Cavina School is a long standing preparatory school in the Kilimani area of Nairobi that follows the British curriculum from the early years through to the end of the preparatory stage at around age thirteen. Like other prep schools, it prepares pupils for entry to senior schools rather than running a secondary school of its own, and it is a familiar name among the Nairobi international schools.
For families who want a small, focused British prep education in a central location, Cavina is worth shortlisting. This profile covers the curriculum, the fee band, the admissions route and the setting. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed.
Cavina School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | British curriculum, preparatory stage |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Early years to age 13, day |
| Founded | Not published |
| Authorisation | British preparatory school |
| Fee band | Value to mid tier, roughly KES 355,500 to 1,145,400 a year |
| Campus area | Kilimani, Nairobi |
Curriculum and academics
The school teaches the British curriculum across its early years and preparatory phases, with English as the medium of instruction. In the upper years pupils prepare for transfer to senior schools, so the academic programme is geared towards a strong grounding in the core subjects and readiness for entrance assessments.
Because Cavina ends at the preparatory stage, choosing it means thinking ahead to the next school. Many families move pupils on to British curriculum senior schools in Nairobi or abroad. Our overview of the British curriculum explains how the preparatory and senior stages fit together.
Comparing Cavina School with other Nairobi options?
Use our free compare tool to put Cavina School side by side with up to two other Nairobi schools on curriculum, fees and location.
Cavina School fees
In the school recent published schedule, annual tuition ran from about KES 355,500 in the earliest years to roughly KES 1,145,400 in the upper preparatory years, placing Cavina in the value to mid band set out in our Nairobi school fees guide. Fees are set for the academic year, so confirm the current figure for your child year group before you budget.
New families should plan for one off charges alongside tuition, including a registration fee of about KES 7,500, plus uniform, books and optional transport. The school publishes sibling discounts that begin from the pre primary years, so ask the office for the current schedule and the list of extras when you enquire.
Admissions and intake
Applications are considered through the year as places open in each year group. Families submit an application with recent school reports and the child documents, and the school usually confirms placement after an age appropriate assessment or visit so it can gauge readiness for its programme.
As a smaller school, Cavina can fill popular year groups early, so it helps to register ahead of your preferred start date. The early years and lower preparatory stages are the main entry points, with occasional places higher up when families move on.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Kilimani, a central residential suburb of Nairobi close to Lavington and Hurlingham that is popular with professional and expatriate families. The location is convenient for families in the inner western suburbs who want a short school run.
Families weighing a preparatory only school often compare Cavina with Brookhouse School and Makini School, which run to the senior years. The Nairobi schools hub maps how the preparatory and through school options compare across the city.
Cavina School reviews
No verified parent reviews of Cavina School have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We do not publish a star rating until we have collected enough verified accounts to be fair to the school and useful to parents, and we never invent ratings. If your family attends or has attended Cavina School, you can help other relocating parents through our school reviews page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Cavina School fees?
In the school recent published schedule, annual tuition ran from about KES 355,500 in the earliest years to roughly KES 1,145,400 in the upper preparatory years, with a one off registration charge on top. Fees are set for the academic year, so confirm the current figure for your child year group with the school.
What curriculum does Cavina School follow?
Cavina follows the British curriculum through its early years and preparatory phases, preparing pupils for transfer to senior schools at around age thirteen. English is the medium of instruction.
Does Cavina School have a secondary school?
No. Cavina is a preparatory school that ends at around age thirteen, after which pupils move on to senior schools in Nairobi or abroad. Families are encouraged to plan the transfer early.
Is Cavina School a good school?
Cavina is a long standing British preparatory school in a central location. GlobalSchoolGuide does not publish a star rating, and whether it suits your child depends on your plans for senior school and your preference for a smaller prep setting.
Where is Cavina School?
The school is in Kilimani, a central residential suburb of Nairobi close to Lavington and Hurlingham.
