Nairobi
International School of Kenya

Thank you for considering the International School of Kenya as a possible school for your child(ren).

Description


The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a non-profit, PreK- 12, coeducational, independent day school serving the expatriate and Kenyan communities n Nairobi. The school was started by the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission in 1976 and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools. The school year consists of two semesters extending from early August to December and from January to early June.
Organization
ISK was established in 1976 by the governments of the USA and Canada. It is governed by a 7-member Board of Governors and a 9-member Board of Directors. Three members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the sponsoring embassies, four are elected, and two are appointed by the board itself. All seven members of the Board of Governors are appointed. Four members currently represent the Canadian High Commission and three members represent the US Embassy.

  • Day school tuition $18450 - $35370 USD
  • Grades for day school Pre-K/Reception -
    12th Grade/Year 13
  • Scholarships Available Yes
  • Number of Students 1070
  • Year founded 1976
  • Boarding school tuition No Information
  • Curricula US National, IB Diploma
  • Type Co-ed

Accreditations

ISK was reaccredited through the CIS/MSA International reaccreditation which awarded in June 2019. ISK will carry out its next full reaccreditation in the 23-24 Academic year.


Tuition

Application Fee - USD $400

  • Applies only to new applicants.
  • Non-refundable and payable in full upon submission of the completed application form.
One Time Capital Levy - USD $10,000
  • To cover Capital expenses.
  • Payable at the time of enrolment.
  • Non-refundable and payable by all new entrants joining Kindergarten to Grade 12.
  • A reduction of US$500 is given for every additional student enrolled from the same family.
  • Postponed for Pre-K until students join Kindergarten.
  • No discount is available on Capital Levy for early payment.
Life-Centered Education (LCE) Program Fee - USD $20,000
  • Pre K – Grade 12
  • Amount payable in addition to the grade level tuition fees.
  • This is a modified curriculum to meet student’s IEP and social emotional needs, together with Daily Living Skills.
  • The program also caters for students with intellectual disabilities.
Bus Fee USD $2,200


Scholarships

Outstanding students deserve exceptional opportunities, but that isn’t always the case. At ISK, we appreciate the extraordinary efforts of these learners, and that’s why we have a scholarship program dedicated to Kenyan youth.

The ISK Scholarship targets low to middle income Kenyan students who would otherwise be unable to afford our tuition and fees. We pay for 100% of their costs in High School, including the IB Diploma program, school fees, admission fees, and bus fees. As long as students maintain good academic performance and behavior, we will invest in their creative, personal and academic development.

Applications are screened by a scholarship committee and awarded to the recipients by April of each year. Financial need is assessed upon completion of a Finance Disclosure form including relevant supporting documentation.

The value of respect for each other and for Kenya is evident at ISK, as is a commitment to giving back to the community. Our scholarship program for Kenyan students, together with a broad and dedicated service-learning program which serves our local and national community, have shaped our school values since inception and continues today.

High School Scholarships for Kenyan citizens are based on merit and proven financial need. The Scholarship is catered to students entering Grade 9 or Grade 10.

An ISK Scholarship:

  • Gives students an outstanding international education in a culturally diverse environment;
  • Nurtures students’ creativity and passions;
  • Gives scholarship students a sense of inclusion and belonging among students from around the world;
  • Opens doors to the world’s best universities;
  • Gives students confidence and independence in how they act, communicate, create, learn, and solve problems;
  • Inspires and nurtures extraordinary learners to create solutions for tomorrow’s challenges;
  • Allows students to become exceptional members of society and eventually give back to the community.



Curricula

The primary focus of the curriculum is to equip students with the skills and dispositions that will empower them for the future. The curriculum draws from rigorous standards and benchmarks, with the objective of providing an engaging and challenging program that meets the needs of our diverse student population and enables students to transition to the best schools and
universities around the world. The IB Diploma program, including both standard and higher level subjects, is offered in Grades 11 and 12. The school-testing program includes the College Board tests (PSAT and SAT), and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP-Grades 3-9). Instructions are in English, with French, Spanish, and Kiswahili offered as modern languages for non-native speakers. A Family Languages program is offered after school to support home language instruction.


Admissions Information

Admissions Process

Step 1 - Create an Account
Step 2 - Return to the ISK Application Dashboard

        Additional documents that should be uploaded include:

  • School reports from 3 previous years (translated into English by a certified translator)
  • Confidential School Report (this report can be sent directly to your child's current school through your dashboard):
    • Elementary School Confidential School Report - For Students Applying from Pre-K to Grade 5 can be sent to the current school through the Open Apply Admissions portal.
    • Middle School Confidential School Report - For Students Applying from Grade 6 to 8 can be sent to the current school through the Open Apply Admissions portal.
    • High School Confidential School Report - For Students Applying from Grade 9 to 12 can be sent to the current school through the Open Apply Admissions portal.
  • Health Form (can be downloaded from your dashboard)
  • Most recent MAP scores (applicable for students applying for Grades 3 onwards)
  • Math, English and Modern Language Reference (for students applying to Grades 9-12, this report can be sent directly to your child's current school through your dashboard)
  • A current passport size photo
  • Photocopy of the student’s passport bio data page
  • Proof of payment of the application fees –US$ 400. This non-refundable fee can be paid by cash, check or bank transfer and is valid for 2 years from receipt of payment and a complete application
  • Commitment to our Educational Philosophy (can be downloaded from your dashboard)
  • Any pertinent/relevant educational documents (IEP, psycho-educational testing reports, etc. as applicable)
Step 3 - Submit an Online Application

Step 4 - Entrance Assessments

Middle and High School students test in math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing and French/Spanish. For Elementary School applications, the Admissions Team will review the application and revert on whether an assessment is required.

We then review the interview/testing results, as we always need to ensure that there is a good match between our learning environment and a child's needs. Usually within 5 working days after the assessments have been completed, we give you feedback on the testing and more often than not assurance that ISK is a good match for your child's learning.

Please note that we cannot accept a student for enrollment until we have conducted our own entrance assessments to make sure we are able to provide an appropriate program for his/her needs.

The entrance assessments for Elementary School students need to be conducted at ISK. However, we can generally conduct remote assessments for Middle and High School applicants.

Step 5 - Admissions Decision

Admission decisions will be conveyed to the parents by the relevant divisional offices (Elementary/Middle/High School). Admission decisions may be delayed in special circumstances, like if the file has to be reviewed by Student Support Services.

After your child has a confirmed acceptance, a non-refundable US $1,000 deposit is required to ensure your child’s place at ISK. This deposit is applied toward your child’s tuition.

The Admission Office conducts orientation programs for new families at the beginning of each new school year and at the beginning of the second semester. Students who are admitted when the school year has already started also receive customized orientation from their teachers.


Entry Requirements

Admission to ISK is non-discriminatory and open to all students without regard to race, sex, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin. We invite applications from students who can benefit from an international, university preparatory English language education.

We accept students who can be successful in the daily academic program, provided there is space available in the grade. In addition, we offer appropriate student-centered instruction for students with identified mild to moderate learning needs through our Student Support Services.

The (IB) International Baccalaureate Diploma program is a two-year program commencing in Grade 11. We can only accept IB Diploma students into Grade 12 provided they are coming from another IB school and can continue with their particular subject choices.

If a student's admission to ISK is not possible, however, it is most likely due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • The class size has reached capacity.
  • The student has severe learning needs which ISK cannot accommodate.
  • The managed number of mild or moderate Learning Support students in the grade applied for is at its maximum.
  • The student has a history of discipline, drug or alcohol problems.
  • Other reasons which may be in the best interest of the school and the student as determined by the Principal or Director of ISK

  • Students can join after the academic year begins Yes
  • Waiting List Yes

Waiting List

Please click here to view the space availability for the 2024-2025 school year. 


Academics

  • Assigns homework Yes
  • Use of technology in the classroom Yes
  • Language of instruction English
  • ELL support Yes
  • Learning support Yes
  • Native English teachers Yes
  • Languages taught English, French, Spanish
  • Examinations available

Learning Support

ISK strives to meet the needs of all its students. ISK serves a managed number of students representing a range of learning differences from mild to moderate needs, as well as the highly capable.

Consideration for admission to Learning Support is given to students who are performing behind their peers. Moderate support is provided for a managed number of students who may be performing below grade level or whose social/emotional behaviors impact academic performance. Each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis by the Head of Student Support Services in consultation with the Principal, Counselor, and Learning Support Teacher, taking into account the availability of places to meet the student’s level of need in the grade level to which they are applying.

We offer collaborative learning experiences that aim to develop successful habits of learning, and appropriate strategies for personal organization and study skills. The key component of all instructional delivery is that each student has the opportunity to perform to the best of their potential.

Click here to view the Student Support Services Parent Guide

School Life

  • Bus service Yes
  • Sports teams available Yes
  • Do students practice religion at the school No
  • Max class size 22
  • School provides lunch Yes
  • Uniform required No
  • Student nationalities 70
  • Average class size 18

ELL

English Language Learner

At ISK, we believe that multilingualism is an individual and societal asset. Therefore, we wish our students to acquire English as an additional language rather than replacing their native language. Furthermore, we believe that native language proficiency contributes to additional language acquisition.

The ISK English Language Learner (ELL) program provides language support to students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 10 who are in the process of acquiring English language proficiency to enable them to learn in community with their peers. Through the ELL program, students receive instruction and support in developing social and academic English skills, and improve their language fluency with the goal of multilingualism. The support provided integrates the four domains of speaking, listening, reading and writing to develop interpersonal and academic English language skills.

Our approach to ELL instruction places ELL students in an immersive, literacy-rich environment where they learn in community with their peers. Co-teaching and coaching strategies are used to provide access to the curriculum. ELL language instruction is also offered in small groups where students receive focused language support and skill development.


University Relations

  • University counseling Yes

University Counseling

High School Counseling Overview

The High School counselors serve as advocates for and support students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development, and assist with exploring post-secondary opportunities. The ISK High School counseling team consists of 3 counselors for Grades 9 to 12 and one administrative assistant. Two counselors focus on academic and university counseling in addition to supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. The third counselor works to meet the wellbeing needs of all our students. All counselors work in partnership with families, faculty, administration, and outside resources in support of students achieving their goals.