Updated 1 November 2026
International schools in Nairobi fees run from under KSh 500,000 a year for part-time pre-school to more than KSh 3 million a year for the final years of secondary school at the top British-curriculum schools, while the International School of Kenya charges USD 32,540 a year for Grades 1 to 5 and USD 37,330 for Grades 11 to 12 in 2026/27, plus a one-time USD 11,000 capital levy. This comparison uses only the schools’ own published fee schedules, so you can see tuition, deposits, levies and discounts side by side.
Updated 1 November 2026. Figures are copied from each school’s official fees page on that date. Schools can change fees with notice; confirm before you apply.
International schools in Nairobi fees: snapshot
| School (curriculum) | Year 1 / Grade 1 | Year 7 / Grade 6-8 | Final years | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Kenya, ISK (American / IB) | USD 32,540 per year | USD 33,965 per year | USD 37,330 per year (Grades 11-12) | 2026/27, payable by semester |
| Braeburn School, Gitanga Road (British) | KSh 750,000 per term | KSh 775,700 per term | KSh 1,339,600 (Years 12-13) | Sept 2026 – Aug 2027, termly |
| Hillcrest International School (British) | KSh 1,317,900 | KSh 2,574,900 | KSh 3,083,099 (Years 12-13) | Sept 2026 – Aug 2027; the fee table is headed “annual tuition” |
| Brookhouse School, Karen and Runda (British) | KSh 440,000 per term | KSh 840,000 per term (Years 7-8) | KSh 1,440,000 (Year 13, two instalments) | Current published schedule (dues dated 2025/26) |
Over three terms, Braeburn’s Year 1 tuition comes to KSh 2.25 million and Year 7 to about KSh 2.33 million; Brookhouse’s Year 1 comes to KSh 1.32 million and Years 7-8 to KSh 2.52 million. Hillcrest’s page is titled “termly fees structure” but its table column says “annual tuition fees”, so ask the school which applies before you budget.
One-off and extra costs
| School | Application / registration | Deposit or levy | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISK | USD 400 application fee | One-time capital levy USD 11,000 (USD 500 less per extra sibling); annual capital levy USD 1,600 for continuing students | Bus USD 2,400 a year; IB exam fees about USD 300 to USD 908 |
| Braeburn | KSh 5,000 registration | KSh 50,000 deposit | Lunch KSh 41,400 to KSh 73,800 a term; transport KSh 35,500 to KSh 159,450 a term by zone |
| Hillcrest | KSh 5,000 registration | Deposit KSh 25,000 to KSh 100,000 by year | Same transport zones as Braeburn; lunch included for Early Years and Prep |
| Brookhouse | See school | See school | Boarding (Karen only) from KSh 1,290,000 a term in Year 2 |
Discounts that cut the bill
- Siblings: Braeburn and Hillcrest give 10% off tuition for a 2nd child, 20% for a 3rd, 30% for a 4th and 40% for the 5th and later. ISK cuts the bus fee by USD 200 per extra sibling.
- Paying early: Braeburn and Hillcrest give 3% off tuition when the full term is paid within six days of the due date. ISK lists a 1% discount for paying the full year early.
- Late payment: Braeburn and Hillcrest charge a 1.25% surcharge per month on late fees, and both require a full term’s written notice to withdraw, or a term’s fees in lieu.
How to budget for an international school
Add tuition, lunch, transport, exam fees, uniforms, trips and any one-off levies, then add a buffer for annual increases. Schools such as Braeburn and Hillcrest say their boards can change fees at five months’ notice. If you are paying in shillings but earning in dollars, or the reverse, exchange-rate moves can change the real cost from year to year. For financing options, see school fees loans in Kenya. Our single-school guides cover Brookhouse and Hillcrest in more detail, and the overview of international schools in Kenya lists other options.
Frequently asked questions
How much are international school fees in Nairobi?
From the schools’ 2026/27 schedules, primary-age tuition runs from about KSh 1.3 million to about KSh 2.5 million a year at British-curriculum schools, and USD 32,540 a year at ISK for Grades 1 to 5. Final secondary years cost more.
Which international school in Nairobi charges in dollars?
Of the schools compared here, the International School of Kenya publishes its fees in US dollars. Braeburn, Hillcrest and Brookhouse publish in Kenya shillings; Brookhouse says it accepts payment in shillings.
Do international schools in Nairobi offer sibling discounts?
Yes. Braeburn and Hillcrest give 10% to 40% off tuition for the second and later children. ISK reduces the capital levy and bus fees for siblings.
Are lunch and transport included?
Usually not. Braeburn lists lunch and transport separately; Hillcrest includes lunch for Early Years and Prep; ISK charges bus fees separately and runs a prepaid lunch service.
Sources (read 1 November 2026): ISK tuition and fees; Braeburn fee structure; Hillcrest fee structure; Brookhouse fees.
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