Orel-Vine International Academy vs Sycamore International School

	O Orel-Vine International Academy Kampala, Uganda	S Sycamore International School Kampala, Uganda
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year UGX 450 - 9,900,000	Fees / year UGX 8,200,000
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 173
Typical class size	Typical class size 30	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2010	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Uganda, Kampala area. Pre-school on Najjera (Kampala); Primary & Secondary on Nakasajja, Gayaza Road, Kampala.	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 Pre-school; Primary; Secondary	Stages Early Years and Primary.
School type	School type Christian international school (Cambridge International education at primary and pre-school levels)	School type International school offering the Cambridge curriculum.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Uganda	Country affiliation Uganda
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Christian	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 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.	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 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.	Food options Lunch is included in tuition.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	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.	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 offers Cambridge International Education at primary and pre-school levels.	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 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.	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) —	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 —	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 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.	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 —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	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.	Academic 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.	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 —	History —
Community	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 —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	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.	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 The school has a diverse co-curricular program including arts as part of its well-rounded development.	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 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.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school offers a robust program of sports and co-curricular activities that support leadership and teamwork development.	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 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.	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 —	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 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.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports and PE are offered, including football, basketball, badminton, and volleyball.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision French club is offered as a co-curricular activity.	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. 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.	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 —
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