How many IB schools in Nairobi
Around 7 IB authorised schools operate in the Nairobi area in 2026, drawn from a wider pool of roughly 35 international schools across the city. The full continuum providers, delivering the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma in sequence, are the International School of Kenya (ISK) in Gigiri and Aga Khan Academy Nairobi. The Diploma is also delivered at Brookhouse School (Karen and Runda campuses) and at a small group of senior providers including Braeburn Garden Estate and Hillcrest International. The PYP and MYP are concentrated at ISK and Aga Khan Academy.
This is a smaller IB market than Dubai or Singapore in absolute terms but proportionally significant for a city of Nairobi’s size. The IB carries particular weight in Nairobi because of the UN, World Bank and large NGO community, where the Diploma is the standard portable qualification across rotational postings. For a broader market read, see our best international schools in Nairobi overview and the specialist IB schools Nairobi blog explainer.
PYP, MYP and the Diploma route
The three IB programmes split into clear lanes in Nairobi. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs from age 3 through age 11 at ISK and Aga Khan Academy, with structured inquiry based learning, a transdisciplinary curriculum and an exhibition in the final year. The PYP is the standard early years framework for UN and World Bank families and is delivered with strong English language support across both schools. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) runs from age 11 through age 16 at the two continuum providers, with structured subject discipline alongside global contexts and personal projects. A small number of additional schools deliver MYP elements alongside other frameworks at the lower secondary level.
The Diploma Programme is the largest IB cohort in Nairobi, with senior students at ISK, Aga Khan Academy, Brookhouse, Hillcrest International and Braeburn Garden Estate sitting the two year Diploma in Year 12 and Year 13. Most Nairobi IB Diploma graduates progress to UK, US, Canadian, South African and continental European universities, with a smaller cohort heading to Kenyan and pan African universities. Top quartile students at the leading schools regularly secure 40 plus point Diplomas, well above the 30.32 point global average from the 2024 cycle.
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Fees and the Nairobi IB tiers
IB fees in Nairobi run from KES 1.4 million to KES 3.3 million per year (around USD 10,800 to USD 25,500), broadly broken into three tiers. The premium tier sits at KES 2.4 million to KES 3.3 million per year for senior Diploma students at ISK and Aga Khan Academy Diploma years. These fees reflect specialist subject teaching, IB authorised teacher training, university counselling and structured Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge support. The mid tier runs KES 1.8 million to KES 2.4 million per year, covering Brookhouse senior, Hillcrest International senior and Braeburn Garden Estate Diploma. The entry IB tier sits at KES 1.4 million to KES 1.8 million per year at smaller IB Diploma providers.
On top of the headline fee, expect a one off enrolment fee of KES 75,000 to KES 150,000, capital fees of KES 100,000 to KES 350,000 at the premium schools, IB exam fees of KES 70,000 to KES 110,000 in Year 12 and Year 13, plus transport at KES 130,000 to KES 240,000 a year for families outside the immediate catchment. For the full picture see our Nairobi international school fees explainer and the all city fees tool.
Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds full IB authorisation and has a credible track record over multiple Diploma cohorts.
International School of Kenya (ISK) in Gigiri runs the full IB continuum from PYP through MYP through Diploma, serving roughly 1,000 students from UN, embassy and senior corporate families. The benchmark IB school in the city for North American and European leaning families, with strong placement into US, Canadian and UK universities. Premium tier fees.
Aga Khan Academy Nairobi runs the IB continuum from PYP through MYP through Diploma, with a distinctive emphasis on pluralism, ethics and service learning. The Academy is part of the Aga Khan Academies global network with sibling schools across Africa and South Asia. Strong Diploma outcomes and an established needs based financial aid programme. Premium tier fees.
Brookhouse School in Karen and Runda runs the IB Diploma in parallel with A Levels at the senior phase, giving Year 12 students a credible choice between the two routes. Strong UK university placement record, premium tier fees, with the Runda campus tilting more toward IB and the Karen campus offering both routes.
Braeburn Garden Estate delivers the IB Diploma at the senior phase, sitting in the upper mid tier on fees, with a Year 12 cohort that tends to draw families from the wider Braeburn group looking for the IB route specifically rather than A Levels.
Where IB families live
IB families in Nairobi cluster in three areas. Gigiri and Runda, in the northern arc of the city, hosts the largest IB family cluster, attached to ISK and the broader UN, World Bank and embassy community. Housing is detached houses with gardens at the upper end of the Nairobi market, security infrastructure designed for diplomatic occupancy, and the school commute is essentially a five minute drive for most families. Karen, in the south west, hosts the Brookhouse cluster and the broader heritage suburb. Housing is detached houses on substantial plots, often half an acre or more, with a suburban rural rhythm. The Karen to central Nairobi commute is 40 minutes off peak and 75 minutes at the morning rush, so families based in Karen tend to anchor their lives to the southern suburbs.
Lavington and Kileleshwa serve the mid tier IB and broader bilingual market, suiting families on hybrid working patterns or with a working partner in the Westlands or central business districts. For a deeper read on the Nairobi area trade offs see our Nairobi international schools by area guide. Families relocating into the city for the first time should also see the moving to Nairobi with kids companion piece.
Admissions calendar
Most Nairobi IB schools run a September academic year start, aligned with the global IB calendar. ISK runs a slightly earlier August start. Applications for the following August or September entry open in October and November, with priority places at ISK and Aga Khan Academy confirmed by February. Year 12 Diploma entry typically closes earlier than other year groups because the Diploma is a continuous two year qualification, so most schools cap entry into Year 12 by April for the August or September start. Mid year placement at the PYP and MYP is common because of expatriate transfer cycles, with confirmation typically inside four to six weeks. The most contested entry points are Year 7 (start of MYP), Year 9 and Year 12 (start of Diploma). For curriculum context across the city, see the parent IB curriculum page and the Nairobi city hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Nairobi?
Around 7 IB authorised schools operate in the Nairobi area in 2026. The full continuum providers are ISK and Aga Khan Academy. Brookhouse runs the IB Diploma alongside A Levels. Braeburn Garden Estate, Hillcrest International and a small number of other senior providers carry IB Diploma authorisation. The IB Primary Years Programme is delivered at ISK, Aga Khan Academy and one or two early years providers.
What is the typical IB Diploma average in Nairobi?
Recent IB Diploma averages at Nairobi schools sit in the 32 to 36 point range, with ISK and Aga Khan Academy historically at the upper end of that band. The 2024 global average was 30.32 points, so most Nairobi IB schools sit comfortably above the global average. Top quartile students at the leading schools regularly secure 40 plus point scores.
How much do IB schools in Nairobi cost?
IB fees in Nairobi run from KES 1.4 million to KES 3.3 million per year (around USD 10,800 to USD 25,500). ISK and Aga Khan Academy sit at the top of the market for senior IB Diploma years. Brookhouse and Hillcrest fall into the mid to upper tier. Most expat families on multinational packages land in the upper half of this range.
Where do IB families live in Nairobi?
IB families in Nairobi cluster in three areas. Gigiri and Runda hosts the UN, embassy and ISK community. Karen anchors the Brookhouse cluster and the broader heritage suburb. Lavington and Kileleshwa serve mid tier IB providers and families on hybrid working patterns who need quicker access to central Nairobi and the Westlands business district.
When do IB school applications open in Nairobi?
Applications open in October and November for the following August or September start, with priority places at ISK and Aga Khan Academy confirmed by February. Mid year placement is common because of expatriate transfer cycles, with confirmation typically inside four to six weeks. Year 12 Diploma entry closes earlier than other years because of the two year qualification structure.
