Acorns International School Bunga vs Heritage International School - Kampala
Acorns International School Bunga and Heritage International School - Kampala are both in Kampala, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Acorns International School Bunga also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge (Secondary), and Heritage International School - Kampala also offers EYFS, IPC, American and Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are UGX 1,410 - 6,130 at Acorns International School Bunga and UGX 3,550 - 16,250 at Heritage International School - Kampala, which puts Heritage International School - Kampala roughly 163% higher. Acorns International School Bunga takes pupils from 1 to 16, and Heritage International School - Kampala from 2 to 17. Heritage International School - Kampala is the larger school, with around 500 pupils to Acorns International School Bunga's 150. Typical class sizes are 15 at Acorns International School Bunga and 10 at Heritage International School - Kampala.
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), American Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils
Pupils
150
Pupils
500
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
10
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2015
Opened
1994
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Plot 4769 Hamis Kiggundu Rd, Kampala, Uganda. The Acorns International School | Bunga campus is part of a network with other campuses in Kisaasi (Uganda), Lubowa (Uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda).
Location
Heritage International School is on Kiwafu Crescent in Kampala, Uganda (P.O. Box 7899). The school is in the suburbs of Kampala and sits on a 15-acre campus. Classes are kept to a maximum of 20 students and are double-streamed from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Stages
Stages
Early Years (from 18 months) through Primary education.
Stages
Early Years, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School (K–12). The school is double-streamed from K through Grade 12 with class sizes up to 20 students.
School type
School type
International school offering the Cambridge Curriculum; Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams.
School type
International Christian school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Inclusive education for students with mild to moderate learning challenges; support includes sessions, writing IEPs, literacy/numeracy catch-up programs, and occasional Personal Assistants; English as an Additional Language support; wellbeing services with a School Counselor and Chaplain.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Uganda
Country affiliation
Uganda
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Christian
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm on school days.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
Yes. Bus services operate for students in selected Kampala residential areas with morning pick-up and after-school drop-off; late buses are available for enrichment activities; drivers are accompanied by a chaperone and buses have tracking devices; an extra charge applies.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees
- Registration (non-refundable) at point of admission: USD 300. USD 200 for the second child; no registration fee for subsequent children.
Tuition fees by year group (per term and annual amounts)
- Crèche: Term I USD 495, Term II USD 495, Term III USD 495; Annual USD 1,410. - EC1: Term I USD 550, Term II USD 550, Term III USD 550; Annual USD 1,570. - Reception (08:45–14:40): Term I USD 725, Term II USD 725, Term III USD 725; Annual USD 2,065. - Year 1 & 2 (08:00–15:15): Term I USD 810, Term II USD 810, Term III USD 810; Annual USD 2,310. - Year 3 & 4 (08:00–15:15): Term I USD 960, Term II USD 960, Term III USD 960; Annual USD 2,735. - Year 5: Term I USD 1,095, Term II USD 1,095, Term III USD 1,095; Annual USD 3,120. - Year 6: Term I USD 1,645, Term II USD 1,645, Term III (not listed); Annual USD 3,120. - Year 7 & 8 (08:00–15:30): Term I USD 1,150, Term II USD 1,150, Term III USD 1,150; Annual USD 3,280. - Year 9 & 10: Term I USD 1,340, Term II USD 1,340, Term III USD 1,340; Annual USD 3,820. - Year 11: Term I USD 2,265, Term II USD 2,265, Term III (not listed); Annual USD 4,305. - Year 12: Term I USD 2,000, Term II USD 2,000, Term III USD 2,000; Annual USD 5,700. - Year 13: Term I USD 3,000, Term II USD 3,000, Term III (not listed); Annual USD 5,700.
- Tuition fee is inclusive of educational materials and diaries (exclusions stated for candidate-level exam fees, field trips and trekking trips).
Textbook charges (payable with tuition at enrolment or start of academic year)
- Reception: USD 125. - Year 1 & 2: USD 125. - Year 3 & 4: USD 110. - Year 5: USD 115. - Year 6: USD 115. - Year 7 & 8: USD 175. - Year 9 & 10: USD 350. - Year 11 to 13: USD 430.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Each term's fees are due by the end of Week 1 of the school term. Late payments are subject to a surcharge of 5%. Students with fees unpaid after 30 days of the due date will be excluded unless otherwise agreed in writing by Management. - Early payment discount: 5% discount on tuition fee if the annual fee is paid before the start of the academic year. - Sibling discount: USD 200 registration fee for the second child; no registration fee for subsequent children, plus a 5% discount on tuition for subsequent children. - Refer-a-friend: 15% reduction on one term's tuition fees following the introduction and admission of a new student.
Boarding fees
- No boarding fees are listed; boarding is not provided.
Other costs and regular extras
- School uniforms (prices): Secondary tie USD 8; Primary trousers/skirts/polo T-shirts USD 12; Secondary shirts & trousers USD 15; Sweaters USD 20; PE kit USD 20; A-level blazer USD 45. PE uniforms are compulsory for all students; school uniforms are compulsory from EC2 onwards. - Lunch plans: Early Childhood USD 175; Primary USD 225; Secondary USD 250; Casual lunch USD 7. Students may bring lunch but cannot leave campus or receive food deliveries during the day. - School clubs / after-school activities: Primary clubs (03:30–04:15) USD 200. Students wishing to participate in a specific activity will be charged USD 100 per club. - Bus service (zone-based rates): Two-way: Zone 1 USD 250, Zone 2 USD 300, Zone 3 USD 350, Zone 4 USD 500. One-way: Zone 1 USD 175, Zone 2 USD 200, Zone 3 USD 275, Zone 4 USD 300.
Refund information
- Fees once paid are not refundable. Registration fee is non-refundable.
Fee payment options and currency
- All fees are stated in USD. Payment in UGX is acceptable at the rate indicated by the school office. Specific accepted payment channels (bank transfer, card, cheque, etc.) are handled by the school office; confirm with the accounts office for available methods and any applicable bank charges.
Fee details
Application and initial fees - Application fee (non-refundable): USD 500. - Reservation / Re-enrollment deposit (non‑refundable but deductible from next year's tuition): USD 500. - Capital levy (paid annually): USD 500 per family when more than two children enroll; if only one child, USD 250.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment plan options: - Annual plan: single payment at the beginning of the school year (preferred). - Semester plan: two equal instalments at the start of each semester (costs 10% more than the Annual plan). - Quarterly plan: four equal instalments at the start of each quarter (costs 16% more than the Annual plan). - Discounts and sibling concession: - 5% discount for families paying the Annual fee by 1 June; 2.5% discount for annual payment by 1 July. - 10% discount for families with more than two children enrolled. - New families: tuition must be settled as per the invoice issued by the Finance Office before the student's first day of school. Returning families follow the agreed payment plan. - Late payment: a surcharge of 10% applies to fees not paid on time; nonpayment may result in discontinuation of services.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed in the 2026/2027 fee schedule; no boarding fees are provided for this academic year. Heritage's published fee documents for 2026/2027 do not include boarding charges.
Optional and other costs - Lunch program (price per semester): PS1 – Junior Kindergarten: USD 300; Kindergarten – Grade 5: USD 400; Grade 6 – Grade 12: USD 450. - Bus service (price per semester, by route): Route A (Buziga, Bunga, Muyenga) USD 500; Route B (Bugolobi, Port Bell) USD 550; Route C (Kololo, Kisementi, Makerere) USD 550; Route D (Entebbe Road, Lubowa) USD 600. - SEN (Special Educational Needs) support (per semester): Moderate (3–4 sessions/week) USD 500 or 10% of semester fees, whichever is lower; Mild (1–2 sessions/week) USD 250 or 5% of semester fees, whichever is lower. - EAL/ESL support (per semester): Moderate (3–4 sessions/week) USD 1,000 or 12% of semester fees, whichever is lower; Mild (1–2 sessions/week) USD 500 or 6% of semester fees, whichever is lower. - Development / capital levy (annual): see Application and initial fees above. - Uniforms and textbooks: uniform costs are not specified in the 2026/2027 fee schedule and are charged separately; uniforms and other consumables (textbooks, field trips, examinations, CCA, transport where applicable) are additional to tuition and optional-service charges.
Refund information - Re-enrollment and admission fees are non‑refundable. - Tuition refund on withdrawal (per published schedule): - If admission is withdrawn prior to the start of the semester: 75% refund of tuition paid. - If withdrawn within 2 weeks of the start of the semester: 50% refund. - If withdrawn within 1 month of the start of the semester: 25% refund. - After 1 month of the semester has passed: no refund for that semester's tuition.
Fee payment options and banking details - Accepted payment methods: cheque, Visa card, or bank transfer. Fees may be paid in US Dollars or Ugandan Shillings. Tuition is charged in US Dollars and payable according to the chosen payment plan. - Published bank details (selected): - Stanbic Bank Uganda (Forest Mall Branch): Account name Heritage International School Limited; Account number: 9030008122171; SWIFT: SBICUGKX. - DFCU Bank Uganda (Nsambya Branch): Account number: 02100018380569; SWIFT: DFCUUGKA. - Absa Bank Uganda (Kampala Road Branch): Account number: 034-4062781; SWIFT: BARCUGKX. - First Merchants Bank (US) — account for USD payments: Account number: 102543998; Routing number: 074900657 (details supplied for international payments).
(All amounts are shown in USD. Figures are taken from the school's published 2026/2027 school fees documentation and the school's tuition and fees information.)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school teaches the Cambridge Curriculum, emphasizes holistic development (swimming, art and craft, dance, music and drama), and is accredited as a Cambridge International Exam Center for Checkpoint exams.
Curriculum details
Blend of international standards. Early Years follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Elementary uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) alongside Singapore Math. Secondary works toward a High School Diploma on a credit-based system, with options to sit IGCSE (Cambridge UK) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Iowa Assessments are administered annually and results are shared with parents. AP courses are offered in subjects such as Biology, Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, Computer Science Principles, Environmental Science, Microeconomics, Physics (1 and C), Psychology, World History, and Human Geography.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
The school has an excellent student-teacher ratio.
Student teacher ratio
Average class size is 18 students.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Graduates have gained admission to universities around the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Uganda, Kenya, Asia and other European countries, with many students receiving scholarships.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Enrichment for gifted and talented students is provided by the Student Support Service Team.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Begin the admissions process by visiting the campus or contacting the admissions team. Prospective parents and students can visit the campus on weekdays between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm for orientation. To start admissions, pay the non-refundable admission fee and fill out the admissions forms. Interviews are conducted to determine the appropriate class for the student.
2. Assessment. The assessment can occur during a routine school visit or at a later date. The student takes tests in English, Maths and Science to determine placement in a suitable class. The results guide placement to the appropriate class.
3. Acceptance. After the assessments, reserve a place by paying the non-refundable admission fee and completing the admission forms. The placement aims to ensure the student is enrolled in the correct year level.
4. Documents. Along with the admission forms, provide: 1 coloured passport photo of the child; 1 passport photo for the person responsible for picking up the child; medical information including immunization, allergies and any other health concerns.
Admissions
1. Begin by completing the application form to begin the school admission process. Once submitted, the registrar will contact the family. Admissions are accepted throughout the year. 2. The Head of School, the Elementary Principal, the Secondary Principal, the Head of Student Support Services, and the Registrar determine admission based on past school records, Heritage student assessment, and the school's admissions policies. Admission criteria include the applicant's ability to benefit from the program, space in the appropriate grade level, the capacity of the school to meet the applicant's educational needs, and the family's ability to meet financial obligations. 3. Required forms include Student Application, Student Health Record (including Authorization for Emergency Medical Care), School Fees Agreement, and Photo and Video Release. Required documentation includes Immunization Records, school records (transcripts, IEP and Psych. Assessment if applicable), copy of Birth Certificate or Passport, and, for High School, a chart for courses and hours completed. 4. Student placement follows age-based placement from Pre-School 1 through Grade 12, with exceptions possible when moving from other jurisdictions. Promotions are recommended at the end of the school year based on student performance; if a student is not eligible for promotion, parents will be invited to discuss alternatives. All classroom instruction is conducted within the Christian ethos of the school, and all students participate in religious instruction and activities. 5. An online application is available via heritageis.openapply.com and an inquiry form is available for questions. The Admissions Team and registrar are available to assist, and campus visits can be arranged during office hours.
