Kenya, Nairobi
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
1. Enquiry: Prospective families submit an enquiry online using the enquiry tab or email the admissions registrar, Ms. This begins the Cavina admissions process. The school provides information about age groups, class availability, and the admissions timeline after the enquiry. An enquiry does not commit a family to a place.
2. Tours and registration: Cavina conducts regular school tours throughout the year, and Ms. Minayo will place you on a tour following your enquiry. After the tour, you may register your child if you wish to proceed. A non-refundable registration fee of 7,500 Kenyan Shillings is payable at this stage to cover the administrative costs of maintaining the waiting list. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee a place.
3. Waiting list and intake: The waiting list for some classes is long, so early applications are encouraged. The main intake is in Playgroup, with a maximum of 25 places per year. Priority is given to siblings, then generally by date of application, while other factors such as balancing the numbers of boys and girls may influence offers. In some years, places are only available when vacancies arise due to a pupil leaving; Cavina aims to reduce class sizes toward the top of the school and may not replace pupils who leave after Form IV.
4. Registration timing and exceptions: Registration is accepted after you have toured the school, with exceptions for families living outside Kenya at the time of application. The process is designed to be straightforward and supportive for families navigating international admissions.
There is a waiting list for some Cavina classes. A non-refundable registration fee of 7,500 Kenyan Shillings is payable at registration to cover waiting list administrative costs. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee a place. The waiting list length varies by class, and early applications are encouraged.
Scholarships: Cavina offers a maximum of two scholarships per year. The Kenneth Mason Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining in Lower VI (Year 7) who is outstanding in sport, music, acting, or art, and who demonstrates academic excellence and leadership potential. This scholarship provides a 30 percent reduction in school fees, with an additional bursary of up to 30 percent if required. The Founder's Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining in Form IV or Form V (Years 5 or 6) who is outstanding in sport, music, acting, or art and demonstrates academic excellence and good character. This scholarship provides a 20 percent reduction on school fees, with up to 30 percent bursary available. Bursaries are means-tested and offered only to Kenneth Mason or Founder's Scholars, requiring full disclosure of finances to Cavina's accounts department. The maximum bursary is 30 percent but may be lower depending on means testing. The Beacon Scholarship is a leadership bursary that provides two-thirds of costs for the child's secondary education and UK university education; past Cavina pupils have been awarded scholarships to top senior schools including Peponi, St Andrew's Turi, Brookhouse and Hillcrest.
Cavina School is a British-curriculum preparatory school for children aged two to 13, on a leafy Kilimani campus in Nairobi. Founded in 1950, it sits on spacious grounds with natural ecosystems and a well-equipped science laboratory. The school is divided into Pre-prep and Prep and follows the British framework, culminating in the Common Entrance exam in the final year with eight core subjects: Mathematics, English, French, Science, British History, Geography, Scripture, and Latin. English is central, with language and literature taught to all pupils. By age 13, pupils study three languages and undertake independent projects and broader learning experiences. Facilities include a modern music school with dedicated rooms and ensembles, and extensive sports facilities, including a 25-metre pool and cricket facilities. The Cavina mission is rooted in a God-honouring Christian philosophy, and the program emphasizes outdoor expeditions and a wide range of clubs and service opportunities.