Top of the Hill Girls Junior & Senior School
Nurturing the Next Generation of Trailblazers
Top of the Hill Girls’ Junior & Senior School is a modern, learner-centered institution dedicated to nurturing every young girl’s talent, confidence, and intelligence. We focus on equipping students with relevant, future-proof career skills for the 21st century and beyond. Through our holistic approach to education, students master vital intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, including critical thinking, creativity, communication, leadership, and innovation.
Grounded in strong moral and Christian values, our strategic partnerships provide a powerful platform for students to gain hands-on experience through apprenticeship and mentorship, paving the way for lifelong professional success.
Meet the Founder
Prof. Mary Murimi, PhD, RD, LDN
Prof. Mary Murimi is an internationally acclaimed Professor Emeritus of Nutrition in the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University.
A former President of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), Prof. Murimi boasts a distinguished career in academic leadership, having also served as the Chancellor of Daystar University in Kenya and as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
As a leading researcher in said discipline, her work focuses on how community environments impact local health, specifically identifying coping strategies for food insecurity and the factors influencing dietary behavior among low-income populations.
Recently, her research has expanded globally to explore the usage of native African vegetables to combat food insecurity and to develop strategies for reducing stunting in selected communities across Bangladesh.
Her impactful findings are widely recognized both locally and internationally, spanning over 50 oral presentations and peer-reviewed scientific journal publications.
In recognition of her remarkable and transformative contributions to education, research and nutrition, she was honored with the prestigious Mid-Career Achievement Award by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Motivation & Personal Story
Kenya is inundated with secondary schools at all levels, so one might ask why another girls secondary school?
Two major issues motivate me to start this system. First, Top of the Hill National Science and Technology School is not just a school – it is a demonstration of a school system reform. As stated elsewhere, the Kenyan secondary school is knowledge based with a bottlenecked national exam at the end of the four years. Failure to make enough grades to progress to a university or colleges leaves approximately 50 % of the candidates with no other alternative except to repeat or give up. This proposed system will not only help more students to advance to higher education, but the remaining will be given tools to make profitable lives in their communities.
The second motivation is the gap between boys and girls that are progressing to the university level or to a profitable career. Girls and women are still left behind in all sectors of life in Kenya. Being one of the few who was fortunate to have a father who was determined to provide education to all his children regardless of their gender; I am compelled to give back by providing an educational platform to other talented and low-income girls.
Our Core Values
At Top Of The Hill Girls' School, everything we do is anchored on a set of core values that guide and define our culture, shape our community, and serve as the foundation for how we teach, learn, and grow together as a family. These principles are not just a component of our curriculum- they are the character traits we model and nurture in our students every single day.
Vision
To establish a transformational 21st Century Secondary School Education system, guided by Christian principles, for female learners to be women of noble character, responsible citizens, and competent professionals.
Mission
To develop a culturally and socially relevant education system for girls that eliminate barriers to a high-quality education by employing innovative teaching methods and research-based instructional strategies implemented by highly trained teaching professionals. Target Group: Educating 12-18 year old girls with culturally relevant skills and mentoring them in ways to improve their lives and their communities. This educational opportunity will prepare them to enter the workforce and be influential and beneficial contributors to their families and society.
Our Philosophy
At Top of the Hill Girls School, we believe that every young girl possesses unique intelligence and limitless raw potential. We are elevating these natural gifts, transforming curiosity into leadership and talent into purpose, so that we produce confident and innovative young women.
Objectives
Learner-centric Education
Develop a learner-centric educational system that will foster critical thinking, entrepreneurship, collaboration, creativity, problem solving and civic responsibility.
Competency-based Education
Implement a competency-based curriculum that pairs theoretical understanding and transferable skills using a variety of learning environments and strategies.
Skilled Teaching Staff
Recruit and train a motivated teaching staff on competency-based education for student success.
Prepare Students for Success in Life
Prepare students for life, rather than an exam, by fostering self-efficacy, community participation, providing leadership opportunities, and aligning education to civic and professional business opportunities.
Access to Quality Education for All Girls
Ensure access to quality education for learners living with disabilities and poverty by designing infrastructural adaptations and financial assistance for qualifying students.
Value-based Education Founded on Christian Principles
Impart life skills and value-based education by designing a learning environment that combines academic rigor with character education founded upon a Christian worldview.
Empower and Mentor Girls to Succeed
Empower and mentor girls to think globally, and to successfully occupy their space in the 21st century marketplace.
Internship and Practicum Opportunities
Create internships and practicum opportunities by partnering with employers and private organizations to prepare learners for personal and professional success.
Develop Community Partnerships
Develop partnerships with parents, local communities, private schools, and the government, to leverage resources, expertise, and collective efforts to maximize the impact of our educational initiatives.
Include Outdoor Learning
Practice good stewardship of the land that houses Top of the Hill school as we rely on the school land for outdoor activities.