Middle School

I have been blessed to serve West Nairobi School as a teacher, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Middle School Principal. Early adolescence is such an important time in a young person’s life. My goal is to encourage a school culture in which all students belong and have the opportunity to find their God-given passions. I’m personally passionate about supporting teachers to implement research- proven instructional strategies to make students successful in the classroom and beyond. I’ve worked in education for 15+years. I received undergraduate degrees from Concordia University, Nebraska in Secondary Education and Theology. My Masters degree is in Educational Technology and Design from Concordia University, Wisconsin. It is my honor to partner with families and teachers to educate middle schoolers!

Elaine Kirui, M.Ed

Middle School Principal

elainekirui@westnairobischool.org

The West Nairobi School Middle School program is an important stepping stone for students to prepare for the challenges and rigor of a traditional college preparatory high school program. As students move into middle school we strive to blend a solid foundation of high academic expectations with a holistic approach that recognizes that this age group is at a critical juncture of development socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

This uniqueness requires a unique approach to their instructional program as this is neither an extension of Elementary school or a miniature version of high school but instead is uniquely structured for early adolescents including an enhanced focus on developing non-academic skills that will in turn make instructional time more effective.

As we think back to our own Middle School years, it is likely easy to remember feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and inferiority common to middle school students. Our program at WNS is meant to replace those feelings with a sense of interdependence, self-confidence as a unique creation of God, and a sense of community. We want every Middle School student at WNS to feel welcomed and appreciated for who God made them to be and to feel safe at school. When we accomplish these goals, learning in the classroom improves as students are less distracted and more relaxed and confident.

In responding to the special needs of Middle School students identified in the research and through practice, West Nairobi Middle School has created a comprehensive middle school program that includes a variety of structures and practices.

In the academic arena, student performance expectations will remain high in the core curriculum with a special emphasis on growing Mathematical and Language Arts skills, while also exposing students to opportunities in the arts, music, languages, STEM, IT, and more.

In the non-academic arena, WNS Middle School aims to create a stronger Middle School program identity where students feel that they are part of something special and are not just waiting for high school. This will be a community of mutual respect and joy where students are encouraged to care for and depend upon one another for success, work hard, and have fun. WNMS will be a place where students can be courageous and uncompromising in standing up for biblical truth while doing so in a loving and respectful way, growing in their own faith as they begin to form their adult understanding of the world around them.

The Middle School program includes opportunities for extracurricular activities in sports, community service, leadership, and more. The program is structured to emphasize educating the whole child. We are excited to have your child be a part of West Nairobi Middle School.