Nairobi International School vs Nairobi Waldorf School

	N Nairobi International School Nairobi, Kenya	N Nairobi Waldorf School Nairobi, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 552,000 - 1,140,000	Fees / year KES 293,577 - 1,027,971
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification	Curriculum Waldorf Steiner Curriculum, IB (DP), BTEC Qualification
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 450
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2008	Opened 1989
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Three Nairobi campuses: Kindergarten at No. 6 Kanjata Road, off James Gichuru; Preparatory at No. 5, Kanjata Road, off James Gichuru; Senior School at No. 728 Maji Mazuri Road, off James Gichuru, Lavington. These locations are along the James Gichuru corridor in the Nairobi area.	Location Two campuses in Nairobi, Kenya: Karen Campus at 35 Nandi Road and Lavington Campus on Mageta Road. Karen Campus offers Kindergarten through High School; Lavington Campus currently serves Kindergarten through Class 5.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten, Preparatory, Middle School, Senior School.	Stages Karen Campus: Kindergarten through High School; Lavington Campus: Kindergarten through Class 5.
School type	School type Private international school offering day schooling with boarding options.	School type Day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Learning support is provided through the Kolisko Group; students who require support receive an Individual Education Program (IEP).
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Kenya	Country affiliation Kenya
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Non-sectarian; not affiliated with any particular religion
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure School day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Monday to Friday. The Main Lesson approach uses morning blocks of 1.5–2 hours for each subject, taught in three- to four-week cycles.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school provides transport services; transport fees per term depend on distance and whether one-way or two-way transport is chosen. Distances are divided into six zones (A–F) with routes covering Zone A (Muthangari, Gitanga Rd, Rhapta Rd, etc.), Zone B (Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Ngong Rd, etc.), Zone C (Milimani, State House, Parklands, etc.), Zone D (Madaraka, Upper Hill, Ngara, etc.), Zone E (Muthaiga, Gigiri, Karen, etc.), Zone F (Ridgeways, Garden Estate, Embakasi, etc.). Two-way vs one-way transport options are available per term.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Applicaton / Admission and one-off charges - Admission Fee (one-off): KES 25,000. - Caution Fee / Security Deposit (refundable subject to exit clearance): amounts vary by section of school as listed below; the deposit is refunded without interest and must be claimed within two years of a student leaving. - Boarding Admission Fee (one-off, for boarders): KES 10,000. Tuition fees by year group (per term; annual totals shown where applicable) Note: Tuition fees are charged every academic term; most year groups have three terms. Where a term is listed as NIL, only the two listed terms apply. - Kindergarten - Playgroup: KES 184,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 552,000. - KG 1: KES 202,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 606,000. - KG 2: KES 208,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 624,000. - Year 1: KES 220,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 660,000. - Preparatory (Primary) - Year 2: KES 240,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 720,000. - Year 3: KES 245,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 735,000. - Year 4: KES 262,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 786,000. - Year 5: KES 268,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 804,000. - Year 6: KES 279,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 837,000. - Preparatory caution fee (one-off): KES 20,000. - Middle School - Year 7: KES 319,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 957,000. - Year 8: KES 351,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 1,053,000. - Year 9: KES 360,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 1,080,000. - Middle School caution fee (one-off): KES 40,000. - Junior High School - Year 10: KES 372,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 1,116,000. - Year 11: KES 563,000 for Term 1 and Term 2; Term 3: NIL — Annual (2 terms): KES 1,126,000. - Junior High caution fee (one-off): KES 40,000. - Senior High School - Year 12: KES 570,000 for Term 1 and Term 2; Term 3: NIL — Annual (2 terms): KES 1,140,000. - Year 13: KES 570,000 for Term 1 and Term 2; Term 3: NIL — Annual (2 terms): KES 1,140,000. - Senior High caution fee (one-off): KES 40,000. Boarding and related charges - Full-time Boarding: KES 250,000 per term. - Weekly Boarding: KES 225,000 per term. - Boarding caution fee (one-off): KES 25,000. - Boarding admission fee (one-off): KES 10,000. - Medical insurance cover (yearly, applies to boarders and/or students as stated by the school): KES 7,000 per year. Transport fees (per term by zone) - Zone A: One-way KES 32,000 — Two-way KES 51,000. - Zone B: One-way KES 34,000 — Two-way KES 54,000. - Zone C: One-way KES 36,000 — Two-way KES 58,000. - Zone D: One-way KES 40,000 — Two-way KES 64,000. - Zone E: One-way KES 52,000 — Two-way KES 78,000. - Zone F: One-way KES 56,000 — Two-way KES 84,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and other recurring fees are invoiced by term; an invoice (Fee Note) is issued at the end of each academic term indicating fees due for the next term. Fees are expected to be settled by the first day of school reopening for the next term. Students admitted before half term pay the full term; those admitted after half term are charged 50% of the term fee. - Withdrawal: One academic term's written notice to the Head of School is required; if adequate notice is not provided, one full term's fee will be charged in lieu of notice. - Space Retention Deposit: When pausing schooling to retain a place for a following term/year, a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the tuition fees is payable; this secures the student's place. Discounts and penalties - Sibling discounts on tuition only: second sibling 10%, third sibling 15%, fourth and subsequent siblings 20% (fixed for subsequent children). - Early payment discount: 4% on tuition if the full invoiced amount is settled one calendar month prior to school reopening (not combinable with other special discounts). - Cheque return (bank dishonour) charge: KES 2,000. Cash payments are not accepted. Refunds and security deposit handling - The caution fee (security deposit) is refundable without interest upon a child's permanent departure, subject to full settlement of all due fees and return of school property in good condition. The caution fee must be claimed within two years of leaving. Deductions from the caution fee may be made for outstanding obligations. Accepted payment methods and practical payment details - Bank transfer (deposit): Account Name: NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL — Account Number: 01129650642300 — Bank: The Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd, Branch: Lavington. Receipts are issued upon presentation of deposit slips. - Cheque: Cheques payable to Nairobi International School; receipts issued after cheque clearance. Cheque return charges apply. - M-Pesa / Paybill: Paybill No. 400200 — Account No. 01129650642300. - Cash payments are not accepted. Other costs to consider - Uniforms, personal supplies, any specific course materials or external exam fees where applicable are additional to the tuition and term fees listed above and should be budgeted for by parents. Exam registration and any outstanding fees must be settled before exam registration is processed. (Fee schedule and policy details above are taken from the school's published fee structure and fees policy documents.)	Fee details Fees per term (KES) - Toddler & Playgroup (five days/week): KES 97,859 per term. - Kindergarten (five days/week): KES 119,340 per term. - Primary School: - Class 1: KES 170,845 per term. - Class 2: KES 207,860 per term. - Class 3–5: KES 252,028 per term. - Class 6–8: KES 261,630 per term. - High School: - Class 9–10: KES 311,507 per term. - Class 11: KES 342,657 per term. - Class 12: KES 428,322 per term (Class 12 is charged for two terms only). Sibling and early-payment discounts - Sibling discounts: 10% on the first younger sibling, 15% on the second younger sibling, and 20% on any additional younger siblings. - Early-payment discounts: 2.5% discount if school fees are paid in full two weeks before the first day of school for the term; 5% discount if annual school fees are paid in full before the first day of school. Application, admission, development and security deposit fees - Application fee (non‑refundable): KES 5,000 due with submission of the application. - Admission fee (non‑refundable): KES 7,000 for Kindergarten admissions; KES 12,000 for Primary and High School admissions. - Note: A child moving from the Waldorf Kindergarten to Primary must pay an additional KES 12,000 admission fee (the earlier KES 7,000 is not credited). Students transitioning internally from Nairobi Waldorf Primary to the High School are not required to pay the KES 12,000 high school admission fee. - Development fee (one‑off, non‑refundable): KES 30,000 per child. - Security deposit (refundable): KES 20,000 for Kindergarten admissions; KES 50,000 for Primary and High School admissions. - When a child moves from Kindergarten to Primary, an additional top‑up of KES 30,000 is required to bring the security deposit to the Primary/High School rate. Other costs and fee inclusions/exclusions - Afternoon care (Kindergarten) — fees per term if booked at the start of term: - One day per week: KES 6,500 per term. - Two days per week: KES 13,000 per term. - Three days per week: KES 19,500 per term. - Four days per week: KES 26,000 per term. - Five days per week: KES 32,500 per term. - Reduced weekly attendance (Daisies, ages 18 months–3 years) — fees per term: - Two days (Tue & Thu): KES 45,020 per term. - Three days (Mon, Wed, Fri): KES 67,528 per term. - Five days (Mon–Fri): KES 97,859 per term. - Class materials: All writing books, main lesson books, textbooks and basic drawing and craft materials are included in tuition. Materials for special projects, replacement of lost/damaged personal items, and class outings/trips are charged to parents. - Meals: A snack and warm lunch are included in Toddler, Playgroup and Kindergarten fees. A warm lunch is included in Primary and High School fees. Parents must provide swimming costumes, towels and any specialised sports equipment. - Games kit / uniform items: Primary games kits and High School tracksuits are available from the school at additional cost. - School bus (per term, zoned routes by campus): - Zone A: two-way KES 33,600; one-way KES 20,160. - Zone B: two-way KES 39,095; one-way KES 23,457. - Zone C: two-way KES 44,590; one-way KES 26,754. - Pupil insurance: Basic accidental-injury insurance for pupils is provided (medical costs from accidents at school or off campus are covered under the school's insurance arrangement). Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties - Billing schedule / deadlines: Full school fees and other related fees (including bus fees and other fees billed ahead of or during a term) must be received no later than the first Friday of the term. - Late payment fee and follow-up: A late payment fee of KES 5,000 per child is charged for any outstanding fees after the first Friday of the term. The full balance, including the late fee, must be settled by the Friday of the second week of school. If fees remain unpaid as the third week commences, the child will be asked to remain at home. Parents receive an email, a hard‑copy letter and a phone call before the final late-payment deadline. - Payment plans: Per‑term payment plans are available on request (application required at least two weeks before term start). An administration fee of KES 5,000 per child is charged with the payment‑plan application. Term fees may be split into up to three installments; all fees must be cleared by the end of the term. Missed deadlines cancel the delayed‑payment option and render fees immediately due; repeating missed deadlines affects eligibility for payment plans in the remainder of the school year. Payments accepted and banking details - Accepted methods: Bank transfers / bank deposits and M‑Pesa payments. Post‑dated cheques are not accepted; payments in kind are not accepted. On direct deposits or electronic transfers, fees are considered unpaid until proof of payment is provided to the accounts team. - Bank (Diamond Trust Bank, DTB — Karen Hub Branch): - Account name: Nairobi Waldorf School Trust - KES Account no.: 0300790004 - Bank code: 063 - Branch code: 031 - SWIFT code: DTKEKENA - M‑Pesa Paybill: Business number 516600; Account number 929942. - After paying by M‑Pesa, the payment reference number must be emailed to accounts@nairobiwaldorfschool.ac.ke to update the statement. Withdrawals and refunds - Notice period: One full term's written notice is required to withdraw a child. If one term's notice is not given, one term's fee is payable in lieu of notice and the refundable security deposit will be forfeited. - Refundability: Security deposits are refundable (subject to the above withdrawal/notice provisions). Application, admission and development fees are non‑refundable. Boarding - Boarding: Not applicable — there are no boarding fees listed and the school operates as a day school.
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 KS3, KS4 & A-Levels of the British National Curriculum.	Curriculum details Waldorf education guides Nairobi Waldorf School, educating the head, heart, and hands through academics, movement, and the arts. A class-teacher approach keeps the same teacher with a cohort from early years through primary, supporting routines and social development. Learning uses Main Lesson blocks, with a subject taught in three- to four-week cycles for in-depth exploration. The curriculum spans Kindergarten through High School, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offered at the Karen Campus and Pearson BTEC qualifications in Business and Art & Design at Levels 2 and 3, providing progression to higher education. Language study includes English and Swahili, with French taught in upper years and IB DP language options including French B, Swahili B, or French Ab Initio.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes promote individualized attention.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Prepare students to sit IGCSE, 'A' Levels from Cambridge and BTEC from Pearson as a stepping stone to universities around the world.	Higher education progression The IB Diploma Programme is offered at the Karen Campus as a two-year pre-university pathway and is globally recognized; Kenyan universities generally accept IB after an equivalence process. Pearson BTEC qualifications in Business and Art & Design provide higher education and apprenticeship pathways, with Level 3 BTEC equivalent to A‑levels and higher BTEC levels recognized for university entry in Kenya and internationally.
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 1. Begin by accessing the Enquiry page to start the application. The initial step collects the parent/guardian's name, relationship to the applicant, a valid email address, and a contact number, and records the applicant's name, date of birth, and the year level being applied for. 2. Submit the above information. An Enquiry is created at this stage and can be completed immediately or continued later after login details are emailed to the user. 3. Return to the Enquiry page and complete the admission application. Siblings may be included in the same application. 4. After completing the Enquiry, an email lists the documents required for the admission application. These include photocopies of the applicant's passport (and immigration status page for non-citizens) and copies of the parents' passports. A parent's work permit is required for non-citizens. Also required are the applicant's birth certificate in English, 4 coloured passport photos for non-citizens (2 for citizens), the official report card, and the Transfer Certificate for Year 2 upwards. The applicant must also submit a short essay of about 250 words about themselves. 5. The Admissions Team will contact you for an interview and/or assessment. The student may be referred to the Inclusion Support Team for additional provision determination. If a place is offered, an offer letter will be emailed within 24 hours. 6. To confirm and secure the place, pay the admission fee of 25,000 Ksh within 7 days. 7. Screening and Assessment: The school conducts a pre-entry assessment to ensure the curriculum matches the child's skills and needs. Assessments vary by year level and include English language and Mathematics tests; early years may involve play-based activities; higher grades may require examinations to assess core competencies, with results supported by prior school records. Final admission can be offered at the Principal's discretion if the student is deemed capable of succeeding at Nairobi International School.	Admissions 1. Complete and submit a Student Application with a non-refundable application fee of KShs 5,000 per child; the application and fee must be submitted before the school undertakes the initial assessment of the child. 2. Final admission and placement depend on space availability and the school's ability to provide the education and support required for the individual child; the decision is made by the teachers. 3. With increasing interest in Waldorf education, requests for placement exceed space, particularly in the Kindergartens, so interviews with parents/guardians of those requesting placement are conducted. 4. Broad criteria for admission: Kindergarten accepts children from eighteen months, with groups including toddler (18 months–2.5 years), playgroup (2.5–4 years), and kindergarten (4–6 years). Reception Group is for children in their last year of Kindergarten, focusing on developing pre-learning skills with teacher support to enter Primary School. Class One admission from Kindergarten to Primary School is not automatic; a child turning six on or before 30 November is automatically assessed for Class One readiness during term II of the current school year, and if successful, admission typically occurs in late August/early September of that year. If a child turns six after 30 November, an assessment may be carried out following consultation; if readiness is shown, admission may be granted. For Class Two and beyond, a series of interviews, observations, and assessments are conducted for optimal grade placement.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →