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Nairobi International School

Kenya, Nairobi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KES 552,000 - 1,140,000
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2008
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages French, Swahili, Spanish, German, English
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Located in Nairobi, Nairobi International School offers a British-based education for students aged 2 to 18. The school follows the British National Curriculum across KS3, KS4 and A-Levels, with Cambridge IGCSE and BTEC qualifications available. The campus network includes Kindergarten at No. 6, Kanjata Road; Preparatory at No. 5, Kanjata Road; and Senior School at No. 728, Maji Mazuri Road, Lavington, allowing a progression from early years to pre-university study within a familiar setting. The school operates as a private day school with boarding options, serving diverse families in Kenya. A technology-enabled learning environment, the Smart School, supports digital literacy and interactive lessons. Distinctive programs include the Middle School Model United Nations (MSMUN), and strong arts and languages offerings, with music, drama and art facilities in the Senior School and language clubs in the middle years. The Green Pledge underpins community service and sustainable practice, alongside sport and wellness programs.

The Essentials

Nairobi International School has typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Three Nairobi campuses: Kindergarten at No. 6 Kanjata Road, off James Gichuru; Preparatory at No. 5, Kanjata Road, off James Gichuru; Senior School at No. 728 Maji Mazuri Road, off James Gichuru, Lavington. These locations are along the James Gichuru corridor in the Nairobi area.

Stages
Kindergarten, Preparatory, Middle School, Senior School.

Type
Private international school offering day schooling with boarding options.

Country affiliation
Kenya

Bus service
The school provides transport services; transport fees per term depend on distance and whether one-way or two-way transport is chosen. Distances are divided into six zones (A–F) with routes covering Zone A (Muthangari, Gitanga Rd, Rhapta Rd, etc.), Zone B (Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Ngong Rd, etc.), Zone C (Milimani, State House, Parklands, etc.), Zone D (Madaraka, Upper Hill, Ngara, etc.), Zone E (Muthaiga, Gigiri, Karen, etc.), Zone F (Ridgeways, Garden Estate, Embakasi, etc.). Two-way vs one-way transport options are available per term.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available at Nairobi International School. The school offers Full-time Boarding and Weekly Boarding. Full-time Boarding costs 250,000 per term and Weekly Boarding 225,000 per term. Admission Fee for boarding is 10,000, Caution Fee 25,000, and Medical Insurance 7,000 per year apply.

Food Options
Lunch is included in tuition; meals are provided as part of food and nutrition.

Governance and Ownership
Founder/Director is Mrs. Radhika Lee. The Head of School is Mrs. Deepthi Menon; the Academic Director is Mr. Simba Song'e; Deputy Heads for Curricula & External Examinations and for Pastoral & Co-Curricular Affairs are Mr. Paul Gee and Mrs. Minneh Mutoro.
Fees

Annual tuition at Nairobi International School ranges from KES 552,000 to KES 1,140,000 for 2026/27.

*Applicaton / Admission and one-off charges*

- Admission Fee (one-off): KES 25,000.
- Caution Fee / Security Deposit (refundable subject to exit clearance): amounts vary by section of school as listed below; the deposit is refunded without interest and must be claimed within two years of a student leaving.
- Boarding Admission Fee (one-off, for boarders): KES 10,000.

*Tuition fees by year group (per term; annual totals shown where applicable)*

Note: Tuition fees are charged every academic term; most year groups have three terms. Where a term is listed as NIL, only the two listed terms apply.

- Kindergarten
- Playgroup: KES 184,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 552,000.
- KG 1: KES 202,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 606,000.
- KG 2: KES 208,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 624,000.
- Year 1: KES 220,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 660,000.

- Preparatory (Primary)
- Year 2: KES 240,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 720,000.
- Year 3: KES 245,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 735,000.
- Year 4: KES 262,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 786,000.
- Year 5: KES 268,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 804,000.
- Year 6: KES 279,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 837,000.
- Preparatory caution fee (one-off): KES 20,000.

- Middle School
- Year 7: KES 319,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 957,000.
- Year 8: KES 351,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 1,053,000.
- Year 9: KES 360,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 1,080,000.
- Middle School caution fee (one-off): KES 40,000.

- Junior High School
- Year 10: KES 372,000 per term — Annual (3 terms): KES 1,116,000.
- Year 11: KES 563,000 for Term 1 and Term 2; Term 3: NIL — Annual (2 terms): KES 1,126,000.
- Junior High caution fee (one-off): KES 40,000.

- Senior High School
- Year 12: KES 570,000 for Term 1 and Term 2; Term 3: NIL — Annual (2 terms): KES 1,140,000.
- Year 13: KES 570,000 for Term 1 and Term 2; Term 3: NIL — Annual (2 terms): KES 1,140,000.
- Senior High caution fee (one-off): KES 40,000.

*Boarding and related charges*

- Full-time Boarding: KES 250,000 per term.
- Weekly Boarding: KES 225,000 per term.
- Boarding caution fee (one-off): KES 25,000.
- Boarding admission fee (one-off): KES 10,000.
- Medical insurance cover (yearly, applies to boarders and/or students as stated by the school): KES 7,000 per year.

*Transport fees (per term by zone)*

- Zone A: One-way KES 32,000 — Two-way KES 51,000.
- Zone B: One-way KES 34,000 — Two-way KES 54,000.
- Zone C: One-way KES 36,000 — Two-way KES 58,000.
- Zone D: One-way KES 40,000 — Two-way KES 64,000.
- Zone E: One-way KES 52,000 — Two-way KES 78,000.
- Zone F: One-way KES 56,000 — Two-way KES 84,000.

*Billing schedule and payment terms*

- Tuition and other recurring fees are invoiced by term; an invoice (Fee Note) is issued at the end of each academic term indicating fees due for the next term. Fees are expected to be settled by the first day of school reopening for the next term. Students admitted before half term pay the full term; those admitted after half term are charged 50% of the term fee.
- Withdrawal: One academic term's written notice to the Head of School is required; if adequate notice is not provided, one full term's fee will be charged in lieu of notice.
- Space Retention Deposit: When pausing schooling to retain a place for a following term/year, a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the tuition fees is payable; this secures the student's place.

*Discounts and penalties*

- Sibling discounts on tuition only: second sibling 10%, third sibling 15%, fourth and subsequent siblings 20% (fixed for subsequent children).
- Early payment discount: 4% on tuition if the full invoiced amount is settled one calendar month prior to school reopening (not combinable with other special discounts).
- Cheque return (bank dishonour) charge: KES 2,000. Cash payments are not accepted.

*Refunds and security deposit handling*

- The caution fee (security deposit) is refundable without interest upon a child's permanent departure, subject to full settlement of all due fees and return of school property in good condition. The caution fee must be claimed within two years of leaving. Deductions from the caution fee may be made for outstanding obligations.

*Accepted payment methods and practical payment details*

- Bank transfer (deposit): Account Name: NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL — Account Number: 01129650642300 — Bank: The Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd, Branch: Lavington. Receipts are issued upon presentation of deposit slips.
- Cheque: Cheques payable to Nairobi International School; receipts issued after cheque clearance. Cheque return charges apply.
- M-Pesa / Paybill: Paybill No. 400200 — Account No. 01129650642300.
- Cash payments are not accepted.

*Other costs to consider*

- Uniforms, personal supplies, any specific course materials or external exam fees where applicable are additional to the tuition and term fees listed above and should be budgeted for by parents. Exam registration and any outstanding fees must be settled before exam registration is processed.

(Fee schedule and policy details above are taken from the school's published fee structure and fees policy documents.)
Academics

Nairobi International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
KS3, KS4 & A-Levels of the British National Curriculum.

Higher Education Progression
Prepare students to sit IGCSE, 'A' Levels from Cambridge and BTEC from Pearson as a stepping stone to universities around the world.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Academic Excellence is pursued alongside the personal characteristics of respect, self-discipline and teamwork. Character development emphasizes morally and ethically demanding practices, with concepts like self-discipline, generosity, compassion, understanding, respect and decency to be invoked and practised in and outside the school. The school fosters a sense of community, with everyone having an integral part to play and the ability to contribute to the greater good. Physical and spiritual well-being are prioritised, with many athletic teams and diverse religious traditions represented within the student body, offering opportunities to strengthen bodies and nourish souls. Giving back and creating re-thinkers are part of the ethos, encouraging personal growth and creative thinking.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as a Second Language (ESL) is taught; ESL, English Language and Literature in English are part of the language provision.

Safeguarding
Pastoral care and student welfare are overseen by the Deputy Head (Pastoral & Co-Curricular Affairs).
Parent Experience

History
Nairobi International School was founded in September 2008 by Radhika Lee as the first Eschool in East Africa. Radhika Lee is the Founder / Director. The school uses the motto Where Tomorrow Begins. Radhika Lee published her autobiography “Rainbows in my clouds” in November 2015 and received the 2020 BETT award for Women in Technology. The Kindergarten campus is No. 6, Kanjata Road, off James Gichuru; the Preparatory campus is No. 5, Kanjata Road, off James Gichuru; and the Senior School campus is No. 728, Maji Mazuri Road, Lavington. The Senior School offers KS3, KS4 and A-Levels of the British National Curriculum.

Community
The school publishes a Calendar of Events, including monthly calendars. It maintains a Green Pledge and an Alumni network linked to The Gold Key Society. CATSI, the Cancer Awareness & Treatment Support Initiative, is a school community program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Middle School Model United Nations (MSMUN) offers a conference for junior high school students that simulates United Nations activities. Delegates discuss topics across Technology, Health, Human Rights and Ecology & Environment and engage in debating and presenting. The programme also develops leadership and public speaking skills, with opportunities to build self‑confidence.

Arts & Creative
The Preparatory program offers music, drama, art, cookery and chess as extracurricular activities, with inter-house competitions that foster team spirit. Senior School provides dedicated facilities for the arts, including an art studio and a music studio.

Cultural & Language
Spanish, French, German and Kiswahili are offered in the Middle School.

Social & Hobbies
A wide range of activities in the Preparatory period includes football, netball, basketball, cricket, rounders, hockey, athletics, swimming, music, drama, computers, art, cookery and chess. Inter-house competitions foster belonging to teams.

Community & Service
Community service is not simply a graduation requirement; from the moment students sign the school pledge, they commit to personal growth, integrity, self‑discipline and caring for others. The Green Pledge encourages environmentally responsible choices and a reduced environmental footprint.

Leadership & Professional
MSMUN in Middle School provides a platform to develop leadership, debating and public speaking skills. Senior School includes tutorials to enhance exam preparation for final assessments. The school emphasizes technology-enabled learning as part of its 'Smart School' approach.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
NIS emphasizes Physical & Spiritual Well-Being with athletic programs and a weekly Reflections programme for spiritual development. The Senior School offers facilities such as a well‑equipped gym, computer lab, art studio, music studio and food lab. Inter-house competitions support fitness, teamwork and well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
English, French and Kiswahili are taught as part of the curriculum. French and Kiswahili are taught as subjects. In Preparatory, Key Stage 1 & 2 of the British National Curriculum are followed. In Senior School, KS3, KS4 and KS5 with A-Levels and BTEC follow the British National Curriculum.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Begin by accessing the Enquiry page to start the application. The initial step collects the parent/guardian's name, relationship to the applicant, a valid email address, and a contact number, and records the applicant's name, date of birth, and the year level being applied for. 2. Submit the above information. An Enquiry is created at this stage and can be completed immediately or continued later after login details are emailed to the user. 3. Return to the Enquiry page and complete the admission application. Siblings may be included in the same application. 4. After completing the Enquiry, an email lists the documents required for the admission application. These include photocopies of the applicant's passport (and immigration status page for non-citizens) and copies of the parents' passports. A parent's work permit is required for non-citizens. Also required are the applicant's birth certificate in English, 4 coloured passport photos for non-citizens (2 for citizens), the official report card, and the Transfer Certificate for Year 2 upwards. The applicant must also submit a short essay of about 250 words about themselves. 5. The Admissions Team will contact you for an interview and/or assessment. The student may be referred to the Inclusion Support Team for additional provision determination. If a place is offered, an offer letter will be emailed within 24 hours. 6. To confirm and secure the place, pay the admission fee of 25,000 Ksh within 7 days. 7. Screening and Assessment: The school conducts a pre-entry assessment to ensure the curriculum matches the child's skills and needs. Assessments vary by year level and include English language and Mathematics tests; early years may involve play-based activities; higher grades may require examinations to assess core competencies, with results supported by prior school records. Final admission can be offered at the Principal's discretion if the student is deemed capable of succeeding at Nairobi International School.
School Events
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