Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
One of the biggest decisions for Grade 10 is whether your child should attend a day school or a boarding school. Both can work well. This guide looks at the real differences for Kenyan families, using the Ministry’s senior schools list and the 2026 fee guidelines, so you can choose with your eyes open.
On this page
How many of each
The Ministry of Education’s June 2025 senior schools list, which powers our Senior School Finder, includes 9,569 schools. Of these, 7,235 are listed as day schools, 2,324 as boarding schools and 10 as day and boarding. Most C4 schools are day schools close to communities, while most national (C1) schools board.
Cost
For public schools, government capitation covers tuition. Under Gazette Notice 1449 of 2026, the government pays KSh 22,244 per learner, and parents in public boarding schools pay at most KSh 53,554 or KSh 40,535 a year depending on the ceiling the school was approved for, split 50:30:20 across the terms. Day schools do not charge boarding fees, though parents may pay for lunch and transport. Read senior school fees 2026.
Boarding also brings one-off costs: mattress where required, bedding, a box, uniforms and personal items. Build your list with the reporting-list builder.
Learning time and routine
Boarding schools give a structured day with supervised preps in the evening and early morning. Learners who lose time commuting or have little quiet space at home often benefit. Day schools let learners keep family support, and parents can follow homework and wellbeing closely.
Wellbeing
A 15-year-old’s readiness to live away from home varies. Think about how your child copes with change, shares space and asks for help. Ask schools about pastoral care, counselling, health services and how often parents can visit. Remember that the Ministry bans most visits and activities in secondary schools in Term 3, so visiting is concentrated in Terms 1 and 2.
Distance and safety
For day schools, a long or unsafe commute can undo the cost saving. Check the route, travel time and transport options. Our transport and boarding directory lists checked providers once they are approved.
Pathways
Not every school offers every pathway or subject combination. A nearby day school may not run the STEM combination your child wants, while a boarding school further away might. Pathway fit should come first; see CBC pathways.
Questions to ask
- Which pathways and subject combinations do you offer?
- What is the total annual cost, including items outside the fee ceiling?
- How are learners supported if they are homesick or struggling?
- For day schools: what time do lessons start and end, and is there supervised study?
Using the predictor
The placement predictor lets you filter by day or boarding to see how many schools of each type are realistic in your county. You can also compare two schools directly.
Sources
- Ministry of Education, senior schools list (June 2025)
- Gazette Notice 1449 of 2026 (fee guidelines)
- Ministry of Education 2026 school calendar circular (Term 3 visits)
CBC Guides is independent, not the Ministry of Education.