CBC & Academics
From Pre-Primary to Senior School.
Kenya's education system has changed. Here's exactly how the CBC journey looks at Booker — stage by stage, pathway by pathway, in plain language for parents.
In plain terms
CBC vs the old 8-4-4 system.
The old 8-4-4 system asked every learner to follow the same path and be measured the same way. CBC is built differently — it gives learners a broad foundation early on, then lets them specialise in what they're actually good at and interested in, assessed on real competencies rather than memorisation alone. Booker has taught both systems, and we're equipped for learners at every stage of this transition.
The stages
A single, continuous journey.
Pre-Primary
Early learning foundations — language, numeracy basics, social development, play-based discovery.
Lower Primary
Core literacy and numeracy, with structured exploration of the learner's interests and strengths.
Upper Primary
Broader subject exposure, building toward the transition into Junior School.
Junior School
A wide curriculum designed to expose learners to many subject areas, assessed continuously, to inform the pathway they'll choose next.
Senior School
Specialised, pathway-based learning — fewer subjects, studied in greater depth, aligned to each learner's strengths and ambitions.
Senior School
Three pathways. One goal: the right fit for every learner.
At the end of Grade 9, every learner sits the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment. Together with continuous assessments, this guides which pathway best fits their strengths. At Booker, we walk every family through this process.
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
For learners drawn to how things work — and how to build what doesn't exist yet.
- Core subjects
- Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, with technical options available.
- Where it leads
- Engineering, medicine, architecture, data science, environmental science, and more.
Social Sciences
People, power, and how societies work
For learners who want to understand people, power, and how societies work.
- Core subjects
- History, Geography, Literature, Kiswahili, foreign languages, Religious Education.
- Where it leads
- Law, journalism, diplomacy, education, public administration, and more.
Arts & Sports Science
Creativity and physical performance
For learners whose talent and ambition live in creativity and physical performance.
- Core subjects
- Creative and performing arts or sports science tracks, alongside compulsory core subjects.
- Where it leads
- Design, media and creative industries, sports and coaching careers, performance, and more.
Pathway offering pending confirmation by the school administration.
New to CBC? You're not alone.
Choosing a Senior School pathway is one of the biggest decisions a family makes — and the system is new to almost everyone. Our team sits down with every Grade 9 family to walk through pathway options, subject combinations and the placement process step by step.