Dr. Jon Hill
Superintendent
“Thank you for your interest in Rosslyn Academy, a dynamic Christian international school in beautiful Nairobi, Kenya. Our school has a rich 75-year history of serving families in East Africa. Rosslyn currently serves approximately 650 students from over 50 countries. This diversity is exciting and enriching for our community, but our commonly held commitments and sense of partnership is what truly unites us into a strong community.
Our passion is to see our students inspired and equipped for service during their time at Rosslyn and throughout their lives. Our students learn about the love of Christ and the Christian worldview, exploring what it means to learn with excellence, form deep relationships, and serve others for the glory of God. It is so exciting for us to see our graduates go on to success in university and in their communities around the world, building upon the solid foundation of their Rosslyn Academy education. We are deeply committed to this mission and purpose.
For His Glory.”
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 41 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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703
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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Over 50
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Most common nationality
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United States of America (41%)
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Ratio of local students to international students
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Local (35%) International (65%)
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Native English speaking teachers
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Yes
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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Yes we offer an EAL (English as an Additional Language) Program.
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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We offer Spanish, French, Korean and Kiswahilli.
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Max. number of students per class
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The average for Elementary is 20 (In rare circumstances we may go up to 24, but in those case there is a dedicated TA in the class.)
In MS and HS, the average class size is 20, with fewer students in more specialized classes and more students in classes like PE.
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Average number of students per class
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18-20 students
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes
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Use of technology in the classroom
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We have 4 different computer labs on campus that teachers can utilize for the classes.
In Elementary there is a computer lab, 3-5 tablets in each classroom, and laptop carts available.
In Middle School there are portable laptop carts for teachers to use.
In HS we have a 1:1 initiative where students bring their own laptops to class.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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The school uses Google Classroom and this can be used for virtual learning in the event of an emergency.
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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Yes. Christianity.
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How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion?
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Non-religious students and students of different religions are welcome, but they are still required to take CRE (Christian Religious Education) classes and attend weekly chapel services.
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External examinations or assessments available
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MAP Growth Testing (Grades 3-10), HS Level- ACT, PSAT, SAT and AP tests
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Results in these examinations
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MAP Growth testing scores were consistently above US based public schools, and we are consistently at or above other International Schools.
In AP (Advanced Placement) testing, our students consistently score well above the global average.
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Yes they do assign homework.
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Approximate hours of homework given
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Lower Elementary- Reading and minimal additional homework.
Upper Elementary- Reading plus 15-20 minutes on various subjects each night.
MS- 30 minutes-1 hour per evening
HS- 30 minutes-2 hours per evening (AP classes may require more)
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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95%
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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Yes
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Learning support offered
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We offer EAL, Korean Language support, and Learning Support services.
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students
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We have a part-time teacher on staff for highly capable learners in Elementary School, but most of this is done in the homeroom classroom through differentiated learning.
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Student access to education psychologist
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Yes
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Entry evaluation for students
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Yes we use a MAP Growth test for admissions screening and placement.
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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We assess the students' previous school records, their MAP Growth Admission test, Parent interview, and at the MS and HS level, a student interview.
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Waiting list
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Yes at certain grade levels.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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Admissions decisions for the following school year begin being made in March. We operate on a rolling admissions once the school year begins.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes
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School start time
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8:25am
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School finish time
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3:35pm
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Supervised care before/after school
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No we do not.
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School bus service available
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Yes, but the cost is separate from the cost of tuition.
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School provided lunches
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Yes, but the cost is separate from the cost of tuition.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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The school provides vegetarian options and can accommodate other dietary restrictions if they are made aware of them.
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Uniform required
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No
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Facilities at the school
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Elementary Library
Middle/High School Media Center
6 Science Classrooms
1 Outdoor Amphitheater
1 Indoor Auditorium
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Sports facilities at the school
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We have 3 basketball courts (one which is in a covered gym), 1 tennis court, 3 soccer/rugby pitches, 1 futsal field, and a swimming pool.
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Teaching approach of the school
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Educational Philosophy: Rosslyn Academy believes that each person is divinely equipped, uniquely gifted, and worthy of respect and dignity. Rosslyn Academy is concerned for the whole person and strives to develop each aspect of life: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical. The school helps students to become disciplined, creative learners who learn to balance the pursuit of personal development with service-oriented values within the home, church and society.
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Preschool | Ages 4-5
We believe every child is created in the image of God, and that our purpose, through nurturing, hands-on, and play-based learning, is to help each child realize and develop their unique God-given gifts.
• Half day program with morning and afternoon options.
• Maximum class size: 14 students.
• 1 lead teacher and 1 teacher assistant.
• Student must turn 4 years old by August 1st to enroll.
Elementary School | Ages 5-11
At Rosslyn Academy, elementary students from around the world learn together through an engaging North American curriculum. In our caring international community, children grow through discovery, inquiry, and creativity—building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
• Kindergarten-5th Grade
• Small class sizes: typically 20 students.
• ES Specials: Science, Art, Music, PE, Health and Wellness, Kiswahili and Kenyan Culture, and IT.
• After-school club programs for grades 1-5.
• Intramural sports and swim team.
• A place where students are known and loved.
Middle School | Ages 11-14
Welcome to the world of Middle School at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. We believe that each person is divinely equipped with a unique set of abilities and potentials and is worthy of respect and dignity as an individual.
• Grades 6th-8th
• Innovative Learning: Impact Project (7th grade) and 20% Project (8th grade).
• The Cultural Field Studies Program for 6th through 8th grade.
• Sports such as Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Swimming, and Rugby.
• Exploratory Classes: Art, Choir, Band, French, Spanish, Kiswahili, Korean, IT, and others.
High School | Ages 14-18
Rosslyn Academy provides a world-class Christian education to the international community in Nairobi, Kenya. In High School, students are challenged through a comprehensive American College Preparatory curriculum, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Our diverse international community fosters inquiry, leadership, and academic excellence—preparing lifelong learners for success at top universities and future careers.
• Grades 9th-12th
• One of the largest and most successful AP Programs in Africa
• Strong extra-curricular programs in athletics and the arts
• A highly experienced teaching faculty - over half of our teachers hold a Master's degree or above
• A caring Christian community.
Athletics
Rosslyn Academy offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities to enhance and enrich our students' academic experience. A significant component of this is our athletic program.
At the Middle and High School levels, Rosslyn competes as a member of KAISSO (Kenya Association of International Schools Sporting League) and NISAL (Nairobi International Schools Athletic League). Rosslyn High School teams also participate in an annual sports tournament through the International Christian Schools of Africa (ICSA), which includes sister schools such as Bingham Academy (Ethiopia), HOPAC (Tanzania), Dakar Academy (Senegal), and Heritage International School (Uganda). The annual ICSA tournament is hosted in a different location each year and alternates between football and basketball for both boys and girls.
Our Campus
History Matters
The administration, wellness, and chapel tower buildings form the symbolic heart of our 40-acre campus and reflect our conviction that thoughtful innovation includes learning from our past. This healthy blend of tradition and innovation is a part of what makes Rosslyn, Rosslyn. (Deuteronomy 32:7)
Beauty Matters
What often strikes visitors is the beauty of our campus. This interest in beauty that is seen in the landscaping, the use of public art, and the layout of the buildings is rooted in the belief that the pursuit of beauty has real educational, moral, and spiritual value. (Philippians 4:8)
