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M-PESA Foundation Academy

Kenya, Thika

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Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 480
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2016
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Swahili, French, German, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Founded as a co-educational, residential high school in Kenya, M-PESA Foundation Academy serves students with leadership potential, irrespective of means. The 88-acre campus includes student residences, classrooms and laboratories, a resource centre, 800-seat auditorium, along with athletic fields and outdoor learning spaces. Academically, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), complemented by a Bespoke Curriculum. It plans to introduce the Competency-Based Curriculum Senior Secondary in 2026 with three pathways: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and STEM, all emphasising practical skills, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. A dedicated careers team guides pathway choices, while a life-skills pre-university programme supports life after school. The school benefits from M-PESA Foundation funding and a charitable framework. The on-site resource centre provides Britannica School and Gale access; the Access & Inclusion program removes barriers to full participation. Sport, performing arts, and service activities enrich co-curricular life.

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

M-PESA Foundation Academy has 480 pupils, typical class sizes of 24.

Location
The Academy is located along Thika-Mang'u Road, 6 kilometres off the Thika Superhighway, Kiambu County, Kenya. It is approximately 45 minutes outside Nairobi. The campus spans 88 acres and includes student residences, classrooms, laboratories, co-curricular facilities, a resource centre and an 800-seat auditorium.

Stages
The Academy offers a three-year residential education programme.

Type
Residential high school offering the Kenyan national curriculum.

Additional learning support
Supplementary subjects are offered to fulfil students' other educational needs.

Country affiliation
Kenya
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Application fees
- There is no application fee charged to applicants. Submission of the official application form does not require payment; applications are processed without an admission fee.

Tuition fees by year group (term / annual)
- The Academy does not charge tuition fees for any year group. Students admitted to the three‑year residential programme receive fully funded tuition and educational provision; there are no termly or annual tuition charges.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The Academy does not issue a tuition billing schedule because no tuition, boarding or academic fees are payable by parents or guardians. There are no termly or annual fee invoices for tuition to be paid to the Academy.

Boarding fees (where applicable)
- Boarding is provided as part of the residential programme and no boarding fees are charged to students or families. Accommodation and residential programme costs are covered under the Academy's full funding.

Other costs or fees (uniforms, travel, extras)
- The only cost explicitly required of parents is payment for student travel to and from the Academy; parents are responsible for arranging and covering travel expenses. No other mandatory fees (such as tuition, boarding, or application fees) are levied. The Academy does not publish any mandatory fee for uniforms or similar items in its fee statements; families should plan only for travel-related expenses unless otherwise instructed in individual admission communications.

Refund information
- Refund procedures for tuition or boarding fees are not applicable because the Academy does not charge these fees.

Fee payment options
- No tuition or boarding payments are required; therefore the Academy does not provide payment channels for such fees. Payment arrangements relating to student travel are managed by parents and are not part of the Academy's fee collection processes.
Academics

M-PESA Foundation Academy teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
The school currently offers International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. It intends to introduce the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Senior Secondary in 2026 and is well equipped to offer all three CBC pathways namely: Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The CBC pathways are offered with an emphasis on practical skills, critical thinking and real-world problem solving. Students are assessed through continuous assessment tests, practical projects and prepared for national exams, with guidance from the careers department on pathways and career choices. Tertiary Education Support is provided through a bespoke life-skills pre-university curriculum that supports learners for life after high school and into higher education. The Academy serves talented but economically disadvantaged students with demonstrated leadership potential.

Higher Education Progression
The Academy provides tertiary education support to assist graduates in transitioning to higher education and related pathways. It offers a bespoke life-skills pre-university curriculum designed to prepare learners for life after high school and for tertiary studies.

Gifted and Talented
The Academy targets talented but economically disadvantaged students with demonstrated leadership potential. Admissions assess leadership potential and include evaluation of creativity, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking as part of the selection criteria.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
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Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Opening Doors to Opportunity: Each year, the Academy welcomes bright, ambitious students into a three-year residential education programme, seeking Thinkers, Doers & Leaders with potential, drive, and a passion for change.
2. Who Can Apply: Applications are open to students in their final year of junior secondary education (Grade 9 or equivalent) aged 14–16 at entry; demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential; come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds; and be committed to community service and responsible citizenship. Refugee students duly registered in Kenya are welcome.
3. Our Selection Criteria: Academic performance; leadership and entrepreneurship potential; financial need; critical thinking and problem-solving skills; community engagement.
4. Annual Application Instructions: How to Apply: Applicants must fill out the official application form themselves; incomplete forms or outdated versions will not be accepted.
5. Required Documents: Birth certificate; Parent/guardian ID; Death certificate (if applicable); Academic transcripts (Grade 7, 8—and 9 if available); Co-curricular and leadership certificates; Parent/guardian payslip (if employed); Any other relevant supporting documents.
6. Important Notes: Fill in all sections clearly using your own handwriting; write your full name at the top of each page; do not include extra pages; only shortlisted applicants will be contacted; all submitted information will be verified.
7. Admission independence: Admission to the Academy is independent of the national placement system.
8. 2026 Admissions: 2026 admissions are now open; CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE 2026 APPLICATION FORM.

Scholarships
Citizens of the Future (CoF) scholarship programme provides full scholarship opportunities for senior school education, funded by a partnership between Safaricom Foundation and the M-PESA Foundation. Successful applicants may be supported at the M-PESA Foundation Academy or other schools in Kenya, with inclusive access to education and a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation; the programme aims to reach over 30,000 learners by 2035. Application forms are available online at mpesafoundationacademy.ac.ke and citizenofthefuture.org, with an application deadline of May 15, 2026 for the January 2027 cycle; selections consider Academic Excellence, Financial Need, Leadership potential, Creativity/Innovation/Entrepreneurship, and Desirable values, discipline & behaviour, with the completion of the form not guaranteeing sponsorship and only shortlisted candidates contacted.

Full scholarship opportunities are now available through the Citizens of the Future Programme, a partnership between Safaricom Foundation and the M-PESA Foundation, driving equitable access to quality education and nurturing Kenya's next generation of innovators and leaders. The Academy offers a competency-based education (CBE) curriculum to talented yet economically disadvantaged learners through CoF. The programme emphasizes leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation and aims to fund senior school education; it is a nationwide effort to expand inclusive access to education. Applications for the 2026 cycle open with deadlines and submission channels noted above.

The Higher Education Scholarship described by the Academy provides need-based, four-year post-secondary education scholarships, including tuition and living stipends, at Rise partner universities such as Davidson College (US), Imperial College London, Durham University, Northwestern University, University of Edinburgh, Vanderbilt University, among others. This opportunity has been highlighted in the Academy's announcements of scholarship recipients and related news.
School Events
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