In this guide
Catholic schooling in Nairobi
Catholic schools in Nairobi vary in how international their pathways are. Some are full IB World Schools with a strong expat cohort, offering IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate. Others are rooted in the Kenyan national curriculum and serve mostly local Catholic families, with a lighter international intake. Both can offer excellent pastoral care and Catholic formation; they differ in curriculum and community.
For a relocating family the key question is the pathway. If you need an internationally portable qualification, look to the IB and Cambridge schools. If you are settling long term and value the national curriculum within a Catholic framework, the national curriculum schools are worth a close look.
What to check
Confirm the curriculum and exam boards, since this shapes both daily learning and where a child can study next. Ask how Catholic formation features, from Mass and religious education to service. And ask what a place costs once the full schedule and extras are added. These three answers matter more than any ranking of pastoral warmth.
The schools
St Mary's School Nairobi
A Roman Catholic school in Lavington and an IB World School, offering IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate with a strong expat cohort. A natural first look for relocating families who want an internationally portable pathway within a clear Catholic framework and established pastoral care.
Loreto Convent Msongari
A Catholic girls school in the Loreto tradition, offering British and Kenyan pathways in Msongari. Suited to families who want a single sex Catholic education with an established academic reputation. Confirm the current stages, exam boards and how Catholic formation features in the week with the school.
Consolata School
A Catholic coeducational day school managed by the Consolata Missionaries, teaching the Kenyan national curriculum. Best suited to families settling in Nairobi long term who value the national curriculum within a Catholic framework rather than an internationally portable pathway. Confirm the stages and admissions with the school.
Compare these schools side by side
Our school compare tool lines up fees approach, curriculum and location for up to three schools at once, and the fees explorer shows how the wider Nairobi market is banded.
Fees and value
Catholic schools in Nairobi span a wide range, from mid band national curriculum schools to premium IB World Schools.
Across the Nairobi market, faith schools sit in three broad bands. Mission supported and community schools tend to price below the headline secular internationals. Day schools with a full international curriculum sit at or near the market rate for the city. Premium campuses with extensive facilities sit at the top. We do not print a specific figure for any school here, because fees change by stage and year; treat each school's published schedule by grade as the number to plan against, then add registration, deposit and optional costs. Our fees explorer shows how the wider market is banded.
Frequently asked questions
Are Catholic schools in Nairobi only for Catholic families?
Most welcome families of many faiths who accept the Catholic ethos, though Catholic formation, including Mass and religious education, features strongly. Read the admissions policy and ask how faith features day to day before applying.
Which offer an international curriculum?
Some Catholic schools in Nairobi are full IB World Schools offering IGCSE and the IB, while others teach the Kenyan national curriculum. If you need an internationally portable qualification, confirm the pathway with each school.
Are any single sex?
Yes. Nairobi's Catholic tradition includes single sex schools, such as the Loreto foundations for girls, alongside coeducational options. Confirm the arrangement and the stages offered with each school.
How much do they cost?
Fees vary by school and stage and rise each year, so we do not publish a single figure. Treat each school's published schedule by grade as the number to plan against and budget for transport, uniform and examinations on top.