International Schools in Nairobi

Ages 4-18 · American, IB · Gigiri · ~1,100 students

ISK is the default choice for diplomats and UN families in Nairobi - the campus, accreditations, and community are genuinely premium. If you're self-funding, weigh the fees carefully against Brookhouse, which offers comparable results at lower cost.

Ages 13-18 · British · Ruiru · ~400 students

Peponi is for secondary students only - Years 9 to 13 - and it is the most ambitious boarding school in Kenya by exam results and fees. If your child is 13 or older, you want full boarding in a rural setting, and you're prepared to pay at the upper end of the Nairobi market, it deserves serious consideration.

Ages 2-18 · British · Karen · ~1,000 students

Brookhouse is the strongest British-curriculum choice in Nairobi by exam results, with a campus that genuinely impresses. If you're Karen-based or want boarding, it's the natural first visit.

Ages 2-18 · British · Karen · ~605 students

Hillcrest is a solid British-curriculum option for Karen-based families who want ISI-inspected schooling at fees below Brookhouse - but the 2022 ownership change to the Braeburn Group warrants a campus visit to assess current teaching continuity before committing.

Ages 2-18 · British, IB · Garden Estate · ~750 students

Braeburn Garden Estate offers CIS-accredited British and IB education at fees that undercut ISK and Brookhouse significantly - a strong choice for families in the Garden Estate or Ridgeways area who want accredited schooling without the top-end price tag.

Ages 3-18 · British · Lavington · ~700 students

Braeburn Lavington is a well-accredited British school at fees that compete with the better-known options in Karen - if you're based west of the CBD, it deserves a visit. The February 2025 BSO inspection is a useful data point.

Ages 4-18 · American · Gigiri · ~703 students

Rosslyn is the go-to for American families in Gigiri who want a faith-based school close to the UN compound - the AP programme is strong and the community is tight-knit. If you're not American or not comfortable with a Christian covenant environment, it's probably not the right fit.

Ages 1-13 · British · Langata · ~490 students

Banda is Nairobi's most respected British prep school for the under-14s - the pastoral quality, specialist learning support, and scholarship results set it apart. If you have primary or junior-age children and live in the south of the city, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.

Ages 2-18 · French, British · Kilimani · ~600 students

LFIDD is the obvious first call for French-speaking families in Nairobi and a genuinely affordable option compared with other top international schools - the government subsidy is real and substantial. Non-French families can access the British International Section, but should visit to confirm whether the bilingual environment suits their child.

Ages 1.5-18 · German · Gigiri · ~405 students

DSN is a tight, well-run school for German-speaking families - the Abitur pathway, bilingual environment, and certified status make it the only real option if a German university route matters to you. Non-German families should visit to gauge whether the language requirements suit where their child is starting from.

Ages 3-18 · British, American · Runda · ~210 students

SABIS Runda is a smaller, boarding-capable school for families near Two Rivers who want IGCSE and A-Level or AP pathways without the price tag of ISK or Brookhouse. The SABIS system is structured and data-driven - visit to decide whether that suits your child's learning style.

Ages 3-18 · IB · Parklands · ~1,020 students

AKA Nairobi is the strongest IB-only option in the city - a full continuum from Nursery to Diploma with consistently above-average DP results and a diverse, cosmopolitan student body. Fees are moderate by Nairobi international standards, making it worth shortlisting for IB-committed families in the northern suburbs.