Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. It is only natural to expect it to be the hub of the best performing private and public secondary schools in the country.
Using 2021 – 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE) results as a starting point, this article ranks 20 most excelling government-run and individual-owned secondary schools in Nairobi
Best Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi
This government-run girls’ education centre was established way back in the early 1900s. Its stellar performance in the KNEC exams has attracted attention throughout the country. It garnered a mean of 10.47 in 2020 KCSE, effectively topping all schools in Nairobi as well as nationally. It remains striking how Kenya High has consistently outclassed giants over the recent past, achieving a breathtaking university transition rate of over 90%.
Starehe Boys Centre is a prestigious national school. It was started in 1959 as a charitable institution to care for and educate needy boys. It has since dismantled every myth associated with charity by consistently appearing among top 100 schools in KCSE results. It posted a mean score of 9.44 in the 2021-2022 results, dwarfing its previous year’s performance of 9.43 to emerge 13th best nationally.
Pangani Girls is a prestigious public, girls-only school founded in 1932. It has consistently outperformed other schools in Kenya over the years, at one point in 2010 ranking position 1 nationally. It ranked 9th nationally and 2nd in Nairobi County in 2020. In 2021-2022, it scored a mean of 9.56, falling two positions behind Nairobi School, and four nationally.
Nairobi School is a 120-year-old boys-only learning centre. This government-owned institution is yet another top performer. It scored a KCSE average of 9.55, ranking 14 nationally.
Moi Girls is a national school established in 1964. It has made headlines for having over 70% of its candidates attaining the minimum grades needed for a direct university entry. Its culture of high academic performance saw it clinch position 63 nationally with a mean score of 8.60.
Precious Blood is a public female-only boarding school founded in 1964. It qualified for the coveted list of top 100 schools nationally by scooping a mean score of 8.4, ranking 52 countrywide. Like its peers in this list, Precious Blood has maintained a commendable run in the KCSE race.
Lenana School has relentlessly maintained its reputation as a school of choice in Nairobi since its founding in 1949. This all boys’ boarding school boasts a mean score of 8.37 as of April 2022 results.
As the name suggests, Starehe Girls’ Centre is yet another giant that knows a comfortable way to success. Motivated by the belief that learning should be nurtured in a tranquil and serene environment, the school sets the pace in Nairobi and entire Kenya through exemplary performance. For example, it scored a mean of 8.23 in the April 2022 results. Academic excellence has been a norm in this school since its founding in 2005.
Buru Buru Girls High School
Buru Buru Girls is a public, extra-county, girls-only boarding school. Its position among Nairobi’s best schools is cemented by a history of progressive academic performance. According to the latest KCSE results, it clinched position 152 nationally with an impressive mean score of 7.2.
This is a high-status government boys’ boarding school prioritising education of children of the armed forces personnel. The good news is that it also serves members of the general public. This unique national school has lived up to its name by asserting its presence among the best performing schools whenever KCSE results are released.
Top Private Secondary Schools in Nairobi
Strathmore School a prominent private school founded in 1961. It scored a mean of 9.88 in the previous national examinations. Strathmore is a known member of the giants’ club who hardly ever misses in the list of top-ten schools nationally, let alone in Nairobi.
Light Academy is a high-end, private boys’ school established in 1998. As can be inferred from the name, the school has consistently shined in Nairobi. It outshined all private and public schools in Nairobi, save for Kenya High School, in 2020 with a mean of 10.05. Interestingly, it did not fall farther than position 3 in 2021-2022 even after dropping to a mean of 9.84.
This is an exclusively girls’ private school. Its track record is commendable because it not only makes it to every annual list of high-achievers, but consistently dwarfs its previous performance while at it. For example, it scored a mean of 8.95, 8.99 and 9.53 in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The Riara Springs is a private secondary school located in Embakasi, Nairobi. It boasts to develop the next generation of girls intellectually, emotionally, psychologically, socially, spiritually and physically. Consistent with its promise of holistic development, the school ranked 19 nationally in the latest KCSE results with a mean score of 9.2.
Karura SDA Secondary School
There is something uniquely intriguing about Karura S.D.A secondary school. Unlike its peers enlisted thus far, it is mixed and allows its students to choose whether they want to board or commute daily from home. It is also a high performer. It gave Precious Blood a run for its money by achieving the same mean score of 8.4, earning the 55th position in the national ranking.
Nairobi Leadership Academy (NLA) is a private girls’ school tucked in the heart of South C. In the recently released KCSE results, NLA scored a mean of 7.67. The school managed an impressive university transition rate of over 65%. It proudly ranked 114 nationwide.
Other leading private schools in Nairobi worth a mention are:
If you are looking for a private Catholic Christian run school, Consolata School is your best bet. For over six decades, this private learning centre has excelled in academics, discipline and extracurricular activities. It maintains a low student-teacher ratio allowing for effective provision of tailored assistance.
This multicultural, co-educational day secondary school was established in 1961. It is among few schools in Nairobi offering KCSE, IGCSE and GCE curricula without compromising the success of its students.
Nairobi Muslim Academy
This unique school disrupts this list to prove that academic excellence can successfully be achieved through the principles of Islam. It is a girls-only boarding school that managed a mean grade of 7.95 and 7.58 in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Closing this list is the only school that appreciates Nairobi’s tropical location: Sunshine Secondary School. This boys’ boarding school was founded in 1995. It ranked 10th best performing school in Nairobi after posting an impressive mean score of 7.895 in KCSE 2020.
Nairobi is more than Kenya’s capital city; it is also the country’s hub for academic excellence, harbouring leading public and private schools.
Thanks for the article, Vincent! Very informative.
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