International School of Kenya

What International School of Kenya does

The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a private, nonprofit international school founded in 1976 through a partnership between the United States and Canadian governments, operating on a 40-acre campus on Peponi Road in Nairobi, Kenya. The school serves approximately 1,127 students from over 70 nationalities across Pre-K through Grade 12, divided into Elementary, Middle, and High School divisions, with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio delivered by 438 employees. ISK has offered the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme since 1982 and reports a 98.5% IB exam pass rate with approximately 70% of graduates earning the IB Diploma; it carries quadruple accreditation from the IBO, MSA-CESS, CIS, and ECIS.

ISK's core educational product is a three-tier curriculum (Elementary, Middle, High School) underpinned by the proprietary "Big 5" learner framework (Self-Manager, Thinker, Collaborator, Changemaker, Communicator) introduced in January 2023. Supporting programs include the Life-Centered Education (LCE) program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities (launched October 2018, expanded K-12 by 2021, with a USD $20,000/year supplemental fee), English Language Learning supported by WIDA assessment, Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), university counseling, and 100+ co-curricular activities across athletics, arts, service learning, and a family languages program. The school's technology infrastructure relies on standard edtech SaaS: Finalsite (web/CMS), PowerSchool (student information), SchoolsBuddy (scheduling/communication), OpenApply (admissions), and Toddle (curriculum planning), with a virtual tour platform for prospective families.

ISK generates revenue almost exclusively through tuition and fees, with all revenue reinvested into programs, facilities, and staff per its nonprofit structure. Annual tuition ranges from USD $18,870 (Pre-K) to USD $37,330 (Grades 11-12), supplemented by a one-time USD $11,000 capital levy, a USD $1,600 annual capital levy, a USD $400 application fee, USD $2,200 bus fees, USD $20,000 LCE fees, and usage-based IB examination fees. The school is governed by a Board of Governors (6 members appointed by the US and Canadian sponsoring missions) and a Board of Directors (9 members), with no shareholders, parent company, or external equity ownership. Customer segments are expatriate families, diplomats, and Kenyan families seeking international education, with High School scholarships offered to Kenyan citizens.

Name

International School of Kenya

Legal name

International School of Kenya

Website

https://isk.ac.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

International School of Kenya is a private, nonprofit Pre-K through Grade 12 international school in Nairobi serving 1,127 students from 70+ nationalities, offering the IB Diploma Programme and accredited by IBO, MSA-CESS, CIS, and ECIS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB), Specialized Learning Support (Dyslexia/LD Coaching, Assistive Strategies) (EDAJALAJ), K-12 & School-Based Language Exam Prep (AP, IB, IGCSE/A-Levels) (EDANACAE)

Keywords

• International education
• K-12 private schooling
• IB diploma program
• College preparatory school
• International baccalaureate school

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: As a nonprofit institution, ISK generates revenue primarily through tuition fees paid by families. All revenue is reinvested into school programs, facilities, and staff. Fees cover operational and educational expenses, with tuition payable by semester.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ISK is a private, nonprofit international school that delivers a Pre-K through Grade 12 education on a 40-acre campus in Nairobi, Kenya, organized into Elementary (Pre-K–Grade 5), Middle (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12) divisions, with a flagship International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The core academic offering is supplemented by specialized support services including the Life-Centered Education program for students with disabilities, English Language Learning, and Learning Support, alongside college counseling, athletics, arts, service learning, and a Family Languages Program. Revenue is generated through tuition, capital levies, and ancillary fees paid by families enrolling their children.

Product overview

International School of Kenya operates as a unified educational institution offering a comprehensive Pre-K through Grade 12 program on a 40-acre campus in Nairobi, Kenya. The school provides a three-tier structure of educational programs (Elementary School, Middle School, High School) with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as a flagship offering in the high school years. Supporting services include the Life-Centered Education (LCE) Program for students with specialized needs, English Language Learning (ELL), Learning Support via MTSS framework, and University Counseling. The school complements academics with extensive co-curricular offerings including Athletics (with dedicated track and field facilities), Arts (Visual Arts, Theatre, Music), Service Learning, and the Family Languages Program. The institution serves approximately 1,000+ students from 70+ nationalities and operates as a non-profit, reinvesting all tuition revenue into programs, facilities, and staff. ISK's technology infrastructure includes PowerSchool (student information), SchoolsBuddy (communication), OpenApply (admissions), and Toddle (curriculum planning).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elementary School Program Comprehensive educational program serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 (ages 3-10), offering an inclusive learning community with inquiry-based learning, a 1:1 iPad program, and 40+ co-curricular offerings. Tuition: USD $18,870 (Pre-K) to $32,540 (Grades 1-5) per year.
• Middle School Program Educational program serving students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 (ages 11-14), designed to meet the unique needs of young adolescents through an 8-day rotating block schedule, advisory programs, and 30+ after-school activities. Tuition: USD $33,965 per year.
• High School Program Comprehensive high school program serving students in Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18), offering pathways including the ISK High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, with 380+ students and a 98.5% IB pass rate. Tuition: USD $35,900 (Grades 9-10) to $37,330 (Grades 11-12) per year.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Globally recognized pre-university curriculum for students in Grades 11-12, authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization. ISK first offered IB courses in August 1982, with approximately 70% of graduates pursuing the IB Diploma. Includes six subject areas, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS requirements. IB Examination Fees range from USD $300 for one exam to $908 for the full IB diploma.
• Life-Centered Education (LCE) Program Specialized program serving students requiring highly individualized programming, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Provides individualized education plans, modified and vocational curriculum, specialized instruction, inclusion opportunities, and a life skills focus. Fee: USD $20,000 per year in addition to grade-level tuition. Applicable to K through Grade 12.
• English Language Learning (ELL) Support program for students developing academic English through small-group instruction, co-teaching, in-class support, and immersion in grade-level classrooms. Progress is monitored using WIDA assessment tools. Available to enrolled students as part of the school's student support services.
• University and Post-Secondary Counseling High school counseling program providing guidance on university applications, course selection, career planning, and transition support. Includes support for highly selective universities, international universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, vocational programs, and gap year opportunities. Available to all ISK High School students.
• Co-Curricular Activities Program After-school programs including athletics, arts, drama, clubs, leadership opportunities, service learning, and creative activities across Elementary, Middle, and High School divisions. Elementary CCAs run 3:45-4:45 PM; Middle School activities run across three seasons. Over 100 co-curricular activities are offered school-wide.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive athletics program including team sports and individual athletics. Features a newly launched running track and field facility opened November 2023. Available to ISK students as part of the co-curricular program.
• Arts Program Visual and performing arts including Visual Arts (IB HL/SL), Theatre Arts (IB HL/SL), and Music (IB HL/SL). Features the Arts Centre facility opened in January 2000. Available to ISK students as part of the co-curricular program.
• Service Learning Program Experiential learning through community service, including the Urafiki project (established November 1992), CAS requirements for IB students, and intercultural trips. Students engage in service learning projects addressing real community needs. Available to ISK students as part of the co-curricular program.
• Family Languages Program Language instruction program offering Spanish, French, Kiswahili, and additional native languages through national community support. Language instruction in additional languages beyond the standard curriculum is organized by parent language committees. Available to ISK students.
• Learning Support Services (MTSS) Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) providing academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and linguistic support for students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Includes IEPs, Student Profiles, small-group instruction, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches. Available to all enrolled ISK students.
• Virtual Campus Tour Interactive virtual tour experience allowing prospective families to explore the 40-acre campus, learning spaces, and community from anywhere. Available free of charge at https://virtual.isk.ac.ke/.
• High School Scholarships Program Merit- and need-based scholarship program for Kenyan citizens entering Grade 9. Covers 100% of High School costs, including tuition, IB Diploma program, admission fees, and bus fees. Applications open annually with selections made by April.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.5% IB Exam Pass Rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Olympic athlete Ferdinand OmanyalaminorOthers · 8 November 2023Olympic athlete Ferdinand Omanyala attended the official opening ceremony of ISK's new running track and field on November 8, 2023, celebrating alongside ISK leadership and student-athletes.
• Nobel Laureate Wangari MaathaiminorOthersNobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for ISK's new High School facility opening on November 27, 2007, and planted a tree on campus symbolizing environmental stewardship.
• US and Canadian GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISK was founded in 1976 through a partnership between the governments of the United States and Canada. The school maintains close ties with the US Embassy and Canadian High Commission, which provide governance oversight through the Board of Governors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• International School of Tanganyika (IST): IST is the leading international school in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, offering IB curriculum to a similar expatriate demographic. It is the most natural regional peer to ISK in East Africa, with comparable scale, accreditation profile, and mission.
• International School of Uganda (ISU): ISU is a long-established international school in Kampala serving K-12 students with IB and other international curricula. Comparable in mission and structure to ISK as a leading East African international school serving diplomatic and expatriate families.

Direct peers

• Hillcrest International School: Hillcrest is a well-established IB World School in Nairobi offering K-12 education with both British and IB pathways. Competes directly with ISK for international families in East Africa, with similar tuition scale and a comparable curriculum mix.
• Aga Khan Academy Nairobi: Aga Khan Academy Nairobi is part of the Aga Khan Academies network, offering IB curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12 with a rigorous academic reputation. Directly competes with ISK for families seeking premium IB education in Nairobi.
• Peponi School: Peponi School is a leading British-curriculum international school in Nairobi's Runda area, directly on ISK's Peponi Road corridor. It serves a similar expatriate and upper-income Kenyan demographic with primary through secondary education, making it one of ISK's closest geographic and demographic competitors.
• Braeburn Schools: Braeburn is one of the largest private international school groups in Kenya with multiple campuses offering British curriculum (IGCSE/A-Levels) and IB. Directly competes with ISK for Nairobi expatriate and affluent Kenyan families seeking premium international education.
• Banda School: Banda School is a well-regarded international primary school in Nairobi with a strong reputation among expatriate families. While smaller and primary-focused, it competes with ISK's elementary division for the same demographic of international families.
• Rosslyn Academy: Rosslyn Academy is a Christian-based international school in Nairobi offering American-style curriculum with AP courses, serving a similar expatriate and Kenyan demographic to ISK. Both schools share close historical ties to Western diplomatic and missionary communities in Kenya.
• Brookhouse School: Brookhouse is a large international school in Nairobi serving K-12 students with British curriculum and IGCSE pathways. Targets the same expatriate and affluent Kenyan demographic as ISK and is among the more established direct competitors in the premium segment.

Emerging players

• American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ): AISJ is a leading IB and American-curriculum international school in Johannesburg, South Africa, serving a similar expatriate and diplomatic demographic. It is the most comparable Southern African peer to ISK in terms of scale, curriculum breadth, and mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/isknews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbI-BqmjpH-A5NcyanMpWCw
• Facebookfacebook.com/210418398986503
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-school-of-kenya
• Instagraminstagram.com/isk_lions

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International School of Kenya