Soma International School vs Viraj International Academy

	S Soma International School Nairobi, Kenya	V Viraj International Academy Nairobi, Kenya
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KES 540,000 - 705,000	Fees / year KES 178,000 - 720,200
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Islamic Curriculum	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 156
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2024	Opened 2015
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Thika Road, Juja, Kenya. Located in the Kalimoni area along Thika Road. The Information Office is at BBS MALL Shop, LGC 51. The school serves Juja, Nairobi, and surrounding areas.	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 American Curriculum with middle school (Grade 6-8) and high school (Grade 9-12). British Cambridge Curriculum includes lower secondary (Year 6–8), upper secondary (Year 9–11), and IGCSE/A-level (Year 12–13). The Kenyan Curriculum and Islamic Studies Program are also offered.	Stages Montessori Program; Junior School; Middle School; Senior School
School type	School type Private day and boarding school	School type The school is a co-educational day and boarding institution.
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 Islamic	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	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 fee - Application fee: KES 15,000 (payable with the online application). This fee is non‑refundable. Tuition (day scholars) - Tuition per term (all year groups): KES 125,000 per term. - Annual tuition (three terms): KES 375,000 per year (3 x KES 125,000). Boarding fees - Boarding per term: KES 70,000 per term. - Annual boarding (three terms): KES 210,000 per year (3 x KES 70,000). Other recurring term charges (per term) - ICT, laboratory & learning resources: KES 30,000 per term (KES 90,000 per year). - Medical (first‑aid care / medical charge): KES 10,000 per term (KES 30,000 per year). Meals and catering - Day scholars (mid‑morning snack and lunch): KES 15,000 per term (KES 45,000 per year). Transport (optional) — per term by zone - Zone A (Juja‑Kimbo, Weteithie, Juja Farm): KES 10,000 per term. - Zone B (Thika, Ruiru): KES 15,000 per term. - Zone C (Nairobi, CBD, Eastleigh): KES 20,000 per term. - Zone D (South B, Westlands, Karen): KES 30,000 per term. Typical total examples (illustrative sums) - Day scholar (tuition + ICT + medical + meals) per term: KES 125,000 + KES 30,000 + KES 10,000 + KES 15,000 = KES 180,000 per term. - Day scholar annual total (3 terms, same items): KES 540,000 per year. - Full boarding student (tuition + boarding + ICT + medical) per term: KES 125,000 + KES 70,000 + KES 30,000 + KES 10,000 = KES 235,000 per term. - Full boarding annual total (3 terms, same items): KES 705,000 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are presented and charged on a per‑term basis (amounts shown above are per term). Annual equivalents are the sum of three terms. - The application fee is payable at the time of application. Other one‑off or occasional costs - Uniforms, textbooks, examination registration fees, optional extracurricular activity fees and other incidental costs are additional to the term charges listed above. Specific amounts for these items are not included in the term figures and should be confirmed with the admissions or information office. Refunds and refund policy - The application fee is explicitly non‑refundable. Information on refunds of other fees (for example tuition or boarding deposits) is not detailed alongside the term charges. Fee payment arrangements and contacts - Fee payments and payment arrangements are handled by the school's information and admissions office; families should contact the admissions office for current accepted payment methods and instructions. Contact: 0768 888 444, admissions email listed on the school's contact page.	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 —	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 Curriculum comprises American Curriculum, British Cambridge Curriculum, Kenyan Curriculum, and Islamic Studies Curriculum. American Curriculum covers middle school (Grade 6-8) and high school (Grade 9-12). British Cambridge Curriculum covers Lower Secondary (Year 6–8), Upper Secondary (Year 9–11), and IGCSE A Level (Year 12–13). Islamic Studies Curriculum covers Quran/Tahfid, Fiqh, Tawhid, Siirah, and the Arabic language. Kenyan Curriculum is offered as part of SIS's multi-curriculum program.	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.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Results Snapshot – 2024: Montessori (Early Years) average 89%, pass rate 100%, distinctions 32%; Lower Primary (Grade 1–3) average 85%, pass rate 100%, distinctions 40%; Upper Primary (Grade 4–6) average 82%, pass rate 99%, distinctions 46%; Junior Secondary (Grade 7–9) average 78%, pass rate 96%, distinctions 38%; IGCSE (Year 10–11) A–C in 92% of subjects, 100% pass rate, 53% distinctions; A-Level (Year 12–13) average 85%, A/B grades, 100% pass rate, 61% distinctions.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Alumni progress to leading high schools and universities in Kenya and around the world.
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. Tour. Families are encouraged to tour the campus to view facilities such as interactive classrooms, recreation and sports facilities, and the performing arts center. The visit provides a firsthand look at the learning environment and resources. A link is provided to arrange a tour. Admissions are ongoing with no fixed start date, based on capacity. 2. Application. Submit the online application and pay the 20,000 Kenyan Shilling application fee. The admissions staff will confirm receipt of the application and guide you through the remaining procedures. Applicants with prior K-12 experience must submit both their most recent transcripts and the transcripts from the previous year; transcripts may be posted to the enrollment site, emailed, or mailed. A reference from a previous teacher or caregiver is required; two letters are needed for school-age students, with one from a math or English instructor. 3. Assessment for placement. An admissions staff member will assist in arranging placement assessments to gauge your child's present skills and determine the appropriate academic level. The assessments inform the placement plan used during admission. Families will be contacted to schedule the assessments and results will be reviewed with them. 4. Review & Decision. After completing the placement and documentation steps, admissions and academic leadership review the application. Families are informed of the admissions decision and an admissions representative assists with completing the registration. If accepted, next steps include submitting any additional documents and finalizing enrollment. A confirmation of enrollment will be provided once all requirements are met.	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 —	Scholarships Merit-based opportunities are available for outstanding students.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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