Upper Hill School is an extra-county public boys’ secondary school located in the heart of Nairobi County. The history of the learning institution is closely tied to that of State House Girls’ High School (SGHS) and the colonial reorganization of educational institutions in Kenya.
The land on which SGHS now sits once hosted a European hospital, with the current administration block serving as the original hospital building. In January 1954, the hospital was relocated to establish what is now Nairobi Hospital, creating space for a new school initially named the New Girls’ Secondary School. For a time, the school and a remaining European dispensary operated side by side.
In 1955, the school was split. A portion of the student body, along with the headmistress and some resources, moved to Eldoret to establish Highland School, now known as Moi Girls’ School, Eldoret. Meanwhile, a new mixed-gender student population was formed at the Nairobi site. In 1956, the school was renamed Delamere High School in honour of Lord Delamere, one of the most prominent British settlers in colonial Kenya.
Initially, Delamere High School served both European boys and girls who were not admitted to elite colonial institutions, such as the Duke of York School (now Lenana School) and the Prince of Wales School (now Nairobi School). However, this co-educational arrangement lasted only a few years.
Upper Hill School history
The boys were relocated to a separate institution in 1958, named Delamere Boys’ School, marking the beginning of what would eventually become Upper Hill School. The girls remained at the former location, which evolved into Lady Delamere Girls’ School, now known as State House Girls’ High School.
In 1959, Delamere Boys’ School was firmly established as a boys-only school. A decade later, in 1969, the institution was renamed Simba Secondary School as part of a broader effort to Africanize school names following independence. Eventually, it was renamed once again to reflect its geographic location — Upper Hill School — named after the area and road on which it is situated.
Originally a day school, Upper Hill began transitioning into a boarding institution in 1997. The transition was completed in 2004, and it is now a fully boarding school, accommodating over 1,000 students. Delamere Hostels were used to house a small number of bright and needy students in the early years but with the school’s growth, more dormitories were built to accommodate increasing demand.
Also Read: State House Girls High School Fees, KCSE Performance and Contacts
Performance, sports and alumni
Upper Hill School has consistently maintained a good performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. In the 2024 KCSE, two of the school’s candidates achieved a straight grade A. On the other hand, 5 of them scored A minus (A-) grade, while over 15 students attained a B+.
Beyond academics, Upper Hill School is also a powerhouse in sports and the arts. Affectionately known as “Upper”, the school has clinched multiple titles in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national competitions, excelling in rugby, football, and basketball. It has also represented Kenya at the East Africa School Games, cementing its reputation for a winning tradition both on and off the field.
In the 2024 KCSE, one of the school’s top performers was Isaac Maundu, the rugby team captain for the class of 2024. He had previously led the team to the national 7s tournament in 2023.
Among the school’s notable rugby alumni are Shem Agungo and Max Omondi, who have both represented Kenya in the Under-20 national team. Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is also a celebrated alumnus. He captained Upper Hill’s football team in 2012 and achieved an impressive A-grade in his KCSE exams.
Also Read: Lenana School Fees, KCSE Performance and Contacts
In the arts, the school proudly counts among its alumni members of the internationally acclaimed music group Sauti Sol — Bien-Aimé Baraza, Savara Mudigi, and Willis Chimano — who met while attending Upper Hill School.
School fees
The government has previously issued a directive to all institutions regarding the total fees parents should pay per year.
The total annual fees per student at Upper Hill School are approximately Ksh40,535, which serves as the fee cap set by the Ministry of Education for extra-county schools in Kenya.
However, the total fees may vary from school to school due to additional expenses introduced by respective institutions, such as uniforms, motivation fees, and extra activities.
Contacts
The learning institution is located along Upper Hill Road, adjacent to the British High Commission Offices and near Don Bosco Church. It occupies a 13.6-acre parcel of land.
If you have any complaints, queries, or comments, you can contact the institution’s administration through the details below.
Telephone number: 020 3002720
Postal address: PO BOX 30424-00100 Nairobi
Upper Hill School KNEC code: 20405002
