Sunrise School for Autistic Learners is a private school, founded in October 2021 by several Kenyan disability rights activists and an American partner. The campus is located in Kakamega County, Mumias West Sub-County, Mumias Township, Enyapora sub-location. Sunrise School’s mission is to empower learners with autism to reach their full potential through an individualized, holistic, innovative, and supportive educational program,  by cultivating unique strengths, furthering inclusive community, and fostering supportive, family-partnered environments.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions, all of which are characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics of individuals with autism may include atypical patterns of behaviour (e.g., difficulty transitioning from one activity to the next), a keen focus on details, and unusual reactions to some sensory stimuli.  Since our opening, the School’s population has grown to include 22 learners; in order to maintain our high quality programs, this is the maximum allowable number.  

All people, including people with autism, have a right to  enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Children with disabilities face many barriers to social inclusion including  societal attitudes and varying levels of support from local and national authorities. For example, children with autism are rarely given access to public playgrounds. Earlier this year, the School was able to purchase a parcel of land adjacent to the existing campus. Among other uses, the new land can be used for the erection of a playground for Sunrise learners, offering new social, physical, and therapeutic opportunities in an engaging context.

Sunrise learners generally follow the Stage-Based Curriculum pathway of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).  (Occasionally Sunrise has a student who, given modifications/accommodations, is able to follow the CBC’s Age-Based Pathway.)  The Stage-Based Pathway includes the following levels:

• Foundation Level

• Intermediate Level 

• Prevocational Level

• Vocational Level

• Inclusion Plan

Sunrise’s classroom staff to student ratio is approximately 1:2, given the presence of teachers, learner support assistants (LSAs), and various others (i.e., occupational therapist, speech language therapist and assistant, life skills and prevocational assistants). While lessons follow the CBC design; each learner has an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and IRP (Individualized Rehabilitation Plan) to shape his/her school program. Areas of study include the following:

• Communication and Language Skills

• Social and Emotional Skills

• Activities of Daily Living (i.e., self-care skills)

• Functional Numeracy and Literacy Skills

• Motor and Physical Development

• Environmental Awareness

• Prevocational and Vocational Skills

Sunrise School has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting learners with autism spectrum disorder.  Our staff is composed of the following: 

• School Administrator

• Head Teacher

• Deputy Head Teacher

• Senior Teacher

• Teachers (Special Needs and Early Childhood)

• Social Worker

• Vocational Assistants

• Life Skills Assistant

• Learner Support Assistants

• Speech and Language Therapist

• Speech and Language Assistant

• Occupational Therapist

• Caretakers

• Nurse/Assistant

• Kitchen Staff

• Security Personnel

• Book Leeper/Accountant

• Sewing Project Coordinator and Assistant

• Groundskeepers

Sunrise’s Board of Directors helps with the day-to-day running of the School, and provides leadership/support with attainment of the School’s overarching mission.  

School menus follow dietary guidelines, based on consultation from a nutritionist. The goal is to keep children healthy and, in some cases, to reduce hyperactivity. For example, foods with gluten, casein (dairy), processed sugars, and artificial additives are excluded.  Parents/guardians are asked to adhere to these guidelines when feeding their child at home. 

Sunrise School’s population currently includes 17 boys and 5 girls, aged 5 to 19 years. Children of various ages may be included in the same class since placement is based on where they fit into the Stage-Based Curriculum.

Sunrise School received its provisional/temporary license in 2025 and is now in the process of fulfilling requirements for full registration.

Sunrise has registered learners in all levels for a national assessment through KNEC CBA Portal. The assessments are generally completed at the end of each school year.

The School’s sports mentors include energetic teachers and learner support assistants led by the Head Teacher who holds a Bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in sports science education.  Our Head Teacher has over 25 years of experience in sports mentorship, coaching, and as a national league referee in FIBA affiliated basketball. The School has designated the last Friday of every month as Sports Day where both staff and learners have a chance to develop and showcase their sporting abilities. Sports Day activities include ball games, exercises, relays, indoor games, fun games, and so on. Plans are underway to add weekly swimming (hydrotherapy) for our learners, hopefully by the end of 2026.  Future plans include a playground and basketball court.

ItemSunrise follows the gazetted school calendar from Kenya’s Ministry of Education Department of Basic Education and Early Learning. There are 3 terms of approximately 3 months, all contained within one calendar year. Each term normally has a week-long midterm break.

Sunrise School has designated the 2nd Saturday of each month as Visiting Day, a special time for families to visit and have time with their children.