Nairobi Jaffery Academy vs Viraj International Academy
Nairobi Jaffery Academy and Viraj International Academy are both in Nairobi, about 24 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Nairobi Jaffery Academy also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, EYFS and British, and Viraj International Academy also offers Montessori, Cambridge A Levels and Bespoke. Published annual fees are KES 282,000 - 720,000 at Nairobi Jaffery Academy and KES 178,000 - 720,200 at Viraj International Academy, which puts Nairobi Jaffery Academy roughly 12% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. Nairobi Jaffery Academy is the larger school, with around 600 pupils to Viraj International Academy's 156. Typical class sizes are 15 at Nairobi Jaffery Academy and 25 at Viraj International Academy.
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum
Curriculum
Montessori Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
600
Pupils
156
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
2015
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Naushad Merali Drive, Nairobi, Kenya
Location
The school has a Nairobi, Kenya location. The campus address is Viraj Road, Off Quarry Road, P.O. Box 76018-00508, Nairobi, Kenya. The location is viewable on Google Maps.
Stages
Stages
Early Years Program (EYFS); Primary School Years; Secondary School Years (Years 7-9 Cambridge Lower Secondary; Years 10-13 Cambridge and Edexcel hybrid).
Stages
Montessori Program; Junior School; Middle School; Senior School
School type
School type
Private international school offering the Cambridge curriculum.
School type
The school is a co-educational day and boarding institution.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Over 18 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides individualized attention and support for students.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school has Cambridge curriculum aligned with the United Kingdom.
Country affiliation
Kenya
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Islamic.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
The school has a bus service with extensive route coverage; buses serve key residential areas; professional drivers and attendants; comfortable seating with safety belts; regular servicing; real-time coordination; secure handovers at pickup points.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Admission Fees
- Application fee: KES 10,000. - Admission (acceptance) fee: KES 10,000 (one‑off at admission). - Caution (security) deposit (refundable as a deposit where applicable): - Kindergarten: KES 20,000. - Year 1–6: KES 40,000. - Year 7–11: KES 60,000. - Year 12–13: KES 80,000.
Tuition fees (per term by year group)
- EYFS — Half day: - Playgroup: KES 94,000 per term. - Pre‑Nursery: KES 97,000 per term. - Nursery: KES 100,000 per term.
- EYFS — Full day: - Playgroup: KES 103,000 per term. - Pre‑Nursery: KES 107,000 per term. - Nursery: KES 110,000 per term. - Reception: KES 113,000 per term.
- Key Stage I (Years 1–2): KES 123,000 per term.
- Key Stage II: - Years 3–4: KES 141,000 per term. - Years 5–6: KES 153,000 per term.
- Key Stage III (Years 7–9): KES 176,000 per term.
- Key Stage IV (IGCSE): - Year 10: KES 212,000 per term. - Year 11: KES 318,000 (note: charged for Term 1 & Term 2 only).
- Key Stage V (A‑Level): Years 12–13: KES 360,000 (charged for Term 1 & Term 2 only).
Annual / term notes
- The amounts above are published as per‑term charges. For year groups shown as billed for Term 1 & Term 2 only (Year 11 and Years 12–13), the published per‑term figure applies to those listed terms. Other year groups are listed on a per‑term basis.
Meals and catering
- Lunch fee per term: - EYFS up to Year 3: KES 19,000 per term. - Year 4 to Year 13: KES 23,000 per term.
Transport (per term)
- School transport is charged by route/zone and billed per term. Example zone charges published include amounts in the range of approximately KES 31,000–KES 40,000 per term (one‑way and two‑way options listed by zone). Specific route/zone pricing and one‑way vs two‑way differences are published per route.
Boarding
- Nairobi Jaffery Academy operates as a day school; boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and typical additional charges
- Caution (security) deposit: see amounts listed above under Application and Admission Fees (normally refundable subject to the school's withdrawal/clearance policy). - Lunch and transport: charged per term as shown above and are additional to tuition. - Textbooks, stationery, exam registration fees, school uniform and occasional activity or trip charges are commonly billed in addition to tuition at comparable schools; published term fee listings do not itemize all such ancillary charges within the per‑term tuition figures. Parents should expect separate charges for books, external exam fees and certain trips or special activities where applicable.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition and ancillary fees are presented as per‑term charges. The academic calendar and term dates for the 2025–2026 cycle are published by the school; published per‑term fee figures correspond to those term periods. Year 11 and Years 12–13 carry published fees that apply to Term 1 & Term 2 only (as shown above). Specific due dates for each term, late‑payment penalties, and installment options are governed by the school's fee policy documents and billing statements.
Refund information
- A refundable caution (security) deposit is published by year group (see amounts above). Specific refund conditions (timing, deductions, requirement for written notice, and the process for reclaiming caution deposits or any pro‑rata refunds) are set out in the school's fee policy and enrolment/withdrawal terms. Those detailed refund terms are not published alongside the per‑term fee table that lists the charges above.
Fee payment options
- The school lists a parent portal (iSAMS parent portal) and a front‑office contact for administration of admissions and fees; the portal and the school's finance office are the official routes for invoicing and payments. Specific accepted payment channels (for example bank transfer, M‑Pesa Paybill, credit/debit card or online payment link) and bank account or paybill details are provided directly by the school on invoices and finance communications rather than within the public per‑term fee table. Parents should use the school's finance office contacts to obtain official invoice and payment instructions.
- The published per‑term fee table above includes application/admission charges, refundable caution deposits (by year group), per‑term tuition, lunch and route‑based transport fees. Detailed fee policy items that govern payment deadlines, accepted payment methods, exact refund procedures and fine print for withdrawal/notice periods are maintained in the school's fee policy and invoice documentation and are not itemized within the public per‑term fee table referenced above. For those specific contractual payment and refund terms, contact the school's finance office using the front office contact details given above.
Fee details
Application and admission fees - Application fee (paid once): KES 7,500 for Kenyan National Curriculum (KNC) and British National/Cambridge (BNC/CAIE) pathways; KES 5,000 for Montessori early-years admissions where published. - ERS (annual administrative levy): KES 1,300 per year (applies across fee schedules). - Caution / security deposit (paid once): varies by programme — commonly KES 10,000 for early years and some KNC listings, and KES 20,000 for secondary and boarding students in the BNC/Cambridge schedule. The caution deposit is refundable subject to the school's withdrawal and clearance procedures.
Tuition (school) fees and meals — amounts per academic year and per term - Montessori (Early Years – Pink / Blue / Green classes): School fee KES 124,800 per academic year (payable termly at KES 41,600). Meals (day school) KES 51,900 per academic year (payable termly at KES 17,300).
- Kenyan National Curriculum (KNC) — School fee / Meals / Boarding (examples by stage): - Lower Primary (Grade 1–3): School fee KES 224,250 per year (payable termly at KES 74,750); Meals KES 72,000 per year (payable termly at KES 24,000). Boarding: N/A for this stage in the published schedule. - Upper Primary (Grade 4–6): School fee KES 238,050 per year (payable termly at KES 79,350); Meals KES 66,000 per year (payable termly at KES 22,000); Boarding KES 181,500 per year (payable termly at KES 60,500). - Junior Secondary (Grade 7–9): School fee KES 269,850 per year (payable termly at KES 89,950); Meals KES 69,600 per year (payable termly at KES 23,200); Boarding KES 188,250 per year (payable termly at KES 62,750). - Senior Secondary (Grade 10–12): School fee KES 325,350 per year (payable termly at KES 108,450); Meals KES 74,550 per year (payable termly at KES 24,850); Boarding KES 202,950 per year (payable termly at KES 67,650).
- British National / Cambridge (BNC / CAIE) — School fee / Meals / Boarding (examples by key stage): - Key Stage 1 (Year 1–2): School fee KES 290,850 per year (payable termly at KES 96,950); Lunch KES 72,000 per year (payable termly at KES 24,000). Boarding: N/A. - Lower Key Stage 2 (Year 3–4): School fee KES 321,450 per year (payable termly at KES 107,150); Lunch KES 72,000 per year (Yr 4 reduced amounts may apply as published). Boarding: N/A. - Upper Key Stage 2 (Year 5–6): School fee KES 343,950 per year (payable termly at KES 114,650); Lunch KES 66,000 per year (payable termly at KES 22,000); Boarding KES 181,500 per year (payable termly at KES 60,500). - Key Stage 3 (Year 7–9): School fee KES 393,300 per year (payable termly at KES 131,100); Lunch KES 69,600 per year (payable termly at KES 23,200); Boarding KES 188,250 per year (payable termly at KES 62,750). - IGCSE (Year 10–11): School fee KES 427,800 per year (payable in two instalments in Term 1 & Term 2 at KES 213,900); Lunch KES 73,000 per year (payable in the same two instalments); Boarding KES 200,600 per year (payable in two instalments). - A‑Levels (Year 12–13): School fee KES 573,900 per year (payable in two instalments in Term 1 & Term 2 at KES 286,950); Lunch KES 74,800 per year (same instalment pattern); Boarding KES 203,000 per year (same instalment pattern).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Termly billing: Standard practice is termly invoicing; school fees are payable in full on or before the opening date of each term. Some senior programmes (IGCSE / A‑Level) are billed in two instalments across Term 1 and Term 2 as published. - Reservation fee: A minimum reservation fee equivalent to 50% of the school fees may be required to reserve a place; this reservation fee is non‑refundable if the applicant withdraws but is transferable to school fees on admission completion. - Late payment and penalties: Outstanding amounts after term commencement incur a cumulative administrative/late payment charge at 3% per month on the outstanding balance. - Notice for withdrawal: A full term's written notice (submitted on or before the opening day of the term) is required for withdrawal; absent that notice a full term's fee is payable. - General treatment of fees: Published fee schedules state that fees are non‑transferable and not prorated; ancillary charges (examination fees, trip/activity fees, co‑curricular fees, specialist fees) are not included in the headline school fee figures and are billed separately as required.
Boarding fees and rules - Boarding fees are charged separately from day-school tuition and vary by level (examples listed above under each curriculum). Boarding is optional unless otherwise advised and generally applies to older students in secondary / senior stages. Boarding fees do not include pocket money; pocket money must be deposited with the school accounts office. Boarding admissions are subject to the school's boarding house rules.
Transport (optional) and other recurring costs - Transport (per term, optional) is charged by zone. Typical zone charges per term published include: Zone A KES 21,800; Zone B KES 23,600; Zone C KES 26,000; Zone D KES 27,000; Zone E KES 29,000; Zone F (shuttle service) KES 17,000; Zone G (Viraj Village) KES 8,500. One‑way transport is charged at 70% of the zone rate. - Ancillary / optional costs: Examination fees, activity and trip fees, co‑curricular programme fees, specialist tuition, personal stationery and uniform items are charged separately as applicable. Uniform lists are provided for each pathway; uniform costs are not included in the headline tuition figures. - Sibling discount: A 5% discount on school/tuition fees (applies to the younger sibling) is offered under the published terms and conditions.
Refunds and deposits - Caution deposit: The caution/security deposit is refundable subject to adequate written notice, completion of withdrawal procedures, and complying with the school's clearance policies. - School fees: General published terms indicate tuition and related fees are non‑refundable and non‑proratable except where specific refundable deposits (such as the caution fee) are identified and returned under the school's stated conditions. A full term's fee is payable if required notice is not given.
Accepted payment method(s) and invoice details - Payment method as published: Payments are required in advance and the published schedules specify payment by banker's cheque made payable to “Shamji Kalyan Pindoria Ltd” as the invoiced payee; the payment date is taken as the date the original cheque is presented. The school's published terms emphasise that invoices are issued for convenience but parents remain responsible for ensuring payment before the published opening date of term.
Notes on incidental items (summary) - Meals (compulsory for day students) are charged separately and shown per year and per term in each schedule. Transport, boarding and other optional services are extra. Ancillary charges (exams, trips, some activities) are additional. A reservation fee may be required to hold a place. Late payments attract a 3% monthly administrative charge. Caution deposits are refundable under the school's clearance conditions; general tuition is described as non‑refundable and non‑transferable.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Cambridge program is the core of Nairobi Jaffery Academy's curriculum. The Early Years follows the EYFS framework. Primary uses the Cambridge framework for English and Mathematics and Science, while other subjects are based on the English National Curriculum, including Art, Geography, History, ICT, Physical Education and Personal and Social Education; Swahili and Arabic are taught as second languages from Year 1. In the Secondary School, Years 7–9 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum, and Years 10–13 follow a hybrid pathway combining Cambridge and Edexcel programmes.
Curriculum details
Kenyan National Curriculum via Competency-Based Education (CBE) and the Cambridge International Curriculum (CAIE). Montessori Program is offered for early years; a Global Curriculum combines Kenyan and Cambridge systems.
Alumni progress to leading high schools and universities in Kenya and around the world.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
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Admissions
1. Application Form: A duly filled admission application form is required and is available at the school or downloadable. The form should have all sections completed accurately. 2. Student Documents: Provide a copy of birth certificate or passport, two recent passport-size photographs, the previous term's report card for transfers, and a leaving certificate from the previous school if applicable. 3. Entrance Assessment: An age-appropriate assessment is conducted for new entrants into primary and secondary levels; Montessori and early years applicants attend a child-friendly observation session instead of a formal test. 4. Parent/Guardian Documents: Provide a copy of national ID, passport, or residence permit, along with updated contact information and emergency details. 5. Medical Report: Submit an up-to-date medical history form and immunization records. 6. Fee Structure & Payments: An admission fee is payable upon confirmation of placement, and termly school fees are due before the start of each term. 7. Additional Requirements (Where Applicable): A special needs evaluation may be required if applicable; a boarding registration form is required for boarding students; a transportation registration form is needed for students using school transport. 8. Admission Timeline: Main intake runs January to March; mid-year admissions occur April to July based on availability; rolling admissions operate for early years (Montessori). Early application is encouraged due to limited spaces. 9. Uniform & Supplies: All students wear the official school uniform; a booklist and stationery requirements are issued upon admission; uniforms are available at designated stores. 10. Parent-Teacher Engagement: Termly meetings, regular academic updates via the portal, and open communication channels with the administration are provided. 11. Transport Services: Safe and reliable transport is available; seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; routes and fees are available upon inquiry. 12.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
Merit-based opportunities are available for outstanding students.