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Hillcrest International School

Kenya, Nairobi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KES 577,600 - 3,055,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 630
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1965
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages French, Korean, Spanish, Latin
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Sport, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Hillcrest International School in Nairobi, Kenya, is an international school offering boarding. It serves students aged 3 to 18 and offers the British National Curriculum, with Cambridge IGCSE in Years 9–11 and Cambridge A Levels and BTEC qualifications in Years 12–13. Cambridge International Examinations Board is the preferred syllabus in most subjects. The school traces its roots to Hillcrest Secondary School, founded in 1965, and sits in Karen‑Langata area, with Forest Edge joining in 2000 and becoming Hillcrest Early Years. The motto Semper Prospice guides its ethos. Facilities include multiple Information Technology suites with on‑site Wi‑Fi, five science laboratories, two libraries, a design technology suite, a drama studio and an examination hall. The Sixth Form comprises a kitchen, common room, lecture theatre and study areas. Outdoor playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, a gym and an indoor pool support a broad programme of sport and activities for students across ages.

The Essentials

Hillcrest International School has 630 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

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

Stages
Early Years; Preparatory; Secondary; Sixth Form.

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

Pupil Nationality Mix
Around 40 nationalities are represented.

Additional learning support
Provision for SEND and EAL.

Country affiliation
Kenya
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding at Hillcrest is flexible for students aged 10–18, with full, weekly and flexi boarding options. Boarders stay in Toad Hall, with separate girls' and boys' wings, twin rooms for two and a senior single room for older boarders. The houses are run by dedicated house parents and resident nurses who provide care around the clock. Meals are provided by an in-house catering team and served in the house dining room, with weekday lunches eaten in School; weekends feature activities such as go-karting, paintballing and ice-cream making.

Food Options
Meals are prepared by the in-house catering team and served in the house dining room, with weekday lunches eaten in School. The kitchen offers a wide array of tasty, healthy meals that accommodate dietary requirements and reflect the diverse tastes of the Hillcrest community.

House System
Boarding comprises a girls' boarding house and a boys' boarding house, each two floors with twin rooms for two. The houses are run by dedicated house parents, assisted by a male and a female nurse who reside in the respective sections.

Governance and Ownership
Hillcrest International Schools is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.
Fees

Annual tuition at Hillcrest International School ranges from KES 577,600 to KES 3,055,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration deposit
- A placement deposit is required at enrolment. Deposit amounts by year group: KES 25,000 (Playgroup–FS1/FS2/Year 1), KES 50,000 (Year 2–Year 8), KES 100,000 (Year 9–Year 13).

Tuition fees — annual and per term (by year group)
- Playgroup (Mornings Only): Annual KES 384,000 — Per term KES 128,000.
- Nursery (Mornings Only): Annual KES 767,400 — Per term KES 255,800.
- Nursery (Full Day): Annual KES 946,199 — Per term KES 315,400.
- FS1 (Mornings Only): Annual KES 844,200 — Per term KES 281,400.
- FS1 (Full Day): Annual KES 1,022,998 — Per term KES 341,000.
- FS2: Annual KES 1,133,700 — Per term KES 377,900.
- Year 1: Annual KES 1,317,900 — Per term KES 439,300.
- Year 2: Annual KES 1,897,200 — Per term KES 632,400.
- Years 3–5: Annual KES 2,398,200 — Per term KES 799,400.
- Year 6: Annual KES 2,466,598 — Per term KES 822,199.
- Years 7–8: Annual KES 2,574,900 — Per term KES 858,300.
- Year 9: Annual KES 2,652,900 — Per term KES 884,300.
- Years 10–11: Annual KES 2,881,500 — Per term KES 960,500.
- Years 12–13: Annual KES 3,083,099 — Per term KES 1,027,700.

Notes on calculation: annual tuition figures are stated as the programme fee per academic year; per-term figures shown above are the annual tuition divided across the school's three-term academic year.

Lunch, transport and other recurring fees
- Lunch (Years 9–13): Annual KES 133,500 — Per term KES 44,500.
- Transport (EYFS–Year 13): Annual charges by zone (return and one-way):
- Zone A: Return KES 168,600; One-way KES 101,398.
- Zone B: Return KES 219,300; One-way KES 131,702.
- Zone C: Return KES 269,702; One-way KES 162,000.
- Zone D: Return KES 303,600; One-way KES 182,100.
Transport is billed as an annual charge as shown.

Boarding fees and options
- Boarding options: Full boarding, Weekly boarding and a Flexi option are offered for Years 7–13. Full boarding provides term-long residence (including weekends); weekly boarding runs Monday to Friday; flexi-boarders stay for selected nights.
- Boarding charges (annual) and deposit:
- Full boarding (Year 7–13): Annual KES 1,074,600 — Deposit KES 28,955 — Per term KES 358,200.
- Weekly boarding (Year 7–13): Annual KES 681,898 — Deposit KES 28,955 — Per term KES 227,299.

Other one-off or variable costs
- Uniform: School uniform must be purchased from the school's approved suppliers (Animet and Image First). Costs for uniform items are payable directly to those suppliers.
- Co-curricular activities, certain trips, music tuition, examination entry fees and specialist course fees may incur additional charges depending on the activity and year group; these costs are billed separately when applicable.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school operates on a three-term academic calendar; tuition figures are quoted per academic year and are invoiced across the school's term structure. Families are expected to meet termly invoicing schedules. If a family gives less than one term's written notice when withdrawing a pupil, one term's fees will be charged in lieu of notice.
- Sibling policy: a sibling discount on tuition is offered for families with more than one child enrolled. (Specific discount levels are applied according to the school's policy.)

Refunds and notice
- Withdrawal: One term's written notice to the headteacher is required. If one term's notice is not given, one term's fees will be charged in lieu of notice. This is the school's contractual requirement for leaving.
- Deposits and other refundable items: deposits are required as listed above; the school's published fee schedule identifies deposit amounts by year group. Specific deposit refund mechanics (timing, conditions) are handled under the school's admissions and finance procedures.

Fee payment options
- The school uses a parent portal (Engage) for parental accounts and communications; this platform supports integrated payment functionality. Acceptance of card payments and bank transfers is supported through the Engage/Stripe integration used by schools on the platform. In practice, school fee payments are commonly handled via the parent portal, direct bank transfer or other channels enabled by the school's finance office; specific instructions and account details are provided to parents on invoicing.

Summary of key headline figures (annual)
- Lowest day tuition (Playgroup mornings): KES 384,000.
- Typical lower primary (Year 1): KES 1,317,900.
- Upper secondary (Years 12–13): KES 3,083,099.
- Full boarding (annual): KES 1,074,600.
- Transport (example Zone A return annual): KES 168,600.
- Lunch (Years 9–13 annual): KES 133,500.
Academics

Hillcrest International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
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.

Student Teacher Ratio
The school has low student-teacher ratios.

Exam Results
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%.

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

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

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
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
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.
Parent Experience

History
Hillcrest Secondary School was established in 1965 and located at the current site. It began with 54 students and three classrooms and offered Cambridge Overseas O and A Level examinations. The motto Semper Prospice reflects the school's forward-looking philosophy. The three schools sit adjacent to one another in the Karen-Langata area of Nairobi, with Forest Edge joining in 2000 and later becoming Hillcrest Early Years. Hillcrest International Schools is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.

Community
Students are encouraged to contribute to the growth and development of their surrounding community. All students in Year 9 undertake community service activities providing exposure to two or three different organisations through which they learn to give back to the community. The Interact Club is student-led and raises funds; in December buckets of dry food are filled to feed families in Kibera, distributed via Christian Mission Aid. Students also support two local primary schools, Tenderfoot and Grace Lighthouse; as well as the Kenyatta Pediatric Cancer Ward, Nairobi Hospice and Held Sister.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Multiple information technology suites with on-site Wi‑Fi are available. There are five specialist science laboratories and preparation rooms. Two libraries, a fully equipped design technology suite, a drama studio and an examination hall form key academic spaces. The Sixth Form unit includes a kitchen, common room, lecture theatre and study areas. Outdoor facilities include lush playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, and spaces for a wide range of team sports, complemented by a gym and aerobics/dance studio with an indoor swimming pool. A fleet of Hillcrest buses supports transport.

Sports Facilities
Playing fields offer space for team sports and outdoor activities. Tennis and basketball courts are available for court sports. The school provides facilities for a wide range of team sports. A fully equipped gym and aerobics/dance studio support fitness training, and an indoor swimming pool enables aquatic activities.

Academic Facilities
The school houses multiple Information Technology suites with on-site Wi‑Fi. Five specialist science laboratories and preparation rooms support science teaching. There is a fully equipped Design Technology suite, a drama studio and an examination hall. Two libraries provide extensive quiet study and resource spaces. The Sixth Form unit includes a kitchen, common room, lecture theatre and study areas.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Hillcrest runs a vibrant extracurricular programme to encourage exploration and curiosity as well as nurturing diverse talents and skills. Friday afternoons offer 25–30 activities from Year 9 to Year 13, including Archery, Fencing, Survival Club, Publications Club, E-sports and Ultimate Frisbee. Other popular clubs include Sign Language, Computer Programming Club, Cooking Club, Business Club, Community Projects, Sewing and Beadwork, Squash, KSPCA, Football and Horse Riding. Cultural events such as Utamaduni Day, French Day and International Day foster cultural understanding, while the programme emphasizes cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship and teamwork.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
International Junior Science Olympiad and International Young Physicist Tournament provide opportunities for elite science students to compete against peers worldwide. International MUN offers opportunities to compete internationally and develop debating and presentation skills. The President's Award encourages students to focus on educational interests and to engage in challenging projects that bolster personal achievement.

Arts & Creative
Music, art and drama include termly productions, shows and exhibitions, as well as international tours, providing opportunities to perform or work backstage. Students can participate in related creative activities during lunch breaks and after school.

Cultural & Language
Utamaduni Day, French Day and International Day promote cultural understanding and celebrate diversity. There are language and cultural clubs, including Sign Language, that support cultural learning across the student body.

Social & Hobbies
Friday afternoons feature a wide range of clubs and activities, typically 25-30 options. Examples include E-sports, Ultimate Frisbee, Computer Programming Club, Cooking Club, Business Club, Sewing and Beadwork, Squash, Football and Horse Riding.

Community & Service
Students contribute to the wider community through the Interact Club, which raises funds and runs food drives for Kibera via Christian Mission Aid. They also support Tenderfoot and Grace Lighthouse primary schools, the Kenyatta Pediatric Cancer Ward, Nairobi Hospice and Held Sister.

Leadership & Professional
Elite-level opportunities include participation in International MUN and the President's Award, which encourage leadership, project work and personal growth. The school enables career exploration for Year 12 and Year 13 through admissions tutor visits and university fairs with over 40 representatives.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport plays a significant role, with opportunities to represent the school in various leagues and at national level. The sporting program includes hockey, basketball, rugby, cricket, football, tennis, squash, equestrian, swimming, netball, rounders, fencing and athletics, with expert coaching and extensive facilities.
Languages

Language Provision
All pupils learn French and Kiswahili from Year 2. The Preparatory Curriculum follows the British National Curriculum, with Modern Foreign Languages included among the subjects. In Secondary, five languages are offered, and a Year 9 student can select up to two languages from a choice of French, Spanish, Latin, or Kiswahili.
Reputation

Awards
None listed on the site in the provided pages.

Accreditations
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) – an approved inspectorate for British Schools Overseas; ISI documents include a BSO Report 2024. The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) member. Council of British International Schools (COBIS) compliant member. Kenyan International Schools Association (KAIS) member. Council of International Schools (CIS) listed among accreditations. IB World School Status badge shown on site. The school is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.
Admissions

Admissions
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.

Scholarships
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.

Waitlist
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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