Light International School Mombasa vs The Mombasa Academy

	L Light International School Mombasa Mombasa, Kenya	T The Mombasa Academy Mombasa, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 376,000 - 878,000	Fees / year KES 197,200 - 626,800
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 343	Pupils 273
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1978
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 Sea View Road, Nyali, Mombasa, Kenya
Stages	Stages Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years (ages 3–5) through to A-Levels (Year 12 & 13).	Stages Junior School; Preparatory School; Senior School
School type	School type Co-educational day school.	School type Private day school; co-educational
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 —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure School hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a 20-minute mid-morning break from 10:20 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. The lunch break is from 12:00 noon to 12:55 p.m. (Friday 12:00 to 1:25 p.m.). Afternoon sessions resume at 12:55 p.m. (Friday 1:25 p.m.) and close at 3:00 p.m. (Friday 3:30 p.m.). Year 10 to Year 13 pupils may have classes from 3:00 to 3:40 p.m. (Friday 4:10 p.m.) depending on subject options.
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 Application / Registration Fees - Junior School registration fee: KES 10,000. - Preparatory and Senior School registration fee: KES 15,000. Tuition (class fees) — shown per term and per academic year (3 terms) - Playgroup (P.Group): KES 62,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 186,000. - Kindergarten (KG): KES 73,500 per term — Annual: KES 220,500. - Transition: KES 89,700 per term — Annual: KES 269,100. - Year 1: KES 124,200 per term — Annual: KES 372,600. - Year 2: KES 140,400 per term — Annual: KES 421,200. - Year 3: KES 140,400 per term — Annual: KES 421,200. - Year 4: KES 167,400 per term — Annual: KES 502,200. - Year 5: KES 167,400 per term — Annual: KES 502,200. - Year 6: KES 167,400 per term — Annual: KES 502,200. - Year 7: KES 178,200 per term — Annual: KES 534,600. - Year 8: KES 205,200 per term — Annual: KES 615,600. - Year 9: KES 205,200 per term — Annual: KES 615,600. - Year 10: KES 210,600 per term — Annual: KES 631,800. - Year 11: KES 216,000 per term — Annual: KES 648,000. - Year 12: KES 232,200 per term — Annual: KES 696,600. - Year 13: KES 232,200 per term — Annual: KES 696,600. Other compulsory or recurring charges - Use of textbooks (not refundable): - Years 3–8: KES 10,000 (one-off). - Years 9–11: KES 15,000 (one-off). - Years 12–13: KES 20,000 (one-off). - Medical cover for minor injuries sustained in school (Red Cross): KES 1,200 per year. Senior-examination charges and billing schedule for those charges - Examination fees for Years 11–13 are billed as separate examination charges and are payable in two instalments. Specific instalment amounts and deadlines published for the 2025/2026 schedule are: - Year 11 examination charge: KES 324,000 — instalments due by 30 September 2025 and 31 January 2026. - Year 12 examination charge: KES 348,300 — instalments due by 30 September 2025 and 31 January 2026. - Year 13 examination charge: KES 348,300 — instalments due by 30 September 2025 and 31 January 2026. - General tuition is charged per term at the amounts listed above; examination charges for senior years are billed separately and have specified instalment due dates. Boarding fees - The Mombasa Academy operates as a day school (no full boarding or weekly boarding fees are listed). Other one-off or optional costs (examples parents should budget for) - School uniform, PE kit, extra-curricular activity charges, school trips, specialist subject costs, and personal stationery are additional costs that parents should expect; explicit prices for uniform and many optional extras are not included in the public fee schedule excerpt available. Textbook charges listed above are billed separately and are not refundable. Refunds and non-refundable items - Textbook/use-of-books charges are explicitly described as not refundable. - No full public refund/withdrawal schedule for tuition or registration payments was published alongside the 2025/2026 fee schedule excerpt; specific refund rules and conditions for withdrawal or early leaving should be confirmed directly with the school. Billing schedule and payment terms (summary) - Tuition is presented as a per-term charge (parents are billed each term at the rate for the child's year group). Senior-year examination fees are charged separately and are payable in two instalments on the published dates for the 2025/2026 schedule. Registration fees are a one-off charge on admission/registration. Specific late-payment penalties, deposit requirements, and detailed payment deadlines for regular tuition were not detailed in the public 2025/2026 fee listing. Fee payment options - The 2025/2026 fee schedule excerpt available publicly did not list specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, mobile money, cash, card). Parents should use the school's published contact channels to obtain current accepted payment methods and bank account details. Brief summary of coverage and missing details - The public fee schedule for the 2025/2026 academic year provides clear per-term tuition by year group, registration fees, textbook charges (stated as not refundable), a small annual medical-cover charge, and senior examination charges with instalment dates. The publicly available material reviewed does not specify detailed payment methods, explicit uniform prices, a comprehensive refund/withdrawal policy for tuition or registration, or a full list of optional extra costs. (Fees and deadlines listed above were published as the school's 2025/2026 fee schedule.)
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 Three school divisions are offered: Junior School, Preparatory School, and Senior School. The curriculum covers English, French, Mathematics, Geography, Science (General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Computer Studies, History, Business Studies, Economics, Music and Physical Education. Subjects are taught across the three divisions with progression to IGCSE/O‑level examinations in Years 9–11 and A‑levels in the Sixth Form. General Science culminates in the Edexcel Primary Curriculum Science Examination in Year 6. Pearson Accreditation logos are displayed, and a student was recognised by Pearson Edexcel for Top in the World in Mathematics.
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 Notable exam achievements include a student recognised by Pearson Edexcel for Top in the World in Mathematics. Pearson Accreditation logos are displayed.
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 —
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. Admission to the school is normally in September. Exceptions are usually made for families moving into the area at other times during the year. The pupil is admitted into the most appropriate year group based on age and previous educational achievements. 2. Kindergarten entry is restricted to September only. Overseas pupils may enter in January. This policy applies to the Kindergarten Department. 3. Registration for all classes requires a Registration fee. Details of the Registration fee, which must accompany the appropriate form, are provided in the Current Information sheet enclosed with the Prospectus. The Registration fee is not refundable. The Admission Form can be downloaded. 4. For inquiries, contact details are provided. Phone numbers are +254 733 725 292 and +254 113 049 826. The school is located on Sea View Road, Nyali, Mombasa, Kenya.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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