Precious Blood Riruta ranked first among all extra county schools in Kenya in the 2024 KCSE, with a mean grade of A− and a performance index of 79.604. Leading institutions actively compete with national schools. The Ministry of Education manages student placement into extra county schools, which was previously based on KCPE performance before the adoption of CBC. TUKO.co.ke speaks to a seasoned educator about schools performing well in KCSE.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Precious Blood Riruta is the #1 extra county school in Kenya by 2024 KCSE performance.
- Nairobi has 19 extra county secondary schools across clusters C1, C2, and C3.
- Five Nairobi schools appear in the national top 100: Precious Blood Riruta, Moi Girls' Nairobi, Upper Hill, Buruburu Girls, and St. George's Girls'.
- The government's 2026 standardised boarding contribution is KES 45,054 per year for extra county schools, while day schools are tuition-free.
What are extra county schools?
Extra county schools are public secondary schools that admit students from across the county. They sit below national schools but above county and sub-county schools in Kenya's secondary school hierarchy.
The Ministry of Education ranks extra county schools into three clusters. Cluster C1 is the highest tier, followed by C2 and C3.
Five Nairobi extra county schools placed in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 KCSE. The table below shows their rankings and results.
National Rank | School | Type | 2024 Grade | Performance Index |
1 | Precious Blood Riruta | Girls | A− | 79.604 |
9 | Moi Girls' School Nairobi | Girls | B+ | 70.415 |
30 | Upper Hill School | Boys | B | 66.854 |
33 | Buruburu Girls Secondary | Girls | B | 66.270 |
61 | St. George's Girls' Secondary School | Girls | B | 62.105 |
1. Precious Blood Riruta
Precious Blood Riruta is a girls' C1 boarding school in Kawangware, Dagoretti South. It sits along Naivasha Road, about 7 kilometres west of Nairobi's CBD.
The school was founded in 1964 by the Precious Blood Sisters (Catholic nuns) to educate children from Kawangware, Riruta, and Uthiru. Precious Blood Riruta is now among Kenya's top-ranked Extra County schools.
2. Moi Girls' School Nairobi
Moi Girls' School Nairobi is a girls' C1 boarding school in Dagoretti North constituency. Founded in February 1964, it is one of Nairobi's most consistently high-performing institutions.
The school ranked ninth nationally among Extra County schools in the 2024 KCSE, achieving a B+ grade with a performance index of 70.415.
3. Upper Hill School
Upper Hill is a boys' C1 boarding school in Kibra constituency, Nairobi. It was founded in 1956 by Lord Delamere as Delamere School and is known as "Upper" by its students.
In the 2024 KCSE, two students scored a straight A, five scored A−, and over 15 achieved B+. The school is also a regular national champion in rugby, football, and basketball.
4. Buruburu Girls Secondary School
Buruburu Girls is a girls' C1 boarding school in Makadara, Nairobi. It was founded in 1986 as a mixed day school before transitioning to a girls-only boarding institution.
The school recorded a mean score of 8.6061 in the 2024 KCSE. Its mean grade declined to 7.78 in 2025, reflecting rising national competition.
5. St. George's Girls' Secondary School
St. George's Girls' Secondary is a C1 girls' boarding school in Nairobi. It ranked 61st nationally among Extra County schools in the 2024 KCSE, achieving a grade B and a performance index of 62.105.
Top extra county girls' schools in Nairobi
Nairobi's extra county girls' schools dominate the national rankings. The top performers are:
- Precious Blood Riruta: 1st nationally (A−, PI 79.604)
- Moi Girls' School Nairobi: 9th nationally (B+, PI 70.415)
- Buruburu Girls Secondary: 33rd nationally (B, PI 66.270)
- St. George's Girls' Secondary School: 61st nationally (B, PI 62.105)
- Statehouse Girls High School: 365 candidates sat the 2024 KCSE; 67% achieved direct university entry.
- Ngara Girls' High School: founded in January 1957; became girls-only in 1962; consistently strong results.
Other girls' extra county schools in Nairobi include Nembu Girls High School, St. Anne's Girls' Secondary School, Huruma Girls' High School, Our Lady of Mercy Secondary South B, and Highridge Girls Boarding Secondary School.
Top extra county boys' schools in Nairobi
The leading extra county boys' schools in Nairobi are:
- Upper Hill School: 30th nationally in 2024 KCSE (B, PI 66.854); strongest boys' performer
- Aquinas High School: C1 boarding school in Makadara; over 1,200 students
- Ofafa Jericho High School: C1 school in Makadara constituency
- Dagoretti High School: C2 day and boarding school; approximately 1,700 students
C3 boys' schools include Uhuru Secondary School and Muhuri Muchiri Boys High School.
Extra county schools in Nairobi and their fees
The government sets the fee cap for extra county schools. From January 2026, the government standardised the parental contribution for Extra County boarding schools at KES 40,535 per year, while Public Day Senior Schools remain tuition-free. Additional costs not included in the main fee:
- KCSE examination registration
- School uniform and sportswear
- Remedial classes and holiday tuition (where offered)
- Motivational trips and retreats
- Lunch programme (day school option)
Full list of extra county schools in Nairobi
Nairobi has 19 extra county secondary schools in total, categorised below by cluster.
- Cluster C1: Aquinas High School (Boys), Ofafa Jericho High School (Boys), Upper Hill School (Boys), Buruburu Girls Secondary (Girls), Ngara Girls' High School (Girls), Precious Blood Riruta (Girls), Nembu Girls High School (Girls), Statehouse Girls High School (Girls), St. George's Girls' Secondary School (Girls), Moi Girls' School Nairobi (Girls)
- Cluster C2: Highway Secondary School (Boys), Dagoretti High School (Boys), Hospital Hill High School (Mixed), St. Anne's Girls' Secondary School (Girls)
- Cluster C3: Uhuru Secondary School (Boys), Muhuri Muchiri Boys High School (Boys), Huruma Girls' High School (Girls), Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School South B (Girls), Highridge Girls Boarding Secondary School (Girls)
How are students selected for extra county schools?
Selection for extra county schools is done by the Ministry of Education using the national placement system. Under the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), students with the strongest KCPE scores were placed in C1 schools. The last KCPE sitting in Kenya was in 2023 under the 8-4-4 system.
Under the current Competency-Based Curriculum, placement into extra county schools is based on academic merit (scoring in the Meeting Expectations / 41–60 points range), regional quotas, and students' chosen career pathways during the placement process. The multi-tier assessment structure consists of:
- Grade 9 KJSEA evaluation: Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment performance contributes 60% of the final overall score.
- Grade 6 KPSEA results: Kenya Primary School Education Assessment performance accounts for 20% of the final evaluation.
- Grades 7–8 School-Based Assessments (SBAs): Contribute the remaining 20%.
- Score Brackets: Learners scoring 58–74 marks (ME1) qualify for top-tier Extra County schools, while those with 41–57 marks (ME2) are matched to promoted Extra County institutions.
Interview with an educator
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, seasoned educator and school principal Stephen Omondi takes a closer look at what distinguishes high-performing schools and the things parents and guardians should consider when choosing the best school for their child. Take a look!
Q: A school may post impressive examination results one year and struggle the next, yet parents often judge its quality based on its most recent mean score or the number of students who go on to university. Drawing on your experience of teaching, curriculum implementation and school leadership, what enables a school to perform consistently well over several years?
For a school to perform well continuously, a lot is put in place, from the leadership of the school to the gateman. This is what we call culture. Everyone in the compound owns it and is working towards achieving it.
High-performing schools thrive on teacher retention and professional development sessions throughout the academic calendar. This has been lacking in low-level schools, where teachers are not exposed to trainings despite changes in the educational field which are arising everyday.
Q: Some schools command enormous respect because of their history, reputation, or the prominent figures who studied there. Other institutions, meanwhile, may quietly deliver excellent results without receiving the same recognition. As a seasoned educator, how would you advise parents and learners to distinguish between a school's prestige and the quality of education it provides?
Some prestigious schools enjoy a lot of media attention yet in terms of academic performance, some lower-level schools are doing better than them. I advise parents to take their time and look at the school's vision and mission.
When you take your child to school, check on the existing data analysis of the previous assessments and ask to be taken around to check a few books to have a real picture of the school.
Q: Every secondary school student has different strengths, ambitions, challenges and ways of learning. Yet families can feel pressured to choose the most highly regarded school possible. So, how can parents assess whether a particular school is genuinely suited to their child, rather than simply choosing it because it is considered prestigious or academically strong?
The previous academic progress report will point to potential parent areas of strengths and weaknesses of targeted schools. Some schools perform best in STEM subjects, while some schools are best in social science subjects and arts; hence, before enrolling a child in a school, we should be able to tell whether it aligns with the areas of interest of the potential student.
Q: For many families, choosing a secondary school involves balancing academic performance with fees, household income and available resources, as well as considering the kind of future they want for their child. Rather than assuming that higher fees or a stronger reputation automatically mean better outcomes, how should parents judge whether a school's overall educational approach offers good value for their money?
The main goal of a school is to produce an all-round student who is meeting or exceeding expectations in both classroom and outdoor activities. As parents, we should be able to identify whether a school has enough facilities to ensure that the child is taken care of both in class and in outdoor sessions.
Q: Every year, some bright and ambitious learners miss out on their preferred national schools due to intense competition, limited spaces, or placement outcomes that do not reflect their true potential. As an experienced educator, how can parents and teachers help these learners maintain their confidence and ambition instead of feeling that joining a less prestigious school has diminished their chances of success?
Learners who have missed their favourite school always feel demoralised. We should be able to counsel these learners to know that they can still achieve excellence even in low-ranked schools if they focus on their academic goal and vision. We have had learners who fail in national schools; hence, the choice of school doesn't guarantee the final success.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best extra county school in Nairobi?
Precious Blood Riruta is considered among the best-performing extra county schools in Nairobi. It ranked first nationally among all extra county schools in the 2024 KCSE, achieving a grade A− with a performance index of 79.604. It is a girls' boarding school in Dagoretti South.
What are the extra county girls' schools in Nairobi?
Nairobi has 11 extra county girls' schools: Precious Blood Riruta, Moi Girls' School Nairobi, Buruburu Girls Secondary, Ngara Girls' High School, Statehouse Girls High School, St. George's Girls' Secondary School, Nembu Girls High School, St. Anne's Girls' Secondary School, Huruma Girls' High School, Our Lady of Mercy South B, and Highridge Girls Boarding Secondary School.
How much do extra county schools charge in Nairobi?
From January 2026, the government standardised the parental contribution for boarding extra county schools at KES 45,054 annually. Additional costs (exams, uniform, remedial tuition) vary by school.
What is the difference between a national school and an extra county school in Kenya?
National schools are the highest tier. They admit the top students from across Kenya. Extra County schools admit students from across the county only. Both are public schools.
How many Extra County schools are in Nairobi County?
Nairobi County has 19 extra county secondary schools in total. Ten are in Cluster C1 (the highest tier), four in Cluster C2, and five in Cluster C3. The full list covers boys-only, girls-only, and mixed institutions.
Conclusion
The best extra county schools in Nairobi have a reputation for impressive KCSE performance. These top-tier institutions strive for academic excellence while nurturing well-rounded students who excel both in and beyond the classroom. Amid major curriculum reforms, the final KCSE sitting will be in 2027.
We also highlighted the best private high schools in Nairobi, including their locations, curricula, facilities, and approach to student development.
From Light Academy Nairobi to Strathmore and Makini, these schools offer diverse paths to academic and personal growth. Uncover which private high school might best suit your child.
Source: TUKO.co.ke