How Teacher Transformed Muddy House to International School Charging Ksh2M Fee

A collage image of a Woodland Star International signpost (left) and an aerial view of the institution (right).
A collage image of a Woodland Star International signpost (left) and an aerial view of the institution (right).
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Having been in the teaching profession for years, Amy McKelvey, an American who relocated to Kenya, identified a gap in the education sector, especially for residents of Limuru, Kiambu County. 

Together with other like-minded community members, McKelvey started plans to construct the Woodland Star International school from a mudhouse to offer education to the locals who opted out of school because of poor learning facilities.

Motivated by her own children's daily journey to Nairobi to study, McKelvey was determined to build a school that would provide good infrastructure to the students.

An image of Amy McKelvey, the founder of Woodland Star international school.
An image of Amy McKelvey, the founder of Woodland Star international school.
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In the school history published on their website, it was documented that the first building was adjacent to the  Brackenhurst campus which was a recreational center for colonialists. 

"Though she lived in such a beautiful green place, every week she and her children drove down to Nairobi to stay in a dusty apartment next to a giant school. Amy was a teacher, and her children needed a place where they could learn.

“The combined efforts of the visionary team were like rain seeping down to awaken a long-buried seed. In August 2011, with seventeen students, the school came to life" read the statement by the school 

Over the years the school has grown its student numbers and charges annual fees that start from Ksh1.5 million to Ksh2.2 million per year for two terms. The fee cuts across students from their primary section and their high school section.

The school has also become popular among Nairobi residents with the institution offering transport services for students from Nairobi’s upper market, Runda. Apart from local students, the school also hosts students from other countries.

Additionally, they offer a unique curriculum that is tailormade to nurture the talents of students. Apart from the academic work, the students in the school are taught co-curriculum activities such as skating and music.

Due to its serene location, it provides an ideal environment for students to undertake academic projects without any distractions. 

“Our curriculum is the bridge between our vision and reality. Through child-centered teaching, we place emphasis on the unique gifts and challenges that each child has, highlighting the importance of growth mindsets as opposed to fixed mindsets.

"As is our emphasis on environmental awareness. We have two outdoor nature classrooms” and a small shamba" read the statement in part.

A collage image of a classroom at Woodland Star International (left) and a children's playing ground at the institution (right).
A collage image of a classroom at Woodland Star International (left) and a children's playing ground at the institution (right).
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