British School of Kampala vs International School of Uganda

	B British School of Kampala Kampala, Uganda	I International School of Uganda Kampala, Uganda
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year UGX 8,242,706 - 52,983,294	Fees / year UGX 29,963,427 - 126,473,535
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification, IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 530	Pupils 615
Typical class size	Typical class size 24	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 1967
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Lubbobbo Close, Muyenga, Kampala, Uganda (P. O. Box 9378, Kampala).	Location ISU is located in Lubowa, a Kampala suburb about 10 kilometres south of central Kampala, Uganda. The campus sits on a 33-acre green site that houses Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on a single campus. The address is 272 Entebbe Road, Kampala. The campus is described as a green space with indigenous plants and bird-life, and facilities include a Science Centre opened in 2015 and an Arts Centre opened in 2022.
Stages	Stages Primary (ages 5-11) and Secondary.	Stages Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on one Lubowa campus.
School type	School type Primary and Secondary school with English National Curriculum in Primary and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the senior years.	School type Independent, non-profit, day school offering the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 554 students (Whole School) across 56 nationalities; 25% of students are non-native English speakers.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Pastoral care includes a full-time school psychologist and counsellor; personalised learning; Special Educational Needs support; Gifted and Talented programs.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England (UK)	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Primary day runs 07:30–16:00; Secondary day starts 07:45 with five 1‑hour lessons from 08:00, with a 10:05–10:25 snack break and a 12:30–13:30 lunch break; last lesson ends at 14:30.	School day structure ISU arrivals occur around 7:40–7:45 am; the regular school day ends at 3:10 pm (2:20 pm on some Wednesdays). After-school activities extend to 4:10 pm, with a limited 5:00 pm bus service for extended activities or sports.
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus service is available (bus charges published).	Bus service details ISU operates a fleet of 17 buses serving Kampala, Entebbe and Lubowa. Bus arrivals at school are around 7:40–7:45 am; end-of-day bus services depart at 3:10 pm, 4:10 pm, or 5:00 pm. Buses feature seat belts, a DriveCam, three-point seat belts on all seats, walkie-talkies linked to the US Embassy, and a driver with an adult bus monitor for student welfare.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Assessment / Registration Fees - Assessment fee (non-refundable): UGX 50,000 for general admissions; UGX 70,000 for candidates to the Optimum Learning Centre (OLC). - Registration fee (one‑time, non-refundable): USD 200 per child, payable on admission. - Caution (security) deposit (refundable, subject to exit clearance and deductions): USD 100 for Years 1–6; USD 200 for Years 7–11; USD 300 for Years 12–13. Refund is returned after full settlement of dues, return of school property, and payment for any damage. Tuition fees by year group (term and annual guidance) - Tuition is charged in a mix of Ugandan shillings and US dollars; exam fees for senior years are included in the dollar component where applicable. The school's published guidance places annual tuition approximately in the following USD ranges: Year 1–4 around USD 2,200 and up to under USD 4,000 for Years 12–13. Tuition is largely billed in UGX with a component payable in USD for some grades. - Where a detailed per-grade schedule has been publicly recorded (academic year 2022/2023), the year‑by‑year annual totals (UGX) were reported as follows (these figures were published as the last available detailed schedule): - Kindergarten 3 / Grade 1–3: UGX 8,242,706 per year. - Grade 4: UGX 40,112,471 per year. - Grade 5–8: UGX 52,983,294 per year. - Grade 9: UGX 16,028,118 per year. - Grade 10: UGX 11,790,275 per year. - Grade 11: UGX 20,370,824 per year. - Grade 12: UGX 14,306,384 per year. - (Note: the school states tuition amounts differ by year group and that some fees are payable in USD; refer to the school for the current per‑grade published fee schedule.) - Payment frequency for tuition: tuition is normally billed and payable across the academic year in termly instalments. Standard term billing is September, January and April; Year 11 and Year 13 fees are billed per semester (September and January). Specific due dates and split-payment rules are in the billing schedule below. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are issued in early November, March and June for the upcoming academic term. The school implements a split payment schedule per term: - Term 1: 50% due by 10 August, balance due by 10 September. - Term 2: 50% due by 10 December, balance due by 10 January. - Term 3: 50% due by 10 April, balance due by 10 May. - Students admitted before half term must pay the full term's fees; those admitted after half term are charged 50% of that term. Parents may request a payment plan before the published cut‑off dates for each term. Late or unpaid fees can lead to exclusion from lessons and, in some cases, loss of place. Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed and the school's materials and admissions information describe primary and secondary day provision only. Boarding is not indicated as an offered option. Transport (school bus) charges and related costs - Transport is optional and charged separately; routing is zone‑based with one‑way and two‑way rates. Published route charges (example schedule) list amounts in UGX such as UGX 400,000–900,000 depending on route and one‑way/two‑way selection. Transport charges are non‑refundable. Specific route prices were published in the school's transport charge schedule. Other costs and typical additional fees - Uniforms: a uniform fee is charged separately; the school has a uniform policy and a separate charge for uniform items. Participation in after‑school clubs incurs separate fees. Lunch fees are optional and non‑refundable; the school issues an annual lunch cost schedule. - Assessment, registration and caution fees are itemised above and are additional to tuition. Exam charges for senior students are included in the USD fee component where applicable. Refund information - The caution (security) deposit is refundable after a student's permanent exit clearance and subject to deductions for outstanding fees, unreturned school property, or damage. Apart from the caution deposit, most enrolment and tuition‑related charges are non‑refundable; assessment and specified term/transport/lunch sums are non‑refundable per the school's published policy. Fee payment options - The school recommends bank deposit or direct bank transfer into the school's accounts at DTB (Dollar and UGX accounts are provided). Parents must provide the deposit slip or electronic proof of transfer to the school; the school does not accept cash payments. Account details (account names and UGX/USD account numbers) are supplied in the school handbook and billing communications. Notes on availability of up‑to‑date per‑grade figures - The school publishes a detailed downloadable fee schedule for each academic year; the most recent publicly‑accessible, itemised per‑grade numbers located in open sources were published for academic year 2022/2023 and are listed above. The school's student & parents policy handbook and transport charge schedule include the formal billing schedule, mandatory charges (assessment, registration, caution) and the bank payment instructions that apply across years. For the current academic year (2025/26 or 2026/27) parents should rely on the school's official published fee schedule and invoice for exact per‑grade term and annual amounts and any currency split between UGX and USD.	Fee details Application / Registration fee - A non-refundable registration fee of USD 500 is payable by all students at the time of application. Tuition fees (2026–2027) — amounts by entry year group and payment plan Payment plans available: - Plan A — one instalment (single annual payment). - Plan B — two instalments (each instalment shown; totals include finance charges). - Plan C — three instalments (each instalment shown; totals include finance charges). Tuition by year group (figures shown as: Plan A — annual; Plan B — each of 2 instalments (annual total in parentheses); Plan C — each of 3 instalments (annual total in parentheses)): - Playgroup — Plan A: USD 7,500; Plan B: USD 3,830 (annual total USD 7,660); Plan C: USD 2,560 (annual total USD 7,680). - EC1–EC2 — Plan A: USD 9,200; Plan B: USD 4,690 (annual total USD 9,380); Plan C: USD 3,140 (annual total USD 9,420). - Afternoon Supervision — Plan A: USD 1,700; Plan B: USD 870 (annual total USD 1,740); Plan C: USD 590 (annual total USD 1,770). - Kinder — Plan A: USD 25,700; Plan B: USD 13,110 (annual total USD 26,220); Plan C: USD 8,780 (annual total USD 26,340). - Grade 1–5 — Plan A: USD 27,600; Plan B: USD 14,080 (annual total USD 28,160); Plan C: USD 9,430 (annual total USD 28,290). - Grade 6–8 — Plan A: USD 32,000; Plan B: USD 16,320 (annual total USD 32,640); Plan C: USD 10,930 (annual total USD 32,790). - Grade 9–10 — Plan A: USD 33,200; Plan B: USD 16,930 (annual total USD 33,860); Plan C: USD 11,340 (annual total USD 34,020). - Grade 11–12 — Plan A: USD 38,700; Plan B: USD 19,740 (annual total USD 39,480); Plan C: USD 13,220 (annual total USD 39,660). - All Plan B and Plan C instalment amounts shown are inclusive of finance charges. Optional bus (transport) fees Optional bus service (figures shown as: Plan A — annual; Plan B — each instalment (annual total in parentheses); Plan C — each instalment (annual total in parentheses)): - One child — Plan A: USD 2,320; Plan B: USD 1,175 (annual total USD 2,350); Plan C: USD 790 (annual total USD 2,370). - Two children — Plan A: USD 2,270; Plan B: USD 1,160 (annual total USD 2,320); Plan C: USD 780 (annual total USD 2,340). - Three children — Plan A: USD 2,220; Plan B: USD 1,130 (annual total USD 2,260); Plan C: USD 760 (annual total USD 2,280). - Four children — Plan A: USD 2,170; Plan B: USD 1,110 (annual total USD 2,220); Plan C: USD 745 (annual total USD 2,235). - Bus fee instalments for Plan B and Plan C are inclusive of finance charges. Capital levy, deposits and continuing-enrolment charges - Capital levy (one-time, non‑refundable) charged for students entering Grade 1 or higher: USD 10,000. An ISU Alumni rate of USD 2,000 applies for eligible alumni families. Families may apply to pay the capital levy in two instalments: first on entry and second at the start of the next school year. - Annual capital levy: USD 1,000 for all students in Grade 1 and above. This annual capital levy is reduced pro rata by the same percentage as any financial assistance awarded. - Re-enrolment deposit: USD 500 per student payable in May each year; this deposit guarantees a place for the following year and is deducted from the next year's tuition. Families who notify in writing by 30 June that they will not be returning will receive a full refund of the re-enrolment deposit. Other costs and optional charges - Co-Curricular Activities (CCA): optional seasonal activities may require additional payment for external coaches, equipment or materials. - ISSEA/MUN and other out-of-country trips: partially subsidised; estimated additional cost per participating student ranges from USD 800 to USD 1,500 depending on group size and destination. - Uniforms: there is no school uniform; students are required to adhere to the school dress code. Any sports kit or items sold through the school shop may incur separate charges. Billing schedule and payment terms (dates for the 2026–2027 academic year) - Plan A (single payment): full payment due by 1 August 2026. - Plan B (two instalments): instalments due 1 August 2026 and 4 January 2027. Each instalment amount shown under Plan B is payable on those dates; totals include finance charges. - Plan C (three instalments): instalments due 1 August 2026, 1 November 2026 and 1 February 2027. Each instalment amount shown under Plan C is payable on those dates; totals include finance charges. Refunds and late-payment consequences - Refunds: Fees paid in advance are refundable only where at least four weeks' advance written notice of withdrawal is given. Refunds are calculated on a quarterly basis; no refund is given where a student has attended any part of a quarter. The re-enrolment deposit is refundable if written notice of non-return is given by 30 June. - Late payment: If any part of fees remains unpaid 30 days after the due date, the student may be excluded from classes. A late payment fee of 1% may be applied to overdue amounts. Students with outstanding fees may be excluded from school-sponsored trips, and school reports or transcripts will not be released until fees are up to date. Payment methods and administrative details - Currency: all tuition and fees are charged in United States dollars (USD). - Accepted payment methods: bank transfer or direct deposit to the school's bank accounts, or payment through the school business office by US dollar cheque drawn on Stanbic Bank or ABSA Bank. School banking details are provided for electronic payments. Boarding - Boarding is not available; the school operates as a co‑educational day school. Summary notes on variability - Some optional items (transport, CCAs, trips, sports kit) involve additional charges beyond tuition and levies. Instalment totals for Plan B and Plan C include finance charges and will be slightly higher than the single-payment amount shown under Plan A.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are compulsory for regular school days. Boys wear navy blue trousers or shorts, a blue shirt, blue polo, a maroon sweater, navy socks and black shoes; girls wear navy blue pleated trousers or navy blue trousers with a white blouse, blue polo, a maroon sweater, navy socks and black shoes. All uniform items must be purchased from the school supplier with the logo and be labelled; special events uniforms may be required for field trips or concerts, as decided by teachers and approved by the headteacher.	Uniform requirement The school does not have a uniform but all students are expected to adhere to the dress code. Junior School students are required to wear a sports uniform available from the school office.
Food options	Food options Lunch is provided with a balanced lunch menu. Lunch is optional and charged separately.	Food options ISU offers an optional hot lunch for Early Childhood to Grade 12, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and no pork; most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Lunch is prepared in the school cafeteria by The Bistro, and weekly menus are published; students may also bring their own lunch, and Senior School has microwaves to heat food.
House system	House system There are four houses: Karuma (Blue), Sipi (Red), Itanda (Green), and Bujagali (Yellow). On sports days students wear colours that correspond to their house.	House system ISU has a House system. Students allocated to a house wear a House T-Shirt during PE and house events; houses are Water, Fire, Air and Earth, and there are events such as sports day.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is operated by the ISU Association whose members are the parents and teachers. ISU is not-for-profit and funds are used for annual operations and campus development. Seven of the 10 Board members are elected by the Association for two-year terms; two Board members are appointed by the Board, and the remaining member is appointed by the US Ambassador.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details British School of Kampala follows the British National Curriculum (Pearson-Edexcel IGCSE, GCE-A Level, and BTEC Levels 1–3) with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for younger learners. For senior students, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is offered.	Curriculum details ISU offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-11, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16, and Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16-18. ISU implements three IB programmes and provides four graduation pathways: the IB Diploma, the IB-Enriched ISU High School Diploma, the ISU High School Diploma, and the ISU Individualised Diploma. All ISU Diploma Requirements lead to an ISU High School Diploma, equivalent to a US High School Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subject groups and three core elements: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service. ISU is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. All instruction is in English.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio The Senior School has 212 students and 44 teaching professionals, yielding a student–teacher ratio of about 4.8:1. This ratio reflects the Senior School cohort within ISU's IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) as reported in the school's recent Senior School Profile.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IB Diploma (DP) outcomes show yearly variations: 2019 had 19 graduates with an 82% pass rate, 2020 had 34 graduates with 97%, 2021 had 28 graduates with 100%, 2022 had 25 graduates with 89%, 2023 had 24 graduates with 92%, and 2024 had 17 graduates with 89%. Average DP scores for ISU graduates hover around the low 30s, with highest DP scores reaching the low-to-mid 40s in certain years. The school's DP pass-rate data and score distributions are listed in the Senior School Profiles. The school presents DP course offerings and pass statistics to illustrate performance relative to global averages.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The curriculum provides qualifications for higher education and professional pathways; Pearson-Edexcel IGCSE, GCE-A Level, BTEC Levels 1–3, and the IB Diploma Program enable progression to higher education globally.	Higher education progression From Grade 11 onward, ISU provides a College Counseling Team to support university placement planning. University placements 2018-2024 show destinations including the United States (about 46%), Canada (about 20%), Europe (about 14-15%), the United Kingdom (about 12%), with smaller shares to Asia, Australia and Africa/Middle East; Makerere University in Uganda is also among reported destinations. ISU describes university destinations by region and lists individual university examples from various countries. The counseling team guides students toward post-secondary options across global universities.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Gifted and Talented Programs provide advanced opportunities for students who excel in specific areas.	Gifted and talented ISU offers Merit & Needs Based Scholarships for academically gifted Diploma candidates, covering up to 75% of tuition for Grades 11-12 and supporting academic, arts and sports excellence; selection considers academic achievement, specialized talents, English proficiency, and leadership potential, with CAS and enrichment expectations. Scholarships are awarded by a committee, with documented criteria and peer/teacher nominations, and include accompanying ISSEA participation and related requirements. ISU also outlines additional scholarship opportunities and financial assistance programmes, including criteria for eligibility and the application process.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school caters for the social and emotional needs of learners. The mission emphasises catering for the social and emotional needs of learners from varied backgrounds. We are an inclusive school that prioritises social and emotional development. The school offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and clubs to cater to individual talents and to promote holistic development. Optimum Learning Centre (OLC) provides support for students with learning challenges. Pastoral care happens at the beginning of the day.	Social & emotional learning ISU uses a whole-school inclusive approach to social and emotional learning. The school emphasizes belonging and removing barriers to inclusive education. Counselors in every section support wellbeing and emotional health, working with teachers to guide learners through challenges. The school has two full-time therapists who provide occupational and speech-language therapies as part of the student-support services. Learning Support Teachers collaborate across programmes to provide classroom-based support and, if needed, dedicated learning-support spaces. English as an Additional Language is offered to help students develop social and academic confidence in using English.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The Optimum Learning Centre (OLC) provides support for students with learning challenges. Special Educational Needs are addressed with dedicated support and resources for students with additional learning needs. Children with special needs are recorded as part of the admission process. The school maintains small class sizes to provide individual attention. The school provides inclusive education through SEN programs and resources.	Special educational needs (SEN) ISU provides Learning Support Teachers who support learners across the three programmes through collaboration and co-teaching in classrooms. Intensive Learning Support is available for learners whose needs exceed classroom provisions. The school has two full-time therapists who support occupational therapies and speech and language therapies. English as an Additional Language is offered to help students become socially and academically confident in English.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language English as an Additional Language is offered in both sections to support students who are still learning English and to help them become socially and academically confident in using the English language.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Pastoral care happens at the beginning of the day. The school has a counselor who schedules weekly appointments for students needing guidance. The school's mission emphasises social and emotional development for wellbeing. The environment is serene, secure and friendly, supporting wellbeing. Enrichment activities and clubs promote wellbeing and personal development.	Mental wellbeing A counselor is available in each section to support wellbeing and emotional health. The Senior School wellbeing programme focuses on three components: health, relationships, and identity. The school fosters a sense of belonging through community activities and leadership opportunities, including Student Council and participation in ISSEA, UGMUN, and service projects.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The Anti-Bullying Policy exists. All allegations of bullying are thoroughly investigated. Every child has a right to feel safe in class and around the school. The school provides a serene, secure and friendly learning environment. The Behaviour Policy outlines rules to promote safety and notes that all children are treated fairly and with consideration for behavior.	Safeguarding ISU has Child Safeguarding Guidelines to foster a safe environment. Educators have a professional obligation to identify child abuse or neglect and to report suspected incidences to the Head of School or Junior or Senior School Principal. Reporting and follow-up of all suspected incidences will proceed under ISU Child Safeguarding Guidelines. Cases may be reported to embassies, the appropriate child protection agency in the home country and/or local authorities. The policy is distributed to staff annually and training on child protection is provided annually. Recruitment practices include verifying qualifications and references, and staff are required to sign a professional code of conduct including Child Protection training.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school has a large swimming pool, a tennis court, a soccer pitch, and two basketball courts. It houses four science laboratories, a music room, a large engineering room, and two ICT rooms. Modern classrooms, laboratories, and libraries are available across the campus. The school is located on Lubbobbo Close, Muyenga. The facilities support both academic and practical learning across science, technology, music, and physical education.	Facilities overview ISU's 33-acre green campus in Lubowa houses Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on a single site. A facilities master plan guides ongoing development, with a Science Centre opened in 2015 and an Arts Centre opened in 2022. The campus includes a well-resourced library, a dining hall, and an Early Childhood learning kitchen with a vegetable garden. Sport and performance spaces include two sports fields, two sports halls, a full-length football/rugby field, a 400m track, four tennis courts, three basketball courts, two swimming pools, an indoor climbing wall, a gym and a 430-seat auditorium. There are also two art rooms and three music rooms supporting creative learning.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school has a large swimming pool and a tennis court. It also features a soccer pitch and two basketball courts.	Sports facilities ISU's sports facilities include: a 25-meter pool, a 400m track, four football pitches, four classic clay tennis courts, an indoor climbing wall, a newly built gym, a covered sports hall with a basketball court and two volleyball courts, two outdoor basketball courts with eight hoops, and a 1.4km Leopards Trail around the campus.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus includes four science laboratories, a music room, a large engineering room, and two IT rooms. There are modern classrooms, laboratories, and libraries.	Academic facilities ISU provides a Science Centre (opened in 2015) and an Arts Centre (opened in 2022). The library is well resourced. There are two Art Rooms and three Music Rooms, and a 430-seat Auditorium for performances and gatherings. There is an Early Childhood learning kitchen with a vegetable garden.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Clubs include Football, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Dodgeball, Skipping, Skills club, Swimming, Alpha, ICT, BSK Business, Interact, Guiding and Scouting, Young engineers, French club, Young geniuses, Skating, Cooking and Baking, Tayloring, Mathmenia, Ballet, Aerobics, Art Attack, Science club and various Music clubs. Clubs run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 14:30 to 15:30.	Extra curricular facilities ISU offers competitive and non-competitive athletics and other extracurricular activities through its Beyond the Classroom programs, including ISSEA and ISSAK leagues; ISSEA tournaments cover Track & Field, Cross Country, Volleyball, Drama & Visual Arts, Forensics, Chess, Basketball, Rugby, Band & Choir, STEAM, Golf, Football and Tennis; ISSAK includes volleyball, basketball, football, swimming and track and field. Trips and service-learning opportunities are also part of the program.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Located in Muyenga, Kampala, the British School of Kampala was founded in 2012. It follows the British National Curriculum (Pearson-Edexcel IGCSE, GCE-A level, and BTEC Levels 1–3) with a distinct Ugandan flavour. Since September 2018, the school has double-streamed every year group up to Year 11 and operates separate primary and secondary campuses. To preserve a family atmosphere, the total student population is kept to a maximum of about 530, and the average class size is 24 students. The school reached a 10-year milestone, reflecting its ongoing growth since 2012.	History The International School of Uganda first opened on 17 May 1967 as The Lincoln School located at 93 Buganda Road. It was the first international school to open in Uganda. Today ISU has over 600 students from over 50 countries. It looks forward to the future while honouring its past.
Community	Community Student life at BSK is vibrant and aims at holistic development. Extracurricular activities include clubs such as debate, science, drama, and art; sports such as football, basketball, swimming, and athletics; and opportunities in creative arts. Community and cultural engagement includes service projects, cultural festival celebrations, and international exchanges.	Community ISU offers a wide range of activities through the Co-Curricular Activities programme, providing 15+ activities per season from Music to Drama, Rugby to Capoeira, Cultural Activities to Life Skills. Uganda Model United Nations (UGMUN) was established by ISU students in 2015 as the first high school MUN conference in Uganda. ISU hosts AISA-GISS in 2025, a three‑day summit hosted by an AISA member school with the theme Kola Kati (Act Now), and Docathon Africa empowers students to learn documentary filmmaking and share their stories. Activities are organized in three seasons: Season 1 (September to November), Season 2 (January to March), Season 3 (April to May).
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Parent-Teacher Association (PTA): Active PTA involvement provides a platform for parents to engage in school life and contribute to our community. Family Events: Regular events and activities that encourage family participation and strengthen the school community.	Parent teacher association The Parent Community Association (PCA) creates a supportive and sustainable relationship between all members of ISU to foster community through open communication, planning events and creating initiatives to support student learning and growth. Its aims include serving as a forum of communication between school leadership and parents, providing information, engagement and resources for the ISU community, developing events to build community and connecting with partners in the wider Uganda community. The PCA is a network of parents and school representatives; all ISU parents, guardians and teachers are automatically members and can join events, volunteer or attend. PCA events have included Kampala bus tours, welcome dinners, family fun days, spring events, quiz nights and supporting sporting events. Contact is [email protected]
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Clubs and Societies include debate clubs and science clubs. The enrichment program extends learning beyond the classroom, promoting critical thinking and collaboration. Senior students can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.	Academic & intellectual CCAs offer 15+ diverse activities daily, including Music, Drama, Rugby, Capoeira, Cultural Activities and Life Skills. Activities run in three seasons: Season 1 (September to November), Season 2 (January to March), and Season 3 (April to May). In Senior School, CCAs focus on building talent, interests, service and life skills, and university preparation through Creativity, Activity, Services (CAS). Uganda Model United Nations (UGMUN) and other competitions develop leadership, communication and critical thinking.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Performing Arts opportunities include drama productions, music ensembles, and dance performances. Students participate in these activities to develop creativity and stagecraft. The program provides artistic outlets across different disciplines.	Arts & creative CCAs include Music, Drama and Visual Arts, with opportunities in Band & Choir. Docathon develops film-making and storytelling skills through investigation, storyboarding, filming and editing. Creativity, Activity and Services (CAS) underpin Senior School involvement in arts-related experiences.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Cultural Activities are offered as part of CCAs. The AISA-GISS theme for 2025 is Kola Kati, meaning Act Now in Luganda.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Clubs and Societies provide opportunities to join groups based on personal interests. Sports teams and activities foster teamwork and social interaction. The performing arts program offers drama productions and music ensembles.	Social & hobbies CCAs and clubs cover a broad range of interests beyond academics, including arts and cultural activities, supporting collaboration and social engagement.
Community & service	Community & service Community Service programs promote social responsibility and community engagement. Students participate in service activities as part of the school's enrichment program.	Community & service Service-learning opportunities are part of ISU's activities, with UGMUN and AISA-GISS promoting community impact and leadership through global issues and service.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional UGMUN and AISA-GISS foster leadership development, communication and critical thinking; Docathon builds teamwork and project planning for documentary projects.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school offers a wide range of sports teams and activities that promote physical fitness and teamwork. The enrichment program supports wellbeing by encouraging active participation in extracurricular activities.	Lifestyle & wellbeing ISU offers competitive and non-competitive sports with ISSEA tournaments and ISSAK play; facilities include a 25‑meter pool, 400m track, four football pitches, four clay tennis courts, an indoor climbing wall, a gym, a covered sports hall with basketball and volleyball courts, two outdoor basketball courts, and the Leopards Trail around the campus.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is taught in Primary School; English is a core subject in Secondary School; students can choose from a range of modern languages.	Language provision All instruction is in English. The Diploma Programme includes English Language & Literature SL/HL and Self-taught, and Language B options in French B SL/HL, Spanish Ab Initio SL, Spanish B SL/HL, and Kiswahili Ab Initio SL. English as an Additional Language is available to support learners. In Junior School, six languages are taught with specialist teachers.
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. Inquiry: The school has an Online Inquiry Form to receive information about programs, facilities, and admissions requirements. The Inquiry is the first step in the Admissions Process. The form invites prospective applicants to begin the admissions journey. The information gathered through the inquiry supports subsequent steps in the process. 2. Application: The Application Form is completed and submitted with the required documents. Required documents may include a copy of the birth certificate, recent school reports or transcripts, a passport-sized photograph, and any relevant medical records or special educational needs documentation. The Application is the second step in the Admissions Process. The documents accompany the application for consideration. 3. Assessment: Depending on the program and grade level, the child may be invited for an assessment or interview. The assessment or interview helps determine academic level and suitability for the programs. The assessment is part of the admissions process to gather information about the student. The results inform next steps in the admissions process. 4. Decision: After reviewing the application and assessment results, the admission decision is communicated. If accepted, a formal offer letter with details on the next steps is provided. The decision and offer letter outline conditions for enrollment. The admission decision determines eligibility to enroll. 5. Enrollment: To secure the place, follow the instructions provided in the offer letter. This includes completing the enrollment forms and paying any required fees. Enrollment formalities finalize the child's admission. The start date is arranged once enrollment is complete. 6. Orientation: Once enrolled, the child is invited to an orientation session to familiarize with the school environment, meet teachers, and start their journey at BSK. Orientation helps the student settle in and learn about routines. It provides opportunities to meet staff and peers. The onboarding process supports a smooth start to the school year.	Admissions 1. Enquire About Enrollment. The Admissions Director handles class availability by online enquiry form, and you may begin the process by making an online enquiry. The school may enrol at any time during the school year, but only after complete applications are received and reviewed. 2. Documentation & Registration Fees. After the admissions team contacts you, provide the required documentation and pay the USD 500 registration fee per child deposited to the school's account. 3. Acceptance. The application paperwork is reviewed by the admissions team, and parents are informed of the decision by the Admissions Director. The admission considerations include the applicant's potential to benefit from the academic programme, the school's capacity to meet the applicant's educational needs, and the family's ability to meet enrolment obligations. 4. Finalising The Enrolment. The business office will contact you to arrange fee payment; the Emergency Contact form and Bus Form (if required) must be submitted before the start date. 5. Grade Placement & Waitlist. Grades are generally placed based on age, with consideration given to previous transcripts, academic ability, social development, interviews and placement tests where necessary. As a grade reaches its optimal capacity, a waiting pool is established and the waitlist procedure comes into effect. Enrollment can occur at any time if a place is available, and withdrawal is possible at any time.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Christina McConnell Scholarship for Ugandan Citizens: full scholarship covering 100% of school fees for Ugandan nationals of secondary school age from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to study the IB Programmes. Applications for 2026-27 are now CLOSED. ISU Merit & Needs-Based Scholarship Programme (2026–2028): two Merit & Needs-Based Scholarships for students entering Grade 11 in August 2026; up to 75% tuition support for the two years of the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12); funding determined by demonstrated financial need; eligible applicants should be born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010. Applications opened for 2026–28; deadline 20 March 2026; materials and application form are available via scholarship@isumail.ac.ug. The Beacon Scholarship: leadership-focused programme offering access to top-tier secondary schools and undergraduate programmes; includes leadership training and mentoring; applicants must demonstrate they are Change-makers; more information is available on the Beacon Scholarship website.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Grade placement uses age as a general guide; when a grade reaches capacity, a waiting pool is established and the waitlist procedure comes into effect.
	View full profile →	View full profile →