Looking for the right school?

Even though priorities change from person to a person, there are major qualifications and necessities have to be there when you look for the right school. Of course our priorities dramatically shift depending on the geopolitical situations and dynamics in the country we live in! It is really hard to make a decision from outside, as a parent best decision is to go and see, talk to other parents, walk around the school and take a close look at surrounding areas and make sure safety and security measures in place.

Since my daughter started preschool (we were living in US by that time) my priority was never the food that the school served as long as my children did not get food poison, or fancy toys they play with. It was rather the playground, amenities that the school offer, qualifications and experience of the teachers and school management team, and more than anything safety and security. Last item was always our number one priority and it became more important when we moved to Kenya.

Unfortunately my daughter had to change her school during our first year! As much as we try to control and make sure of the conditions sometimes it does not work that way...And there we have to come up with solutions without much impact on children...

So notes below are my opinions and they are based on my experience in Nairobi...If you are an expat and looking for school for your child make sure:

1- School is a SAFE environment, by saying safe: school is running by a private security firm,
schools perimeters are in place in every corner, gates are closed all the time, cars are searched accordingly in a professional manner.

2-If you have small children, make sure to check teacher's qualifications, if he/she had early
childhood training, understand basic rules of child caring, knows and applies basic hygiene in the class!

3-If there is a pool, make sure it runs professionally, all the hygiene rules are in place as well as people who are in the pool with children trained for first aid, got training and approved as life guards. I have seen and heard so much on this issue that this is not something should be taken lightly! I am not even mentioning if there are showers and changing rooms!!!! Have not I mentioned priorities shift:)

4- There is an link between school management and parents. effective and open communication is very important. Whether it is about the good or bad, parent should know what is going on in the school. There are certain things school management hears first, and you do not want to be the last person to know if it is about safety and well being of your children.

5- For quality education purposes and standards make sure the school is accredited by international associations at least by Council of International Schools (CIS).

6- No matter what age group children are, obviously teacher has to have qualifications, recommendations, necessary training, and university diploma! Do not assume, they already have, believe me you would be surprised to hear the background of the teachers!!

I made a list, again this is solely based on my personal view and experience.

1- ISK: well established internationally recognized IB school, located in Runda, in every angle this is one of the best school in Nairobi, note: Funded by US., early years have waiting list!

2-Breauburn: they have different locations in town, most of the them have waiting list, once you know you will be moving to Nairobi, do not waste time contact to school. It is a good school both academic and athletic wise.

3- Banda: More like a boutique school, more than half of children population are expat kids. It is a very competitive school in every angle!

4- Kenton: Another good school, has one of the best school ground I have every seen! School amenities are the best in town. Kenton does not have high school education. Very popular among expats.

5-Brookhouse: it is popular among wealthy Kenyan politicians, majority of the students are African (Brookhouse have also boarding section, very popular among other African countries) roughly 20% of children are expat kids. It is highly popular, dream like school ground and buildings, has number one auditorium and libary in Kenya! Even Kenyan govrnment uses it auditoriom for political events.
Their curriculm is British and Kenyan, preparing kids mostly for UK schools and universities.