Quick answer
Leading international schools in Kenya include ISK, Brookhouse, Braeburn, Hillcrest, Rosslyn Academy, Peponi, St Andrew’s Turi and the Aga Khan Academies. Most follow the British curriculum; ISK and Aga Khan teach the IB.
Updated 18 October 2026
Kenya’s best-known international schools are the International School of Kenya (ISK), Brookhouse, Braeburn, Hillcrest, Rosslyn Academy, Peponi School, St Andrew’s School, Turi, the Aga Khan Academies in Nairobi and Mombasa, and Kenton College. Most follow the British curriculum (Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and A Levels). ISK and the Aga Khan Academies teach the International Baccalaureate (IB), and Rosslyn follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The international school directory doris counts 50 international schools in Nairobi alone, 39 of them offering a British curriculum, 11 the IB and 7 an American programme.
In this guide
Top 10 international schools in Kenya at a glance
This list is not a ranking by exam results, which most schools do not publish in a comparable way. It brings together the long-established schools that parents ask about most, covering each main curriculum and the main regions.
| School | Location | Curriculum | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Kenya (ISK) | Kirawa Road, Nairobi | American framework plus IB Diploma | 3 to 18 |
| Brookhouse Schools | Karen and Runda, Nairobi | British: Cambridge IGCSE, A Levels, BTEC | 1 to 18 |
| Braeburn Schools | Nairobi (Gitanga Road, Garden Estate) and other towns | British; Garden Estate also offers the IB Diploma | 2 to 18 |
| Hillcrest International Schools | Karen, Nairobi | British: Cambridge IGCSE, A Levels, BTEC | 3 to 18 |
| Rosslyn Academy | Rosslyn, near Gigiri, Nairobi | American with AP courses | 4 to 18 |
| Peponi School | Ruiru, Kiambu | Cambridge IGCSE, AS and A Levels | 12 to 18 |
| St Andrew’s School, Turi | Turi, near Molo, Nakuru County | British: IGCSE, AS and A Levels | 4 to 18 |
| Aga Khan Academy Mombasa | Mombasa | IB PYP, MYP and Diploma | 6 to 18 in the IB years |
| Aga Khan Academy Nairobi | Nairobi | IB PYP, MYP and Diploma | 2 to 18 |
| Kenton College Preparatory School | Nairobi | British (prep) | 3 to 13 |
The schools in more detail
1. International School of Kenya (ISK)
ISK is a private, non-profit school set up in 1976 through a partnership between the United States and Canadian governments. Students follow an American-style programme and can take the International Baccalaureate Diploma in grades 11 and 12 alongside the ISK High School Diploma. The 40-acre campus includes a competition swimming pool, playing fields and tennis courts, and the school teaches French, Spanish and Kiswahili.
2. Brookhouse Schools
Brookhouse runs campuses in Karen and Runda and follows the British curriculum from early years to Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels, with BTEC options. It offers both day and boarding places. For current charges, see our Brookhouse school fees guide.
3. Braeburn Schools
Braeburn is a Kenyan-founded group of British-curriculum schools. Its Nairobi schools include Braeburn School on Gitanga Road and Braeburn Garden Estate, which offers the IB Diploma and the IB Career-related Programme alongside IGCSE and BTEC courses.
4. Hillcrest International Schools
Hillcrest in Karen teaches the British curriculum through Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels, with BTEC courses, for children aged 3 to 18. Our Hillcrest International School fees page breaks down tuition, boarding and transport.
5. Rosslyn Academy
Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement courses and has a Christian ethos. It suits families planning for universities in the United States or Canada.
6. Peponi School
Peponi is a day and boarding senior school on a fifty-acre campus at Ruiru, just north of Nairobi, for students aged about 12 to 18. It follows Cambridge IGCSE, AS and A Levels, with Pearson Edexcel IGCSE as an option, and is known for sport and outdoor education. Its prep school, Peponi House, is in Nairobi.
7. St Andrew’s School, Turi
Founded in 1931, Turi is a boarding school on a 450-acre site near Molo with a prep school, senior school and sixth form. It follows the British curriculum to IGCSE, AS and A Levels and has a Christian heritage.
8 and 9. The Aga Khan Academies, Mombasa and Nairobi
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa is an authorised IB World School offering all three IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme for ages 6 to 10, the Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16 and the Diploma Programme for ages 16 to 19. The Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi also teaches the IB from early years to the Diploma.
10. Kenton College Preparatory School
Kenton College is a British-curriculum prep school for ages 3 to 13 and, according to doris, the oldest international school in Nairobi, dating from 1924.
Other international schools worth a look
Families wanting a language-based system can consider the Lycée Français International Denis Diderot (French curriculum) and the German School Nairobi. Other British-curriculum options include Woodcreek School, The Banda School (ages 1 to 13), Light International School and Crawford International School. In Nakuru, Greensteds International School is a British-curriculum boarding option. If you prefer a Kenyan curriculum at a premium school, see Nova Pioneer school fees and our best schools in Nairobi County guide.
How much do international schools in Kenya cost?
Fees vary widely by school and year group and are usually billed per term. Doris lists Rosslyn Academy at about KSh 815,850 to KSh 2,175,000 a year, Braeburn School at about KSh 946,200 to KSh 2,551,600, Hillcrest at about KSh 577,600 to KSh 3,055,000 and Peponi School at about KSh 2,055,570 to KSh 4,361,610. On top of tuition, budget for a registration fee, an assessment, a refundable deposit or capital levy, meals, uniforms, transport, trips and external exam fees. Always get the current fee schedule from the school, because fees rise most years. For national schools and other options, see our school fees in Kenya guide.
How to choose the right school
- Match the curriculum to the exit plan. A Levels suit UK and Commonwealth universities, AP and an American diploma suit US universities, and the IB Diploma is recognised widely.
- Check the school calendar. Many international schools run from August or September to June or July, while others follow the Kenyan January to November year. This affects when your child can join.
- Think about the commute. Many top schools are in Karen, Runda, Kitisuru and Gigiri. Ask about bus routes before you commit.
- Apply early. Popular entry years have waiting lists, and most schools assess or interview children before they offer a place.
- Visit. Ask about class sizes, support for children still learning English, special needs support, safeguarding and boarding.
Moving to Kenya for work? Browse teaching and other openings at Job in Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best international school in Kenya?
There is no official ranking. ISK, Brookhouse, Braeburn, Hillcrest, Rosslyn, Peponi, Turi and the Aga Khan Academies are the names parents ask about most. The right one depends on the curriculum you want, your budget and where you live.
Which international schools in Kenya offer the IB?
ISK offers the IB Diploma, the Aga Khan Academies in Nairobi and Mombasa teach all three IB programmes, and Braeburn Garden Estate offers the IB Diploma alongside British courses.
Which schools follow the American curriculum?
Rosslyn Academy and West Nairobi School follow American curricula with AP courses, and ISK uses an American framework with the IB Diploma.
Are there international boarding schools in Kenya?
Yes. St Andrew’s School, Turi is a boarding school, and Peponi, Brookhouse and Greensteds offer boarding alongside day places.
Do international schools in Kenya follow the CBC?
No. Most follow the British, IB or American systems. Schools such as Nova Pioneer teach the Kenyan curriculum instead.
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