Kenya, Nairobi
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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.
International School of Kenya (ISK) is a private, non‑profit international school in Nairobi serving ages 3 to 18. Established in 1976 through a partnership between the United States and Canadian governments, ISK offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in grades 11–12 alongside a four‑year ISK High School Diploma and a U.S. and Canadian‑influenced American curriculum framework. The school teaches English and integrates global perspectives across Elementary, Middle, and High School, with grade‑specific courses in English, science, mathematics, world languages (French, Spanish, Kiswahili), health, arts, and physical education. The 40‑acre campus features a competition swimming pool, four basketball courts, multiple playing fields, five tennis courts, and a new Track & Field facility (2023–24). The campus houses a 30,000‑book library, Design & Innovation spaces, a Design & Art Center, and a one‑to‑one technology program. Co‑curriculars include robotics, MUN, Green Initiatives, and extensive arts, music, and service programs. This combination supports diverse learners.