Ambrosoli International School vs Sycamore International School

	A Ambrosoli International School Kampala, Uganda	S Sycamore International School Kampala, Uganda
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year UGX 21 - 48,253,647	Fees / year UGX 8,200,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 11 years	Age range 1 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum)	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 320	Pupils 173
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1994	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Plot 10/12 Binayomba Road, Kampala, Uganda. It sits in the quiet Bugolobi suburb on a secure campus just outside Kampala, on the edge of Lake Victoria. The campus features a football pitch, a junior-sized basketball court, climbing frames, a climbing wall, sandpits and large leafy trees, and a half Olympic-sized swimming pool. Approximately 320 children aged 2–11 come from over 50 countries.	Location Plot 3 Olumi Close, Kitante, Kampala, Uganda. The campus is located in Kitante, Kampala. Phone: +256 776 470 555; +256 700 470 555. Email: admin@sycamore.ac.ug.
Stages	Stages Ambrosoli International School is an international primary school serving pupils aged 2–11. The Early Years Foundation Stage unit includes Seedlings (2-3), Sunflower (3-4) and Reception (4-5); Key Stage 1 and 2 follow the English National Curriculum and the IPC.	Stages Early Years and Primary.
School type	School type The school is an international primary school.	School type International school offering the Cambridge curriculum.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from over 50 nationalities; approximately 320 students aged 2–11.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Special Educational Needs are supported through Inclusive Intervention, One-to-One Intervention, and Small Group Intervention; Speech and Language Therapy is provided in partnership with another organization. English as an Additional Language (EAL) is supported by a specialist EAL teacher with language learner profiles and targeted strategies.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Uganda	Country affiliation Uganda
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Christian (non-denominational)
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & one‑off fees - Application fee: USD 150 per child. - Enrolment / admission fee: USD 500 per child (payable to secure a place). - Capital development (capital levy): USD 1,100 per family (one‑off). - Emergency ambulance charge: USD 10 per child (annual). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term) Fees presented in Ugandan Shillings (UGX). Annual totals shown below are the published school annual tuition figures for the 2025/26 fee schedule; per‑term figures are the annual amount divided into three terms (rounded to the nearest UGX) for ease of database entry. - Nursery 2 (Nurs.2) - Annual tuition: UGX 21,444,394. - Per term (3 terms): UGX 7,148,131 per term. - Kindergarten 1 (KG1) - Annual tuition: UGX 29,783,045. - Per term (3 terms): UGX 9,927,682 per term. - Kindergarten 2 (KG2) - Annual tuition: UGX 37,298,358. - Per term (3 terms): UGX 12,432,786 per term. - Kindergarten 3 / Reception (KG3 / Rec) - Annual tuition: UGX 39,948,831. - Per term (3 terms): UGX 13,316,277 per term. - Year 1 (Grade 1) - Annual tuition: UGX 46,674,641. - Per term (3 terms): UGX 15,558,214 per term. - Years 2–6 (Grades 2–6) - Annual tuition: UGX 48,253,647 (per year group shown as the published annual figure for Years 2–6). - Per term (3 terms): UGX 16,084,549 per term. Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing / payment frequency options: Annual payment, Termly payment (per term), or a 10‑month instalment plan. All school fees are payable before the first day of the school year/term as specified in the fee schedule. - Payment timing requirement: All school fees are required to be paid prior to the first day of school unless an approved payment plan is in place. - Loyalty/continuity discounts: Percentage discounts for length of continuous enrolment are published (examples: completion of 4 years = 6%; 5 years = 10%; 6 years = 15%; 7 years = 20%). Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school for ages 2 to 11. No boarding fee schedule applies. Other charges and optional costs - All‑inclusive fee option: An all‑inclusive package is available that covers school tuition, lunch, after‑school clubs, school trips within Uganda, three sets of uniform (including cap, book bag and jumper) per year, after‑school supervision and an administration fee; LAMDA and individual music lessons are excluded from the all‑inclusive package. - Afterschool clubs: UGX 100,000 per club per term (optional). - Uniforms: The all‑inclusive package includes three sets of uniform per year; otherwise uniform costs are charged separately. - School trips: School trips within Uganda are included in the all‑inclusive option; optional or international trips may incur additional charges. - Cheque/transfer charges: USD cheques incur a clearing charge (published example: USD 50 cheque clearing charge); bank transfer and returned‑payment charges apply as indicated in the payment instructions. Refund information - No specific refund schedule or detailed refund policy is published in the school fee literature provided with the fee schedule. Parents should consult admissions for exceptional circumstances. Fee payment options - Bank transfer (Stanbic Bank Uganda, Ambrosoli Limited): USD and UGX accounts are provided for payments; published account examples include a USD account and a UGX account with the bank branch listed and a SWIFT code for international transfers. Use the student's name as payment reference. - Mobile Money (MOMO): Mobile Money (UGX) payments are accepted; the fee literature provides steps and the merchant number for MOMO payments. - Cheque: Cheques are accepted with an indicated clearing charge for USD cheques; bank/cheque clearing rules apply. Notes for database entry - One‑off fees (application, enrolment/admission and capital development levy) are charged in USD as listed above and are payable at enrolment. - Annual tuition figures above are the published annual totals for the relevant year group; per‑term figures shown are the annual total divided by three terms to provide a per‑term value for billing entry.	Fee details Application and Admission Fees - Interview (application) fee: UGX 150,000 per applicant. - Admission fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 100. Tuition fees by year group (per term and annual total) - Foundation (Early Years to Reception, ages 1.5–4): UGX 2,490,000 per term (USD 100 per term). Annual total (3 terms): UGX 7,470,000 (USD 300). - Lower Primary (Year 1 to Year 3, ages 5–7): UGX 2,590,000 per term (USD 150 per term). Annual total (3 terms): UGX 7,770,000 (USD 450). - Upper Primary (Year 4 to Year 6, ages 8–10): UGX 2,920,000 per term (USD 200 per term). Annual total (3 terms): UGX 8,760,000 (USD 600). - Lower Secondary (Year 7 to Year 9): UGX 3,150,000 per term (USD 350 per term). Annual total (3 terms): UGX 9,450,000 (USD 1,050). - Upper Secondary (Year 10 to Year 13): Fee not published / listed as TBD in the available fee schedule. Billing schedule and payment terms - The academic year is divided into three terms; tuition is payable each term. Prompt payment is desirable. - Payments may be made in both Ugandan shillings (UGX) and US dollars (USD) where shown. Tuition amounts are shown in both currencies for the applicable year groups. - When paying by electronic bank transfer (EFT/RTGS), use the child's name as the payment reference. All payments should be made using the SchoolPay system or to the school bank account. No cash payments are accepted at the school. Boarding fees - No boarding or boarding fees are listed in the published fee schedule; the available fee schedule indicates day-school arrangements (tuition includes lunch) and does not specify boarding charges. This indicates boarding is not applicable in the published schedule. Other costs and regularly listed additional fees - Development fee (annual): UGX 250,000. - Swimming: UGX 160,000 per term. - Co-curricular activities: listed range UGX 60,000 to UGX 170,000 (amounts may vary by activity; listed as TBC for some activities). - Outdoor education trips and Checkpoint examination fees (Year 6 & Year 9): amounts listed as TBC in the published schedule. - School uniform (full-set prices by stage): - Early Years & Reception (full set): UGX 285,000. - Year 1 to Year 6 (full set): UGX 380,000. - Year 7 to Year 9 (full set): UGX 450,000. - The published uniform schedule also lists unit prices for items (e.g., shirts, trousers, jumpers, socks, belts) and typical quantities per set; parents should budget for the full-set amount shown for the relevant year group. Refund information - Refunds are permitted only under the school's stated terms and conditions; refunds are subject to the rules set out in the Parents' Handbook. Specific refund conditions (timing, amounts forfeited, or eligibility) are defined in those terms. Fee payment options (methods accepted and instructions) - SchoolPay online payment system (SchoolPay code provided on the application form). - Electronic bank transfer (EFT) / Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) to the school bank account; use the child's name as the payment reference. - The published instructions explicitly state that all payments must be made via SchoolPay or the school bank account and that no cash payments are allowed at the school. Brief note on the fee schedule used - The details above are taken from the school's published Fee Structure (2024–2025) and the school's Fees Schedule page, which are the most recent fee documents available in the school's public admissions materials. No later academic-year fee schedule (2025–2026 or 2026–2027) was found in the school's published downloads at the time of review.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform. Early Years & Reception wear a grey dress or grey shorts with a blue shirt, a jumper, and socks; Lower and Upper Primary wear a blue shirt with a grey skirt/shorts, a belt, a jumper, and socks; a sports kit is included for activities.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch is included in tuition.
House system	House system The school has a house system with student ambassadors and house captain roles.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Governors comprising parental and non-parental volunteers (up to eleven members); two members are nominated by the Ambrosoli Limited Board of Directors. The Head of School sits on the Board of Governors, and a PTA representative and a teacher representative are included. Ambrosoli Limited owns the school and the Governance Manual governs governance arrangements.	Governance and ownership Governance is led by a Director and a Principal. It is a Christian school.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and 2 from the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The school is CIS-accredited and is a member of IPC and AISA.	Curriculum details The curriculum is interactive, reflective and fun. It imparts lifelong learning skills including communication, collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, research, risk-taking and strategic thinking, focusing on 21st-century competencies. Core subjects Math, English, Science, and Global Perspectives are integrated with co-curricular activities. Physical Education (P.E.), music, ICT, French, Kiswahili and field trips are included in the program. Bible teachings are incorporated in lessons.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school focuses on teaching the whole child and values social development as much as academic development. The school has dedicated counselling staff and a wellbeing room on site, plus a Listening Ear programme to support students experiencing social difficulties. The school offers student ambassador roles such as student council, house captain and school librarian to develop leadership. PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) classes use the Jigsaw programme alongside Personal Learning Goals. Mindfulness informs behaviour management and is taught as a regular practice for all students. After-school activities broaden learning across a wide range of skills and topics.	Social & emotional learning Character is important and spiritual life is central to the education at SIS. Bible teachings are integrated into lessons to connect classroom topics to everyday life. Devotions begin each day in every classroom, and chapel is held on Fridays, with weekly times of prayer for staff. The curriculum supports holistic development including social, physical, psychological, intellectual and spiritual growth.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Ambrosoli International School is a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to ensuring every learner is supported to reach their full potential. The Individual Learning Needs department provides Inclusive Intervention in mainstream classrooms, One-to-One Intervention and Small Group Intervention, and Speech and Language Therapy in partnership with another organization. The SENCO designs curriculum and learning tailored to the needs of the child. Collaboration between parents, teachers and students supports learners with identified needs.	Special educational needs (SEN) On admission, an assessment identifies whether the student will need special or additional support on enrolment. Lessons are individualized to ensure that no child is left behind.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is led by a specialised EAL teacher. Students come from over 50 nationalities and speak more than 30 languages. On arrival, language skills are assessed and a language learner profile is created to tailor each child's language support. Strategies include a whole-school survival language approach, connecting in-school and out-of-school learning, continued home language development, development of English language skills, and parental involvement.	English as an additional language French and Kiswahili are taught as part of the curriculum alongside English as a core subject.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school has dedicated counselling and wellbeing staff and a wellbeing room on site. A Listening Ear programme supports students experiencing social difficulties. Mindfulness is used as a strategy for behaviour management and is taught to all children. PSHE classes address personal, social and health education in line with the school's learning goals. After-school activities support wellbeing and holistic development.	Mental wellbeing Wellbeing is supported through holistic development that includes social, physical, psychological, intellectual and spiritual growth. Spiritual life activities, including daily devotions and chapel, support emotional wellbeing. Physical education and the arts contribute to overall wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school has a Child Protection Policy and a Safer Recruitment Policy to safeguard students. An Anti-Bullying Policy is in place to address concerns and promote safe behavior. A CPR Policy and a GDPR Policy are maintained, along with other safeguarding policies to guide staff and parents in maintaining a safe learning environment.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Ambrosoli International School is located in Bugolobi, Kampala, on a secure and welcoming campus. The school has a football pitch, a junior-sized basketball court, and multiple play areas including climbing frames, a climbing wall and sandpits. The campus includes a half Olympic-sized swimming pool (25 metres) with changing facilities and solar-heated showers, attended by a full-time lifeguard. The school is powered by solar energy. Opened in 1994, it serves around 320 pupils from more than 50 countries and is CIS-accredited, IPC member and part of AISA, with regular participation in the International Schools Sports and Athletics league (ISSAK).	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school has a football pitch, a junior-sized basketball court, and a half Olympic-sized swimming pool (25 metres) with changing facilities and solar water heated showers, attended by a full-time lifeguard. The swimming pool is used for weekly swimming and water-safety lessons as part of the PE curriculum.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Art, Music, Computing, French, PE and Swimming are taught by specialist teachers. The IPC is used for Years 1–6 with units covering history, geography, science, art, technology, music, ICT and social and international education, integrated with the English National Curriculum numeracy and literacy units.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Ambrosoli runs extra-curricular activities through community partnerships. Partnerships include Mustardseed School and Magdalen College School (UK) for a broad range of activities, Skate-aid Uganda (with the Uganda Skateboard Union) for youth engagement, Brass for Africa for music education and life-skills training, CoRSU for disability-focused community work, Hands for Hope, USPCA and broader community service projects.	Extra curricular facilities The school offers weekly enrichment activities. These activities include sports (football, basketball, badminton, volleyball); cookery; brain games (Chess, Brain Master mental math, Scrabble); ICT (coding, animation); creative writing; visual arts (painting, drawing, crafts); performing arts (music, ballet, drama, guitar, piano). Some activities attract a small fee, and offerings may change depending on coaches and availability.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The school originated in 1989 as Scuola Italiana Padre Giuseppe Ambrosoli, named after Father Ambrosoli. The international school began as a kindergarten and progressively expanded to primary, with the two schools eventually merging. Ambrosoli Limited was founded in 2003 after the school transitioned from an Italian school to an international school and the name changed from Scuola Italiana Kampala to Ambrosoli International School. The school opened in 1994 and is located in a quiet, green corner of Kampala on the edge of Lake Victoria.	History —
Community	Community Ambrosoli International School is a community-minded school with a sense of family and community among about 320 pupils aged 2 to 11 from over 50 countries. The school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and English National Curriculum with the International Primary Curriculum, fostering international mindedness. The campus hosts lots of community events that bring together parents, children and staff as part of the Ambrosoli community.	Community The Cambridge curriculum shapes learners as Confident, Responsible, Reflective, Innovative, and Engaged. Bible teachings are integrated into lessons. The curriculum blends international and local experiences, and values diversity, embracing learners, staff and parents regardless of race, faith, gender, or cognitive abilities. Student life includes Visual and Performing Arts, Spiritual Life, and Sports and PE; events such as Poetry Week 2026 and Christmas Production 2025 are showcased in the gallery, and the school operates from two Kampala campuses: Kitante and Kansanga.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parent Teacher Association is a key part of the Ambrosoli community. All parents with children at Ambrosoli are automatically members, as are all staff, with the PTA Committee consisting of volunteer parents and at least two staff members. The PTA organises social events for the school to connect parents, children and teachers and funds special projects for the school and a designated charity chosen annually by the School Council. PTA events include a potluck dinner, Quiz & Curry Night, Family Football Fiesta, Holiday Fair, movie nights and the end-of-year Family Fun Day. The PTA relies on parent volunteers and Class Parent Representatives coordinate communications with class parents; queries can be directed to PTAVolunteers@ambrosolischool.com or pta@ambrosolischool.com.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Children from Year 1 to Year 6 follow IPC units of work that cover history, geography, science, art, technology, music, ICT and social and international education. The IPC units are integrated with the English National Curriculum in numeracy and literacy. The IPC emphasizes international mindedness and personal learning goals such as adaptability, enquiry, cooperation, communication, thoughtfulness, respect, resilience and morality. Younger children study topics such as Holidays and Toys, while older students explore topics like the solar system and global trade and migration.	Academic & intellectual Brain games include Chess, Brain Master (mental math), and Scrabble. ICT covers coding and animation. These co-curricular activities foster thinking skills and academic engagement beyond regular lessons. Some co-curricular activities attract a small fee and may change depending on student preferences and coach availability.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art lessons offer painting, drawing, collage and three‑dimensional art, often linked to IPC units and designed to allow children to express themselves creatively. Music sessions teach instruments, singing and listening to music from different eras and cultures, with opportunities to perform in class assemblies and school events. There are additional opportunities to celebrate music through the annual talent show and the International Schools' Music Festival.	Arts & creative Visual Arts includes painting, drawing and crafts. Performing Arts includes music, ballet, drama, guitar and piano. Creative Writing is offered as a co-curricular activity.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Ugandan Culture is taught weekly, covering traditions, languages, geography, history, dance and music, games, clothing and food. This program supports global awareness and international mindedness through IPC units, PSHE topics and school values.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a key part of the Ambrosoli community; all parents and staff participate, and events are organised through the PTA Committee with staff involvement. PTA events include potluck dinners, Quiz & Curry Night, Family Football Fiesta, Holiday Fair, movie nights and Family Fun Day. The money raised at PTA events funds special school projects and designated charities.	Social & hobbies Cookery is offered as a weekly enrichment activity. Brain games include Chess, Brain Master (mental math), and Scrabble. These activities enable students to socialize and explore interests outside formal lessons.
Community & service	Community & service Ambrosoli forms partnerships with community organizations such as Mustardseed School and Magdalen College School in England; these links focus on fundraising, curriculum sharing, training and moderation. The school has worked with Skate-aid and the Uganda Skateboard Union to support community projects, including the Uganda library project. Other partnerships have included Brass for Africa, CoRSU Hospital, USPCA and Hands for Hope.	Community & service We involve students in community service by giving their time and other donations to those in need. In the past, students along with their parents and staff have donated food, textbooks, scholastic materials and clothes to local schools and orphanages. We adopted a school and conducted teacher training to assist them in delivering effective teaching amid scarce resources.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Community Service Team leads community-building activities and volunteer projects. The PTA Committee and Class Parent Representatives coordinate parent involvement and leadership within school events.	Leadership & professional Student Leadership 2024-2025 includes Student Heads, Head Boy and Head Girl, and Councillors. A Student Council Teacher supports the student leaders. Directors include Service, Membership, Club Admin and Projects.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Ambrosoli is a member of the International Schools Sports and Athletics League of Kampala (ISSAK) and has frequent sports fixtures. The school provides a football pitch, junior-sized basketball court and a half Olympic-sized swimming pool with solar-heated showers and a full-time lifeguard. PE is taught with two lessons weekly, and swimming is part of the PE program. In Early Years, children have an outdoor play space and a forest school.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports and PE are offered, including football, basketball, badminton, and volleyball.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction. The English National Curriculum is used as the core of the English programme, with Letters and Sounds and resources from Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar supporting delivery. IPC units are used for Years 1–6 and are integrated with the English National Curriculum Numeracy and Literacy. Ugandan Culture lessons include a Languages component as part of weekly instruction.	Language provision Cambridge Primary English is taught. French is taught as an International Language. Swahili is taught. The Cambridge Primary curriculum is used, and languages are integrated with core subjects.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Complete a copy of the Application form; the application fee is US$150. 2. The school may offer a place and there may be a meeting with the Head of School if available in your country. 3. To secure the place(s), pay US$500 Enrolment fee and US$1,100 capital levy per family. 4. Complete and submit a full enrolment form with supporting documents. 5. The school sends a Confidential Reference Form to your child's current/previous school if required. 6. Enrolment Ages and Class Groups (25/26): Nursery Seedlings (2+), Kindergarten Sunflowers (3+), Reception (4+), Year 1 (5+), Year 2 (6+), Year 3 (7+), Year 4 (8+), Year 5 (9+), Year 6 (10+). The school year runs from September to August. Alternative placement is at the discretion of the Head of School. Children can be enrolled throughout the year according to availability. Class sizes are around 22 children per class, each with an internationally qualified teacher and Learning Assistant. 7. Location and contact: Plot 10/12 Binayomba Rd, Kampala; P.O. Empowering pupils to become confident, compassionate & internationally minded learners.	Admissions 1. Visit any of our campuses and see the Admissions Officer or Head Teacher. You will be requested to book an appointment to assess your child. The assessment aims to gauge the student's progress and identify if they will need special or additional support on enrolment. The student's performance in the assessment does not affect the admission decision. 2. You will be requested to fill the Admission Forms. 3. You will be given a deposit slip or bank details to make your initial Admission deposit. Your admission will not be considered complete until you have returned the deposit slip. 4. Alternative application process. For alternative application process, click the link below to apply online. Online Application. 5. On admission, the following documents are required: A copy of birth certificate and, for Early Years, a copy of the immunization card; Two passport size photos for the student; One passport photo and copy of national identity card or passport details for parents/guardian; One passport photo and copy of national identity card or passport details for emergency contact; Copies of the last 3 report cards from the previous school (where applicable). The passport photos can be scanned and emailed along with the other documents.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →