Secondary School
Welcome to the Secondary School
The Secondary School at the German School Nairobi is a place of academic excellence, personal growth and strong community. As a small, mostly single stream school, we guide our students individually towards an officially recognised German school leaving qualification.
We combine high academic standards with a supportive community and an international outlook. Our goal is to empower young people to become independent, responsible and globally minded individuals.
Jörg Isenbeck,
Head of Secondary School
Jörg Isenbeck
Head of Secondary SchoolChristian Vorein
Pedagogical quality management CoordinatorJonas Edler
Middle School CoordinatorKerstin Dambeck
A-Level CoordinatorAbout Our Secondary School
The German School Nairobi is a true community school. Students can obtain the Hauptschule certificate, the Realschule certificate or the German International Abitur. Due to our manageable school size, different academic levels and educational pathways can be addressed individually within each class.
Our curriculum follows the standards of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) in Germany and is officially approved. Abitur requirements are based on the KMK core curriculum, and examinations are centrally reviewed.
English, as the language of our host country Kenya, plays an important role:
- Geography is taught in English
- History is taught bilingually in German and English
- French is introduced as a second foreign language in Grade 6
More information about the German school system under School Degrees
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum follows the standards of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) and combines academic excellence with intercultural learning.
- strong language skills in German and English
- analytical thinking
- scientific inquiry
- social responsibility
- cultural openness
A detailed curriculum overview is currently being finalised
School Day at a Glance
The school day at the German School Nairobi begins at 7:45 am when the yellow buses arrive and students collect their materials from their lockers. Lessons start at 7:45 am.
From Grade 6, we follow the subject-room principle, meaning students move between classrooms and take their learning materials with them. This supports independence and adds movement to the day.
To create a healthy rhythm, there’s a 20-minute breakfast break and a lunch break from 1:05 to 2:00 pm. During this time, students can enjoy a warm meal in the cafeteria, play sports, listen to music, read in the library, or visit the nearby Village Market (from Grade 7).
Lessons finish at 3:30 pm (Fridays at 3:00 pm) followed by clubs and activities. School buses depart at 3:45 pm and 5:00 pm.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Content |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. - 1:05 p.m. | 6 lessons |
| 1:05 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch break |
| 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | 2 afternoon lessons, homework supervision or co-curriculars |
Curriculum table
| Class | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Chemistry | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||
| German (or: German as a Foreign Language) | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| English (or: EaF/EaM) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Geography | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ethics/Religion | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| French | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Our History | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Class Hour | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Art | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Mathematics | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Music | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Physics | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Social studies | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Sports | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Work studies/IT | - | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - |
School Degrees
At the German School Nairobi students can obtain:
- Hauptschule certificate
- Realschule certificate
- German International Abitur
All qualifications are officially recognised and provide access to further education in Germany and internationally.
Classrooms & Surroundings
Unsere Zusatzangebote: Lernen über den Unterricht hinaus
At the German School Nairobi, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Our wide range of extracurricular activities is an essential part of our holistic approach to education, giving students the chance to discover new interests, develop skills, and grow in confidence.
In Secondary School, our students develop their passions and skills across a broad extracurricular programme. Sports, arts, technology, and culture combine to create a dynamic balance to academic life.
Whether on the football pitch, basketball court, or athletics track, in the Art Club, Drama Club, or Garage Band, students can challenge themselves and express who they are. Clubs such as Debate, M.U.N., Scouts, and STEM & Robotics promote leadership, global awareness, and creative thinking.
These activities strengthen confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging, preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
These activities boost self-confidence, team spirit, and a strong sense of community, preparing our students for life beyond school.
