St. Christopher's International School

What St. Christopher's International School does

St. Christopher's International School (SCIS) is a privately-held, family-owned British international school operating a single campus in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 1984 and owned by the Ngini family under Chair Mrs. Leah Ngini, the school delivers a continuous K-13 educational pathway structured as three integrated units: Kindergarten (Early Years Foundation Stage, ages 3-5), Preparatory School (Key Stages 1-2, ages 5-11), and Secondary School (Key Stages 3-5, ages 11-18) offering Cambridge IGCSE, A Level, and Pearson Edexcel BTEC qualifications. The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), and the Boarding Schools Association (BSA), and pairs its academic offering with a Values Based Education programme, diverse co-curricular activities (EAMUN, Robotics, Red Cross, STEM Club), and a flexible boarding programme (7-day, 5-day, flexi-boarding, occasional boarding) housed in gender-segregated houses with 24-hour pastoral care.

The school serves both Kenyan families and the international expatriate community in Nairobi, with pupils progressing to universities in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Malaysia, Jamaica, and Brazil. Leadership is provided by Executive Headmaster Joshua Gibbons (University of Sydney B.Ed, St Mary's London M.Ed) supported by a Senior Deputy Head, dedicated Heads for Kindergarten and Preparatory, and Deputy Academics and Deputy Pastoral roles for Secondary. The technology stack is utility-grade: iSAMS for parent/student portal and school management, Google Analytics for website metrics, and the Cambridge/Pearson examination platforms for curriculum delivery — there is no proprietary technology product or AI capability disclosed.

Commercially, SCIS operates a termly recurring tuition revenue model with three principal streams: day tuition fees across all three school levels, boarding fees billed per term in Kenya shillings, and scholarship tuition reductions of 5-20% for academic, sports, music/art/drama, and all-round talent. A 3,000 KES non-refundable scholarship assessment fee is the only disclosed unit price. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via website inquiry forms, campus tours, and four published phone lines, supplemented by an active presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. The school accepts applications from international pupils at any stage of their educational journey, indicating a deliberate international recruitment channel beyond the domestic Kenyan market.

Name

St. Christopher's International School

Legal name

St. Christopher's International School

Website

https://scsinternational.sc.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

St. Christopher's International School is a family-owned British international school in Karen, Nairobi, delivering a K-13 Cambridge curriculum with boarding to Kenyan and expatriate families and securing CIS, COBIS, and BSA accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 International Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• British international education
• Cambridge curriculum programs
• Boarding school services
• Primary secondary education
• Early years foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Day Tuition Fees: Tuition fees for day pupils across Kindergarten, Preparatory, and Secondary levels, billed per academic term.
2. Boarding Fees: Residential fees for 7-day, 5-day, flexi-boarding, occasional boarding, and academic masterclass options. Payment is made in Kenya shillings per term.
3. Scholarship Tuition Reductions: Scholarship programme offering 5%-20% tuition fee reduction in exchange for exceptional talent in academics, sports, music, art, drama, or all-round abilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Christopher's International School is a British international school in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya that delivers a full K-13 educational programme (ages 3-18) through Kindergarten (Early Years Foundation Stage), Preparatory (Key Stages 1-2), and Secondary school (Key Stages 3-5 offering Cambridge IGCSE, A Level, and BTEC qualifications). The school also provides BSA-approved boarding facilities with flexible 7-day, 5-day, flexi-boarding, and occasional options, supported by a co-curricular programme and a Values Based Education framework. Tuition is billed per academic term in Kenya shillings, with scholarship awards reducing fees by 5%-20% for exceptional academic, sports, music, art, drama, or all-round talent.

Product overview

St. Christopher's International School is a British international school in Nairobi, Kenya offering a comprehensive educational program from Kindergarten through Year 13 (ages 3-18). The school provides a unified educational platform comprising Kindergarten (EYFS), Preparatory School (Key Stages 1-2), Secondary School (Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, BTEC), and Boarding facilities. The institution integrates British curriculum standards with Kenyan warmth, supported by Values Based Education, co-curricular activities, and scholarship programs. All programs are accredited by CIS, COBIS, and BSA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kindergarten (Early Years Foundation Stage) Kindergarten programme for children aged 3-5 years implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, focused on play-based learning, early literacy and numeracy skills, and social development. Targeted at parents seeking a foundational British international early years education for their children in Nairobi.
• Preparatory School Primary school programme for children aged 5-11 years (Years 1-6), divided into Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, covering core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science) and foundation subjects including Humanities, ICT, Music, PE, Swimming, Art, French, and Kiswahili. Targeted at families seeking a British National Curriculum primary education in Nairobi.
• Secondary School Secondary school programme for Years 7-13 offering Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, and BTEC qualifications, including Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) with 21 subject options, and Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) with A-Level, BTEC, and combined routes. Targeted at families seeking internationally recognised qualifications and university preparation for pupils aged 11-18.
• Boarding Program Boarding facilities for pupils aged 11-18 (grades 7-13) offering 7-day boarding, 5-day boarding, flexi-boarding, occasional boarding, and academic masterclass options, with en-suite bedrooms, 4-bed dorms, dining facilities, and weekend enrichment programmes. Targeted at families seeking a safe, BSA-approved boarding environment with 24-hour pastoral care.
• Scholarship Programs Scholarship programme comprising Academic, Sports, Music/Art/Drama, and All Round scholarships offering tuition fee reductions of 5%-20% for pupils demonstrating exceptional academic record, sports talent, music (ABRSM Grade 5 minimum), art, drama, or combined excellence. A non-refundable scholarship assessment fee of 3,000 KES is required. Targeted at high-achieving pupils who would otherwise be unable to access the school.

Quantifiable outcome

• IGCSE 2024-25: 85% achieved A*-C grades, 52% achieved A*-B grades
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Council of International Schools (CIS)coreOthersGlobal accreditation body for international schools. SCIS is fully accredited by CIS, affirming commitment to high-quality education, safeguarding, and continuous improvement with internationally benchmarked curriculum standards.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS)coreOthersMembership organisation for British international schools worldwide. Full accreditation confirms SCIS meets globally recognised standards of excellence in education.
• Boarding Schools Association (BSA)coreOthersUK-based organisation supporting boarding schools. SCIS has undergone rigorous assessment and attained BSA approval for both UK and international standards in boarding provision.
• Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE)coreOthersAdministering Cambridge curriculum including IGCSE, A Level, and Checkpoint examinations. SCIS follows Cambridge programmes for Years 7-13 with internationally recognised qualifications.
• Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIIS)minorOthersLocal industry association representing international schools in Kenya, providing networking and advocacy for quality international education.
• The President's Award (Kenya)minorOthersAward programme for young people enabling development of skills, physical fitness, volunteering, and adventurous activities.
• East African Model United Nations (EAMUN)minorOthersModel United Nations conference enabling students to develop public speaking, negotiation, and global awareness skills through simulated UN proceedings.
• Karen HospitalminorOthersLocal medical facility with whom the school has an excellent relationship for providing healthcare services when more serious health issues require expert care for boarders.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Brookhouse School: Premium British international school in Nairobi offering K-13 education including boarding, with Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Operates in the same Karen-adjacent catchment and competes head-to-head with St. Christopher's on academic outcomes and boarding provision.
• Greensteds International School: British-curriculum boarding school located in Nakuru, Kenya offering IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Competes for boarding pupils from the same expatriate and affluent Kenyan demographic seeking residential British education.
• The Aga Khan Academy Nairobi: Premium international school in Nairobi offering IB programmes with a similarly affluent expatriate and local family base. Competes with St. Christopher's for high-end Nairobi families seeking rigorous internationally-recognized qualifications, differentiated by IB vs Cambridge pathway.
• Rusinga School: British-curriculum preparatory school in Karen, Nairobi offering co-educational primary education with Christian ethos. Directly competes with St. Christopher's Preparatory segment and feeds into the same secondary school competitive set.
• Hillcrest International School: British international school in Karen, Nairobi offering IGCSE, A-Level, and BTEC qualifications with boarding. Head-to-head competitor with St. Christopher's in the Karen catchment on curriculum, results, and boarding.
• Braeburn School: Leading British international school group in Kenya offering IGCSE, A-Level, and BTEC programmes across multiple Nairobi campuses. Directly competes with St. Christopher's for expatriate and affluent Kenyan families seeking Cambridge curriculum education in Nairobi.
• Kenton College Nairobi: Well-established British international day and boarding school in Nairobi offering Cambridge curriculum from Kindergarten through A-Level. Competes directly with St. Christopher's for the same Karen/Nairobi premium family segment.
• Peponi School: British co-educational day and boarding school in Ruiru (greater Nairobi area) following the British national curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Comparable boarding and academic profile to St. Christopher's with overlapping catchment.

Regional players

• Nairobi International School: One of Kenya's oldest international schools offering American-style curriculum in Nairobi. Competes for the same expatriate family segment as St. Christopher's but with a different (American) curriculum orientation.

Others

• CIS Kenya (Council of International Schools member schools in Kenya): Accreditation body whose other Kenyan member schools (including ISK, Rosslyn Academy, and others) compete for the same pool of CIS-oriented expatriate families. Indirect peer set shaping the competitive landscape St. Christopher's operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SCSLearningNBI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC08owmXK8-mqvs3Qkbc9Gtw/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/st.christophersinternationalschoolnairobi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-christophers-international-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/st.christophersinternational

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 St. Christopher's International School