Light International School Mombasa vs The Coast Academy

	L Light International School Mombasa Mombasa, Kenya	T The Coast Academy Mombasa, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 376,000 - 878,000	Fees / year KES 375,000 - 990,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 343	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1970
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in the leafy Nyali Estate in Mombasa, Kenya. Nyali is a residential coastal suburb, and the campus sits in a peaceful suburban setting. The school serves students from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds.	Location Kaunda Avenue, Mombasa. The campus comprises two sections: the Junior School (Playgroup to Year 6) and the Senior School (Year 7 to A level), located in Kizingo, a residential area of Mombasa.
Stages	Stages Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years (ages 3–5) through to A-Levels (Year 12 & 13).	Stages Junior School (Playgroup to Year 6); Senior School (Year 7 to A level).
School type	School type Co-educational day school.	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Kenya	Country affiliation Kenya
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 Fee overview (Academic year 2025–2026). These fees are stated in Kenyan Shillings (KES). One-off (admission / registration) fees - Interview fee: KES 2,500. - Admission fee: KES 40,000. - Caution money (refundable): KES 40,000. - Textbook & reading books (charged once per year): - Early Years (EY1–EY3): KES 28,000 per annum. - Year 1–Year 5: KES 38,000 per annum. - Year 6–Year 11: KES 44,000 per annum. - Year 12–Year 13: KES 46,000 per annum. Tuition and lunch fees — per term (by year group) - Early Years (EY1–EY3): - Tuition: Term I KES 108,000; Term II KES 81,000; Term III KES 81,000. - Lunch: KES 26,000 per term (Term I, II and III). - Primary - Year 1–2 tuition: Term I KES 192,000; Term II KES 144,000; Term III KES 144,000. - Year 3–6 tuition: Term I KES 240,000; Term II KES 180,000; Term III KES 180,000. - Primary lunch (Years 1–6): KES 32,000 per term (Term I, II and III). - Lower Secondary - Years 7–9 tuition: Term I KES 288,000; Term II KES 216,000; Term III KES 216,000. - Year 10 tuition: Term I KES 312,000; Term II KES 234,000; Term III KES 234,000. - Secondary lunch (Years 7–10): KES 38,000 per term. - Candidate classes (Years 11–13) - Year 11 tuition: Term I KES 390,000; Term II KES 390,000; Term III N/A (two-term charging). - Year 12–13 tuition: Term I KES 400,000; Term II KES 400,000; Term III N/A (two-term charging). - Candidates lunch (Years 11–13): KES 44,000 per term (where applicable). Cambridge examination fees and exam charging - Year 6 (Checkpoint): KES 16,000 per subject (typically four subjects). - Year 9 (Checkpoint): KES 18,000 per subject (typically four subjects). - Year 11 (IGCSE): minimum 8 subjects at KES 22,000 per subject. - Years 12–13 (AS & A Level): minimum 3 subjects at KES 25,000 per subject. - Cambridge exam fees for candidate classes must be paid during Term 1 (no later than end of November) and exam registration will not proceed while school fee balances remain unpaid. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school issues fee invoices annually and sends them to parents before the academic year begins. - All fee types must be paid in full at least fifteen (15) days before the start of each term. - Termly fee types are chargeable and payable over three terms for all classes except Years 11–13, which are chargeable and payable over two terms (Term 1 and Term 2). - Fees are payable in Kenyan Shillings (KES) only. - A surcharge of 5% per month is levied on any outstanding fee balance. - Additional fees (exams, trips, activities) arising during the year will be added to the invoice. Lunch fees may be amended during the year based on inflation or commodity cost changes. - Commitment fee for new admissions: where vacancies are limited, an advance or commitment fee may be required to reserve a place; this may be a minimum of 50% of the term fee and is non-refundable if the applicant withdraws or forfeits the placement. If fewer than three weeks remain before term start, the full enrolment term fee must be paid. - Withdrawal and refunds: a written notice of at least five weeks (35 days) to the school's official email is required before the start of the next term, together with written acknowledgement from the Principal; in the absence of such notice, a full term's fees will be payable in lieu. Caution money is refundable per the school's policy; the commitment fee is non-refundable in the circumstances described above. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; Light International School Mombasa operates as a day school. Other costs and items not included in tuition - School and PE uniforms are not included in the listed fees. Uniform costs are charged separately. - Examination, trip, extracurricular or other activity charges that arise during the academic year are additional and will be invoiced when applicable. - Sibling discount on tuition (applies to registered siblings within the Light Group of Schools): 2nd born — 5% discount; 3rd born — 10% discount; 4th born and subsequent siblings — 15% discount. The first-born is not entitled to a discount; discounts are recalculated when a sibling graduates or transfers. Refunds and withdrawal specifics - Caution money is refundable according to the school's refund procedures. - Commitment fee (when charged to reserve a place) is non-refundable if the applicant withdraws or forfeits the placement. - Failure to provide the required 35 days' written notice before the next term will result in a full term's fees being payable. Accepted payment methods and instructions - LIPA NA MPESA (Paybill / Business number): 631567. On the account number field enter the student's Virtual Account Number (13 digits) as shown on the student portal or invoice. Cheque and cash payments are not accepted. - Bank transfer / cash deposit to the school bank account (KCB): - Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). SWIFT: KCBLKENX. Bank code: 01. Branch code: 01288. Account name: Light International School, Mombasa. Account number: 1297204174. Narration: Student's full name. - After payment, forward the payment confirmation to the school via the listed school WhatsApp number or the school email to enable posting of the payment. Cheques and cash are not acceptable. Important administrative notes - Exam registration for Cambridge candidate classes will not proceed unless all outstanding school fee balances are fully cleared. - The school reserves the right to withhold access to classes, official documents or school services if fee balances remain unpaid.	Fee details 2025/2026 TUITION — termly and annual fees - Playgroup: KES 52,000 per term — KES 156,000 per year. - Nursery: KES 67,000 per term — KES 201,000 per year. - Kindergarten: KES 78,000 per term — KES 234,000 per year. - Transition: KES 88,000 per term — KES 264,000 per year. - Year 1: KES 125,000 per term — KES 375,000 per year. - Year 2: KES 140,000 per term — KES 420,000 per year. - Year 3: KES 145,000 per term — KES 435,000 per year. - Year 4: KES 165,000 per term — KES 495,000 per year. - Year 5: KES 165,000 per term — KES 495,000 per year. - Year 6: KES 165,000 per term — KES 495,000 per year. - Year 7: KES 175,000 per term — KES 525,000 per year. - Year 8: KES 200,000 per term — KES 600,000 per year. - Year 9: KES 200,000 per term — KES 600,000 per year. - Year 10: KES 210,000 per term — KES 630,000 per year. - Year 11: KES 320,000 per term — KES 960,000 per year. (Note: Y11 fees are charged as three terms paid in two installments.) - Year 12: KES 330,000 per term — KES 990,000 per year. (Y12 fees are charged as three terms paid in two installments.) - Year 13: KES 330,000 per term — KES 990,000 per year. (Y13 fees are charged as three terms paid in two installments.) Application / registration and refundable deposits - Registration fee: KES 10,000 (charged for Early Years through Year 13). - Caution fee (refundable): - Early Years: not required. - Years 1–5: KES 10,000. - Years 6–7: KES 25,000. - Years 8–13: KES 30,000. Additional recurring and optional fees - Emergency medical services: KES 1,100 per term (KES 3,300 per year). - Parents Association Levy: KES 1,000 per year (per family). - Lunch fee (year-group charge): KES 24,000 per year for Year 1–6; KES 24,000 per year for Year 7–13. - Zone transport (annual zone rates shown): - Kizingo: KES 19,000 (two-way) / KES 11,000 (one-way). - Island: KES 24,000 (two-way) / KES 17,000 (one-way). - Nyali: KES 33,000 (two-way) / KES 24,000 (one-way). - Bamburi/Shanzu: KES 35,000 (two-way) / KES 26,000 (one-way). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is expressed as termly fees and is billed on a term basis for most year groups (three terms per academic year). - For Years 11, 12 and 13 the three terms' tuition is payable in two installments rather than three separate term payments. - Registration and caution fees are required at enrolment or registration stage as shown above. Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; no boarding provision is indicated in the fee schedule. Uniforms, exam and other occasional costs - Uniform costs and other occasional charges (for example exam fees, optional trips, subject-specific materials) are not itemised in this fee schedule. A separate uniform list and additional charges apply where relevant. Refund information - The caution fee is expressly described as refundable at the levels listed above. No other refund procedures or schedules are itemised in the published fee schedule. Fee payment options - The published fee schedule does not specify accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card or mobile money). Notes on implementation of fees - Termly tuition amounts multiply by three to give an annual tuition total; Years 11–13 remain equivalent annually but are collected in two instalments covering the three terms.
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 International Curriculum is offered from Early Years (age 3+) through to A Levels, with the Cambridge Pathway covering Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary. Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary/Upper Secondary are part of the programme, and AS/A Level and Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma options are available. The curriculum is anchored in Cambridge and enhanced by Pearson Edexcel pathways. The school also emphasizes digital literacy and holistic development within the Cambridge framework.	Curriculum details The Coast Academy delivers a Cambridge-based curriculum pathway from Kindergarten through A Level. The Primary Curriculum is organised into Key Stage 1 (5–7 years) and Key Stage 2 (8–11 years). At the end of Key Stage 1, students take Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) in June; Key Stage 2 sits Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Exams in April across Science, Literacy and Numeracy, with Cambridge Primary Progression Tests in June for Years 3–5; both Checkpoint and Progression Tests are internationally accredited. The Lower Secondary Curriculum is based on the British National Curriculum's Key Stage Three; Year 7–Year 9 pupils are externally assessed in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT via SATs and are prepared for entry into the IGCSE programme. The Senior School offers the Cambridge IGCSE pathway followed by the A Level programme; Years 12–13 form the Sixth Form, with Year 12 selecting four or five subjects and Year 13 three subjects, leading to AS-Level and A-Level examinations that prepare students for university worldwide.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Low student-to-teacher ratio in Kindergarten; small class sizes.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results Students have earned Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards and Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards from 2022 to 2024, including Best in the Country for Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (2022); Top in the World for Cambridge IGCSE Sociology and Cambridge IGCSE Swahili (2023); Best in the Country for Cambridge AS Level Business and Cambridge AS Level Mathematics (2023); 2nd in the World for Cambridge AS Level Psychology (2024); 3rd in the World for Cambridge A Level Business and Cambridge A Level Information Technology (2024); Best in the Country for Cambridge AS Level English Language and IGCSE Global Perspectives (2024); Highest Mark in Africa – Pearson Edexcel GCSE Art & Design. LIS Mombasa holds Cambridge International AS & A Level examinations twice a year (June and November) with results issued in August and January; AICE Diploma is available for Years 12–13.	Exam results Exceptional IGCSE Results are achieved by Coast Academy students. AS-Level results typically include A*-B grades. The academic success section highlights these outcomes as indicators of student achievement.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression AS/A Level is accepted as an entry qualification by world's best universities; SAT is offered to support US college admissions; the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is available for Years 12–13 to boost university admissions.	Higher education progression IGCSE prepares students for university and life, with graduates able to enter universities worldwide that recognise the British IGCSE qualifications. The A Level programme (Years 12–13) is a pre-university pathway designed to prepare students to enter any university worldwide that recognises British A-Levels, with Year 12 introducing four or five subjects and Year 13 three subjects for AS-Level and A-Level examinations.
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 The school offers the Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years (ages 3-5) through to A levels (Year 13). Age groups followed in admission are: Nursery 3; Kindergarten 1 (4); Kindergarten 2 (5); Year 1 (6); Year 2 (7); Year 3 (8); Year 4 (9); Year 5 (10); Year 6 (11); Year 7 (12); Year 8 (13); Year 9 (14); Year 10 (15); Year 11 (16); Year 12 (17); Year 13 (18); admissions follow these age groups. Required documents include copy of birth certificate; copy of report form from previous school; leaving/transfer letter; two passport photos; copies of both parents' IDs/sponsors; copy of pupil's pass (for foreign students). Non-Kenyan citizens must apply for pupil's pass at the immigration office after completion of registration. Applications are submitted via an online application form, and admission requirements should be viewed before filling the form. Fees are payable in Kenyan shillings per term and are billed in August, December and April; Year 11-13 are billed as an annual fee in two instalments (August and December). Sibling discounts apply: second-born 5%; third-born 10%; fourth-born and any additional siblings 15%. Uniform and Cambridge examination fees are not included in tuition; Cambridge exam registrations cannot be done until the fee balance is cleared. A full term's notice in writing is required for withdrawals; the school reserves the right of admission and the right to withhold documents until balances are cleared.	Admissions 1. Inquire: Fill out the form to contact the admissions team. The Coast Academy is an IGCSE school located in Mombasa. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The admissions team will respond with the next steps and guidance. 2. Visit: Schedule a school tour to experience the campus and meet faculty. Tours provide an overview of the campus and programs, helping families assess fit with the IGCSE curriculum. Arrangements for a visit can be made through the admissions team. 3. Apply: Submit the completed application form along with the required documents. The admissions team reviews applications after receipt of documents. Applicants may be asked for additional information as needed. Successful completion moves to the assessment stage. 4. Assessment: Eligible applicants will be invited for an assessment. Assessments evaluate academic readiness for the IGCSE program. The results inform offers and class placement. The school will communicate the outcome following the assessment. 5. Offer: Successful candidates will receive an offer of admission. Acceptance is followed by enrollment steps and required documentation. Families may contact the admissions team for clarifications. This marks the transition to enrollment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The Coast Academy offers a range of scholarship programmes for international students to help cover tuition fees or living costs.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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