STEM schools in Kenya are preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and technology professionals. As the government’s STEM Model School Programme expands across public schools, several private institutions have also built strong reputations for STEM education. Among them, STEM International School stands out for its specialised curriculum, modern facilities, and international recognition.
Key takeaways STEM International School remains the country’s most established STEM-focused school in 2026. Kenya’s STEM Model School Programme aims to establish 94 STEM model schools across all 47 counties. Public STEM model schools are supported by the Ministry of Education through the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA). STEM education combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics through practical, project-based learning. What is STEM education in Kenya? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Unlike traditional learning, STEM integrates these disciplines through practical projects, critical thinking, coding, robotics, engineering design, scientific research and real-world problem-solving. The Kenyan government has continued implementing STEM education under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Through the Ministry of Education and CEMASTEA, selected schools are being transformed into STEM model centres equipped with laboratories, innovation hubs and digital learning resources. According to UNESCO, around 75% of the fastest-growing occupations globally require STEM-related skills, highlighting why many countries, including Kenya, are investing heavily in STEM education. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum projects that analytical thinking, technology literacy and engineering skills will remain among the world’s most in-demand competencies over the coming years. List of STEM schools in Kenya and their fees The table below ranks some of the top 10 STEM schools in Kenya. This is based on their STEM curriculum, facilities, innovation programmes, robotics competitions, coding opportunities, university preparation and reputation. Rank School Location Curriculum Approximate annual fees (2026) Why it stands out 1 STEM International School Karen, Nairobi American KSh 370,000 to KSh 820,000 Dedicated STEM curriculum from Preschool to Grade 12, robotics, AI, engineering and coding 2 Brookhouse School Nairobi British KSh 1.3 million to KSh 2.5 million Advanced science laboratories and robotics programmes 3 Nova Pioneer Nairobi & Tatu City CBC/International KSh 550,000 to KSh 950,000 Innovation, entrepreneurship and coding focus 4 Crawford International School Nairobi Cambridge KSh 650,000 to KSh1.4 million Modern STEM laboratories and engineering projects 5 Peponi School Nairobi British KSh 2.9 million to KSh 4.3 million Strong science and engineering preparation 6 Riara Schools Nairobi CBC & Cambridge Varies Robotics, coding and innovation clubs 7 Oshwal Academy Nairobi CBC/Cambridge Varies Excellent science performance and STEM competitions 8 Tinker Education Nairobi STEM enrichment Course-based Coding, robotics and Internet of Things programmes 9 Caplora Academy Nairobi STEM enrichment Course-based STEM tutoring, robotics and AI programmes 10 Makini School Nairobi CBC/Cambridge Varies Strong ICT and innovation programmes 2026 update: STEM is now an official Senior School pathway The biggest change to CBC in 2026 is that STEM is now an official Senior School pathway. It is one of three pathways alongside Social Sciences and Arts and Sports Science. The Technical Studies track under STEM includes combinations such as Core Mathematics, Building and Construction, and General Science. The Ministry of Education has approved 71 Senior Schools across all counties to offer this combination. These schools are grouped into clusters C1, C2, C3, and C4, as well as private institutions. Many other Senior Schools also offer different STEM subject combinations. These include Core Mathematics with Biology and Chemistry or the full science combination of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. As a result, a STEM school in Kenya can be either a private specialist institution or a public Senior School offering the official STEM pathway. High schools that offer STEM in Kenya Following CBC implementation, students joining Senior School can select the STEM pathway in many institutions across Kenya. An example list of STEM schools in Kenya in 2026 includes: Alliance High School Mang’u High School Kenya High School Lenana School Maryhill Girls High School Nairobi School Kapsabet Boys High School Starehe Boys’ Centre Friends School Kamusinga Selected STEM Model Schools under CEMASTEA The number of participating schools continues to increase as more counties establish STEM laboratories and innovation hubs. Why is STEM education becoming more important in Kenya? The demand for STEM graduates continues to rise across healthcare, engineering, renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and manufacturing. Research from UNESCO shows that countries investing in STEM education experience stronger innovation ecosystems and higher economic productivity. In Kenya, STEM supports the country’s Vision 2030 goals by preparing learners for technology-driven careers and entrepreneurship. A good example is the growing number of Kenyan students participating in robotics competitions, coding hackathons and international science fairs. Several schools now integrate robotics clubs, drone technology, artificial intelligence and 3D printing into extracurricular learning, giving learners practical experience before university.
