Arnesen’s High School is a public boys’ boarding secondary school located in Uasin Gishu County.
The institution was formerly classified as an Extra-County school. It now falls under the C2 category within the Ministry of Education’s revised institutional classification since 2026.
It has served learners drawn from Burnt Forest, Ainabkoi Sub-County, and surrounding regions for decades and remains one of the area’s historically significant boys’ schools.
Arnesen’s High School traces its origins to the legacy of Ole Christian Greiner Arnesen, a Norwegian settler who played a key role in the development of Burnt Forest in the early 20th century.
Arnesen arrived in Kenya in 1905 and later settled in Burnt Forest, where he became a prominent farmer, sawmiller, and community leader.
In addition to his agricultural ventures, Arnesen was among the earliest settlers in Uasin Gishu to champion formal education for the children of his employees.
Arnesen’s High School historical background
The Norwegian established Arnesen’s Primary School, which was later taken over by the government in 1972. He also donated part of his land to AIC missionaries, paving the way for the establishment of Arnesen’s High School.
The school became a strong academic and co-curricular tradition center. It rose to rival other top schools, including Kapngetuny High School, which defined sporting and academic competition in the region in the 1990s.
Also Read: Kapngetuny High School Fees, KCSE Performance and Contacts
The ‘A’ Level stream at Arnesen’s High School was phased out in 1989 following the nationwide transition to Kenya’s 8-4-4 education system. Thereafter, student admissions were determined by performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations.
In line with ongoing education reforms, the school has since transitioned into the senior school structure under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
From January 2026, Arnesen’s High School began admitting Grade 10 learners, offering specialised pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports.
Admissions into the senior school from January 2026 are determined by learner performance in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA).
Performance
Arnesen’s High School recorded an improved performance in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, according to provisional results released by the school.
A total of 301 candidates sat for the 2024 KCSE. The results showed one candidate attaining an A-, one B+, 11 B (plain), 10 B-, 25 C+, 51 C (plain), 85 C-, 66 D+, 41 D (plain), and 10 D- grades. No candidate scored an A (plain) or an E grade.
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The school posted a mean score of 5.0300 in 2024. This represented an improvement from the 2023 mean score of 4.401, reflecting a positive deviation of +0.6281.
School fees
Under Ministry of Education guidelines effective January 2026, fees for public senior secondary schools were standardised based on institutional classification.
As a C2 category public senior school, Arnesen’s High School has an official annual tuition fee of Ksh45,054. However, the total cost for boarding students may be higher once additional approved charges are included.
These may cover uniforms, personal effects, and development-related contributions, depending on school requirements. Parents and guardians are advised to consult the school’s official fee structure for a detailed breakdown.
Location and contacts
Arnesen’s High School is located in Burnt Forest, Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
For admissions inquiries, academic information, or official communication, parents and members of the public are encouraged to contact the school through its administrative offices.
Mobile phone number: 0725 205 003
Postal address: P.O BOX 15-30102, Burnt Forest
Email address: [email protected]
Arnesen’s High School KNEC code: 26534101
Other contact details are updated periodically and are available directly from the school’s administration.
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