Cities / Nairobi / Woodland Star International School
Woodland Star International School
A small, progressive, nature-based international school on the Brackenhurst Botanic Garden estate in Tigoni, an hour from central Nairobi, founded by American educator Amy McKelvey in August 2011.
In brief
A small, progressive, nature-based international school on the Brackenhurst Botanic Garden estate in Tigoni, an hour from central Nairobi, founded by American educator Amy McKelvey in August 2011.
Woodland Star started in a repurposed shed with 17 students and now enrols around 160 across multi-age classes with a maximum class size of 15. The curriculum blends American Common Core standards with IB PYP, MYP, DP, Cambridge IGCSE and IPC frames, delivered through theme-based, project-driven, outdoor learning across 40 acres of indigenous forest and tea fields. Head of school is Rory Parkinson.
Families choosing Woodland Star are usually opting out of the Nairobi mainstream rather than into it. Parents praise the dedicated, child-centred teaching, the small scale, and the rare combination of nature immersion and academic credibility. The trade-offs are the commute from Nairobi suburbs, a thinner extracurricular bench than the bigger Karen schools, and a small senior class cohort. Fees of USD 3,975 to 18,195 cover a wide age span.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-School Half days, 3 days/week | 2 | Annual | $3,975 |
| Pre-School Half days, 5 days/week | 2 | Annual | $5,250 |
| Pre-School Full day, 5 days/week | 2 | Annual | $7,455 |
| Pre-Kindergarten Half days, 5 days/week | 3 | Annual | $5,250 |
| Pre-Kindergarten Full day, 5 days/week | 3 | Annual | $7,455 |
| Primary Years K-5 (self-paid) | 5 | Annual | $16,065 |
| Middle Years 6-8 (self-paid) | 11 | Annual | $16,905 |
| Secondary Years 9+ (self-paid) | 14 | Annual | $18,195 |
| Annual Capital Levy | Annual | $300 | |
| Registration Deposit (new students) | One-time | $1,000 |
Reviews
- Staff feedback is strongly positive on the school's community feel, inclusive culture, and individualised teaching. Teachers describe caring colleagues, a family-like atmosphere, and a creative curriculum that works well for different learners.
- The small public parent-facing pool is also positive, with emphasis on character development as well as academics.
- The main caution is practical rather than academic: one teacher flags the campus as far from the city, and another says local employees carry heavier work for lower pay.
Head of school
Rory Parkinson
Rory Parkinson serves as Head of School with over 25 years of international leadership and teaching experience across two continents and five countries. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Business and Information Technology and completed the Graduate Teaching Programme. Rory has held leadership roles in schools in the UK, Uganda, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, including serving as IT Director at the International School of Uganda and positions at Southbank International and Northbridge House Schools in London. He has taught across IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes.