Deutsche Schule, Nairobi
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$10K - US$17K
Curriculum: German
Age Range: 1.5-18
Students: ~405
Location: Gigiri, Nairobi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
DSN is a tight, well-run school for German-speaking families - the Abitur pathway, bilingual environment, and certified status make it the only real option if a German university route matters to you. Non-German families should visit to gauge whether the language requirements suit where their child is starting from.
Deutsche Schule Nairobi sits on Limuru Road opposite Village Market in Gigiri - a practical location for families in the UN corridor. It is one of around 140 schools worldwide to hold the 'Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule' certification, awarded by the German federal government. The curriculum runs from a bilingual Kindergarten (ages 1.5-5) through to the German International Abitur at Grade 12, with instruction in both German and English throughout. Around 405 students from 50+ nationalities attend, though German and Kenyan nationals make up the largest groups and German is the dominant working language.
At 15 students per class on average, the school functions more like a community than a large campus. The 'green oasis' setting includes a swimming pool, sports hall, football field, running track, tennis courts, and five playgrounds - generous for a school of this size. A scholarship programme launched in 2008 offers 75% tuition support for academically talented Kenyan students, which has gradually diversified the student body. The Abitur is accepted directly by German universities and recognised widely in Europe; families targeting UK or US university systems will need to consider how the qualification translates.
Fees are mid-range by Nairobi standards - KES 1,319,024 for Kindergarten to KES 2,220,729 for secondary per year - but the school attracts few reviews, making it harder to gauge parent experience. The two ISD reviews on record note teachers positively but flag administration as an area worth investigating. For families committed to a German-language education, there is no comparable alternative in Nairobi; for others, the school's narrower language profile and Abitur-specific pathway means it is a genuine fit only for families with a clear reason to choose it.
What parents value
- –Only school in Nairobi offering the full German curriculum path to Abitur. 'Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule' certification from the German federal government. Small class sizes: average 15, maximum 20.
- –Bilingual German-English instruction throughout. Scholarship programme since 2008 covering 75% of tuition for talented Kenyan students - a meaningful community commitment.
- –Well-equipped campus in Gigiri: pool, sports hall, tennis, football field, and five playgrounds. Practical location for families near the UN complex and Village Market.
Points of consideration
- –German is the primary language of instruction and school life. Children entering without German will need dedicated language support; ask the school about their immersion pathway and integration timeline.
- –The Abitur is the sole leaving qualification. Families with possible mid-cycle moves to UK or US schools should confirm how the German curriculum maps to receiving school requirements.
- –Very limited parent review data publicly available. Worth asking the school for references from current families who arrived as non-German speakers.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery 1-2 (ages 1-2) | 1 | NaN |
| Kindergarten 1-3 (ages 3-5) | 3 | NaN |
| Grades 1-4 / Primary (ages 6-9) | 6 | NaN |
| Grades 5-12 / Secondary (ages 10-17) | 10 | NaN |
Fees converted from KES. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
| Deposit (refundable) | NaN |
| Waiting List Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities, sports, and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Nairobi's international schools attract a highly diverse student body from diplomatic, NGO, and professional families. Contact the school for current enrolment and nationality breakdown details.
Leadership
Jorg Isenbeck
Schulleiter (Principal) of Deutsche Schule Nairobi. Jorg Isenbeck leads the school across all sections from Kindergarten to the Abitur year.