International School of Kenya

Last updated
International School of Kenya
International School of Kenya - main office.jpg
Location
International School of Kenya
Nairobi

Kenya
Coordinates 1°13′54″S36°45′51″E / 1.231648°S 36.764238°E / -1.231648; 36.764238
Information
Type International Baccalaureate school, private international school
Established1976
DirectorMichael Callan
Faculty149
GradesPre-K to 12
Enrollment~1,200
Color(s)Blue & Gold
  
MascotLion
AffiliationUnited States Embassy, Canadian High Commission
CurriculumNorth American/International Baccalaureate
Website International School of Kenya

The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a private, non-profit, international, day school for pre-kindergarten to grade 12 students located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Contents

The student body of just over 1,000 represents more than 65 different nationalities, including the United States, Canada, Kenya, Denmark, the Netherlands, China, Japan, Vietnam, and Brazil. [1]

ISK is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), the Council of International Schools, Round Square, and competes in the International Schools of Southern and Eastern Africa (ISSEA) league. The school curriculum uses North American standards (ex. Common Core) with all ISK graduates earning a North American high school diploma. Most graduates also earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma. [2]

Academics

ISK offers an American-style education using Common Core frameworks and pedagogical approaches. Since 1982, it has offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in grades 11-12. The language of instruction is English. World language courses in Spanish, French and Kiswahili are also part of the school’s academic program. [2] Since 2019, ISK has also offered a Life Centered Education (LCE) program for students with mild to moderate learning needs. [3] [4]

ISK faculty are highly qualified teachers. In 2024, ISK employed 149 faculty. Over 60% of faculty held master’s degrees. Many also have experience working in multiple international schools. [2] Numerous teachers are also published and lead sessions at international conferences. [5]

ISK was ranked 7th out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility. ISK’s Plastiki Rafiki upcycling program won the International Schools Award for Community Building Award in 2022. [6]

History

Early Days

The International School of Kenya’s origins date to 1967 when Nancy Ellen Crooks opened the American Community School with 30 children in a home near the Nairobi Hospital. [7] Crooks became the first principal. Three years later, in 1970, the United States International University (USIU) acquired the school and relocated it to its current site on the former coffee plantation with a white wooden house and two stone buildings located at the end of Peponi Road. They renamed it Nairobi International School (NIS). Under USIU leadership, the school expanded grade offerings and even introduced university level courses. [2] [8]

Becoming ISK

In 1976, the 485 student NIS was renamed the International School of Kenya. At that time, the Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 school registered with the Kenya Ministry of Education. Since then, ISK has been governed by a joint partnership of the United States Embassy and Canadian High Commission. [2]

ISK began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma in 1982, the same year that US President George H.W. Bush visited campus. ISK’s first IB diploma candidates graduated in 1984. [8]

ISK is committed to state-of-the-art learning facilities. The campus pool was constructed in 1978. [9] However, the early 1980s was the first big period of significant construction on campus. Capital projects including classroom blocks, tennis courts, a gym, and multi-purpose building were constructed. During the 1990s facilities upgrades included purpose-built science facilities during the 1993-1994 academic year, and the grand opening of the Performing Arts Centre in 2000 including a 547-seat theater. New high school classrooms were opened in 2006. [8]

ISK’s Commons, an iconic round building at the center of campus, opened in 2013. [10] This major change on campus was soon followed by new state-of-the-art elementary classrooms opened in 2015. [9] In November 2023, acclaimed Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala helped cut the ribbon on ISK’s new track-and-field facilities. [11]

Finances: tuition, scholarships, taxes

ISK's high tuition is the subject of annual news reports. In 2024, annual tuition for pre-kindergarten pupils was US $18,500 (KSh 2.38 million) and US $36,600 (KSh 4.72 million) for grades 11-12. [12] ISK also offers annual scholarships covering 100% of high school tuition for Kenyan citizens based on merit and financial need. [13]

ISK finances have undergone scrutiny. [14] In 2021, the Kenya Revenue Authority won 1.4 billion Kenyan shillings from the school in unpaid taxes from teacher salaries since 2016. [15] In 2023, Katherine Musee, a former teacher, sued the school over alleged pay inequalities and separate payrolls between expatriate teachers and local teachers. [16]

Notable People

Notable alumni [17]

Directors [9] [18]

References

  1. ↑ Annual Report 2023-2024. International School of Kenya, 2024.https://www.isk.ac.ke/news-media/publications
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Accreditation Report for the International School of Kenya. Council of International Schools, November 2024.
  3. ↑ Heidi Laws and Donna Bracewell (6 May 2020). "International School of Kenya Embraces Life-Centered Education." The International Educator.
  4. ↑ "Nairobi, Kenya: International School of Kenya: 2020-2021 Fact Sheet". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  5. ↑ See examples, LeeAnne Lavender (August 2012). "Global Issues Network & AISA-GISS come together in special African summit." AISA ConneXions. Bill Parsons and Linda Henderson (18 December 2018). "ISK Exhibits its Strong Commitment to Kenyan and Samburu History," The International Educator. Donica Merhazion and Sally Ratemo (11 December 2024). "Limitless Learning: A Case Study in Inclusive Education," The International Educator. Alistair Goold (2024), "Restorative practices, consequences, and international schools", On the Horizon: the International Journal of Learning Futures, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 15-31. Maciej Sudra et al. "NERDVANA: Smells like STEAM Spirit." AISA Conference, 2023, International School of Kenya. AISA 2023. Workshop. Samuel J Richards and Sekou Otondi. "Critical considerations for decolonizing curriculum." IB African Education Festival, 14 February 2025, Green Hills Academy, Kigali, Rwanda. Breakout Session.
  6. ↑ Shaw, Phoebe (18 January 2022). "International School Awards 2022 Winners Revealed". ISC Research.
  7. ↑ "Nancy's Legacy | The Nancy Ellen Crooks Foundation". The Nancy Ellen Croo. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  8. 1 2 3 "Our History - International School of Kenya". www.isk.ac.ke. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  9. 1 2 3 "Our History - International School of Kenya". www.isk.ac.ke. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  10. ↑ Pamela Pappas (25 February 2014). "International School of Kenya Launches The Commons, Master Plan Flagship," The International Educator.
  11. ↑ "ISK Launches New Track!". www.isk.ac.ke. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  12. ↑ Ruto, Japhet (2024-06-13). "List of Managing Directors of Kenya's Most Expensive Schools - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  13. ↑ International School of Kenya (2024-12-05). Apply for the ISK Scholarship Today! . Retrieved 2025-03-15– via YouTube.
  14. ↑ Otuki, Neville (28 April 2017). "Elite Nairobi schools top African chart of tuition fees charged". East African Business Daily.
  15. ↑ Otiato Guguyu (12 August 2021). "KRA wins Sh1.4bn tax row against international school." East African Business Daily.
  16. ↑ Edna Mwenda (21 September 2023). "International School of Kenya ex-teacher sues in pay dispute." East African Business Daily.
  17. ↑ James Mwangi (2018). "Millions for a,e,i,o,u: Check out this school in Nairobi where parents pay Ksh1.6 million for nursery kids," The Standard (Nairobi).
  18. ↑ "Director at International School Of Kenya, Nairobi in Kenya". www.searchassociates.com. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
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