International School of Kenya vs Woodland Star International School

	I International School of Kenya Nairobi, Kenya	W Woodland Star International School Nairobi, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 19,870 - 43,350	Fees / year KES 8,505 - 23,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), American Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Australian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,000	Pupils 150
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 13
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1976	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISK sits on a 40-acre campus on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. The campus is located in Nairobi and the postal address is PO Box 14103 - 00800, Nairobi, Kenya.	Location Located in Tigoni, Limuru, Kenya, not far from Nairobi. The campus sits within Brackenhurst Botanic Garden and is surrounded by 40 acres of indigenous forest and tea fields. Brackenhurst Botanic Garden holds ArbNet Level III status, one of only 22 such gardens worldwide, and hosts over 500 tree species. The forest is home to 180 bird species and the Black and White Colobus Monkey.
Stages	Stages Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12; Elementary School, Middle School, and High School divisions.	Stages Early Years; Primary Years; Middle Years; High School
School type	School type Private, non-profit international school.	School type International day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix ISK has over 1,000 students representing more than 65 nationalities.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Provides support for mild to moderate learning needs through Student Support Services.	Additional learning support Learning support is provided; the school welcomes students with special educational needs and provides support on a case-by-case basis.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Created in 1976 through a joint partnership between the governments of the United States and Canada.	Country affiliation Kenya
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure School hours are 8:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 8:20 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Yes, an optional Bus Service to locations in Nairobi and its surroundings.	Bus service details Transport is provided in partnership with African Encounter Travel (AET). Routes include Tigoni, Runda, Rosslyn, General Mathenge, Tilisi, and other nearby areas.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Applicable academic year The following fee figures are the published International School of Kenya fee schedule for the 2025–2026 academic year and are shown in US Dollars. One‑time / Entry fees - Application Fee: USD 400. Applies only to new applicants; non‑refundable and payable in full on submission of the completed application. - One‑time Capital Levy (new entrants K–12): USD 11,000 payable at enrolment; non‑refundable. A reduction of USD 500 is applied for each additional sibling from the same family. The Capital Levy is postponed for Pre‑K entrants until they join Kindergarten. No early‑payment discount on the Capital Levy. - Life‑Centered Education (LCE) Program Fee (where applicable): USD 20,000, payable in addition to the grade‑level tuition for students enrolled in the LCE program (Kindergarten–Grade 12). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑semester amounts) ISK bills tuition on a per‑year basis and publishes that tuition is payable by semester (two equal payments). The annual and per‑semester amounts are shown below (per‑semester = annual ÷ 2): - Pre‑Kindergarten: USD 18,870 per year (USD 9,435 per semester). - Kindergarten: USD 30,800 per year (USD 15,400 per semester). - Grades 1–5: USD 32,540 per year (USD 16,270 per semester). - Grades 6–8: USD 33,965 per year (USD 16,982.50 per semester). - Grades 9–10: USD 35,900 per year (USD 17,950 per semester). - Grades 11–12: USD 37,330 per year (USD 18,665 per semester). Annual continuing‑student levy and transport / food - Annual Capital Levy (continuing students): USD 1,550 per year. - Bus (school transport) fee: USD 2,200 per year. Reduction of USD 200 for each additional sibling; from the fourth sibling onward the bus fee is USD 1,600. (Per‑semester equivalent where required: USD 1,100 per semester for a single child using bus service.) - Lunch service: Operates on a prepaid basis; sign‑up available for semester or year. (Cost varies by plan and is prepaid.) Special / additional costs - International Baccalaureate examination and exam‑related fees: Individual student costs range approximately from USD 300 (single IB exam) up to about USD 908 for a full IB Diploma candidate in the senior year. IB fees, DHL costs and Kenya National Examination Council fees are charged to families; parents are billed in October with payment due in November. Additional charges apply for late registration or changes after deadlines. - Supplementary language classes: Core language instruction is included in tuition; occasional additional native‑language lessons offered via national community groups are charged to parents if arranged. - Selected intercultural trips: Costs for inter‑cultural trips that require flights (within Kenya or international) are charged to parents; flight costs are the family's responsibility. - Student materials / books / replacement items: Replacement costs for lost or damaged books are charged at actual replacement cost. (Textbook/book replacement policy is applied where relevant.) - Uniforms and other optional charges: Uniforms or uniform‑shop charges are not listed as an itemised tuition line in the published fee schedule; families should budget separately for uniform purchase and replacement. Boarding - Boarding is not offered; the International School of Kenya operates as a day school. No boarding fees apply. Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing cadence: Tuition is published as an annual fee and is payable by semester (two equal instalments). Pre‑payments for a full year may attract a 1% discount where published conditions apply (example on the 2025–2026 schedule). - Payment plans: The Business Manager may negotiate payment plans in US Dollars with a surcharge of 0.5% per month, or in Kenya Shillings with a surcharge of 1% per month. A nominal fee is applicable to authorized payment plans. - Penalties and default: A penalty of 2% per month is applied to outstanding balances that are not paid at the beginning of the semester or that miss payment‑plan deadlines; failure to make payment within 30 days of a deadline may result in student withdrawal. Refund rules - Tuition and deposits are non‑refundable after payment except in the single circumstance where a family has paid for a full year and withdraws prior to the commencement of the semester; attendance for any portion of a semester precludes a refund of tuition for that semester. Application fees and Capital Levies are non‑refundable. Payment currency and how to pay - Accepted currency: Payments are published in US Dollars. Kenyan citizens may pay in Kenya Shillings (evidence of citizenship required). - Payment method summary: The school publishes that families should contact the Business Office for bank details and payment instructions; payments are processed through the Business Office. Payment plans, bank transfer instructions and other arrangements (including applicable surcharges) are managed by the Business Office. Contact: finance@isk.ac.ke or +254 20 209 1308/9. Other financial assistance and notes on discounts - Sibling and family concessions: The Capital Levy reduction noted above applies per additional sibling (USD 500 reduction per additional student for the one‑time Capital Levy). Bus fee sibling reductions are also published. - Financial assistance: ISK offers limited tuition assistance bursaries (ranging from USD 500 up to 20% of a family's total tuition costs) for existing families, and may offer Capital Levy payment plans or partial Capital Levy waivers for new families in need; applications for assistance are handled through the Business Manager. Key points for budgeting - Expect initial one‑time charges for new students: Application Fee (USD 400) plus the One‑time Capital Levy (USD 11,000) for K–12 entrants, in addition to the annual tuition for the relevant grade. - Ongoing annual costs include tuition (grade dependent), the annual Capital Levy for returning students (USD 1,550), optional transport (USD 2,200 before sibling reduction), prepaid lunch service, and IB exam or trip‑related charges where applicable.	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - Registration deposit (new students, once-off, payable to confirm a place): USD 1,000 per child. This registration deposit is deducted from the final term's tuition or may be rolled over annually. If a place is cancelled after payment of the registration deposit but before the start of term, the registration deposit is non-refundable; limited refunds of pre-paid tuition may apply under the school's notice rules. Tuition fees (per year and per term) Early Years Program (Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten) - 1/2 days, 3 days per week (Pre-School only): USD 3,975 per year (or USD 1,325 per term). - 1/2 days, 5 days per week: USD 5,250 per year (or USD 1,750 per term). - Full day, 5 days per week: USD 7,455 per year (or USD 2,485 per term). - Annual capital levy for Early Years (payable by parents): USD 300 per year. - Optional lunch: USD 750 per year (or USD 250 per term). Primary Years (Grades K–5) - Tuition (self-paid): USD 16,065 per year (or USD 5,355 per term). - Tuition (employer-paid category): USD 23,625 per year (or USD 7,875 per term). - Capital levy (self-paid): USD 750 per year. Capital levy (employer-paid): USD 1,000 per year. - Optional lunch: USD 990 per year (or USD 330 per term). Middle Years (Grades 6–8) - Tuition (self-paid): USD 16,905 per year (or USD 5,635 per term). - Tuition (employer-paid): USD 24,840 per year (or USD 8,280 per term). - Optional lunch: USD 1,080 per year (or USD 360 per term). Secondary / High School (Grades 9–11) - Tuition (self-paid): USD 18,195 per year (or USD 6,065 per term). - Tuition (employer-paid): USD 24,960 per year (or USD 8,320 per term). - Optional lunch: USD 1,140 per year (or USD 380 per term). Optional and additional recurring fees - Transport (termly rates vary by route and by child order): examples shown in the fee schedule include termly amounts by route with first-child rates and reduced second/third-child rates (term examples: USD 1,160 / USD 585 / USD 930 per term depending on route; reduced rates apply for additional siblings). Late-afternoon bus options are charged separately (examples: USD 235 once-per-week; USD 465 twice-per-week). - Learning support and specialist services: one-to-one support is priced case-by-case; internal supplementary services example: USD 4,800 per annum; hybrid vocational services example: USD 6,000 per annum. A service-processing surcharge (10–15%) may apply where third-party specialist services are paid through the school's finance office. - Sibling discount: 5% discount on tuition for each additional child from the same family (applies to tuition only). Annual capital levy is not discounted. Billing schedule and payment terms - Academic-year category and due dates (2025/26 schedule example): Fees for Term 1 are due no later than 25 August 2025. A 5% discount on annual tuition is applied when the full year's tuition is paid in advance prior to the start of the school year (example date given: on or before 22 August 2025). Late payments attract a penalty of 2% per month on outstanding amounts. Payment-plan arrangements are available for a plan fee (examples in the schedule: USD 150 per year); payment-plan installments are required to follow the school's prescribed timetable (first installment on or before the first day of school, second one month later, final installment two months after the first day of school). Families are liable for the full term's fees once a term has commenced. Boarding fees - Boarding: Woodland Star's published fee schedules and finance policy list day-student tuition, transport, lunch, capital levy and related charges and do not include a separate boarding fee line item. No full-boarding fee schedule is provided in the published fee schedule. Other costs (uniforms, materials and incidentals) - Uniforms, stationery and personal school equipment are additional costs payable by families; the fee schedule treats these as separate, variable expenses rather than a fixed recurring school fee. Costs for uniforms and first-term starter packs are charged separately and vary by item and supplier. Refund information and withdrawal notice requirements - Notice required to avoid further term charges: Families wishing to withdraw a child must give one full term's notice (i.e., notice on or before the last day of the school term that precedes their child's final term). If notice is given less than a full term but before the next term starts, parents are required to pay 75% of the following term's tuition; where tuition for the following term has already been paid the school will reimburse 25% of that term's tuition. If a student leaves part-way through a term, families remain liable for the full term's tuition. Pre-paid lunches are refundable pro rata if a family leaves part-way through a year; pre-paid transport is not refundable. Specific provisions apply to refunds where learning support services have been engaged. The registration deposit is refundable in line with the published policy when applied as described, but is non-refundable if a place is cancelled after payment and before term commencement in certain circumstances. Fee payment options and charges - Bank transfer to school accounts (Kenyan Shilling account details and international transfer instructions are provided in the school's finance information). - Credit card payments are accepted at the finance office; a credit-card processing surcharge applies (example: a 3% surcharge when paying by card). Other local payment methods and the option to arrange approved payment plans are available through the finance office. Payment instructions, required references and bank details are provided by the school's finance office. Late-payment and non-payment consequences (penalties, withholding of reports/transcripts, and potential exclusion from classes until accounts are cleared) are stipulated in the finance policy.
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 ISK provides education across Elementary, Middle, and High School within a framework centered on the International Baccalaureate. In High School, Grades 9–12 students work toward the ISK High School Diploma, with many pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. Grade 9 follows a common course of study in English and Science, with Mathematics and World Languages (French, Spanish, Kiswahili), and wellness and creativity through health, art, drama, and music. Grade 10 continues core study with electives and a strong emphasis on experiential learning and IB preparation. The IB Diploma Programme is offered in Grades 11–12, with six externally assessed IB courses, the Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge, alongside ISK's four-year High School Diploma. Graduation requires 24–28 credits across English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages, Physical Education, Health, Creative Arts, and Electives.	Curriculum details The school uses an international and individualized curriculum.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results The IB exams pass rate is 98.5%.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression ISK provides college counseling to support university selection and applications. The Class of 2025 received university acceptances across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Europe, and rest of the world. Examples include University College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of York, New York University, Princeton University, University of Michigan, McGill University, and University of Toronto.	Higher education progression Graduates are prepared for universities around the world.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented ISK has a Gifted and Talented policy and Highly Capable Learner (HCL) program; it is at the refining stage and not fully implemented, but structures exist and HCL models appear in some unit plans. Highly capable learners may skip grades or enroll in more advanced classes, and teachers have participated in related professional development.	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 - Create an Account. Begin by creating an account in the ISK application system, then return to the ISK Application Dashboard and select the appropriate year of entry. Step 1 also guides you to prepare for the online application submission. Step 2 - Submit an Online Application. Return to the dashboard to submit the online application for your child and ensure the year of entry is correct. Upload the requested documents: school reports from the previous three years translated into English, the Confidential School Report (sent directly to ISK via the dashboard), a Health Form, most recent MAP scores for Grades 3 and above, a current passport photo, and a copy of the student's passport bio data page. Include proof of payment of the US$400 non-refundable application fee and upload the Commitment to our Educational Philosophy form. Step 3 - Application Review and Next Steps. After submission, you will receive an email confirmation that the admissions team has received the application, and the status can be checked on the dashboard. The principal for each division makes all admission and grade placement decisions, with grade placement generally based on the student's age on September 15 and prior grade equivalence. Next steps include Entrance Assessments and Admissions Decisions, which determine whether ISK can provide the appropriate program for the student. The school also conducts orientation for new families at the start of each school year and for new admissions after mid-year.	Admissions 1. Rolling admissions are offered throughout the year, provided there is space in the appropriate classroom, for students aged two to thirteen. The school accepts applicants year-round in a manner that respects class capacity and diversity of learners. The program welcomes students with special educational needs on a case-by-case basis and considers readiness for entry into the school. 2. Selection is based on five criteria: learners must demonstrate school-readiness; there must be available places in the class (with maximum class sizes defined to maintain quality); the school must be able to meet the learner's support needs; the parent/guardian's ability to pay fees (with or without financial assistance); and whether the learner can cope with the medium of instruction. 3. The application process begins with completing the online application form and submitting it to the school. Primary and middle-year applicants must also provide documents including a completed school character/reference form from the previous school, previous school reports, standard examination/assessment results if available, and any relevant additional documentation such as IEPs or assessments. 4. If further academic assessments are deemed necessary, the school may require testing or evaluations to be completed by an external evaluator, at the parents' expense. 5. A credit reference check may be undertaken, which may include contacting the current school. 6. The application is screened for eligibility by school leadership against the stated criteria. 7. If necessary, the learner and the parent(s)/guardian(s) may be interviewed as part of the admissions process. 8. If the application is successful, the parent(s)/guardian(s) sign a financial agreement and pay a registration deposit of $1,000, which is rolled over and applied to the tuition fees of the last term of the academic year. 9. The parent(s)/guardian(s) sign an agreement to uphold the Village Rules and the school's policies and procedures. The principal informs the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the admission status, and reasons for non-admission can be provided on request.
Scholarships	Scholarships ISK Scholarships invest in Kenyan youth who would otherwise be unable to afford tuition. The ISK Scholarship targets low to middle income Kenyan students and covers 100% of high school costs, including the IB Diploma program, school fees, admission fees, and bus fees, provided recipients maintain good academic performance and behavior. Applications are screened by a scholarship committee and awarded by April of each year, with financial need assessed via a Finance Disclosure form and supporting documentation. High School Scholarships for Kenyan citizens are based on merit and proven financial need and require Kenyan citizenship, English fluency, strong English-language academic achievement, leadership and service, being at least 14 years old by July, and completion of Grade 8 or Year 9 with eligibility to enter Grade 9 at ISK. The Beacon Scholarship is a separate Changemaker program with its own eligibility and funding structure. For scholarship inquiries, scholarships@isk.ac.ke. Scholarship Applications for the 2026-27 school year are closed.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Applicants who cannot be enrolled due to lack of space will be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available. Waiting lists may be formed as early as March for the forthcoming school year, and applicants are removed from the waiting list when space becomes available. If communicated that a child is on the waiting list, an email should be sent to confirm the wish to remain on the waiting list.	Waitlist —
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