International School of Kenya

ISK sits on a 40-acre campus on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. The campus is located in Nairobi and the postal address is PO Box 14103 - 00800, Nairobi, Kenya.

Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12; Elementary School, Middle School, and High School divisions.

Private, non-profit international school.

ISK has over 1,000 students representing more than 65 nationalities.

Provides support for mild to moderate learning needs through Student Support Services.

Created in 1976 through a joint partnership between the governments of the United States and Canada.

School hours are 8:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 8:20 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Yes, an optional Bus Service to locations in Nairobi and its surroundings.

ISK provides education across Elementary, Middle, and High School within a framework centered on the International Baccalaureate. In High School, Grades 9–12 students work toward the ISK High School Diploma, with many pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. Grade 9 follows a common course of study in English and Science, with Mathematics and World Languages (French, Spanish, Kiswahili), and wellness and creativity through health, art, drama, and music. Grade 10 continues core study with electives and a strong emphasis on experiential learning and IB preparation. The IB Diploma Programme is offered in Grades 11–12, with six externally assessed IB courses, the Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge, alongside ISK's four-year High School Diploma. Graduation requires 24–28 credits across English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages, Physical Education, Health, Creative Arts, and Electives.

The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1.

The IB exams pass rate is 98.5%.

ISK provides college counseling to support university selection and applications. The Class of 2025 received university acceptances across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Europe, and rest of the world. Examples include University College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of York, New York University, Princeton University, University of Michigan, McGill University, and University of Toronto.

ISK has a Gifted and Talented policy and Highly Capable Learner (HCL) program; it is at the refining stage and not fully implemented, but structures exist and HCL models appear in some unit plans. Highly capable learners may skip grades or enroll in more advanced classes, and teachers have participated in related professional development.

The school prioritises social, emotional and mental health development alongside academic achievement. Wellbeing equips learners with the knowledge and skills to navigate life's challenges and to act with integrity and care. Counselors promote students' emotional, social, and academic growth and guide school wellness programs to ensure a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. The program focuses on the whole child, fostering resilience, social-emotional competencies, and positive relationships across Elementary, Middle, and High School. Social and emotional learning lessons are embedded in counseling and advisory activities, and parent workshops support family engagement.

ISK offers a range of Student Support Services including Learning Support and English Language Learner (ELL). The school serves students with a variety of learning differences and provides in-class support, co-taught classes, and small group lessons across Elementary, Middle, and High School; admission to Learning Support is assessed case by case. Life-Centered Education (LCE) supports students with intensive special education needs through customized instruction and individualized goals outlined on ISK's IEPs developed after evaluation by an Educational Psychologist. ISK emphasizes inclusive education and collaboration among regular teachers, special educators, and other professionals to support students. A Parent Partnership and Learning Journey invites families to share learning profiles and plan supports as part of ongoing monitoring.

ISK provides the English Language Learner (ELL) program to support Pre-K to Grade 10 students acquiring English and to enable them to learn with peers. The program develops social and academic English across speaking, listening, reading and writing to support multilingualism. Instruction uses an immersive, literacy-rich environment with co-teaching and coaching to provide access to the curriculum. ELL language instruction is offered in small groups and integrated with regular classes.

ISK recognises social, emotional and mental health development as essential to learning. Wellbeing initiatives equip learners to navigate life's challenges while feeling secure and performing well. Counseling supports emotional, social and academic growth and guides wellness programs to ensure a safe, healthy environment. The counseling team works across Elementary, Middle, and High School to support transitions, resilience, and everyday wellbeing. Wellbeing is linked to better health, relationships, optimism and academic achievement.

ISK prioritises safeguarding and promoting the well-being of students, protecting them from harm and from bullying, abuse, discrimination, or harassment. The approach is grounded in international best practices aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; board policy on child protection (section 3.8) guides practices. There is an ethos of transparency and a proactive plan for training all stakeholders; safeguarding procedures are continually reviewed. Safeguarding applies to after-school programs and off-campus activities. If a safeguarding concern arises, concerns can be reported via a confidential form and will be reviewed by the Safeguarding Team; contact Ms. Njeri Muraya at nmuraya@isk.ac.ke.

Step 1 - Create an Account. Begin by creating an account in the ISK application system, then return to the ISK Application Dashboard and select the appropriate year of entry. Step 1 also guides you to prepare for the online application submission. Step 2 - Submit an Online Application. Return to the dashboard to submit the online application for your child and ensure the year of entry is correct. Upload the requested documents: school reports from the previous three years translated into English, the Confidential School Report (sent directly to ISK via the dashboard), a Health Form, most recent MAP scores for Grades 3 and above, a current passport photo, and a copy of the student's passport bio data page. Include proof of payment of the US$400 non-refundable application fee and upload the Commitment to our Educational Philosophy form. Step 3 - Application Review and Next Steps. After submission, you will receive an email confirmation that the admissions team has received the application, and the status can be checked on the dashboard. The principal for each division makes all admission and grade placement decisions, with grade placement generally based on the student's age on September 15 and prior grade equivalence. Next steps include Entrance Assessments and Admissions Decisions, which determine whether ISK can provide the appropriate program for the student. The school also conducts orientation for new families at the start of each school year and for new admissions after mid-year.

ISK Scholarships invest in Kenyan youth who would otherwise be unable to afford tuition. The ISK Scholarship targets low to middle income Kenyan students and covers 100% of high school costs, including the IB Diploma program, school fees, admission fees, and bus fees, provided recipients maintain good academic performance and behavior. Applications are screened by a scholarship committee and awarded by April of each year, with financial need assessed via a Finance Disclosure form and supporting documentation. High School Scholarships for Kenyan citizens are based on merit and proven financial need and require Kenyan citizenship, English fluency, strong English-language academic achievement, leadership and service, being at least 14 years old by July, and completion of Grade 8 or Year 9 with eligibility to enter Grade 9 at ISK. The Beacon Scholarship is a separate Changemaker program with its own eligibility and funding structure. For scholarship inquiries, scholarships@isk.ac.ke. Scholarship Applications for the 2026-27 school year are closed.

Applicants who cannot be enrolled due to lack of space will be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available. Waiting lists may be formed as early as March for the forthcoming school year, and applicants are removed from the waiting list when space becomes available. If communicated that a child is on the waiting list, an email should be sent to confirm the wish to remain on the waiting list.