Galaxy International School Uganda vs Orel-Vine International Academy

	G Galaxy International School Uganda Kampala, Uganda	O Orel-Vine International Academy Kampala, Uganda
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year UGX 6,050 - 15,000	Fees / year UGX 450 - 9,900,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 30
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2010
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location GISU is located in Lubowa, along the Kampala–Entebbe Road, about 9 km from Kampala. Turn off before Roofings Ltd. and continue along the housing estate, with the school about 500 m from Quality Supermarket on the main road. The address is Plot 1077, Lubowa Estate, Entebbe Road, P.O. Box 11119 Kampala Uganda.	Location Uganda, Kampala area. Pre-school on Najjera (Kampala); Primary & Secondary on Nakasajja, Gayaza Road, Kampala.
Stages	Stages Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and Cambridge AS & A Level programmes.	Stages Pre-school; Primary; Secondary
School type	School type International, co-educational school offering Cambridge International Examinations (Checkpoint, IGCSE, AS & A Level) with boarding facilities.	School type Christian international school (Cambridge International education at primary and pre-school levels)
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support GISU takes in children with mild additional needs and supports them accordingly; learners with additional educational needs receive education through addressing their differences and including them in activities, with accommodations such as extra time for assignments or exams, use of technology, or adaptive equipment as appropriate.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Uganda
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No explicit religious affiliation; the school welcomes students of different faiths.	Religious affiliation Christian
School day structure	School day structure Regular school day runs from 08:00 to 15:30. Meals are served centrally in the dining hall.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus transport is available; transport costs depend on distance.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Admission fee - A one-time admission (registration) fee is payable for new students. The admission fee is USD 1,000 (non-refundable). Tuition fees (per term and annual totals, by year group) - Kindergarten (KG2 & KG3) - Term 1: USD 2,650 - Term 2: USD 1,750 - Term 3: USD 1,650 - Annual total: USD 6,050. - Reception - Term 1: USD 2,850 - Term 2: USD 1,850 - Term 3: USD 1,750 - Annual total: USD 6,450. - Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) - Term 1: USD 3,450 - Term 2: USD 2,400 - Term 3: USD 2,250 - Annual total: USD 8,100. - Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6) - Term 1: USD 4,400 - Term 2: USD 3,050 - Term 3: USD 2,750 - Annual total: USD 10,200. - Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) - Term 1: USD 5,000 - Term 2: USD 3,450 - Term 3: USD 3,150 - Annual total: USD 11,600. - IGCSE (Years 10 & 11) - Term 1: USD 5,450 - Term 2: USD 3,850 - Term 3: USD 3,500 - Annual total: USD 12,800. - AS / A Level (Years 12 & 13) - Term 1: USD 6,450 - Term 2: USD 4,450 - Term 3: USD 4,100 - Annual total: USD 15,000. Book, exam and other recurring academic charges - Book fees (annual, paid at registration): - KG2 – Year 2: USD 250 - Years 3 – 9: USD 350 - Years 10 & 11: USD 450 - Years 12 & 13: USD 350. - Cambridge examination fees are charged in the relevant exam year and are payable in addition to tuition and book fees. Lunch and other facility charges are included within tuition. Transport is provided by a third-party operator with separate charges that vary by route and distance. School uniform costs vary by grade. Boarding fees (where applicable) - Boarding is offered from Year 7 to Year 13. Boarding fees per boarding student are: - Term 1: USD 2,450 - Term 2: USD 1,750 - Term 3: USD 1,600 - Total (boarding for the full year): USD 5,800. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed by term (three terms). Book fees are charged annually and are payable at registration. Lunch and facility charges are included in the tuition amounts. Transport and other optional services are billed separately. An upfront payment discount of 5% is offered where parents pay the full year in advance. A sibling discount of 5% applies for families with two or more children enrolled. The admission fee is payable once on registration and is non-refundable. Other costs and optional charges - Uniform: prices vary depending on grade; uniform purchase is an additional cost. - Transport: charged separately by a third-party transport provider; cost depends on route and distance. - Extracurricular activities fees (termly): - Early Years: Term 1 USD 100; Terms 2 & 3 USD 100 each. - Years 1–6: Term 1 USD 150; Terms 2 & 3 USD 150 each. - Years 7–13: Term 1 USD 150; Terms 2 & 3 USD 150 each. Refund information - The admission (registration) fee is non-refundable. Other refund or cancellation rules are governed by the school's financial agreement; full details should be confirmed with the admissions office. Fee payment options and practical note - The publicly available fee schedule and registration materials specify amounts, term billing and discounts but do not list specific payment channels (for example, specific bank account details, credit-card acceptance, mobile-money or online payment provider names) in the published fee schedule documents reviewed. Confirmed channels commonly used by schools in the region include bank transfer and school-approved electronic payment platforms, but the school's admissions or finance office should be contacted to confirm accepted methods and any transaction details or payment references to use. Contact options: +256 781 468 000 or admissions@gisu.ac.ug. Summary of the most important items for parents - Plan for a one-time, non-refundable admission fee of USD 1,000 at registration. - Budget tuition by year group on a per-term basis (three terms); annual totals are shown above. - Include book fees, examination fees and optional transport or boarding charges where applicable. Boarding fees for Years 7–13 are billed per term and total USD 5,800 for the year.	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). Registration and one-time fees - Registration (national): UGX 100,000 (one-time). - Registration (international): US$50 (one-time). 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 Full, 24/7 boarding is provided in separate Boys Dormitory and Girls Dormitory. Dorm-masters and supervisors oversee the boarding houses and maintain open communication between House and parents, with students selected for leadership roles within the boarding community. Most meals are served centrally in the dining hall, and dorms have common rooms plus kitchen facilities (kettle, toaster, conventional ovens, microwave and a fridge); bed sheets and pillowcases are changed weekly, and basic provisions such as fruits, coffee, tea, sugar, milk, margarine, honey, jam, peanut butter, salt and pepper, and cups and cutlery are supplied to boarders.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Most meals are served centrally in the dining hall for boarders. Dorms include kitchen facilities, and the school provides pantry items such as fruits, coffee, tea, sugar, milk, margarine, honey, jam, peanut butter, salt and pepper, plus cups and cutlery for boarders.	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 Pupils are organized into dormitories: Boys Dormitory and Girls Dormitory. Each dorm has a common room, dorm meetings, and organized activities (birthdays, picnics, football, and other games) under the supervision of dorm-masters, with leadership roles for students within the boarding community.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is privately owned with a Board of Governors, and day-to-day operations are managed by the Principal.	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 GISU delivers the Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years to Upper Secondary. Early Years uses the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. In Primary and Secondary, GISU follows Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, Cambridge International IGCSE, and Cambridge AS & A Levels.	Curriculum details The school offers Cambridge International Education at primary and pre-school levels.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Students are prepared for university study and are sent to universities and colleges in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe and South Africa.	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 provides School Counselling as part of School Life to support students' social and emotional development. Home Visits strengthen personal connections between staff, students and families to support wellbeing and engagement. Our teachers undergo professional development to align with curriculum standards and contemporary practices.	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) Gifted and Talented Education is described as part of GISU's learning support.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing School Counselling supports student mental wellbeing as part of GISU's wellbeing provision.	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 The school is committed to safe recruitment and promoting a safe environment and wellbeing of children and young people.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview All classrooms are equipped with Smart boards and a sound-field system. Facilities include dedicated spaces for science, ICT and the arts: Science Laboratories, Chemistry Laboratory, Biology Laboratory, Physics Laboratory, ICT Laboratories, an IPAD Room, a MACBOOK Laboratory, a Design and Technology Room, a Music Room, and Libraries. The campus is located at Plot 1077 Lubowa Estate, Entebbe Road, Kampala (500 m after Quality Shopping Village). A campus video offers a virtual tour to learn more about the facilities.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities GISU offers Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary, AS & A Level and IGCSE programmes. The Cambridge International Curriculum is followed in Primary and Secondary. The school provides Science Laboratories, Chemistry Laboratory, Biology Laboratory, Physics Laboratory. ICT Laboratories, IPAD Room, MACBOOK Laboratory, Design and Technology Room, Music Room, and Libraries support a broad range of learning.	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 —	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 —	History —
Community	Community GISU is located in Lubowa, 9 km from Kampala, along the Kampala-Entebbe Road. The school provides Cambridge International Education and has a Student Council – STUCO and a Parents & Teachers structure, including a PTA. Recent and upcoming community events include GISU STEAM EXPO, GISU SPORTS DAY 2026, GISU Blood Donation, and IFCD2025; an upcoming GISU Parents' Workshop is scheduled for March 7–8, 2026, and the Mathemania – National Round will take place on March 15, 2026.	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parent Teacher Association provides a structure through which the parents, caregivers, and guardians of Galaxy International School Uganda students can work together with teaching staff. The PTA will work with the Principal and teaching staff members to build partnerships between home and school. The Parent Teacher Association undertakes a programme of activities which promotes the involvement of parents and which supports students, parents and school staff. In planning its activities, the PTA consults with the Principal and teaching staff members. Email: pta@gisu.ac.ug.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual GISU hosts Mathemania – National Round. GISU hosts the GISU STEAM Expo. These events promote mathematics and STEM through competition and demonstration of projects. They provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.	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 IFCD2025, the International Festival of Cultural Diversity, features music recitals, art exhibitions, and cultural performances. The festival includes traditional dance performances, a fashion show, and a food festival. Students, parents, and staff participate in the cultural showcases and celebrations of creative expression.	Arts & creative The school has a diverse co-curricular program including arts as part of its well-rounded development.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language International Festival of Cultural Diversity (IFCD) highlights language, music, and culture. The festival brings together students, parents, and staff to celebrate diverse cultural heritage. The event features language displays, music performances, traditional dance, art exhibitions, and a fashion show. It demonstrates GISU's commitment to intercultural understanding.	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 The Student Council (STUCO) is the student government and provides a voice for students to influence school decisions. Boarding life includes sport, outdoor and indoor activities, and dormitory football matches. Evening and weekend activities in boarding life include group games, movie nights, and other social gatherings.	Social & hobbies The school offers a robust program of sports and co-curricular activities that support leadership and teamwork development.
Community & service	Community & service GISU Blood Donation Drive brings together students, parents, staff, partners and well-wishers to support healthcare. The event reflects GISU's commitment to community service and collective action. Participants are publicly acknowledged for their generosity and contribution.	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 STUDENT COUNCIL – STUCO is the student government and provides a voice for students to influence school decisions. The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) exists to engage families in GISU life. Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC) and Parent Workshops are part of GISU's family engagement. GISU also maintains alumni connections as part of its community.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Boarding program provides an environment for personal and interpersonal development, emphasizing integrity, creativity, self-reliance, respect, empathy, leadership and service. Dorm-masters and supervisors maintain open lines of communication with parents to support student wellbeing. Boarding life features sport, outdoor and indoor activities, with evenings and weekends filled by social and recreational events such as dormitory football matches, games, and social gatherings. Most meals are served centrally in the dining hall as part of dormitory life.	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 English is taught across the curriculum. English-First Language is offered in IGCSE, English Literature and English as a Native Language are available at AS/A Level. French is taught as a Modern Foreign Language from Early Years through IGCSE and AS/A Level.	Language provision French club is offered as a co-curricular activity.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions GISU admits students from all over the world and follows the Cambridge International Curriculum in both Primary and Secondary. Placement is dependent on the child's age, with other factors considered on a case-by-case basis. The Admission Package includes the following documents and forms: Application Form; Admission Form; Student Health Record Form; Report Cards from the past two years; Placement and Enrolment Policy and Procedure; Financial Agreement; Rules and Regulations; two passport-size photographs; School Calendar; Copy of Birth Certificate; Copy of Passport (for foreign students); and Payment of Admission Fee. Vacancies are available in Early Years, Years 1–6, Years 7–13. Plot 1077, Lubowa Estate, Entebbe Road (500 m after Quality Shopping Village).	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.
Scholarships	Scholarships GISU Merit & Needs Based Scholarship Programme provides partial or full scholarships to academically and socially gifted students commencing IGCSE or AS/A Level. Scholarships are awarded for an academic year and aim to identify students who would thrive in an international setting and would not be able to attend GISU without financial support. Scholarships may cover up to 100% of school fees for self-funding or partial self-payers; boarding fees are not waived; admission and caution fees may be waived for full scholarship recipients applying from outside GISU; tuition is covered for the grade studied, while uniforms and transport/extra-curricular fees are the student's responsibility. Selection is open to all nationalities and targets students entering Grades 10–13 who are candidates for full IGCSE or AS/A Level programmes; Sports Scholarships are one example of scholarship categories with criteria including demonstrated sporting talent, leadership, and English proficiency. The applicant review process includes a Scholarship Application Pack, site assessments, interviews, and the Financial Assistance form; University placements are assisted from Grade 10, but no university scholarship is guaranteed. GISU reserves the right to withdraw scholarships or to adjust criteria and the number of scholarships awarded.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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