Choosing a school today is nothing like it was 10–15 years ago.
Back then, you heard a name, trusted a rumour, maybe saw a billboard on the highway, and that was it. Today, parents and students are comparing performance, fees, facilities, safety, boarding, transport, special needs support, clubs, sports—and they want all of that information online before they even pick up the phone.
That’s exactly the problem Elimys was built to solve.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what really matters when choosing a school in Kenya (and across Africa), and how to use Elimys to shortlist and compare institutions without running all over town.
1. Start with the Basics: What Kind of Institution Do You Need?
Before you even Google “best schools near me”, be very clear on what you actually need:
Level:
Early Years (Playgroup, PP1, PP2)
Primary (CBC / 8-4-4)
Junior / Senior Secondary
TVET / Technical & Vocational
College / University
Curriculum:
CBC, 8-4-4, IGCSE, IB, American, or other international curricula
Mode:
Day, boarding, or day & boarding
Full-time, part-time, evening, distance/online
Gender:
Boys, girls, or mixed
Special Needs:
Inclusive or specialized special needs support
On Elimys, you can filter schools, colleges, and universities by level, curriculum, gender, and more, so you don’t waste time scrolling through institutions that were never meant for your use case in the first place.
2. Location Still Matters (But Don’t Guess – Use Filters)
Yes, everything is “online” now, but location is still a very big deal.
For day schools, you want something realistically accessible:
short commute, reliable roads, safe neighbourhood.For boarding, you still want to know:
distance from home, how easy it is to travel there, and the general area reputation.
On Elimys, institutions are organized using a hierarchical location structure – Country → County/Province → Subcounty/District. That means you can search, for example:
Secondary schools in Kajiado County
TVET institutions in Gauteng Province
Universities in Texas State
Instead of guessing based on word of mouth, you can search by location and then refine your options.
3. Don’t Ignore Academic Performance & Reputation
Let’s be honest: results matter.
While grades are not the only thing that makes a good school, they are a reliable indicator of:
Academic culture
Quality of teaching
Discipline and consistency
Things to look at:
Performance trends over a few years (not just one lucky year)
Average grades or mean scores
Transition rate to higher levels (e.g., primary → secondary, secondary → university)
Recognition by professional bodies or regulators
Many institutions on Elimys share details about performance, awards, and recognitions in their profiles. Use that to:
Shortlist schools that have consistent performance, not just hype.
Compare institutions side by side without visiting 10 different websites.
4. Facilities: Look Beyond “Nice Buildings”
A fresh coat of paint is not the same as a good learning environment.
When comparing schools, pay attention to:
Classroom environment – ventilation, lighting, class sizes
Labs – science, computer, technical workshops
Libraries & study spaces
Sports facilities – fields, courts, equipment
Boarding facilities – dorms, bathrooms, security, cleanliness
Accessibility – ramps, pathways, and support for learners with special needs
On Elimys, institutions can upload photos, videos, and detailed descriptions to showcase their facilities. Don’t just skim; go through those sections to see if the environment matches the vision you have for your child or yourself.
5. Fees: Don’t Just Ask “How Much?” – Ask “For What?”
Two schools can both charge KSh 80,000 per term, and offer completely different value.
When reviewing school fees, ask:
What exactly is included?
Tuition only? Or also meals, boarding, basic learning materials?
What is excluded?
Transport, uniforms, exam fees, clubs, trips, lab fees?
Are there hidden charges that appear later?
Are there scholarships, bursaries, or fee plans for needy students?
Institutions on Elimys can display fees, fee ranges, and financial aid information. That makes it easier to align expectations with your budget—and avoid surprises after admission.
6. Special Needs, Support, and Wellness
A good institution is not just an exam machine. It supports the whole person.
Important questions to consider:
Is there support for learners with special needs or disabilities?
Are there counsellors, peer mentors, or chaplains available?
How does the school handle issues like bullying, mental health, and discipline?
What is the school’s values and culture around respect and diversity?
Many institutions on Elimys clearly state:
Special needs support
Guidance & counselling services
Clubs, societies, and student leadership opportunities
These things may not appear on a report card, but they absolutely shape the learner’s character and confidence.
7. Co-Curricular Activities: Where Talent Is Built
Co-curricular activities are no longer “extra”; they are a core part of modern education.
Look at:
Sports (football, basketball, athletics, swimming, etc.)
Clubs (debate, drama, robotics, coding, music, environmental clubs)
Arts and culture programs
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM clubs
On Elimys, institutions can highlight sports, clubs, and talent programmes. If your child is passionate about sports, drama, tech, or music, prioritize schools that take those areas seriously.
8. Verify: Intakes, Courses, Scholarships & Tenders
One underrated part of choosing the right institution is timing. You don’t want to discover your dream school after the intake has closed.
Elimys brings multiple pieces together in one place:
Intakes / admissions – current and upcoming application windows
Courses & programmes – what is actually offered and at what level
Scholarships & financial aid – where you can get funding support
Tenders – for suppliers and partners working with institutions
Instead of checking 10 different sections on 10 different websites, you can browse intakes, courses, scholarships, and tenders under the respective institution profile or through search pages on Elimys.
9. Apply Online (Without Standing in Long Queues)
Why are we still printing forms, filling them by hand, and queuing for hours in 2025?
On Elimys, many institutions support online applications for:
Admissions / Intakes
Jobs & Careers
Courses and short programmes
You can:
Fill an application form online
Upload required documents (certificates, IDs, recommendation letters)
Submit from your phone or laptop
Track your applications from a central dashboard (where supported)
This doesn’t just save time; it also keeps all your applications organized in one place.
10. How to Use Elimys to Shortlist Your Ideal Institution
Here’s a simple step-by-step flow you can use right now:
Search by need
“Secondary schools in [County]”
“TVET colleges offering [Course]”
“Universities with [Programme]”
Apply filters
Level, curriculum, gender, boarding/day, location.
Open institution profiles
Read about their background, mission, and values.
Check facilities, photos, and key stats.
Review intakes, courses, and scholarships
Confirm if applications are open.
Confirm entry requirements and deadlines.
Shortlist 3–7 institutions
Compare based on performance, culture, fees, and facilities.
Reach out or apply online
Use contacts listed.
Or submit online applications directly on Elimys where enabled.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Choose Blindly
Education decisions are too big to make based on one poster, one WhatsApp forward, or one opinion from a neighbour.
Use the information that is now available online:
Compare schools objectively
Check courses and fees before you commit
Look at facilities, support, and co-curriculars—not just grades
That’s what Elimys is here for:
to give schools, colleges, and universities a complete online presence, and to give parents and students a clear, honest picture before they decide.
Ready to Explore?
👉 Visit the Institutions section on Elimys to start exploring schools, colleges, and universities by location, level, curriculum, and more.
Your next institution might just be one search away.