Hillcrest International Schools
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$3K - US$24K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 2-18
Students: ~605
Location: Karen, Nairobi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Hillcrest is a solid British-curriculum option for Karen-based families who want ISI-inspected schooling at fees below Brookhouse - but the 2022 ownership change to the Braeburn Group warrants a campus visit to assess current teaching continuity before committing.
Hillcrest occupies the Karen corridor, about ten minutes from Brookhouse on Langata Road, and has been running since 1965. It now sits under Braeburn Group ownership following a 2022 change, and holds ISI, COBIS, CIS, and IAPS accreditation - a strong inspection record that gives it credibility alongside the bigger names. The curriculum runs from Playgroup through to A-Levels and BTEC, with roughly 600 students split between day and weekly boarding. Annual fees range from KES 384,000 for Playgroup mornings to just over KES 3,000,000 for Years 12-13 - about 15-20% below Brookhouse at the same year group.
The Karen setting is genuinely attractive - a leafy campus with good sports facilities, a small boarding house for secondary students, and a reputation among long-term Nairobi expats for reliable pastoral care. IGCSE and A-Level results are published and benchmarked against Cambridge norms. GL Assessment tracking is used across primary and secondary, which families find reassuring if they're moving mid-cycle and need data to share with a receiving school. The Karen bus network is well-established and covers most of the south Nairobi suburbs.
The transition to Braeburn Group ownership introduced some teaching staff turnover that parents noticed in 2023 and 2024. A June 2024 review cited concerns about teaching quality in specific subject areas, though other reviewers pointed to strong individual teachers. Boarding is limited - 79 places - and the school is smaller than both ISK and Brookhouse, which means fewer subject choices at A-Level and a thinner co-curricular programme than either of those campuses can offer.
What parents value
- –ISI, CIS, COBIS, and IAPS accreditation on a single Karen campus. British curriculum from Playgroup to A-Level and BTEC. Annual fees roughly 15-20% below Brookhouse at comparable year groups.
- –GL Assessment used school-wide for tracking progress - useful for families arriving mid-cycle or preparing for a subsequent school move. Well-established Karen bus network.
- –Weekly boarding available from secondary; attractive leafy campus in a quieter part of Karen with good sports facilities.
Points of consideration
- –The 2022 Braeburn Group acquisition brought leadership and staff changes. Ask specifically about staff continuity in the year groups and subjects that matter most to your child.
- –Smaller school size limits subject breadth at A-Level and co-curricular depth compared with ISK and Brookhouse. Worth checking the current options list before enrolling a Sixth Form student.
- –Boarding capacity is limited at 79 places. Confirm availability early if weekly boarding is a requirement.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Playgroup (Mornings Only) | 3 | 2,969 |
| Nursery (Mornings Only) | 3 | 5,934 |
| Nursery (Full Day) | 3 | 7,316 |
| FS1 (Mornings Only) | 4 | 6,527 |
| FS1 (Full Day) | 4 | 7,910 |
| FS2 | 5 | 8,766 |
| Year 1 | 6 | 10,190 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 14,669 |
| Years 3-5 | 8 | 18,543 |
| Year 6 | 11 | 19,072 |
| Years 7-8 | 12 | 19,910 |
| Year 9 | 14 | 20,513 |
| Years 10-11 | 15 | 22,280 |
| Years 12-13 | 17 | 23,839 |
| Full Boarding (Years 7-13, additional) | - | 8,309 |
| Weekly Boarding (Years 7-13, additional) | - | 5,273 |
Fees converted from KES. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Deposit (refundable, EYFS-Year 6) | 193 |
| Deposit (refundable, Years 7-11) | 387 |
| Deposit (refundable, Years 12-13) | 773 |
| Boarding Deposit (refundable) | 224 |
Photos
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities, sports, and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Nairobi's international schools attract a highly diverse student body from diplomatic, NGO, and professional families. Contact the school for current enrolment and nationality breakdown details.
Leadership
David Dunn (Secondary) / Surbhi Vashisht (Preparatory)
David Dunn leads the Secondary School and Surbhi Vashisht the Preparatory School. Both sections sit on the Karen campus under the Braeburn Group ownership following acquisition in 2022.