Choosing a school in Kenya isn’t a small decision. For most parents, it’s not even just about education. It’s about safety, confidence, discipline, values, and whether their child will actually thrive, not just survive.
And the truth is, parents don’t all choose the same way.
Some are chasing top KCSE results. Some want character and confidence. Others just want a clean, safe place where teachers show up and their child won’t be lost in the crowd.
Still, there are a few things that come up again and again when parents are deciding.
1) A clear curriculum and a clear path
Parents want to understand what they’re signing up for.
CBC? 8-4-4? IGCSE? IB? A hybrid?
They’ll ask questions like:
If my child changes schools later, will they transition smoothly?
Does this curriculum match my child’s strengths?
Is the school actually equipped for it, or are they “offering” it on paper?
A school that explains this clearly earns trust fast.
2) Results, but not just in exam terms
Yes, performance matters. Parents ask about KCPE/KCSE results, grade trends, and university placements.
But many parents also care about:
confidence (is the child speaking up more?)
discipline (is the environment stable?)
progress (does the school help weaker students improve?)
A school can be “top” and still feel wrong if the child is miserable.
3) Safety and environment (this is a deal-breaker)
Parents notice things you may think they won’t.
They’ll look at:
security at the gate
how students behave around visitors
cleanliness of classrooms and toilets
dorm conditions (for boarding)
bullying policies and how the school handles issues
If a school feels chaotic, parents will smile politely and never come back.
4) Teacher quality and consistency
Parents can forgive a lot… but not unstable teaching.
They’ll ask:
How long do teachers stay here?
Do teachers actually teach, or just “cover the syllabus”?
Are teachers approachable?
What happens when a student is struggling?
Some parents even judge a school by how teachers talk to their children during the visit. That small interaction matters.
5) Communication with parents
This one is underrated until things go wrong.
Parents want to know:
Will I be told early if my child is struggling?
Do teachers respond?
Are there regular updates, or only report cards?
Is the school organized or “we’ll call you”?
Schools that communicate well feel safer to parents. Silence feels like risk.
6) Fees, and the hidden costs nobody mentions
Parents don’t just ask “how much is fees?”
They ask:
What’s included?
Are meals included?
Uniform costs?
Transport?
Exam fees?
Activity charges?
Trip contributions?
And if a school isn’t upfront, parents assume the surprises will be worse later.
7) Location and transport realities
Kenya traffic is a character-building experience… for parents too.
So they consider:
daily commuting time
school van reliability
pickup/dropoff system
safety of routes
Sometimes the “best school” loses to the “good school that is practical.”
8) Class size and student support
Parents want to know whether their child will be seen.
They’ll ask:
How many students are in a class?
Do teachers know students by name?
Is there remedial support?
How do you handle slow learners or special needs?
Smaller classes aren’t always better, but neglected kids are always a problem.
9) Activities, talent, and real growth
A lot of parents want more than books.
They look for:
sports
music
drama
clubs (STEM, debate, scouts)
leadership opportunities
For some families, this is the difference between a school that “educates” and one that develops a person.
10) Values and culture
Even parents who say they only care about academics still care about culture.
They’ll try to sense:
discipline style (healthy discipline vs fear)
respect between students and teachers
moral environment
religious approach (if it matters to them)
You can’t fake culture. Parents can feel it.
The quiet truth: parents decide emotionally, then justify logically
A parent might mention fees, curriculum and performance, but what really seals the decision is often a feeling:
“Will my child be safe here?”
“Will my child be supported here?”
“Do these people seem serious?”
That’s why schools that present their information clearly, answer questions openly, and communicate consistently tend to win.
Because trust beats marketing.