The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially released the KCSE 2025 results, revealing a significant improvement in overall performance compared to previous years. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, while releasing the results at AIC Chebisaas High School, announced that a total of 1,932 candidates scored a mean grade of A (plain), up from 1,693 in 2024.
With over 993,000 candidates sitting for the 2025 exams, the competition among national, extra-county, and private schools has reached new heights. In this article, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the best-performing schools and the national ranking based on the KCSE 2025 performance.
KCSE 2025 Performance Highlights
Before diving into the school rankings, here are the essential statistics for the KCSE 2025 class:
- Total Candidates: 993,226 (50% female, 50% male).
- Grade A (Plain): 1,932 students (National schools produced 1,526 of these).
- University Entry (C+ and above): 270,715 candidates (27.81% of the class).
- Best Performing Subject: Mathematics recorded a notable upward trend.
- STEM Performance: Male candidates outperformed females in 11 subjects, particularly in sciences and technical courses.
Top 100 Schools in KCSE 2025 (National Ranking)
Note: While KNEC no longer “ranks” schools in the traditional sense to discourage unhealthy competition, performance data from the official portal and school merit lists highlight these institutions as the top performers of 2025.
1. The “Big Five” National Schools
These schools maintained their dominance, producing the highest number of A (plain) grades:
- Kenya High School – Continued its streak with over 70 As.
- Alliance High School – Significantly improved its mean score.
- Alliance Girls High School – Recorded a massive jump in university transition rates.
- Mang’u High School – Remained a powerhouse in STEM subjects.
- Kapsabet Boys High School – Topped the Rift Valley region with consistent A-grades.
2. Top Performing National & Extra-County Schools
- Maseno School (Kisumu)
- Moi High School Kabarak (Nakuru)
- Starehe Boys’ Centre (Nairobi)
- Maryhill Girls High School (Thika)
- Friend’s School Kamusinga (Bungoma)
- Maranda High School (Siaya)
- Pangani Girls (Nairobi)
- Loreto High School Limuru (Kiambu)
3. Top Private Schools in KCSE 2025
Private schools contributed 185 A (plain) grades to the national tally. Leading the pack are:
- Moi High School Kabarak
- Strathmore School
- Light Academy (Nairobi & Mombasa)
- Kiage Tumaini High
- Mudasa Academy
Performance by School Category
The KCSE 2025 results showed a diverse spread of excellence across different categories:
| Category | Number of Grade As |
|---|---|
| National Schools | 1,526 |
| Extra-County Schools | 197 |
| Private Schools | 185 |
| Sub-County Schools | Produced 72,699 C+ grades |
One of the biggest surprises of KCSE 2025 was the performance of Sub-County schools (Day Schools), which outperformed County schools in the number of students qualifying for university entry.
How to Check KCSE 2025 Results Online
Candidates and parents can access the official results through the following steps:
- Visit the KNEC Portal: results.knec.ac.ke
- Enter your Index Number.
- Enter one of your names as registered.
- Click “Submit” to view your provisional results slip.
Important Notice: For the 2025 cycle, the Ministry of Education has scrapped the SMS result-checking service (formerly 20076) to ensure data privacy and accuracy.
What Next After KCSE 2025?
With 270,715 students qualifying for university, the next step is the KUCCPS placement process.
- C+ and Above: Eligible for degree programs in public and private universities.
- C and C-: Eligible for Diploma courses in TVET institutions.
- D+ and Below: Eligible for Craft Certificate and Artisan courses to build technical skills.
The KCSE 2025 results represent a milestone for the 8-4-4 system as it nears its conclusion. The steady increase in Grade As and university qualifiers points to a resilient education sector.
FAQs about the 2025 KCSE Results
1. What is the 2025 KCSE Grading System?
The grading remains on a 12-point scale ($A=12$, $E=1$). The overall mean grade is calculated based on the two mandatory subjects (Mathematics and one language—English or Kiswahili) plus the five best-performed subjects. This system was designed to favor students’ career paths by not penalizing them for subjects outside their specialization.
2. How many students qualified for university in 2025?
A total of 270,715 candidates scored a mean grade of C+ and above, making them eligible for direct university entry. This represents about 27.18% of the 993,226 candidates who sat for the exams, showing a slight increase in university qualifiers compared to 2024.
3. Where do I collect my KCSE certificate?
In a major policy shift announced today, candidates will now collect their official KCSE certificates from Sub-County Education Offices rather than their former high schools. This change is intended to ensure students can access their certificates regardless of any pending fee balances at their schools.
Looking for more? Check out 2025 KCSE Results are Out as 270,000 Students Qualify for University
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