Rift Valley Academy (RVA) is a Christian boarding school located in Kijabe, Kenya run by the African Inland Mission. It was founded in 1906 by Charles Hurlburt
It was ranked 2nd out of the top 100 best high schools in Africa by Africa Almanac in 2003, based upon quality of education, student engagement, strength and activities of alumni, school profile, internet and news visibility
As Charles Hurlburt faced the common dilemma of either relinquishing his children to education in England, or abandoning his missionary calling, he devised a surprising solution: he’d keep both. He asked new missionary Josephine Hope to teach his children right here in Kenya. They soon drew up plans for dormitory and classroom space, and in 1909, President Teddy Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the main building, Kiambogo.
Early decades were marked by difficulty recruiting staff, further complicated by World War I and later II. Herb and Mildred Downing took up the mantle of leadership during this lean period. They pleaded for teachers and funding, recognizing that the school was vital to parents’ ability to stay on the field. RVA expanded its facilities and extended education through the twelfth grade, hosting its first graduating class in 1950.
Academics
- Elementary
- Junior High
- High School
Rift Valley Academy fees
Apart from the ambience and the values, the school instils to learners, RVA also offers affordable school fee payable by non-missionary scholars. For detailed information on the amount payable at the school, parents and other interested parties are encouraged to write to the school administration through the email admissions@rva.org.
Kindly note that the fees are subject to change. Contact the school using the avenues below for fee policies and payments.
Kindergarten – Ksh 195,900
Grades 1 – 6 – Ksh 216,350
Grades 7 – 10 – Ksh 223,490
Grades 11 – 12 – Ksh 227,750
Admission
The following is the admission process:
- Fill the Request More Information form. You will receive feedback from the admissions office on the necessary information required for admission.
- Attach the supporting documentation and the filled-out form.
- Pay a non-refundable processing fee.
- Your child will be placed in a waiting list after a thorough review by the admission office.
- If your child is accepted, you will be required to send an enrollment deposit together with the enrolment form. These items must be received within the first 30 days of acceptance; otherwise, the chance will be granted to the next best student.
- After receiving and reviewing the documents together with the enrollment deposit, you will be notified on the admission date.
Frequently Asked Questions about Admissions
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How early can I apply for my child to enter RVA?
RVA accepts applications up to three years prior to the desired year of entry. Our school year begins in August.
What type of educational system is offered at RVA?
RVA primarily follows a North American curriculum. We are unable to accept a new student after grade 9 who is not already in a similar educational system. For Kenyan national applicants, please be aware that RVA’s educational system is not compatible with education requirements for entry into Kenyan Universities. Therefore, receiving a diploma from RVA may significantly limit educational options for future schooling in Kenya after the completion of high school. We also ask that you consider the potential cost involved to access educational options outside of Kenya and not assume that your child will receive financial aid packages adequate to meet their needs as international students in another country.
What is the best way to submit my application?
Application information can be scanned and emailed as pdf attachments directly to admissions@rva.org. Please contact the Admissions Office for payment options.
How does the waiting list work?
When we receive a completed application, including recent school reports, standardized test scores, and the application fee, your child is added to our waiting list for the desired year of entry. Applications for admission by Africa Inland Mission children are given priority. These applications move directly to the top of the waiting list and are given the next available space (provided they have submitted a complete application by the April 1st deadline). Next, the children of missionaries from other mission organizations are placed on the waiting list according to their date of application. If we are able to accept all missionary child applicants, Kenyan national children are then considered for admission. If space still remains, non-mission children (expatriates) are considered for admission.
My child is on the waiting list. Now what do I need to do?
It is imperative that you advise the Admissions Office of any changes in your personal contact information or mission information. At the end of each school year, send a copy of your child’s final school report and any standardized test results. This will keep your child’s application active.
When will I hear about my child’s place on the waiting list?
In November prior to the desired year of entry, parents will be contacted to confirm their intention of sending their child to RVA. Once confirmation is received, you will be informed of your child’s place on the waiting list for the following year, and any other information needed to update your child’s application file.
When will I hear that my child has been accepted?
AIM families will receive acceptance notification in March of the desired year of entry. Other mission families will receive an offer of acceptance after April 1st of the desired year of entry, as space becomes available. Kenyan national and non-mission children (expatriates) may be invited for an interview and pre-admission screening in mid-June. Notification of acceptance will follow in July.
What is a “provisional acceptance”?
Acceptances are provisional until the enrollment forms are received and the enrollment deposit is paid in full. This deposit is credited toward school fees upon entrance. Parents will receive a notice of “final acceptance” to confirm that the student has met the standards of admission.
What happens if my child is accepted to RVA, but we decide to wait a little longer for him/her to attend?
If you decide to wait for another year before your child enters RVA, we will place your child on the next year’s waiting list according to the date of your initial application. Because each year’s waiting list is compiled according to application dates, acceptance for a certain year does NOT guarantee acceptance for the following year. Applicants may only defer one time before needing to re-apply.
We appreciate your interest in attending Rift Valley Academy. For detailed information and forms for applying to RVA, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@rva.org.
Contact Information:
Postal Address:
Rift Valley Academy
PO Box 80
Kijabe 00220, Kenya
Telephone:
+254-713000700
Email Addresses:
rva@rva.org – We will forward your mail to any office or individual at RVA
admissions@rva.org – Admissions Office
business@rva.org – Business Office
