Compare French Curriculum International Schools in Kenya

Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi (Near Yaya Center)

Ages 2 to 18

Private international school; accredited by the French Ministry of Education; member of the AEFE network

France

The school has a canteen served by the private provider LENANA HAUS for students from kindergarten to the end of high school. Canteen catering is compulsory for primary students over 3 days; meals are prepared on site with attention to dietary needs, with provisions for diabetics or allergies via the PAI program or exemption with a medical certificate (in which case the canteen fee is not charged). A snack for Maternelle and Elementary is offered around 9:50 am with fruit; the menu includes 2 or 3 starters, a main course with meat, vegetables and starch, and a choice of 2 desserts. The canteen operates daily with Kindergarten at 12:00 (11:45 on Wednesdays and Fridays), Elementary at 12:00, and Secondary at 12:15; a hygiene and security committee checks hygiene rules. Digestive-disorder reports can be submitted via a dedicated form, and monthly canteen menus are posted.

The school is a private international school in Nairobi certified by the French Ministry of Education and a member of the AEFE network.

The Lyce9e Frane7ais Denis Diderot offers the full French curriculum from Kindergarten to Lycee in Nairobi. It provides a bilingual French-English education, with Kindergarten taught by a French-speaking teacher, supported by assistants and an English teacher from the first year. The Primary program runs five years, developing core knowledge, with eight hours of foreign languages per week, including two hours of Swahili. Middle School spans four years with core disciplines and languages; a new foreign language is introduced in the second year. High School lasts three years; in the second year students choose majors and sit the French baccalaureate exam to prepare for higher studies. Parcours PARLE promotes multilingualism, and a British International Section is available on a trial basis, leading to the French international baccalaureate.

Studies after the French Baccalaureate can be pursued in many countries. France remains a privileged option for higher education, with opportunities in preparatory classes for Grandes Ecoles and admission to top universities (INSA Lyon, Louis-le-Grand, Montaigne, etc.). Graduates have enrolled in Canada (HEC Montre9al) and the United States (HULT International Business School), as well as programs in Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Egypt and Malaysia. Orientation support for continuing with the STUDENT PLAN, including the Future course and resources from ONISEP, CIDJ, AEFE and PARCOUREO, plus the PRIO platform, helps families explore post-baccalaureate options.

LFIDD prioritizes student wellbeing and a positive school climate. It launched the pHARe safeguarding program to prevent harassment and to create an inclusive, caring, and protective environment. The program includes staff training and guidance on handling harassment and promoting wellbeing. The school is committed to an inclusive, benevolent, and protective environment for all students. Parent involvement via the PundaKtiv association supports the school community and student wellbeing.

The school adapts to the needs of each child. Each primary class receives one hour per week of remedial learning activities targeting students with specific needs. In secondary, homework support is available for 6eme class, and tutoring is organized for students who need it. A team of shadow teachers (AESH) is available to assist students with disabilities or special needs.

English is taught by native English-speaking teachers. In kindergarten and elementary, 30% of school time is in English under the EMILE system; in elementary, three hours weekly are dedicated specifically to learning English. In secondary, English teaching is reinforced and provided by native speakers in skill groups. The British International Section adds six hours per week of English (four hours English Language and Literature and two hours History-Geography in English), increasing English exposure to more than 30% of secondary education. From the fifth grade, a third living language (Spanish or German) is taught, and Mandarin is available as an extracurricular option. The school also offers language certificates: DELF for French, Cambridge English Language Assessment, DELE for Spanish, and Goethe for German.

Student wellbeing is a focus at LFIDD as part of safeguarding and school climate initiatives, including the pHARe program and ongoing staff training to support mental health and safety.

LFIDD launched pHARe, a safeguarding program to prevent harassment and protect students, with staff training and a focus on school climate and inclusion.

Step 1. New students are welcomed at the beginning of the school year (September) and throughout the year. Registrations for the 2025-2026 year are now open. The registration process is initiated online via the Online Registration link in the Registration section. The online registration is accessible to families as part of the admission process.

Step 2. Step to registration. Online registration is the primary route to apply. The process is accessed by clicking the Online Registration link. Families are directed to follow the online steps to complete the application. The 2025-2026 registration cycle is specified on the page.

Step 3. Important information. Tuition is paid by families and the financial terms are described in the Financial Regulations. Canteen: school meals are compulsory for primary pupils on three long days (Monday-Tuesday-Thursday). Immigration: it is the parents' responsibility to be in good standing with Kenyan immigration authorities; a certificate of enrolment and a school letter may be provided to complete the student pass application. Communication: information relating to school life is distributed electronically to the email address provided by the parents. School Insurance: the school insures its pupils for school insurance and medical transport.

Step 4. Admission procedures. Admission procedures are differentiated by the pupil's prior schooling background. Case 1 applies to pupils enrolled in a public or AEFE network school in France or a French school abroad during the previous school year or the current school year. These pupils are admitted to the class indicated by the orientation decision or the dialogue form, for entry into 2nde, 1ère and Terminale, with priority given subject to availability of places. Case 2 applies to pupils who attended a school not approved by the French Ministry of Education during the previous or current school year, or who have had an interruption of 3 months or more in the AEFE network; a placement test will be carried out to determine the appropriate level.

The Lycée is a non-profit school, subsidized by the French state, which allows tuition fees to be 30% to 27% lower than other international schools in Nairobi. AEFE scholarships: French families can apply for a grant from AEFE. This tuition assistance is reserved for children of French nationality residing with their families in Kenya, and under certain means conditions, the scholarship may cover up to 100% of tuition fees. Applications and renewal files can be collected from the French Embassy. Two committees meet during the year: in May, for the regular committee ruling on applications for the upcoming school year; and in October/November, for the remedial commission concerning new students enrolled in the Lycée for the current year. The opening dates of the scholarship campaign and submission of files are published on this site. A brochure AEFE is available for more information.

The school is located on Garden Estate Road, Nairobi, Kenya. The mailing address is P.O. Box 16944, 00620 Nairobi, Kenya. The school is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools. The contact numbers and enquiries email are listed.

Early Years ages 2-5 (Crèche, Nursery & Reception); Key Stage 1 ages 5-7 (Years 1-2); Key Stage 2 ages 7-11 (Years 3-6); Key Stage 3 ages 11-14 (Years 7-9); Key Stage 4 ages 14-16 (Years 10-11, Cambridge IGCSE); Key Stage 5 ages 16-18 (IB Diploma / ICPC).

British Curriculum; CIS accredited; IB World School; Boarding available for Years 7 and above.

Students come from over 80 nationalities.

The school welcomes children with mild learning difficulties and offers a range of additional support.

The school follows a British Curriculum.

The school provides a school bus service for boarders; bus service is included in boarding fees.

Braeburn Garden Estate offers weekly and full-time boarding for students in Years 7 and above. Weekly boarders arrive Monday morning and stay through Friday afternoon; full-time boarders reside in the Treetops block with age-appropriate rooming (Year 9 in 4-bed rooms, IB students in 1-bed rooms). The bus service and all meals and drinks are included in boarding fees. A structured 'prep time' routine supports study, with boarding staff who are teaching staff providing pastoral and academic support, and on-site facilities for recreation and study.

All BGE students wear a uniform for class-based lessons and for Games and Physical Education (PE). Shin pads are compulsory for Years 3 and above for hockey and football, and gum shields are required for hockey and for boys playing rugby.

The dining-hall staff produce an exceptional range of meals on a weekly basis, with a healthy and balanced diet. Beyond set meals in the dining-hall, hot snacks are provided to the boarding houses and food can be delivered to school on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. The newly fitted kitchenettes in the boarding houses are stocked with essentials for the evenings.

Boarding houses are Acacia (Girls) and Baobab (Boys). House staff include a Head of Boarding and Houseparents; Acacia House Team and Baobab House Team manage the houses.

The school is a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.

The curriculum is balanced, broad and relevant to our learners. Early Years follows the Early Years Foundation Stage with three prime areas—communication and language; physical development; and personal, social and emotional development—supported by four specific areas: literacy; mathematics; understanding the world; and expressive arts and design. Primary (Key Stages 1 and 2) centers on core literacy and mathematical skills while developing confident, active learners and responsible global citizens, and is based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales with additional learning opportunities through performing arts, sports, outdoor learning, social responsibility, topic adaptation and a wide co-curricular programme. Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3) has pupils in Years 11–14 following an internationalised version of the National Curriculum, with leadership, problem solving, collaboration and enquiry embedded and enhanced by co-curricular programmes. Secondary (Key Stage 4) covers the IGCSE, with a broad range of subjects and the option to sit examinations early or study additional subjects, supported by a range of extra-curricular activities. Sixth Form (Key Stage 5) offers pathways to university including A‑Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) offered at Braeburn Garden Estate, the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) offered at Braeburn Garden Estate, and BTEC Level 3, all with extensive careers guidance and university preparation. The IBDP is offered at Braeburn Garden Estate.

Across Braeburn schools, over three quarters of IGCSE grades awarded are A–C, with 35% of those grades being A or A. In the Sixth Form, Braeburn has offered options such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), A‑Levels and BTEC, with a history of students gaining university offers; in 2015, 97% earned a full IB Diploma.

Braeburn students complete international qualifications that qualify them for admission to universities worldwide and receive first‑class guidance on career opportunities and university placements, including SAT and IELTS preparation. Alex Manning, the dedicated University Applications Adviser, visits Braeburn schools to interview students, give talks to parents and students, and support university applications. Students are placed in universities around the world, including institutions in the United Kingdom (e.g., Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, among others), the United States (e.g., MIT, Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and more), Canada (e.g., McGill, UBC), Kenya (e.g., Moi University, Strathmore University, USIU), and other countries; the school provides guidance on admissions processes and tests as part of the preparation.

The school is non‑selective and supports a range of abilities, including those who are gifted and talented; there is a dedicated SEN department, and differentiation occurs within mainstream classes to meet diverse needs. The school emphasizes inclusion and provides assessments and appropriate support for students as part of the admission and ongoing learning process.

The school emphasises empathy and integrity as part of school life, nurturing students with the skills and values to learn and contribute to others. A caring staff culture supports social and emotional development across the curriculum and school activities.

The school welcomes students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and has a dedicated SEN department. There is inclusion in most mainstream classes with withdrawal from one or two subjects decided in consultation with parents, the pupil and teachers.

The school has limited provision for children with no knowledge of English. Special oral and written tests determine English proficiency, and tuition may be needed before acceptance if pupils cannot access the curriculum.

There are School Counsellors on staff to support students' wellbeing.

The Braeburn Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. All staff undergo child protection screening, and there is a Safeguarding Policy in place. The school operates safeguarding governance with a Site Safeguarding Committee and a Designated Safeguarding Lead to coordinate safeguarding practice.

Braeburn Garden Estate School follows the admission policy of the Braeburn Group of International Schools. It is non-selective but may use admission testing where appropriate and has a dedicated SEN department. English language proficiency is required for students whose mother tongue is not English to access the curriculum. Applicants must provide copies of their passport or birth certificate, previous up‑to‑date school reports, a letter of recommendation and a leaving certificate from the previous school (students joining from other KAIIS Schools must have a leaving certificate). Year groups are allocated by age. For Years 7–11 admission includes an interview with the Head / Deputy Teacher, entrance assessment tests in English Language & Mathematics if requested by the school, and additional SEN and/or ESL assessment may be required. Admission to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or Career-Related Programme includes an interview with the Head/Deputy Head Teacher/IB Coordinator and meeting listed entry requirements, including IGCSE grades and subject prerequisites. Group 2 languages offered include French, Spanish and Swahili at ab initio, standard and higher levels, with options for self‑taught languages in some cases. If a year group is full, new admissions are placed on a waiting list on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with priority possibly given to siblings. Admission testing helps ensure curriculum access, informs teachers about needs and strengths, and aids in target setting. A placement letter confirming the placement and start date is issued upon successful completion of the process.

Braeburn Garden Estate opens scholarship applications for Year 9 and Year 12 entrants wishing to enrol in September 2026. Scholarships are available in three categories: All Round, Academic and Excellence In. For details on the application criteria, view the All Round, Academic and Excellence In links. Closing date: Monday, 20 October 2025. Shortlist announced: Monday, 27 October 2025. Scholarship Assessment Day: Thursday, 13 November 2025. All scholarship applications must include a formal school application, which can be accessed via the links.

Waiting lists exist for full year groups. New admissions will be placed on a waiting list on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Priority may be given to siblings of children who already have a place.