Where do you think Africa’s most expensive school is located? Well, as recently as April 2017, the International Schools Database did an analysis of the cost of schooling at one of the international schools around the world. And in this year’s edition, as always, the survey used a database of international schools around the world to arrive at the result.
As shocking as it may sound, the International School of Kenya has been voted one of the most expensive in Africa.
According to the report, a student pays Sh2.7 million to the school each year – making the school primarily for the wealthy.
Three institutions including Rosslyn Academy, Banda School and Kenton Preparatory School followed in second place, and the student was raised to Sh1.5 million each year.
Hillcrest and other elite international schools followed with tuition ranging from Sh428,000 to Sh1.4 million.
Nonetheless, Shanghai, China, was named in the report as the highest-fee city that protects international schools, charging Sh3.4 million from each child every year.
In calculating the cost of each international school, the system took the total cost of a full school year for a 6-year-old child and subtracted one-off fees such as enrollment fee, application fee and other miscellaneous costs.
An excerpt from the survey reads:
“To calculate the price for international schools, we used the total price of a full semester for a 6-year-old child excluding one-time fees such as enrollment fee, application fee, etc.”
Also note that only the cities with seven or more international schools were used as the sample size for this entire survey.
The international school ranking systemIn addition, the rent rounded up on Expatistan.com was used to determine the monthly rent for a renovated 85 m2 furnished apartment in an upscale part of town on April 1, 2017. Again, all prices have been changed from the local currency to USD using the exchange rate in effect on April 1, 2017.
The essence of the International Schools Database is to give parents an insight into the total cost of their child’s quality education in international schools around the world. They do this every year to keep the data fresh for the most current and updated ranking of the most expensive international schools.
In hierarchical order, Africa’s nine expensive schools are; Africa Leadership Academy, South Africa, International School of Kenya, Lincoln Community School, Ghana, Cairo American College, Egypt, Malvern College, Egypt, Hilton College, South Africa, Roedean School, South Africa, American International School, Nigeria, Nairobi Rosslyn Academy, Kenya.
An exclusive look at Africa’s second-ranked school
The International School of Kenya is the most expensive school in Kenya and the second in Africa. This emerges from a recent analysis of the International Schools Database.
Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenyan academic institution has three schools – the elementary school, the middle school and the high school. In elementary school, students are tutored from preschool through fifth grade, in middle school, students are tutored in grades 6 through 8, while in high school, tutors attend grades 9 through 12.
As found in other international schools, ISK learners are mainly taught by foreign teachers, including those from the US, UK and Canada. Each school is assigned a qualified principal, teaching staff and advisor to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Each school has its own principal and adviser, and mostly its own teaching staff, although some staff are shared. The teachers are mainly from Canada, the USA and the UK.
The International School of Kenya is not only in demand in Africa mainly because of its innovative curriculum, but also because sports, arts and other important things are part of the daily life of the learners.
In addition to their respective classes, the school has recreational areas that host school sports such as basketball, tennis, volleyball, track and field, swimming, cricket, and football.
The school also has libraries, arts center, sports facilities and cafeteria, all shared by the three schools.
What does it take to register with ISK?
Regardless of the downturn in the economy, parents/guardians remain willing to raise a large sum of money to ensure their children are enrolled at the best institution this year.
With over 800 students from around 80 nationalities studying at the International School of Kenya, the international standard high school is sure to earn a lot of money from parents. Although the institution’s high tuition fees are due in part to quality education, it is considered quite expensive by middle-class families.
Recently, competition for vacancies in international schools by members of the local community has become increasingly important, particularly in non-English speaking countries.
Looking at the School’s Fee Schedule 2017/2018, prospective learners are expected to purchase the application form with an amount of $400. A one-time capital levy costs parents $9,250, while tuition (which covers education and operational costs) varies.
ISK 2017-2018 Fees Schedule: Pre Kindergarten – $15,163, Kindergarten $24,004, Grades 1 – 5 $25,326, Grades 6 – 8 $26,465, Grades 9 – 10 $27,959 and Grades 11 – 12 $29,072.
In addition, learners pay an annual capital levy of $1,250 and an optional bus fee of $1,900.
Brief History of the International School of Kenya
While the fees for ISK may be prohibitive, for academics it’s quickly becoming a go-to place for dirty rich parents.
Founded in 1476 and evolved from the 210293 Nairobi International School (NIS), the institution was officially renamed the International School of Kenya in 1976 after the US Embassy and the Canadian High Commission were granted authority to run the school, since their initial Operators faced major financial challenges. The school grounds (25 ha) used to be a coffee plantation.
The International School of Kenya is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), the Council of International Schools and Round Square.
After making it 7th best high schools in Africa in 2003 and then the second most expensive school in 2017, the International School of Kenya.
To its credit, it has produced prominent men and women from different walks of life, including English photojournalist Dan Eldon and Canadian author and dietitian Karen Graham.
Are there other elite schools in Kenya?
The answer is yes. Besides Rosslyn Academy, Banda School and Kenton College Preparatory School are other expensive schools in Nairobi.
Rosslyn from Nairobi accepts KSH 675,918Banda, also based in Nairobi, pays KSH 695,000 (US$7,625) per semester for a tuition fee per semester, while learners at Greensteds International School pay KSH 1,010,000 (US$11,085) per semester.
Others are St Andrews School (Turi), Brookhouse School (Nairobi), Peponi School (Ruiru), Hillcrest School (Nairobi), Braeburn Imani International School (Thika), Gems Cambridge International School (Nairobi).
In St. Andrews, parents must pay KSH 994,500 (US$10,915) per school year to educate their children. The same goes for Brookhouse School, which accepts KSH 830,000 (USD 9,110) per semester.
Hillcrest and Peponi are apparently along the same lines, but with a slight difference in price. While Peponi accepts KSH 792,000 ($8,690), Hillcrest School admits learners for KSH 782,310 ($8,585) per semester.
Conclusion : It is now clear that the elite class does not only go for Harvard and Oxford. Most wealthy parents enroll their children in most of the African learning institutions mentioned above, which also provide standard and quality education to students from all over the world.