Galaxy International School Uganda vs Heritage International School - Kampala
Galaxy International School Uganda and Heritage International School - Kampala are both in Kampala, about 8 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Galaxy International School Uganda also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, and Heritage International School - Kampala also offers EYFS, IPC, American and Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are close, at UGX 6,050 - 15,000 for Galaxy International School Uganda and UGX 3,550 - 16,250 for Heritage International School - Kampala. Galaxy International School Uganda takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Heritage International School - Kampala from 2 to 17. The two are similar in size, at around 400 and 500 pupils. Typical class sizes are 20 at Galaxy International School Uganda and 10 at Heritage International School - Kampala.
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), American Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils
Pupils
400
Pupils
500
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
10
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1994
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
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, Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and Cambridge AS & A Level programmes.
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, co-educational school offering Cambridge International Examinations (Checkpoint, IGCSE, AS & A Level) with boarding facilities.
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
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
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
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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
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus transport is available; transport costs depend on distance.
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 / 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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
—
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
—
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
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
—
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
—
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
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
—
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
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. 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.
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.
