Wilson January 2026

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Since this is our first newsletter of the new year, it is fitting that we share with you the numerous “firsts” that we have occurred during this first month. During a recent walk, we observed small, brown “clouds”of butterflies flitting around the Village. We learned that they are called “Skippers” of the Hesperiidae family of butterflies. These New Year’s visitors (small, orange or brown in color, with short fat bodies), have hooked antennae and a rapid, distinct “skipping” style to their flight.

Skipper Butterfly

As you may know, the new school year in Kenya actually begins in January. So, we started the year by hosting a Parent Open House, so that parents could meet their children’s new teachers, and new parents could be “on the same page” with Rafiki’s mission and the school’s classical Christian methodology and expectations.

Our first day of school 2026

Crystal also has a new role shifting from the lower school principal to the academic dean. This position will give her more oversight and mentorship time with the teaching staff. Her class observations and individualized guidance will provide them with additional support, tools, and accountability; so that all our teachers will continue to grow as classical Christian educators. (I, Theo, am truly blessed with a Proverbs 31:10 helpmate/colleague!)

It was a sight to see the new first graders, who joined the all-school assembly on the first day of school, standing wide-eyed, as the rest of the student body recited the assembly sayings and character call-outs which they have internalized in recent years. Once they settled into their classes, these grade one students embraced the familiar rhythms of the school day—which always begins with the Rafiki Bible study.

First graders during the first week

The Lord has allowed the school to keep growing! After our new grade ten students arrive (their start was delayed for a week, due to the Competency-Based Education program (CBE) subject restructuring), we expect to have 473 students attending this year. This growth has had many residual effects. We have been able to prayerfully employ even more godly, qualified teachers to help maintain the small class size and the educational standards of the Rafiki Schools. Four of our new hires were recent graduates of the Rafiki Teachers’ College, which is also located on the Village grounds. Since day one, they have been beaming with the joy at the realization that their dream of teaching in a classical Christian school has come true.

Three of our new teachers

Our fourth teacher from the teachers college

This year, we have also added a new stream (class) of eighth graders, bringing our double-streamed grades up to eleven: from three-year-old preschool to grade eight! The growth has required the grade nine class to be relocated to the senior school building, where grade ten through twelve have their classes.

The classes of 2026 (our current seniors) and 2027 (our current juniors) are the last students to be assessed under the government’s “8-4-4” education system. The 40-year-old program, which is being phased out, was known for having the “fifth hardest” high school examination in the world. Students across the nation studied tirelessly for four years to prepare for this comprehensive examination. Then parents and pupils would wait anxiously, until the nationwide results were published. We thank God that three students from our small stream qualified for diploma-level studies in college.

The first class of candidates under the new CBE sat for a new exam last October while in grade nine, and we recently received their exam results. Under the new program, the A-B-C-D grading system has been replaced with the following scoring scheme: Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Approaching Expectations, and Below Expectations. These students, who have completed the Logic stage of the trivium, received predominantly the EE and ME marks. Praise the Lord!

It is always a joy to attend a wedding celebration. As school administrators, it is a high honor to be invited to the wedding of one of our teachers. Just before Christmas, we were privileged to celebrate the first day of holy matrimony for Teacher Ruth and her groom, Moses.

Teacher Ruth and her groom

As we write this letter, we have already completed the first week of school. By the time you receive our correspondence, we will have about 150 days left in the academic year. The remaining chapters of activity, student achievement, and even adversity are yet to unfold. Thank you for letting us share it all with you. We truly covet your prayers.

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