Acorns International School Kisaasi vs Galaxy International School Uganda

	A Acorns International School Kisaasi Kampala, Uganda	G Galaxy International School Uganda Kampala, Uganda
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year UGX 2,240 - 11,058	Fees / year UGX 6,050 - 15,000
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 800	Pupils 400
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Plot 328 Kisota Road, Kisasi, Kampala, Uganda (along the Northern Bypass, near Bukoto–Kisaasi). The Kisasi campus is part of Acorns International School, with other campuses in Bunga, Lubowa and Kigali.	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.
Stages	Stages Early Years (18 months–5 years), Primary (6–11 years), Middle Years (12–15 years), and Diploma Programme (16–18 years) within the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).	Stages Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and Cambridge AS & A Level programmes.
School type	School type International IB Continuum World School offering PYP, MYP and DP (and associated A Levels).	School type International, co-educational school offering Cambridge International Examinations (Checkpoint, IGCSE, AS & A Level) with boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 50 nationalities represented among the student body.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learner Support Services (LSS) with an Inclusion Policy to identify and address learning needs.	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.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Uganda	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation No explicit religious affiliation; the school welcomes students of different faiths.
School day structure	School day structure School days run 7:30 am–5:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am–4:00 pm; Sundays closed.	School day structure Regular school day runs from 08:00 to 15:30. Meals are served centrally in the dining hall.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Bus transport is available; transport costs depend on distance.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and registration fees - Registration (one‑time, non‑refundable): USD 400. Second child registration: USD 250. No registration fee for subsequent children. - Capital levy (one‑time, non‑refundable): USD 200 for the first child; USD 150 for the second child; USD 100 for subsequent children. Tuition fees (per term and annual totals, by yearband) - Crèche: Term USD 786 — Annual USD 2,240. - EYP1: Term USD 1,125 — Annual USD 3,206. - EYP2: Term USD 1,215 — Annual USD 3,463. - EYP3: Term USD 1,685 — Annual USD 4,803. - PYP1 & PYP2: Term USD 1,990 — Annual USD 5,671. - PYP3 & PYP4: Term USD 2,215 — Annual USD 6,313. - PYP5 & PYP6: Term USD 2,440 — Annual USD 6,954. - MYP1 & MYP2: Term USD 2,680 — Annual USD 7,638. - MYP3 & MYP4: Term USD 2,930 — Annual USD 8,349. - MYP5: Term USD 4,625 (two term entries listed) — Annual USD 8,788. - IB Diploma Programme: Term USD 5,820 (two term entries listed) — Annual USD 11,058. - Cambridge A Levels: Term USD 5,430 (two term entries listed) — Annual USD 10,317. Textbooks and subject charges - Textbook charges applied per programme and must be paid with tuition at enrollment or at the start of the academic year: MYP1–3 USD 220; MYP4–5 USD 380; IBDP USD 955; A Levels USD 430. Students must have required textbooks before their first class. Other recurring or optional fees - School lunches: Early Years USD 250 (term or plan as listed); Casual lunch USD 7 per meal; Primary & Secondary lunch plan USD 350. - After‑school clubs: EYP1–3 group package USD 400 (for 5 clubs); single club participation USD 100 per club. - After‑school care: EYP1–3 regular plan USD 310; Primary & Secondary plan USD 150. Casual after‑school care USD 5 per 30 minutes. Late pickup charge USD 5 per 15 minutes past regular after‑school hours. - Bus service (zone pricing): Zone 1 USD 300; Zone 2 USD 400; Zone 3 USD 500. Uniforms and school clothing costs - Secondary tie USD 8 per piece. PE kits USD 10 per piece. Primary trousers/skirts/polo T‑shirts USD 12 per piece. Secondary shirts/trousers USD 15 per piece. Sweaters USD 15 per piece. DP/A‑Levels blazer USD 45 per piece. PE uniform is compulsory for all students; full school uniform is compulsory from EYP3 onwards. Discounts and referral - Sibling discount: 7.5% discount on the tuition fee for subsequent child(ren). - Early payment discount: 5% discount on the tuition fee if the annual fee is paid before the start of the academic year. - Refer‑a‑friend: 15% reduction on one term's tuition following the introduction and admission of a new student. Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties - Billing schedule: Tuition is invoiced by term. Each term's fees are due by the end of Week 1 of that school term. - Penalties: Late payments incur a surcharge of 5%. Students with fees unpaid 30 days after the due date will be excluded from school unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Head of Finance. - Textbook charges (where applicable) must be paid with tuition at enrollment or at the start of the academic year. Refunds and non‑refundability - All one‑time charges at admission (registration and capital levy) are non‑refundable. Fees once paid are not refundable. Payment methods and currency - All fees are stated in USD. Payment in UGX is acceptable at the exchange rate indicated by the school office. Cheque payments are accepted payable to "Acorns International School." Bounced UGX cheques incur a UGX 50,000 bank fine and bounced USD cheques incur a USD 25 charge. Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; boarding is not applicable to this campus fee structure. Notes on included items and exclusions - Tuition covers classes, notebooks, stationery, basic supplies, and diaries but excludes examination fees, field trips, treks, and other specified charges.	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.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details IB Continuum World School offering Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), and Cambridge A Levels. The curricula span ages 18 months to 5 years; 6–11 years; 12–15 years; and 16–18 years. Languages Programmes include French, Kiswahili, family language and Spanish.	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.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	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.
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 —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental 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 —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Step 1: Inquiry and Visiting Acorns. Families connect with the Admissions Office to schedule a personalised visit and tour of facilities. The visit provides a meaningful experience of classrooms, learning spaces, and extracurricular facilities. The Admissions Team supports families through this introductory step. Step 2: Application Process. Families review the Year Band Guide, Fees Structure, and Admissions Policy. They confirm registration by paying the non-refundable registration fee of $600, with a discount for siblings. After registration, an online application form is shared by the Admissions Department. Step 3: Placement Assessments. Applicants from PYP1 through DP1 complete placement assessments evaluating English, Mathematics, and Science to determine appropriate placement. These assessments also screen for learning readiness. For DP applicants, prior academic records and placement test scores guide placement decisions. Acorns does not admit students into MYP5 or DP2. Step 4: Admission Confirmation. Enrollment is confirmed upon submission of all admission requirements. Families receive confirmation within 7–10 days. If a class is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list and notified as soon as space becomes available. Admissions Timeline. Acorns operates rolling admissions. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year, subject to meeting admission requirements and space availability. Families may withdraw at any time during the academic year, in accordance with the withdrawal policy. Enrollment under Learner Support Services (LSS). The school outlines clear strategies for identifying and addressing barriers to learning. Families share relevant developmental and learning information during the application process. Where support needs are identified, applications are reviewed by the LSS and Programme Curriculum Coordinators. Further details are available in the Enrichment and Inclusion Policy (download).	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).
Scholarships	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.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waitlist: If a class is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list and notified as space becomes available.	Waitlist —
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