OGOMBO DOROTHY2026-07-162019-09https://repository.mua.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3017Performance of students is a product of socio-economic, psychological and environmental factors. It was interesting to note that several studies made on factors that influence academic performance in public schools; socio-economic factors such as parents’ net income, wealth & education background, lack of adequate teaching material, equipment and other environmental factors like location of schools. On the other hand, in private schools, the cost of education is high; the schools are fully equipped and have up-to date teaching materials hence parents are committed to meet these high costs hoping that this is enough to ensure that high performance, sadly not the result. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors contributing to poor student academic performance in Day High Schools. Objectives selected; to find out the influence of on Student Attitude, Motivation, Home environment and Life skill on academic performance of students in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations. The study used Makini High School, a mixed day-secondary school, because of its easy access and the presences of both male and female gender of the population all form four students. Descriptive survey research design was used to explore factors influencing student academic performance. The data was collected from questionnaire administered to students and quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as means, frequency counts and percentages. The findings on attitude and motivation slightly above half mark could imply that students could be impacted from the home environment – lack of adequate parental support and close monitoring as well as week life skills. Life skills training of student as per of the educational curriculum is recommended.Article