.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Around 40 nationalities are represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Provision for SEND and EAL.	Additional learning support Learning Support provides greater support for Special Education Needs and opportunities to stretch the gifted and talented.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Kenya	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Multi-faith.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Boarding, weekly boarding and day pupil options. Games afternoon sessions are timetabled twice a week. A transport service includes a daily bus for day pupils (arrives 7:30am, departs 4:15pm) and a late bus at 5:30pm; a bespoke Weekly Boarding bus serves Nairobi and environs; airport transfers are provided for term starts/ends.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details A bespoke Weekly Boarding bus is provided, servicing Nairobi and its environs. There is a comprehensive transport service for day pupils with daily pick-up/drop-off to locations within Nairobi; the daily bus arrives at 7:30am and departs at 4:15pm, with a late bus at 5:30pm.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration deposit - A placement deposit is required at enrolment. Deposit amounts by year group: KES 25,000 (Playgroup–FS1/FS2/Year 1), KES 50,000 (Year 2–Year 8), KES 100,000 (Year 9–Year 13). Tuition fees — annual and per term (by year group) - Playgroup (Mornings Only): Annual KES 384,000 — Per term KES 128,000. - Nursery (Mornings Only): Annual KES 767,400 — Per term KES 255,800. - Nursery (Full Day): Annual KES 946,199 — Per term KES 315,400. - FS1 (Mornings Only): Annual KES 844,200 — Per term KES 281,400. - FS1 (Full Day): Annual KES 1,022,998 — Per term KES 341,000. - FS2: Annual KES 1,133,700 — Per term KES 377,900. - Year 1: Annual KES 1,317,900 — Per term KES 439,300. - Year 2: Annual KES 1,897,200 — Per term KES 632,400. - Years 3–5: Annual KES 2,398,200 — Per term KES 799,400. - Year 6: Annual KES 2,466,598 — Per term KES 822,199. - Years 7–8: Annual KES 2,574,900 — Per term KES 858,300. - Year 9: Annual KES 2,652,900 — Per term KES 884,300. - Years 10–11: Annual KES 2,881,500 — Per term KES 960,500. - Years 12–13: Annual KES 3,083,099 — Per term KES 1,027,700. Notes on calculation: annual tuition figures are stated as the programme fee per academic year; per-term figures shown above are the annual tuition divided across the school's three-term academic year. Lunch, transport and other recurring fees - Lunch (Years 9–13): Annual KES 133,500 — Per term KES 44,500. - Transport (EYFS–Year 13): Annual charges by zone (return and one-way): - Zone A: Return KES 168,600; One-way KES 101,398. - Zone B: Return KES 219,300; One-way KES 131,702. - Zone C: Return KES 269,702; One-way KES 162,000. - Zone D: Return KES 303,600; One-way KES 182,100. Transport is billed as an annual charge as shown. Boarding fees and options - Boarding options: Full boarding, Weekly boarding and a Flexi option are offered for Years 7–13. Full boarding provides term-long residence (including weekends); weekly boarding runs Monday to Friday; flexi-boarders stay for selected nights. - Boarding charges (annual) and deposit: - Full boarding (Year 7–13): Annual KES 1,074,600 — Deposit KES 28,955 — Per term KES 358,200. - Weekly boarding (Year 7–13): Annual KES 681,898 — Deposit KES 28,955 — Per term KES 227,299. Other one-off or variable costs - Uniform: School uniform must be purchased from the school's approved suppliers (Animet and Image First). Costs for uniform items are payable directly to those suppliers. - Co-curricular activities, certain trips, music tuition, examination entry fees and specialist course fees may incur additional charges depending on the activity and year group; these costs are billed separately when applicable. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school operates on a three-term academic calendar; tuition figures are quoted per academic year and are invoiced across the school's term structure. Families are expected to meet termly invoicing schedules. If a family gives less than one term's written notice when withdrawing a pupil, one term's fees will be charged in lieu of notice. - Sibling policy: a sibling discount on tuition is offered for families with more than one child enrolled. (Specific discount levels are applied according to the school's policy.) Refunds and notice - Withdrawal: One term's written notice to the headteacher is required. If one term's notice is not given, one term's fees will be charged in lieu of notice. This is the school's contractual requirement for leaving. - Deposits and other refundable items: deposits are required as listed above; the school's published fee schedule identifies deposit amounts by year group. Specific deposit refund mechanics (timing, conditions) are handled under the school's admissions and finance procedures. Fee payment options - The school uses a parent portal (Engage) for parental accounts and communications; this platform supports integrated payment functionality. Acceptance of card payments and bank transfers is supported through the Engage/Stripe integration used by schools on the platform. In practice, school fee payments are commonly handled via the parent portal, direct bank transfer or other channels enabled by the school's finance office; specific instructions and account details are provided to parents on invoicing. Summary of key headline figures (annual) - Lowest day tuition (Playgroup mornings): KES 384,000. - Typical lower primary (Year 1): KES 1,317,900. - Upper secondary (Years 12–13): KES 3,083,099. - Full boarding (annual): KES 1,074,600. - Transport (example Zone A return annual): KES 168,600. - Lunch (Years 9–13 annual): KES 133,500.	Fee details Application & one‑off entry charges - Registration fee: KES 7,500. - Acceptance fee (to confirm an offered place at Peponi School): KES 15,000. - Caution deposit (refundable) for Kenyan residents: KES 500,000. - Caution deposit (refundable) for non‑Kenyan residents: KES 700,000. - Pupil's Pass (where required for pupils whose parents are not Kenyan citizens or residents): KES 10,000. Tuition and boarding (per term — three terms per academic year) — Peponi Senior School (Years 9–13: Shell, Lower VI, Upper VI etc.) - Full boarding (per term): KES 1,453,870. - Weekly boarding (per term): KES 1,373,495. - Day pupil tuition (per term): KES 976,370. - A sibling discount applies to tuition/day fees: 5% for the second child and 10% for subsequent children (discount applies to tuition/day fees across Peponi Schools; full fees are charged to the eldest child). Tuition (per term) for Peponi House / Preparatory levels (Years 1–8) — noted here for families moving through the Peponi schools - Registration fee (Peponi House): KES 5,000 (non‑refundable). - Caution deposit (Peponi House, refundable): KES 350,000. - Year 1 (per term): KES 685,190. - Year 2 (per term): KES 758,755. - Years 3–8 (per term): KES 824,300. - Year 6: school‑supplied iPad (one‑off cost for pupils joining Year 6): KES 83,200 (cost may be spread over instalments according to the school's arrangements for that intake). Billing schedule and payment terms - The academic year is billed in three terms; tuition and boarding charges are shown as a per‑term amount and are payable on the termly billing schedule. - To accept a formally offered place, parents must complete the acceptance form and pay the caution deposit within the acceptance period (parents have a limited period to accept an offer once made). - If a place is not taken up after acceptance, the caution deposit is not refundable. When a pupil leaves the school, the caution deposit is refunded provided the required written notice is given. - If a pupil is withdrawn other than at the normal leaving date (end of Upper VI/Year 13), the school requires one term's written notice or payment of one term's fee in lieu of notice. Boarding specifics - Boarding fee levels are shown above as termly charges and differ by full boarding and weekly boarding. Boarding places are secured by payment of the required acceptance/caution deposit and subsequent termly boarding fee payments. Other costs and chargeable extras - Uniform and games kit: school uniform is purchased from Haria Outfitters (Haria Outfitters Ltd — Sarit Centre and Junction Mall outlets) and the full Games Kit is supplied via Tessen Sports Services. Parents should budget separately for uniform and kit purchases; suppliers set their own prices. - Peripatetic and specialist lessons (for example individual instrumental lessons) and some extracurricular providers charge separate fees; these are invoiced individually and are payable in addition to termly tuition. Invoices for peripatetic lessons are payable either to the individual teacher/provider or via the school as stated on the invoice. - Miscellaneous trip, activity or exam charges (including any international trip or exam entry fees) are charged as required and are additional to tuition and boarding. (Specific amounts for trips and optional activities are billed when those activities are arranged.) Refunds and notice - The caution deposit is refundable when the pupil leaves the school provided the school's required written notice (one term's notice) has been given. - If a place is accepted but then not taken up, the caution deposit is not refundable. - If a parent withdraws a pupil other than at the normal leaving date, the parent must provide one term's written notice or pay one term's fee in lieu of notice. Fee payment options - The Peponi Schools accept electronic/mobile payments for certain items and activities (for example M‑PESA is used for registration and activity payments at some Peponi sites and for some external providers). - Parents may also use bank transfer or cheque arrangements (details and the preferred payee account are provided by the school's finance office when completing admission/acceptance documentation or when an invoice is issued). Some third‑party activity providers and suppliers accept M‑PESA paybill/till payments; proof of payment is normally required when paying via mobile channels. Practical notes for budgeting - All figures above are termly where shown; multiply per‑term figures by three to estimate an annual total (term count = three). - Expect additional one‑off or annual costs beyond the termly tuition/boarding charge: registration/acceptance fees, caution deposit (refundable subject to notice rules), uniform and sports kit, individual lessons, trip/exam charges and any specific year‑group requirements (for example the Year 6 iPad charge at the preparatory level).
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 school follows the British National Curriculum and offers IGCSEs in Years 9–11 and A-Level courses and BTEC courses in Years 12–13. Cambridge International Examinations Board is the preferred syllabus in the majority of subject areas.	Curriculum details The curriculum aims to realise each pupil's potential across academics, athletics, pastoral care and social development. It offers a range of academic options with small class sizes to provide individualised attention and differentiated learning. The year groups span from Shell (Year 9) to Upper Sixth (Year 13), with Mathematics, all three Sciences, English Language and English Literature as compulsory subjects, and pupils are prepared for IGCSE examinations by a dedicated staff.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio The school has low student-teacher ratios.	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes enable individualized attention.
Exam results	Exam results A Level results show 2023 A/A at 35.03%, A-B at 57.32%, A-C at 81.53%, and A-E at 99.36%. IGCSE results show 2023 A/A at 21.27%, A-B at 51.09%, A-C at 80.0%, and A-G at 98.81%.	Exam results The school has received Pearson Learner Awards for top performers, including a pupil achieving the highest mark in Kenya in Chemistry for Pearson IGCSE.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The school opens the door to further and higher education and their chosen career path.	Higher education progression The Careers Department runs a structured programme for Years 9 to A Level, providing careers guidance and information to enable tailored career choices; by the time pupils reach A Level, progress is evident. Former pupils have progressed to universities worldwide, including the University of Toronto (Aerospace Engineering), the University of Glasgow (Biochemistry) and CEU Cardinal Herrera (Medicine).
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The school has identified 50 pupils as the most able; these pupils receive additional curriculum support at departmental level and through extra-curricular activities.	Gifted and talented The learning support department provides greater support for special educational needs and explores opportunities to stretch the 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 1. Most children join in September. New children can join at any stage, including families moving to Kenya from abroad. Registrations for Nursery are accepted up to one year prior to September entry. 2. As a first step, schedule an appointment with the Registrar to visit the school and meet the Head Teacher. Preparatory and Secondary contact details are listed for admissions. 3. Hillcrest International Schools is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools. The address is P.O. Box 24819 -00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. The Preparatory and Secondary divisions have specific contact channels for admissions inquiries.	Admissions 1. Enquiry. After reading the prospectus, looking at the website or visiting the School, begin the admissions process by filling the Enquiry Form on the site or by contacting the School's Registrar. The Enquiry Form is available online in the admissions section. 2. Registration. At entry, parents complete a registration form and pay a non-refundable registration fee. Registration does not guarantee a place and places the pupil's name within the application process. Each pupil is registered using their full name as per passport or birth certificate. 3. Assessment. For Years 3–13, all applicants complete an entry assessment to ensure the School can meet the child's needs and attend the assessment; the child's most recent report from their current school plus any other professional reports related to learning (e.g., Educational Psychologist) are requested. For children outside the Nairobi area, the current school may be sent an assessment under the same conditions, and a reference from the current school/learning environment is needed. For Kindergarten and Years 1–2, assessment may be informal during play for entry into Kindergarten; Year 1–2 entrants are invited to attend an assessment conducted by the Head of Pre Prep and Pre Prep teachers, including a phonics check, reading, assessments of language understanding and basic number recognition, lasting about one hour on a chosen date. 4. Scholarships. Peponi School welcomes applications for scholarships and exhibitions at 13+ entry and 16+ entry; there are a number of awards available in a wide range of pupil activity. The aim is to reward and encourage pupils to excel and to strive for the very best in their endeavours. More information on scholarships can be found on the Scholarships page of the site. 5. Offer of a Place. Following the completion of all aspects of the Entry Procedure, the Head will decide whether to offer a place for a child and the year group. Admission will be subject to the availability of a place and a child satisfying any admission requirements at the time. The School will offer a place to a child by way of a letter to the parents; parents will also be sent an acceptance form and a copy of the School enrolment contract. To accept, all those with parental responsibility must complete, sign and return the acceptance form together with a payment of the caution deposit and copies of the child's passport and birth certificate. Parents have three weeks to accept or the place may be forfeited. 6. Waiting List. The School will not hold open places for children if the deposit is not paid and their names will be added to the waiting list. When oversubscribed, a waiting list is operated; provided the registration form has been filled, the registration fee paid and assessment taken, a child can join the waiting list. Places that become available will be allocated according to the admissions policy criteria and not necessarily on the length of time on the waiting list. The waiting list is reviewed whenever a child is added to or removed from the waiting list and at the end of each school year; a child's name may remain on the waiting list for the following school year at the parents' request, and if a child remains on the waiting list, they may be required to take another assessment.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarship awards are offered by Hillcrest Secondary School for entry to Year 9 (13 year olds) and Year 12 – Sixth Form (16 year olds). These awards aim to recognise potential for excellence across a range of areas and to provide opportunities that candidates may not otherwise access. Candidates are expected to demonstrate independence, curiosity, determination and respect. Hillcrest International Schools is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.	Scholarships Scholarships and Exhibitions are available for 13+ entry and 16+ entry; awards cover a wide range of pupil activity and aim to reward academic or extracurricular excellence. The 16+ entry process for Lower VI/Year 12 involves an academic assessment with three parts: Part I – compulsory papers in Mathematics, English and General Paper; Part II – a choice of two option papers; Part III – an extended writing piece of 800–1000 words. Applications for 2026 entry are open for 16+; 13+ scholarships offer Academic, Specialist (music, art, drama, or sport), and All-Rounder awards. Applications for September 2027 entry open in September 2026. For more details, see the 16+ Scholarship Handbook and the 13+ Scholarship Handbook on the Scholarships page.
Waitlist	Waitlist Where a year group is full, new admissions are placed on a waiting list. Waiting lists operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority may be given to siblings of children who already have a place in the school.	Waitlist Oversubscription leads to a waiting list. The School operates a waiting list once all places are allocated; joining requires a completed registration form, paid registration fee and an assessment. Places are allocated according to admissions policy criteria and not simply by time on the waiting list; the waiting list is reviewed on additions/removals and at the end of each school year; a child on the waiting list may remain on the list for the next year upon parental request and may be required to take another assessment.
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