ISK Elementary School

At ISK, every elementary student is known, valued, and celebrated as a unique learner. Our Elementary School serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 (ages 3–10), creating an inclusive learning community dedicated to providing a nurturing, engaging, challenging, and learner-centered environment. A typical day in our Elementary School is filled with curiosity, creativity, play, and discovery. From building friendships during Morning Meeting to exploring big ideas through inquiry-based learning, students engage in meaningful experiences that nurture academic growth, social-emotional development, and a genuine love of learning.

Every child is encouraged to explore their passions, develop confidence, and discover their voice. Through our Educational Aims and caring teachers who truly know each student, we develop lifelong learners and global citizens equipped with effective communication, creative thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills. Supported by a strong sense of community, our young learners are empowered to thrive both in and beyond the classroom, building the foundation they need to make a positive difference in their world.

Principal's Welcome

“Our child-friendly program, with its small class size and personalized attention, provides each child with the tools necessary to attain their academic potential and to be happy and compassionate members of our learning community. ISK’s Elementary School is a center of inquiry, creativity and joyful learning, with all curricular and co-curricular programs designed to fulfill ISK’s Mission, Vision and Educational Aims.”

Ryan Hopkins-Wilcox, Elementary School Principal

By the Numbers

350+

Number of students

1:1

iPad program

40+

Co-Curricular Offerings

18-20

Class Sizes

Learning In The Elementary School

Learning to Be

At the International School of Kenya (ISK), the whole child's development is at the heart of how we learn. Learning in the Elementary School (ES) is designed around reinforcing ISK’s educational aims, personal, emotional, and social skills. Together, we learn about who we are and who we want to be by exploring our passions, unique creativities, and ambitions. We design our learning to nurture the curiosities, interests, and capabilities that each child brings to our community. We work with every learner to create an experience driven by their passions and motivations. We build on each student's strengths to empower resourceful, self-determined, confident, and resilient learners.

Learning to Do

In the ES, we design experiences to help children find their purpose by honoring their voices and unique, personal significance. We encourage all students to consider how they are contributing to their world and communities as they make a difference to those around them. We learn to be responsible and engaged members of our school community as well as citizens of the world. At ISK, we are learning to be globally minded people who actively learn, create, solve, and engage in our world. We inspire and nurture children to feel empowered to develop solutions for a better world.

Learning About

Children are natural learners, and our role is to help nurture these interests to develop lifelong learning skills. In the ES, we support all children as they learn how to learn. Our teachers design experiences that are personalized, experiential, and integrated; these learning opportunities foster inquiry and conceptual understanding. Our students continuously advance their skills in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, physical education, and languages through a learner-centered approach. Each day is designed to create experiences that allow children to learn how to learn. Together, we learn skills through the lens of our own unique interests. This provides a responsive approach to designing our curriculum and teaching pathways by building the skills needed to learn within our school and the world beyond.

Learning Together

At ISK, we learn together. Our students, teachers, and families collaborate on the learning journey, designing experiences, reflecting on learning, and celebrating successes. Communication and collaboration skills extend to peer partnerships as children teach and learn from one another. This powerful practice promotes teamwork and prepares the children to be true collaborators. Learning does not stop in childhood, and we value our adult learning community through continued professional development and family workshops. We are committed to sustaining productive partnerships with parents to help our students succeed. We have designed time and space for conferences, open days, parent teas, and workshops to further shared understandings of ISK's educational philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching.

Ready to Learn More?

Ready to Learn More?

This overview highlights key aspects of the Elementary School experience at ISK. Our program nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning through engaging, inquiry-driven experiences and a strong foundation in academic, social, and emotional growth. For additional details, please explore the Elementary School Program document below.

A Day in the Life of an Elementary School Student

At ISK, every elementary student is known, valued, and celebrated as a unique learner. A typical day in the Elementary School is filled with curiosity, creativity, play, and discovery. From building friendships during Morning Meeting to exploring big ideas through inquiry, students engage in meaningful learning experiences that nurture academic growth, social-emotional development, and a lifelong love of learning. Supported by caring teachers and a strong sense of community, every child is encouraged to explore their passions, develop confidence, and thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Your Day Starts

The school day begins at 8:20 a.m. with a gentle “soft start,” where students ease into the morning through play, conversation, creativity, and exploration before gathering for Morning Meeting. This time is designed to help students connect, build friendships, and set a positive tone for the day ahead. From the moment students arrive, classrooms are filled with curiosity, questions, collaboration, and hands-on learning experiences that inspire confidence and creativity.

Your Schedule

No two days feel exactly the same — and that’s part of the fun. Students move through a dynamic mix of workshops, projects, inquiry, and specialist classes that encourage them to think deeply, create boldly, and learn by doing.

A typical day may include:

Reading & Writing Workshop
Math Workshop
Science & Social Studies Inquiries
Art
Music
PE & Swimming
Technology & Makerspace Learning
Library Time
Spanish, French, or Kiswahili
Outdoor Learning & Play

Learning happens everywhere — from flexible classrooms to outdoor green spaces where students collaborate, create, and explore the world around them.

Click here to view the sample Elementary School Schedule.

Lunchtime

Lunch and recess are an important part of the day — a chance to recharge, laugh with friends, climb, run, imagine, and play.

Students enjoy time outdoors across the beautiful campus while building friendships, independence, teamwork, and social-emotional skills through play and community interactions.

Whether it’s soccer on the field, creating games with friends, or simply relaxing under the trees, lunchtime is filled with movement, connection, and fun.

Afterschool

When the school day ends, the adventures continue.

Students can take part in a wide variety of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) that help them discover new passions, develop talents, and try something new throughout the year.

Activities may include:

Athletics & Team Sports
Drama & Performing Arts
Creative Arts Clubs
STEM & Design Challenges
Music Opportunities
Leadership Opportunities
Special Interest Clubs

CCAs take place after school for students in Grades 1–5 from 3:45–4:45 p.m. (and Wednesday Athletics from 1:30–3:00 p.m.).

By the end of the day, students head home having learned, created, explored, played, collaborated — and most importantly — had fun.

Logo Image

Logo Title

In This Section

ISK Elementary School

Principal's Welcome

By the Numbers

350+

1:1

40+

18-20

Learning In The Elementary School

Learning to Be

Learning to Be

Learning to Do

Learning to Do

Learning About

Learning About

Learning Together

Learning Together

Ready to Learn More?

A Day in the Life of an Elementary School Student

Your Day Starts

Your Schedule

Lunchtime

Afterschool

Elementary School Voices

Discover

Engage

Connect