Alliance High School (Kenya)

File:Alliance high school.jpg

Classroom and administration block

Alliance High School was founded in March 1, 1926 by the Alliance of Protestant Churches - The Church of Scotland Mission (later known as the Presbyterian Church of East Africa or PCEA), Church of the Province of Kenya (CPK), African Inland Church (AIC), and the Methodist Church. It was the first school in Kenya to offer secondary school education to Africans.

The school is situated in Kikuyu, about 23 kilometres (12.4 miles) from Nairobi's central business district. The school is minutes away from the Alliance Girls' High School which has been its traditional sister school.

Alliance High School is highly reputed for the quality of its education and its consistent levels of academic excellence. It was ranked first in the country in 2005 based on the results of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education [1]. In 2006 its rank dropped slightly to third [2].

The school, whose motto is "Strong to Serve", admits talented students from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds who work towards excellence in all aspects of the school's activities. Alliance has produced leaders in many areas of human endeavor who still bear a strong attachment to their alma mater.

The current Principal is Mr. Francis K. Ndirangu

Curriculum

Alliance High School offers a rigorous college preparatory program following the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum. The curriculum offered at the school consists of the 21 subjects listed below:

Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Geography, History, Christian Religious Education (C.R.E.), Kiswahili, Social Education & Ethics, Biology, Computer Studies, Agriculture, Physics, Power Mechanics, Drawing and Design, Electricity, French, Music, German, Accounting, Commerce

The curriculum gives students a wide range of options in selecting subjects that will shape their careers. Alliance seeks to enable its students to take advantage of the most demanding university programs. Students graduating from Alliance have consistently performed well and have been recognized by leading colleges and universities throughout the world.

Extracurricular activities

In the pursuit of building men strong not only in mind, but also in body and character, the Alliance curriculum is extended by diverse activities that enhance the interests and talents of students, encourage service and foster leadership skills. The variety of extracurricular activities offered include: drama, choir, publications such as the School Magazine; school leadership through the prefects’ body; community service through the Social Welfare Society, Sunday School teaching and visits to hospitals and Senior Citizens’ homes, Scouting, United Nations Forum, Debate Club, Wildlife Club, Environmental Club, Business Club, Young Farmers’ Club, Writers’ Club, Scientific Club, Computer/Aviation Club, Presidential Awards Scheme and St. John’s Ambulance. There are also opportunities for international education experiences through Exchange Programs with Brooks School in the USA, Sir John Leeman High School in England, Experiment in International Living in France. The drama and choir productions consistently win regional as well as national honors. In 2004, the School Choir was first in six events at the National Music Festival. It was among very few choirs that performed at the Finalists’ concert and later at State House Nairobi. The Scientific Club has often won prizes at national Science Congress Competitions. The Choir won themselves sponsorship of a 28-day tour of the USA in April 2002. The sponsors of the trip were Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church of the USA.

Sports

The athletic program provides balance to the intense academic life of the school. We do not expect all boys to be good athletes, but we encourage physical fitness and the experience of organized sports. Students learn the importance of physical fitness through school-wide cross-country runs, as well as the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship in both individual and team sports. Choices within the school include: basketball, rugby, soccer, track and field, hockey, volleyball, handball, swimming, and lawn tennis. Alliance competes against other schools in all these sports. The pursuit of excellence has seen individuals and teams win national as well as regional honours in almost all of them. The field hockey team was voted the third best high school team in the country, while the rugby team was the best national team on average, based on competitions in the year 2001. In year 2002 the school Hockey team won the National Championships while Rugby were the second runners up at national level. Rugby Team lifted the prestigious Prescot Cup in 2003.

Prominent alumni

• George Anyona - Member of Parliament, Kenya
• Ochillo Ayacko - Member of Parliament, Kenya
• Evan Gicheru - Chief Justice, Kenya
• Isaac Lenaola - Judge, High Court of Kenya
• Kiraitu Murungi - Energy Minister, Kenya
• David Mwiraria - Member of Parliament, Kenya
• Paul Ngei - Minister and freedom fighter
• Charles Njonjo Former Kenyan Attorney General
• Anyang' Nyongo - Member of Parliament, Kenya
• Ngugi wa Thiong'o - Author
• Amos Wako - Attorney General, Kenya
• Job Ndege - Satellite Networks Engineer

School anthem

Lord, while for all mankind we pray, Of every clime and coast, O hear us for our native school, The school we love the most (x3).

School prayer

Have in thy keeping, O Lord, our God, this school; That its work may be thorough, and its life joyful. That from it may go out, strong in body, mind and character, men who in thy name and thy power will serve their fellows faithfully.

Trivia

The school is also known as "'BUSH'" because of the dense vegetation that used to surround the school.

It is also colloquially referred to as 'Across' by students of the Alliance Girls' High School.

Students in the school are assigned 'houses' (a network of dormitories) upon admission which they subscribe to for their time in high school. The school has 8 houses: Livingstone, Aggrey, Wilberforce, Grieve, Arthur, Francis, Smith and Sellwood.

External links

• Alliance High School
• Alliance High School Alumni Foundation
• KCSE: Alliance Boys shines Eaststandard.net article dated March 1, 2006

See also

Revd Dr John Arthur

Further reading

• J. Stephen Smith, The History of the Alliance High School (Nairobi: Heinemann, 1973)