Acorns International School Bunga vs Orel-Vine International Academy
Acorns International School Bunga and Orel-Vine International Academy are both in Kampala, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes, and Orel-Vine International Academy also offers Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels. Published annual fees are UGX 1,410 - 6,130 at Acorns International School Bunga and UGX 450 - 9,900,000 at Orel-Vine International Academy, which puts Orel-Vine International Academy roughly 131206% higher. Acorns International School Bunga takes pupils from 1 to 16, and Orel-Vine International Academy from 1 to 18. Typical class sizes are 15 at Acorns International School Bunga and 30 at Orel-Vine International Academy.
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
150
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
30
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2015
Opened
2010
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Plot 4769 Hamis Kiggundu Rd, Kampala, Uganda. The Acorns International School | Bunga campus is part of a network with other campuses in Kisaasi (Uganda), Lubowa (Uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda).
Location
Uganda, Kampala area. Pre-school on Najjera (Kampala); Primary & Secondary on Nakasajja, Gayaza Road, Kampala.
Stages
Stages
Early Years (from 18 months) through Primary education.
Stages
Pre-school; Primary; Secondary
School type
School type
International school offering the Cambridge Curriculum; Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams.
School type
Christian international school (Cambridge International education at primary and pre-school levels)
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Uganda
Country affiliation
Uganda
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Christian
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm on school days.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees
- Registration (non-refundable) at point of admission: USD 300. USD 200 for the second child; no registration fee for subsequent children.
Tuition fees by year group (per term and annual amounts)
- Crèche: Term I USD 495, Term II USD 495, Term III USD 495; Annual USD 1,410. - EC1: Term I USD 550, Term II USD 550, Term III USD 550; Annual USD 1,570. - Reception (08:45–14:40): Term I USD 725, Term II USD 725, Term III USD 725; Annual USD 2,065. - Year 1 & 2 (08:00–15:15): Term I USD 810, Term II USD 810, Term III USD 810; Annual USD 2,310. - Year 3 & 4 (08:00–15:15): Term I USD 960, Term II USD 960, Term III USD 960; Annual USD 2,735. - Year 5: Term I USD 1,095, Term II USD 1,095, Term III USD 1,095; Annual USD 3,120. - Year 6: Term I USD 1,645, Term II USD 1,645, Term III (not listed); Annual USD 3,120. - Year 7 & 8 (08:00–15:30): Term I USD 1,150, Term II USD 1,150, Term III USD 1,150; Annual USD 3,280. - Year 9 & 10: Term I USD 1,340, Term II USD 1,340, Term III USD 1,340; Annual USD 3,820. - Year 11: Term I USD 2,265, Term II USD 2,265, Term III (not listed); Annual USD 4,305. - Year 12: Term I USD 2,000, Term II USD 2,000, Term III USD 2,000; Annual USD 5,700. - Year 13: Term I USD 3,000, Term II USD 3,000, Term III (not listed); Annual USD 5,700.
- Tuition fee is inclusive of educational materials and diaries (exclusions stated for candidate-level exam fees, field trips and trekking trips).
Textbook charges (payable with tuition at enrolment or start of academic year)
- Reception: USD 125. - Year 1 & 2: USD 125. - Year 3 & 4: USD 110. - Year 5: USD 115. - Year 6: USD 115. - Year 7 & 8: USD 175. - Year 9 & 10: USD 350. - Year 11 to 13: USD 430.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Each term's fees are due by the end of Week 1 of the school term. Late payments are subject to a surcharge of 5%. Students with fees unpaid after 30 days of the due date will be excluded unless otherwise agreed in writing by Management. - Early payment discount: 5% discount on tuition fee if the annual fee is paid before the start of the academic year. - Sibling discount: USD 200 registration fee for the second child; no registration fee for subsequent children, plus a 5% discount on tuition for subsequent children. - Refer-a-friend: 15% reduction on one term's tuition fees following the introduction and admission of a new student.
Boarding fees
- No boarding fees are listed; boarding is not provided.
Other costs and regular extras
- School uniforms (prices): Secondary tie USD 8; Primary trousers/skirts/polo T-shirts USD 12; Secondary shirts & trousers USD 15; Sweaters USD 20; PE kit USD 20; A-level blazer USD 45. PE uniforms are compulsory for all students; school uniforms are compulsory from EC2 onwards. - Lunch plans: Early Childhood USD 175; Primary USD 225; Secondary USD 250; Casual lunch USD 7. Students may bring lunch but cannot leave campus or receive food deliveries during the day. - School clubs / after-school activities: Primary clubs (03:30–04:15) USD 200. Students wishing to participate in a specific activity will be charged USD 100 per club. - Bus service (zone-based rates): Two-way: Zone 1 USD 250, Zone 2 USD 300, Zone 3 USD 350, Zone 4 USD 500. One-way: Zone 1 USD 175, Zone 2 USD 200, Zone 3 USD 275, Zone 4 USD 300.
Refund information
- Fees once paid are not refundable. Registration fee is non-refundable.
Fee payment options and currency
- All fees are stated in USD. Payment in UGX is acceptable at the rate indicated by the school office. Specific accepted payment channels (bank transfer, card, cheque, etc.) are handled by the school office; confirm with the accounts office for available methods and any applicable bank charges.
Fee details
Tuition — Cambridge curriculum (per term) - Nursery: UGX 1,200,000 per term. Lunch: UGX 200,000 per term. - KG & PP: UGX 1,200,000 per term. Lunch: UGX 200,000 per term. - Year 1–Year 2: UGX 1,500,000 per term plus US$150 per term. Lunch: UGX 300,000 per term. Annual (3 terms): UGX 4,500,000 + US$450. - Year 3–Year 6: UGX 1,500,000 per term plus US$200 per term. Lunch: UGX 300,000 per term. Annual (3 terms): UGX 4,500,000 + US$600. - Year 7–Year 8: UGX 2,000,000 per term plus US$250 per term. Lunch: UGX 300,000 per term. Annual (3 terms): UGX 6,000,000 + US$750. - Year 9–Year 11: UGX 2,200,000 per term plus US$250 per term. Lunch: UGX 300,000 per term. Annual (3 terms): UGX 6,600,000 + US$750. - Year 12–Year 13: UGX 3,000,000 per term plus US$500 per term. Lunch: UGX 300,000 per term. Annual (3 terms): UGX 9,000,000 + US$1,500.
Tuition — National curriculum (per term) - P1–P7: UGX 800,000 per term. Lunch: UGX 800,000 per term (reported as the second column under National curriculum). Annual (3 terms): UGX 2,400,000 (tuition) + UGX 2,400,000 (lunch).
Family discounts - First child: full fees. - Second child: 10% discount. - Third child: 15% discount. - Fourth child: 20% discount.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are published and charged on a per-term basis; the academic year is billed in three terms (trimester), so annual totals equal per-term amounts multiplied by three. - Fees are paid via bank (bank deposit / bank transfer). Bank slips can be collected from the school office. Specific due dates per term are not listed here.
Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; no boarding programme or boarding charges are indicated.
Other costs and typical additional charges - Lunch is charged per term as shown above and is listed separately from tuition. - No uniform fee, development fee, exam fee, or extracurricular price schedule is specified in the published fee structure provided here. Any optional club or activity fees and any exam or subject-specific charges are not listed in this fee schedule.
Refunds and adjustments - No refund policy or explicit refund terms are published in the fee schedule. Refunds or fee adjustments are not specified.
Accepted currencies and payment notes - Fees appear in Ugandan shillings (UGX) and in US dollars (USD) for certain year groups; the schedule notes that payments are made at the bank. Specific electronic payment methods (credit card, online payment portal, or mobile money) are not detailed in the published fee schedule.
Summary - Per-term tuition rates by year group and the separate per-term lunch charges are provided above; annual totals shown are calculated as three times the per-term amounts in line with the three-term billing structure. Registration is a one-time fee (UGX 100,000 for national registration or US$50 for international registration). Family discounts for multiple children apply as listed. Payment is made by bank deposit/transfer and bank slips can be collected from the school office.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
School uniforms are compulsory from EC2 class onwards; PE uniforms are compulsory for all students. The uniform list includes items such as secondary tie, primary trousers/skirts/polo T‑shirts, secondary shirts/trousers, sweaters and PE kit, with published prices for each item.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
Lunches are provided on site. Early Childhood lunch is from 12:00 to 01:30 pm; Primary lunch is priced at $225 and Secondary lunch at $250. Students may bring lunch from home but cannot leave campus or have food deliveries during the day.
Food options
Meals are provided on campus. The Orel Vine Meals planner shows a weekly schedule for breakfast and lunch, including millet porridge with milk, soft buns, and cake for breakfast; lunches feature meat with cabbage or vegetable rice with matooke, beans with rice, and sides like fried cassava and fried plantain, with fruit such as watermelon.
House system
House system
House Points are used to recognise student behaviour in school life.
House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
Ameena Lalani is the CEO and Head of School, supported by the Senior Leadership Team; the school is part of the Acorns International School network, with other campuses in Kisaasi, Lubowa and Kigali listed as connections to the group.
Governance and ownership
The school is led by a Director, Priscilla Kigumba. It operates as a Christian International school offering Cambridge International Education with a pre-school campus in Najjera and primary campus on Gayaza Road.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school teaches the Cambridge Curriculum, emphasizes holistic development (swimming, art and craft, dance, music and drama), and is accredited as a Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams.
Curriculum details
The school offers Cambridge International Education at primary and pre-school levels.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
The school has an excellent student-teacher ratio.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
Counselling is provided by qualified school counsellors to monitor welfare and guide emotional development, promoting personal and social growth. Learner Support Services create plans and provide counselling to students and families to support wellbeing and development.
Social & emotional learning
Student-led projects are at the heart of teaching and learning. The school pursues holistic development, fostering academic, social, emotional, and physical growth. It nurtures students' confidence and healthy self-esteem. Small class sizes ensure individual attention. The curriculum emphasizes global citizenship and community engagement through a diverse co-curricular program, including clubs such as French, public speaking, financial literacy, reading, music, dance, drama, guitar, piano, and various sports.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
Learner Support Service creates plans and supports students with Special Needs.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Language Support Classes are provided for students performing low in the English Language.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Student Counselling supports welfare and emotional development through a comprehensive school counselling program addressing academic and personal/social development.
Mental wellbeing
The mission is to provide a safe, caring and conducive learning environment. The school emphasizes personal and professional integrity and upholds Christian values. It encourages exploratory learning approaches and seeks excellence. A strong sense of community is fostered through relationships with students and families. Holistic education includes a diverse co-curricular program with sports, arts, and community service.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Child Protection and Safeguarding states that all members of the Acorns community have a responsibility to keep students safe. A Designated Safeguarding Officer is available to receive reports of concerns, and a full Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy exists.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Acorns International School | Bunga is accredited as a Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams. The Cambridge Curriculum is highly recognised. Holistic development includes swimming, Art & Craft, Dance, and Music & Drama. Admissions are open from Early Childhood (18 months) to Primary. The campus is Plot 4769 Hamis Kiggundu Rd, Kampala, with additional campuses in Kisaasi, Kigali, and Lubowa.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Swimming is included as part of Holistic Development. Holistic Development also includes Art & Craft, Dance, and Music & Drama. The Cambridge Curriculum underpins the school's approach to learning. Admissions are open from Early Childhood (18 months) to Primary.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The Cambridge Curriculum is highly recognised. Acorns International School | Bunga is accredited as a Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams. Curricular offerings include Early Years and Primary years. The Cambridge program provides internationally recognized assessment opportunities.
Academic facilities
Orel Vine School offers Cambridge International Education at pre-school, primary and secondary levels. The dual curriculum system combines the Uganda national curriculum with Cambridge International Education. The Cambridge framework used includes the Cambridge Primary Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, and O Level preparation. The school emphasizes student-led projects, small class sizes, and a safe environment with a full-time nurse to support student learning.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Holistic Development includes swimming, Art & Craft, Dance, and Music & Drama. These activities are part of the school's curricular and extracurricular offerings. Admissions are open from Early Childhood (18 months) to Primary. There are multiple Acorns campuses offering these programs, including Bunga, Kisaasi, Kigali, and Lubowa.
Extra curricular facilities
French club, public speaking, financial literacy, reading, music, dance, drama, guitar club, piano, jazz drums, and all forms of sport are part of the co-curricular program.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Acorns International School | Bunga opened in August 2015 and is located on Plot 4769 Hamis Kiggundu Road, Kampala. The campus provides Early Years, Primary and Secondary sections. It is accredited as a Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams and follows the Cambridge Curriculum. Languages from early years include French and Swahili, with ICT offered as part of the program. The Acorns network includes other campuses in Kisaasi, Kigali, and Lubowa.
History
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Community
Community
Parent Teacher Organisation (PTO) is a volunteer organisation established to support the Acorns community – students, families and staff. PTO welcomes all families, helps everyone stay connected to one another and to the school, represents the voice of the community, and supports students through involvement and creativity. The school is described as an IB Continuum and celebrates language, culture and tradition, reflecting a multicultural and multifaceted community. Teachers receive regular internal and external professional development and training. Other campuses include Kisaasi, Kigali, and Lubowa.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
Parent Teacher Organisation (PTO) is a volunteer organisation established to support the Acorns community – students, families and staff. PTO welcomes all families, helps everyone stay connected to one another and to the school, creates a space for school staff and parents to represent the voice of the community, and supports students through involvement and creativity.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams. Cambridge Curriculum is used across Early Years and Primary, including a Cambridge Primary pathway and the IGCSE. The Curricula cover Early Years, Primary Years, Lower Secondary and IGCSE.
Academic & intellectual
The school has a rigorous curriculum and dedicated educators that empower students to achieve their highest potential and excel academically. It focuses on holistic development, including academic, social, emotional, and physical growth as part of its educational approach. Cambridge International Education is offered at pre-school and primary levels, supporting a Cambridge curriculum across early and foundational years. The school emphasizes innovative learning with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge teaching methods.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Art & Craft, Dance, and Music & Drama are part of holistic development. In Primary Years, Music & Performing Arts and Art are offered.
Arts & creative
The school has a diverse co-curricular program including arts as part of its well-rounded development.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
French and Kiswahili are offered alongside English.
Cultural & language
The school fosters global citizenship through multicultural education and international collaborations, cultivating open-mindedness, empathy, and cultural awareness. The curriculum fosters cultural awareness and open-mindedness through international collaborations and cross-cultural learning opportunities.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
The school offers a robust program of sports and co-curricular activities that support leadership and teamwork development.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
Community engagement is a cornerstone of Orel Vine School. The school believes in collaboration and service to make a positive impact in local and global communities.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Swimming is part of the curriculum. The school has a swimming pool.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The school emphasizes holistic development including physical well-being through a diverse co-curricular program that includes sports, arts, and community service. The program supports well-rounded growth and personal health as part of daily school life. It integrates physical, social, and creative activities to promote a balanced lifestyle for students.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
French and Swahili are offered as modern foreign language (MFL) programmes from early years.
Language provision
French club is offered as a co-curricular activity.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
null
Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
null
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Begin the admissions process by visiting the campus or contacting the admissions team. Prospective parents and students can visit the campus on weekdays between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm for orientation. To start admissions, pay the non-refundable admission fee and fill out the admissions forms. Interviews are conducted to determine the appropriate class for the student.
2. Assessment. The assessment can occur during a routine school visit or at a later date. The student takes tests in English, Maths and Science to determine placement in a suitable class. The results guide placement to the appropriate class.
3. Acceptance. After the assessments, reserve a place by paying the non-refundable admission fee and completing the admission forms. The placement aims to ensure the student is enrolled in the correct year level.
4. Documents. Along with the admission forms, provide: 1 coloured passport photo of the child; 1 passport photo for the person responsible for picking up the child; medical information including immunization, allergies and any other health concerns.
Admissions
1. Submit Admission Form. The school considers all applicants equally deserving and evaluates every application with great care. Families should take time to fill out the Admission Form in the Admissions section to provide the information the school uses to review applications. The Admission Form collects Student Info (Admission Number, Admission Date, First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Address, State, City, Zip Code, Mobile Number, Email, Previous School), Siblings Information, and Family Information to support the review. 2. Early Action timeline. Early Action applicants apply by the November 1 deadline and hear from the school by mid-December. The admissions team reviews each application with care. The process emphasizes careful evaluation of every application. Applicants should monitor communications from the admissions office for updates.