Editor's Review

The amount of school fees paid per year, per student in these schools is enough to transform an average person's life completely.


Education is of essence to any child in any part of the world. However, with the growth in disparities between social classes, education in some institutions has become too expensive for the ordinary person.

Kenya boasts a host of great academic institutions, however, Nairobileo.co.ke on this segment shifts focus to some of the most expensive primary schools in the country.

The amount of school fees paid per year, per student in these schools is enough to transform an average person's life completely.

1. International School of Kenya (ISK)

ISK tops the list of the most expensive schools in Kenya. It is located in the leafy suburbs of Kitisuru, is a private, non-profit academic institution that was established in 1976. The school was built through a joint partnership between the US and Canada.

It rests on 40 acres of land that was initially a coffee plantation in Kitisuru. The campus buildings and grounds are meticulously maintained to reflect the proximity to nature, and it epitomizes the sensation of working and learning in a beautiful environment. Walking through the campus, you feel that this place is special.


It offers quality education to both local and international students seeking the international curriculum that leads to the acquisition of the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma program.

According to the school's website in December 2021, it boasts over 1000 students from over 65 different nations, all of who form the diverse learning community that is ISK.

This kind of learning environment enables the students to learn and appreciate the differences and similarities amongst themselves.

The school’s website indicates that fees range from Ksh1.6 million per year for students in pre-kindergarten to Ksh3.1 million for pupils in grade 11 and 12.

ISK has been nominated for the International Schools Awards 2022.

Peponi School

Peponi School is among the most prestigious learning institutions in the country and is associated with the Kenyatta family.

It was founded in 1989 and has continued to offer world-class learning experiences. According to the school's website, it employs external teachers to promote Karate, Tae-Kwondo, Trampolining, Chess and even Pottery.

Some of the main school facilities include an olympic-size swimming pool and tennis courts. The music department boasts a world-class orchestra.

School fees for children aged between 13-18 years at Peponi School is at Ksh2,090,025 per student, per year.

Brookhouse Schools

The world-class group of schools was founded in 1981. Its Karen campus sits on 14 acres, right adjacent to the Nairobi National Park.

Prior to the directive by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i that all school buses be painted yellow, Brookhouse's buses were yellow and could be spotted in some of Nairobi's leafy suburbs picking up or dropping off learners.

The institution boasts state of the art music facilities and theatres that have produced some of Kenya's top musician including the late E-Sir and pop sensation Nikita Kering.

Shool fees for children aged between 2-18 years averages at Ksh2,030,000 per learner, per year.

Banda School

The prestigious school is located on Magadi Road in Karen opposite the Nairobi National Park. 

Banda School is ranked among the best in Kenya and one of the largest Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) outside the UK.

According to reports, constructors of the school put a lot into establishing the institution while ensuring it peacefully coexists with wildlife in the adjacent park.

Banda School prides itself in being at the forefront of e-Learning in Kenya, thus, all pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8 have an iPad.

School fees for children aged between 1-13 stands at around Ksh1,935,000 per student, per year.

Kenton College Preparatory School

Kenton College Preparatory School is located along Gichugu Road in Nairobi's Kileleshwa area. It rests on 35 acres of land.

It was founded by Finley Cramb at Kijabe in January 1924 before relocating to its current base. It rooted from a school called Kenya Grange at Lumbwa.

The institution boasts subject-specific academic classrooms, all resourced with ultra-modern interactive LED panels or Interactive Whiteboards and projectors.

It has 3 Science labs (1 Junior, 2 Senior) and 2 ICT and Computing labs, a fully working Library, 3 Art rooms (1 Junior 2 Senior), a specialist Design Technology room. The Davis Music Gallery – a beautiful music teaching space along with numerous practice rooms where pupils are offered one to one tuition on the instrument of their choice.

Kenton boasts a number of sports facilities including; an 8 lane 25m Swimming Pool and full-size synthetic grass pitch. It also has grounds for rugby, rounders, cricket, netball, hockey and football pitches.

Fees for children aged between 6-13 years average at Ksh1,921,500 per year.