Hillcrest International School

Hillcrest International Schools is located on Hillcrest Road in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. The mailing address is P.O. Box 24819 - 00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.

Early Years; Preparatory; Secondary; Sixth Form.

The school is a private international school with boarding facilities and is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.

Around 40 nationalities are represented.

Provision for SEND and EAL.

Kenya

The school follows the British National Curriculum and offers IGCSEs in Years 9–11 and A-Level courses and BTEC courses in Years 12–13. Cambridge International Examinations Board is the preferred syllabus in the majority of subject areas.

The school has low student-teacher ratios.

A Level results show 2023 A/A at 35.03%, A-B at 57.32%, A-C at 81.53%, and A-E at 99.36%. IGCSE results show 2023 A/A at 21.27%, A-B at 51.09%, A-C at 80.0%, and A-G at 98.81%.

The school opens the door to further and higher education and their chosen career path.

The school has identified 50 pupils as the most able; these pupils receive additional curriculum support at departmental level and through extra-curricular activities.

Hillcrest is an international school that emphasizes inclusion, cooperation and mutual respect across cultures. It nurtures confident, well‑adjusted, socially responsible young citizens who respect others and contribute to the diverse community they learn in. The school's ethos encourages involvement in the wider community to develop compassion and empathy. A personalised approach to learning supports students' social and emotional development and fosters positive relationships with peers and staff.

The Learning Support Department helps students with specific learning difficulties or differences, as well as Gifted and Talented learners, to become independent, confident learners. All students are screened on entry, and those identified as needing specialist help are referred to an Educational Psychologist for a full assessment. The school maintains permanent specialist learning support teachers in Maths, English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) to provide targeted support. Parents can request information on SEND and EAL provisions and related policies.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is supported by permanent specialist learning support teachers within the Learning Support Department. EAL is part of the department's work alongside Maths and English, with assessments and targeted support to help multilingual learners access the curriculum.

Each student has a dedicated Personal Tutor for one‑on‑one pastoral support. A School Counsellor attends to pastoral needs and wellbeing, working with Heads of Year and safeguarding leads to identify and intervene where needed. A wellbeing curriculum is being developed, complemented by enrichment talks and workshops. Mental health is placed at the centre of pastoral care and health and safety and safeguarding procedures are regularly reviewed.

Safeguarding and the protection of children are central to Hillcrest; a Safeguarding Policy exists as part of a suite of policies to ensure children's safety. Parents can request copies of key policies, including Admissions, Provision for SEND and EAL, Curriculum, Behaviour, Health and Safety and First Aid. The school also maintains policies on anti‑bullying, and undergoes regular safeguarding and related inspections.

1. Most children join in September. New children can join at any stage, including families moving to Kenya from abroad. Registrations for Nursery are accepted up to one year prior to September entry. 2. As a first step, schedule an appointment with the Registrar to visit the school and meet the Head Teacher. Preparatory and Secondary contact details are listed for admissions. 3. Hillcrest International Schools is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools. The address is P.O. Box 24819 -00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. The Preparatory and Secondary divisions have specific contact channels for admissions inquiries.

Scholarship awards are offered by Hillcrest Secondary School for entry to Year 9 (13 year olds) and Year 12 – Sixth Form (16 year olds). These awards aim to recognise potential for excellence across a range of areas and to provide opportunities that candidates may not otherwise access. Candidates are expected to demonstrate independence, curiosity, determination and respect. Hillcrest International Schools is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.

Where a year group is full, new admissions are placed on a waiting list. Waiting lists operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority may be given to siblings of children who already have a place in the school.