International School of Uganda

ISU is located in Lubowa, a Kampala suburb about 10 kilometres south of central Kampala, Uganda. The campus sits on a 33-acre green site that houses Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on a single campus. The address is 272 Entebbe Road, Kampala. The campus is described as a green space with indigenous plants and bird-life, and facilities include a Science Centre opened in 2015 and an Arts Centre opened in 2022.

Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on one Lubowa campus.

Independent, non-profit, day school offering the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).

554 students (Whole School) across 56 nationalities; 25% of students are non-native English speakers.

ISU arrivals occur around 7:40–7:45 am; the regular school day ends at 3:10 pm (2:20 pm on some Wednesdays). After-school activities extend to 4:10 pm, with a limited 5:00 pm bus service for extended activities or sports.

ISU operates a fleet of 17 buses serving Kampala, Entebbe and Lubowa. Bus arrivals at school are around 7:40–7:45 am; end-of-day bus services depart at 3:10 pm, 4:10 pm, or 5:00 pm. Buses feature seat belts, a DriveCam, three-point seat belts on all seats, walkie-talkies linked to the US Embassy, and a driver with an adult bus monitor for student welfare.

ISU offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-11, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16, and Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16-18. ISU implements three IB programmes and provides four graduation pathways: the IB Diploma, the IB-Enriched ISU High School Diploma, the ISU High School Diploma, and the ISU Individualised Diploma. All ISU Diploma Requirements lead to an ISU High School Diploma, equivalent to a US High School Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subject groups and three core elements: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service. ISU is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. All instruction is in English.

The Senior School has 212 students and 44 teaching professionals, yielding a student–teacher ratio of about 4.8:1. This ratio reflects the Senior School cohort within ISU's IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) as reported in the school's recent Senior School Profile.

IB Diploma (DP) outcomes show yearly variations: 2019 had 19 graduates with an 82% pass rate, 2020 had 34 graduates with 97%, 2021 had 28 graduates with 100%, 2022 had 25 graduates with 89%, 2023 had 24 graduates with 92%, and 2024 had 17 graduates with 89%. Average DP scores for ISU graduates hover around the low 30s, with highest DP scores reaching the low-to-mid 40s in certain years. The school's DP pass-rate data and score distributions are listed in the Senior School Profiles. The school presents DP course offerings and pass statistics to illustrate performance relative to global averages.

From Grade 11 onward, ISU provides a College Counseling Team to support university placement planning. University placements 2018-2024 show destinations including the United States (about 46%), Canada (about 20%), Europe (about 14-15%), the United Kingdom (about 12%), with smaller shares to Asia, Australia and Africa/Middle East; Makerere University in Uganda is also among reported destinations. ISU describes university destinations by region and lists individual university examples from various countries. The counseling team guides students toward post-secondary options across global universities.

ISU offers Merit & Needs Based Scholarships for academically gifted Diploma candidates, covering up to 75% of tuition for Grades 11-12 and supporting academic, arts and sports excellence; selection considers academic achievement, specialized talents, English proficiency, and leadership potential, with CAS and enrichment expectations. Scholarships are awarded by a committee, with documented criteria and peer/teacher nominations, and include accompanying ISSEA participation and related requirements. ISU also outlines additional scholarship opportunities and financial assistance programmes, including criteria for eligibility and the application process.

ISU uses a whole-school inclusive approach to social and emotional learning. The school emphasizes belonging and removing barriers to inclusive education. Counselors in every section support wellbeing and emotional health, working with teachers to guide learners through challenges. The school has two full-time therapists who provide occupational and speech-language therapies as part of the student-support services. Learning Support Teachers collaborate across programmes to provide classroom-based support and, if needed, dedicated learning-support spaces. English as an Additional Language is offered to help students develop social and academic confidence in using English.

ISU provides Learning Support Teachers who support learners across the three programmes through collaboration and co-teaching in classrooms. Intensive Learning Support is available for learners whose needs exceed classroom provisions. The school has two full-time therapists who support occupational therapies and speech and language therapies. English as an Additional Language is offered to help students become socially and academically confident in English.

English as an Additional Language is offered in both sections to support students who are still learning English and to help them become socially and academically confident in using the English language.

A counselor is available in each section to support wellbeing and emotional health. The Senior School wellbeing programme focuses on three components: health, relationships, and identity. The school fosters a sense of belonging through community activities and leadership opportunities, including Student Council and participation in ISSEA, UGMUN, and service projects.

ISU has Child Safeguarding Guidelines to foster a safe environment. Educators have a professional obligation to identify child abuse or neglect and to report suspected incidences to the Head of School or Junior or Senior School Principal. Reporting and follow-up of all suspected incidences will proceed under ISU Child Safeguarding Guidelines. Cases may be reported to embassies, the appropriate child protection agency in the home country and/or local authorities. The policy is distributed to staff annually and training on child protection is provided annually. Recruitment practices include verifying qualifications and references, and staff are required to sign a professional code of conduct including Child Protection training.

1. Enquire About Enrollment. The Admissions Director handles class availability by online enquiry form, and you may begin the process by making an online enquiry. The school may enrol at any time during the school year, but only after complete applications are received and reviewed.

2. Documentation & Registration Fees. After the admissions team contacts you, provide the required documentation and pay the USD 500 registration fee per child deposited to the school's account.

3. Acceptance. The application paperwork is reviewed by the admissions team, and parents are informed of the decision by the Admissions Director. The admission considerations include the applicant's potential to benefit from the academic programme, the school's capacity to meet the applicant's educational needs, and the family's ability to meet enrolment obligations.

4. Finalising The Enrolment. The business office will contact you to arrange fee payment; the Emergency Contact form and Bus Form (if required) must be submitted before the start date.

5. Grade Placement & Waitlist. Grades are generally placed based on age, with consideration given to previous transcripts, academic ability, social development, interviews and placement tests where necessary. As a grade reaches its optimal capacity, a waiting pool is established and the waitlist procedure comes into effect. Enrollment can occur at any time if a place is available, and withdrawal is possible at any time.

Christina McConnell Scholarship for Ugandan Citizens: full scholarship covering 100% of school fees for Ugandan nationals of secondary school age from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to study the IB Programmes. Applications for 2026-27 are now CLOSED.

ISU Merit & Needs-Based Scholarship Programme (2026–2028): two Merit & Needs-Based Scholarships for students entering Grade 11 in August 2026; up to 75% tuition support for the two years of the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12); funding determined by demonstrated financial need; eligible applicants should be born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010. Applications opened for 2026–28; deadline 20 March 2026; materials and application form are available via scholarship@isumail.ac.ug.

The Beacon Scholarship: leadership-focused programme offering access to top-tier secondary schools and undergraduate programmes; includes leadership training and mentoring; applicants must demonstrate they are Change-makers; more information is available on the Beacon Scholarship website.

Grade placement uses age as a general guide; when a grade reaches capacity, a waiting pool is established and the waitlist procedure comes into effect.