Tomorrow, thousands of Kenyan learners will wake up to the moment they have been preparing for all year; the release of the Kenya Junior School Evaluation Assessment (KJSEA) results. Excitement is high, nerves are higher and expectations are sky high. But beyond the grades and the frantic SMS queries that will clog the servers at dawn, one question burns in the minds of every parent, teacher and learner: Which senior school will my child qualify for?
This year’s admission journey introduces a clearer, more structured and competency aligned system. The grading bands are simple. The placement criteria are predictable. And the vision is unmistakable: guiding learners to schools where they can thrive under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
At the very top of the pyramid are the peak performers; learners scoring between 90 and 99 marks. These are the crème de la crème, the children who mastered concepts, demonstrated exceptional competencies and embodied the self-driven learning spirit that CBC champions. With an EE1 grade and 4.0 points, they secure places in the traditional national schools, the prestigious institutions that have, for decades, shaped Kenya’s academic giants.
Just below them are the strong, steady EE2 performers scoring between 75 and 89 marks. These are the rising stars who demonstrated mastery and discipline. With 3.5 points, they qualify for promoted national schools; institutions that have rapidly risen in performance, infrastructure and teaching quality. For ambitious learners, these schools offer strong academics and vibrant CBC pathways.
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The steady achievers fall within the ME1 band, scoring 58 to 74 marks. They are reliable performers with balanced abilities across learning areas. With 3.0 points, their destination is the top extra county schools, known for excellent academics and expanded CBC pathways such as STEM, Arts, and Sports Science. Many parents will be delighted to know that these schools are increasingly becoming centers of innovation under the CBC reforms.
Learners scoring between 41 and 57 marks fall under ME2, demonstrating consistency, resilience, and potential; qualities that CBC values deeply. With 2.5 points, they qualify for promoted extra county schools, institutions that have grown significantly in resources, staffing and learner support systems. Although not in the top tier, these schools offer solid grounding and multiple opportunities for growth.
The AE1 band, covering learners scoring between 31 and 40 marks, represents a group that needs nurturing and balanced academic pressure. With 2.0 points, they are placed in county schools; institutions that provide stable learning environments and allow learners to grow steadily through practical, hands on CBC activities.
Those in the AE2 category, scoring between 21 and 30 marks and earning 1.5 points, also join county schools. These are learners who benefit tremendously from closer mentorship and structure. Under the CBC framework, the learners in this band have room to flourish as long as their unique learning styles are supported.
Scoring between 11 and 20 marks puts learners in the BE1 category; the gritty, resilient group whose strengths often shine outside traditional academics. Their grade of 1.0 point places them in boarding sub-county schools where they are provided with close guidance, manageable class sizes and environments that nurture hidden talents, creativity and practical abilities.
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Below that is the BE2 group, learners scoring between 01 and 10 marks. With 0.5 points, they join day sub county schools affordable, accessible institutions that allow increased parental involvement and personalized teacher attention. Contrary to outdated perceptions, day schools have become crucial players in CBC implementation, providing individualized support and flexible learning experiences.
For families opting out of government placement, private schools remain an alternative route. These institutions use internal criteria for admissions and often offer specialized CBC pathways, varied academic calendars and unique learning models.
But as we await tomorrow’s release, it is important to remember a deeper truth: what matters most is not the score, the band, or the school. What matters is the pathway your child is beginning. CBC was never designed to be a one-size-fits-all race. It is a journey; a journey of discovering strengths, unlocking creativity and building competencies that go beyond exam papers.
A child scoring 12 marks today might become Kenya’s top digital animator tomorrow. A learner joining a county school may one day lead groundbreaking scientific research. Another placed in a sub-county school might become a celebrated musician, coach, innovator or entrepreneur. Senior School placement is not a verdict; it is simply a compass pointing toward the next horizon.
So tomorrow, whether your home erupts with cheers, sighs of relief or a quiet moment of reflection, hold this truth dear: every child has a place. Every child has a pathway. Every child has a destiny awaiting them in Senior School.
Let us step into this new era of CBC with confidence, clarity, and the courage to believe; truly believe; in the limitless potential of our children.
By Angel Raphael
Angel Raphael, a seasoned English educator, trainer and author passionate about guiding Kenyan learners and parents through the evolving CBC landscape with clarity, creativity and authority.
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