St. Mary’s Mumias Girls High School in Kakamega County has carved out its niche among the top-performing schools in Western Kenya, thanks to the dynamic leadership of its Senior Principal, Mrs Monicah Buchichi Nyange.
The school has become a centre of excellence in the delivery of quality education, consistently producing impressive results. In the latest rankings, St. Mary’s was placed fourth in the Western region, reaffirming its reputation for academic excellence.
Speaking to this writer, Mrs Buchichi said her ultimate goal is to empower girls with knowledge, nurture their talents, and prepare them for meaningful engagement in life beyond school.
“In the 2024 KCSE, 398 students scored above the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above, with the school posting a mean score of 8.1,” she said proudly. “I am happy that the majority of last year’s candidates are now pursuing prestigious courses in various universities across the country.”
According to her, the school’s success is anchored on hard work, teamwork, early syllabus coverage, committed teachers, benchmarking with leading schools, and a dedicated Board of Management.
“At St. Mary’s, the girls’ welfare comes first,” she added. “We believe that no meaningful learning can take place in a hostile environment, so we have done everything possible to ensure that our girls learn in a setting that truly suits them.”
The school boasts modern classrooms, well-equipped libraries and laboratories, and comfortable dormitories. Cleanliness is also a key pillar of its identity—St. Mary’s is reputed to be one of the cleanest schools in the region.
Mrs. Buchichi noted that the school’s strong academic record and excellent facilities have attracted overwhelming interest from prospective students. “Our impressive performance and reputation for cleanliness have seen a surge in applications for Grade 10 admission next year,” she said.
The principal also expressed optimism about the 2025 candidate class. “The teachers have worked tirelessly to prepare the candidates, and we are confident that we will shine once again, as our history dictates,” she said.
Despite its successes, the school faces challenges, particularly the shortage of teachers needed to handle its 1,700 students. The growing population has also forced the administration to convert some rooms into classrooms. However, Mrs. Buchichi remains optimistic that the situation will ease in 2025, allowing more space for effective learning and preparation.
Beyond academics, St. Mary’s Mumias Girls is a powerhouse in co-curricular activities, particularly in sports. The school consistently qualifies for national championships in various disciplines, with netball being its strongest area.
Last year, St. Mary’s produced the best girl in Kakamega County in the KCSE examination. This year’s class, fondly called A Stars, has set an ambitious target mean score of 9.1 and is determined to achieve 100 per cent transition to university.
