On September 4, 1989, East Africa welcomed its first Waldorf Kindergarten in Rongai, a ground-breaking step in alternative education. This visionary institution was founded by Nani Croze, whose dream was to establish the first Steiner School in Africa north of South Africa. With unwavering support from German Waldorf schools and guidance from Dr. Hans-Georg Krause, a leading figure in Anthroposophical-Waldorf philosophy, this initiative laid the foundation for Waldorf education in the region.
As the Rongai campus flourished, a growing number of parents sought a more accessible location closer to Nairobi’s city center. In response, the Nairobi Waldorf School Trust (NWST) opened a Kindergarten in Kileleshwa in 1992. Under the leadership of Miriam Berneker, an experienced teacher from Germany, this expansion brought Waldorf education within reach of urban families.
As children graduated from Kindergarten, a primary school was needed. The Miotoni Campus began modestly in 2001, with approximately ten students learning in a donated room in Karen.The campus gradually grew to host both Kindergarten and primary classes, laying a strong foundation for continued development.
Demand for upper primary and secondary education prompted the establishment of the Nandi Road Campus. Meanwhile, the Miotoni Road campus continued to serve Kindergarten through Class 5. The steady growth of both campuses underscored the need for consolidation to streamline resources and enhance learning experiences. In 2016, the Kileleshwa Kindergarten was relocated to Lavington, evolving into a Kindergarten and full primary campus. Today, Lavington provides education from Kindergarten to Class 5 and serves 160+ students
In 2023, the Miotoni and Nandi Road campuses merged into a unified NWST Nandi Road Campus, which now offers education from Kindergarten through high school, serving approximately 340 students. The school’s high school program includes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP), with the first cohort graduating successfully in 2024.
Nairobi Waldorf School Trust operates across two vibrant campuses: NWST Lavington Campus:Kindergarten to Class 5 and the NWST Nandi Road Campus: Kindergarten to high school. The school remains dedicated to nurturing students’ creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong love of learning. Its success is built on the dedication of teachers, the strength of present and former Board members, the generosity and mentorship of supporters, and the unwavering faith of parents.