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Every December, when Form One placement results are released, Kenya’s national conversation shifts, briefly but passionately, to a subject close to many hearts: secondary school admissions. It’s a moment that lays bare the dreams, ambitions, and anxieties of families across the country. And it also reveals which schools have captured the imagination of the nation’s learners.
In 2024, Kabianga High School in Kericho emerged as the most desired school, attracting 186,357 applications for just 672 slots. It’s a remarkable feat for a school that was once rarely mentioned in the same breath as Kenya’s traditional academic giants. Kabianga’s popularity reflects a changing tide, more Kenyans are now valuing schools based on current performance, discipline, leadership, and infrastructure, rather than historic prestige alone.
Nanyuki High School came second, with 158,741 hopeful candidates vying for a place. Located at the foot of Mt. Kenya, Nanyuki’s rise has been nothing short of dramatic. Once a quiet, regional school, it has in recent years grown into a national favourite. Strong KCSE performance, discipline, and a reputation for balanced student life have made it a top pick. It also helps that it’s easily accessible from many parts of the country and sits in one of the most picturesque regions of Kenya.
Pangani Girls High School followed closely, attracting 144,542 applications. Based in Nairobi, Pangani is known for churning out some of the country’s best-performing female candidates. The school’s commitment to nurturing confident, academically-driven young women has cemented its place in the top-tier of national girls’ schools.
Then comes Kapsabet Boys High School, whose academic traditions date back to the colonial era. The school has been a springboard for some of Kenya’s most prominent leaders, including President William Ruto. Known for its strict discipline and consistent academic performance, Kapsabet remains a symbol of academic ambition in the Rift Valley and beyond.
Alliance Girls High School, in fifth place, has maintained its position as one of the country’s premier girls’ schools. Known not only for stellar academics but also for developing leadership and character, the school is often compared to its male counterpart, Alliance High School, a school that still commands enormous respect nationally and rounds off the top ten list with over 110,000 applications.
Yet in the conversation about Kenya’s most admired schools, Mang’u High School always stands out for something extra: aviation. Located in Thika, Mang’u is not only known for its academic excellence but also for running one of the only high school-based aviation programs in the country. Students at Mang’u have the rare opportunity to study aviation science and even interact with flight equipment. For decades, this has attracted ambitious learners with dreams of becoming pilots, engineers, and innovators in aerospace. It’s no coincidence that the school has produced some of Kenya’s top minds in science, engineering, and leadership. Among its most famous alumni is the late President Mwai Kibaki, who not only led the country but was also one of the sharpest economists Kenya ever produced.
Mang’u’s aviation program has helped the school maintain its elite status even in an era when many institutions are scrambling to reinvent themselves. In a country where aviation training is expensive and often out of reach for most families, Mang’u has offered a head start for students with both the aptitude and ambition to fly; literally and figuratively.
Elsewhere in the top ten, Maseno School continues to draw students for its cultural depth and academic performance. Nakuru High, once a provincial school, has rebuilt its reputation on a strong STEM foundation. Butere Girls continues to inspire generations of girls in western Kenya, while Alliance High School remains a national symbol of excellence, producing countless leaders in law, politics, and business and many senior government officials.
Why do students prefer certain schools? For some, it’s the legacy and alumni network—a chance to walk the same halls as presidents, CEOs, and judges. For others, it’s discipline, security, or even location. Parents often look for consistency in KCSE performance, student safety, and leadership development. Sometimes, the choice is aspirational: students want the prestige that comes with a school uniform that everyone recognizes, a school song sung with pride across generations.
Yet there’s also a quiet revolution happening. The overwhelming number of applications to schools like Kabianga and Nanyuki shows that academic excellence is no longer the sole preserve of century-old institutions. New stars are rising, and they’re doing so by focusing on what matters—discipline, performance, mentorship, and vision.
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