It is no secret that Kenya is home to a number of Africa’s most expensive educational institutions. This is highly attributed to its popularity with expatriates, who often spare no expense to give their offspring the best education at their disposal. While the spotlight is often shone on the hefty amounts paid in fees to these schools, less focus is given to the educators behind the leadership of the institutions.
This article will dive into the experience and expertise of these school heads in three of the most pricey schools in Kenya.
International School of Kenya – Nairobi
The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a Nairobi-based private international school that offers learning from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 students.
The International School of Kenya (ISK) is renowned for being yhe most expensive in the country, and its hefty tuition fees range from KSh 2,395,565 for pre-kindergarten students to KSh 4,739,334 for those in Grades 11 and 12. Parents are also required to pay additional costs including an application fee of KSh 51,796, an annual capital levy of KSh 194,235, bus fees of KSh 284,878, and a Learning Center of Excellence (LCE) programme fee of KSh 2,589,800 for all learners.
The school has three heads who oversee learning in the three levels of education namely Elementary, Middle school and High school. Here are the principals leading this prestigious institution:
Ryan Hopkins-Wilcox, Elementary School Principal
Ryan Hopkins-Wilcox is a progressive educational leader with a passion for fostering a love of learning. She is a former graphic designer and hence integrates creativity, design thinking, and technology into her educational approach. A holder of a Master’s in Education specializing in International Curriculum and Instruction from the George Mason University, Wilcox has over 20 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. Her acumen transcends borders, leading institutions across Taiwan, Cambodia, the United States, Uganda, and Kenya. She joined ISK in 2019, and according to the institution, she has worked to create joyful, meaningful learning environments that empower students to discover their potential.
Alexa Schmid, Middle School Principal
Schmid joined ISK as Middle School Principal in 2017, and is well-versed in Education Management. She describes her leadership approach as student-centered and committed to nurturing relationships and building community. Alexa has a background in middle school Mathematics and earned her Doctorate in Education with a focus in international school leadership. Before joining ISK, she worked in Egypt, India, and Zambia as a Peace Corps Volunteer. She moved to Kenya with her husband, Stewart with whom she shares twin daughters, Sophia and Isabella.
Julie Lemley, High School Principal
Julie Lemley is an innovative international educator with expertise in STEM, Design Thinking, and social and emotional learning. She has 20-years experience in education management and is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. A holder of a Master’s degree in Education specializing in leadership from Georgia Southern University, she has dedicated her career to fostering safe schooling environments. She joined ISK in 2023, bringing her vast experience in education management from the US, Peru, Japan, and China. Julie also holds an undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech.
St Andrew’s School Turi, Nakuru
St Andrew’s School Turi, is one of the most expensive international schools in Kenya. Founded in 1931, it comprises of both Preparatory and Senior Schools.
Located in Nakuru, the institution offers day and boarding options. School fees vary by year group with students in Years 1 and 2 paying KSh 402,000 for day scholars, KSh 764,000 for weekly boarding, and KSh 804,000 for full boarding per term. Day scholar students in Year 12 and 13 pay KSh 781,000 in fees, while weekly boarders pay KSh 1,142,000 and KSh 1,202,000 for full boarders per term.
Like ISK, the school also has two principals for every level of education tasked with administration and learning. Here are their profiles:
Jane Holloway, Head of Preparatory
Jane Holloway is the Head of Prep at St. Andrews Turi. She has over two decades of experience in education, with a special focus on leadership in Christian-based schools. She has been at Turi for five years, leading the 93-year-old Prep School with a mission to inspire students to make a positive impact on the world. Outside her passion for education , she dabbles in hiking, camping, reading, and travel, aligning perfectly the school holistic learning approach.
Ben Pennington, Headmaster of Senior School
Ben Pennington is the Headmaster of the Senior School at St. Andrew’s School, Turi. Before that, he had served as Deputy Head of King’s Ely Senior in the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2021. Prior to this leadership role, Ben was Deputy Head of Middle School and Housemaster of St. Dunstan’s at Ampleforth College in York.
With a degree from Bristol University, he earned his Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Oriel College, Oxford. His career has led him to teach in Sydney, London, and Sherborne, Dorset.
Brookhouse Schools Kenya
Brookhouse was founded in 1981 by the Puxley family. Its school director is John O’Connor. With two campuses in the posh neighbourhoods of Nairobi, Karen and Runda, the institution’s is known for its expensive fees and lavish facilities.
The school’s tuition fees start from KSh 390,000 for Stage 1 students while for Year 13 students, the annual tuition fee is KSh 2,745,000. Combined boarding and tuition fee for Yeat 13 students sum up to KSh 4,335,000.
This article will feature the principals of the Karen Campus, who head the Preparatory and Senior Schools.
Eric Mulindi, Headteacher, Senior School
Eric Mulindi is the Headteacher of Senior School at Brookhouse School, Karen, where he has served in various capacities since 2014. He has over 15 years of experience in education, contributing to shaping the institution’s academic and administrative excellence.
Eric rose to the position of Headteacher of the Secondary School in 2016 and was later promoted to Headmaster from November 2020 to March 2024. He has previously served as Deputy Head of Secondary, a role he held for nearly a decade. As Headteacher, he oversees curriculum development, student achievement, and staff leadership.
With a background in Biology, he has leveraged his knowledge in integrating technology into education through his work on the school’s ICT Action Plan. His leadership continues to focus on nurturing academic excellence and innovation at the institution.
Emily Morgan, Head of Preparatory and Early Years
Emily Morgan is the Head of Preparatory and Early Years at Brookhouse Schools in Nairobi. She took over the role in August 2022. With over 15 years of experience in education management across multiple countries, Emily is an expert in leadership, curriculum development, and teaching.
Before her role at Brookhouse, she spent five years at The International School Bangalore, holding various leadership positions such as Deputy Principal for Primary and Early Years, Curriculum Coordinator, and KS2 Teacher with additional responsibilities as English Coordinator. Prior to that, she had a five-year stint at Dulwich College Shanghai, Pudong in China a KS2 Teacher and Maths Coordinator
Emily began her teaching career in the United Kingdom, teaching at Robsack Wood Primary Academy and Manor Primary School, where she worked with both KS1 and KS2 students.
Academically, she is a holder of a Master’s Degree of Arts in Education with Distinction from the University of Bath (2018–2022) and a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with QTS from the University of Brighton (2004–2008).
