Navigating the CBC Senior School Maze
A visual guide to understanding the transition to Senior School for the CBC pioneer class of January 2026. Demystifying the choices, pathways, and selection process.
The Foundation of Your Score
A student’s final score for Senior School placement is a blend of performance over time. The final assessment in Grade 9 carries the most weight, but consistent effort in Grades 7 and 8 is crucial, contributing a significant 40%.
Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA)
Taken at the end of Grade 9, this exam is the single largest component of the final placement score.
60%
School-Based Assessments (SBAs)
These assessments, including projects and tests from Grades 7 & 8, account for the rest of the score.
40%
Charting Your Course: Pathways & Tracks
The journey begins by choosing three elective subjects. This choice determines a learner’s primary educational direction through one of three distinct pathways, which are further divided into specialized tracks. With 534 unique subject combinations, the STEM pathway offers the most options.
Subject Combinations by Pathway
The STEM pathway contains nearly half (47%) of all available subject combinations, highlighting its breadth of options.
Track-Level Breakdown
Within pathways, tracks like ‘Humanities & Business Studies’ and ‘Technical Studies’ offer the highest number of specific subject combinations.
Where to Learn: The Senior School Landscape
Public Senior Schools are grouped into four categories based on the pathways they offer and their accommodation type. The vast majority of schools are day schools, which is a critical factor for learners to consider during selection.
Public Schools by Category
Category C4 schools, which are primarily day schools, make up over three-quarters of all public Senior Schools.
| Category | Pathways Offered | Accommodation | # of Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | All three | Boarding (Day option) | 255 |
| C2 | All three | Boarding (Day option) | 711 |
| C3 | At least two | Day and/or Boarding | 1,379 |
| C4 | At least two | Day | 7,261 |
| Total Public Senior Schools | 9,606 | ||
The Selection Gauntlet
The selection process involves a careful balancing act of choosing subject combinations and a corresponding list of schools. Learners must make choices that satisfy specific criteria regarding school location, accommodation, and pathway offerings.
Step 1: Choose Your Direction
Select 3 preferred subject combinations, defining your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice Pathways.
Step 2: Pick Your Schools
For each combination, select 4 schools, one from each category (C1, C2, C3, C4).
Step 3: Meet the Criteria
A total of 9 (3 in-county, 6 out-of-county).
A total of 3 (must be in your home sub-county).
7 schools for 1st choice, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd.
Final Step: Centralized Placement
The Ministry of Education’s portal processes selections, similar to the university placement system.
Preparing for Placement
Performance in specific Junior School learning areas is the primary factor for placement into Senior School pathways. Each pathway has a “cluster” of required subjects where a learner must demonstrate ability to be considered.
Arts & Sports Science
Arts Track: Creative Arts, Languages, Social Studies, Pre-technical.
Sports Science Track: Creative Arts, Integrated Science, Languages, Maths.
Social Sciences
Languages Track: English, Kiswahili/KSL, Social & Religious Studies.
Humanities/Business Track: Social & Religious Studies, Pre-Technical, Languages.
STEM
Pure Science Track: Integrated Science, Maths, Languages, Pre-Technical.
Applied Sciences Track: Agriculture, Integrated Science, Maths, Pre-Technical.
Technical Studies Track: Pre-Technical, Integrated Science, Maths, Creative Arts.
Likely Scenarios & The Big Picture
The system is designed for broad placement, meaning many students may not get their first choice of school or subject combination. Flexibility is key. It’s important to remember that Senior School is about building a strong, broad foundation for a constantly evolving job market.
A Key Opportunity
The Technical Studies track in the STEM pathway offers a unique advantage.
It can lead to immediately employable skills and dual certification with TVET institutions.
