Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
Uganda, Kampala
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
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).
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.
Application / Registration fee
- A non-refundable registration fee of USD 500 is payable by all students at the time of application.
Tuition fees (2026–2027) — amounts by entry year group and payment plan
Payment plans available:
- Plan A — one instalment (single annual payment).
- Plan B — two instalments (each instalment shown; totals include finance charges).
- Plan C — three instalments (each instalment shown; totals include finance charges).
Tuition by year group (figures shown as: Plan A — annual; Plan B — each of 2 instalments (annual total in parentheses); Plan C — each of 3 instalments (annual total in parentheses)):
- Playgroup — Plan A: USD 7,500; Plan B: USD 3,830 (annual total USD 7,660); Plan C: USD 2,560 (annual total USD 7,680).
- EC1–EC2 — Plan A: USD 9,200; Plan B: USD 4,690 (annual total USD 9,380); Plan C: USD 3,140 (annual total USD 9,420).
- Afternoon Supervision — Plan A: USD 1,700; Plan B: USD 870 (annual total USD 1,740); Plan C: USD 590 (annual total USD 1,770).
- Kinder — Plan A: USD 25,700; Plan B: USD 13,110 (annual total USD 26,220); Plan C: USD 8,780 (annual total USD 26,340).
- Grade 1–5 — Plan A: USD 27,600; Plan B: USD 14,080 (annual total USD 28,160); Plan C: USD 9,430 (annual total USD 28,290).
- Grade 6–8 — Plan A: USD 32,000; Plan B: USD 16,320 (annual total USD 32,640); Plan C: USD 10,930 (annual total USD 32,790).
- Grade 9–10 — Plan A: USD 33,200; Plan B: USD 16,930 (annual total USD 33,860); Plan C: USD 11,340 (annual total USD 34,020).
- Grade 11–12 — Plan A: USD 38,700; Plan B: USD 19,740 (annual total USD 39,480); Plan C: USD 13,220 (annual total USD 39,660).
- All Plan B and Plan C instalment amounts shown are inclusive of finance charges.
Optional bus (transport) fees
Optional bus service (figures shown as: Plan A — annual; Plan B — each instalment (annual total in parentheses); Plan C — each instalment (annual total in parentheses)):
- One child — Plan A: USD 2,320; Plan B: USD 1,175 (annual total USD 2,350); Plan C: USD 790 (annual total USD 2,370).
- Two children — Plan A: USD 2,270; Plan B: USD 1,160 (annual total USD 2,320); Plan C: USD 780 (annual total USD 2,340).
- Three children — Plan A: USD 2,220; Plan B: USD 1,130 (annual total USD 2,260); Plan C: USD 760 (annual total USD 2,280).
- Four children — Plan A: USD 2,170; Plan B: USD 1,110 (annual total USD 2,220); Plan C: USD 745 (annual total USD 2,235).
- Bus fee instalments for Plan B and Plan C are inclusive of finance charges.
Capital levy, deposits and continuing-enrolment charges
- Capital levy (one-time, non‑refundable) charged for students entering Grade 1 or higher: USD 10,000. An ISU Alumni rate of USD 2,000 applies for eligible alumni families. Families may apply to pay the capital levy in two instalments: first on entry and second at the start of the next school year.
- Annual capital levy: USD 1,000 for all students in Grade 1 and above. This annual capital levy is reduced pro rata by the same percentage as any financial assistance awarded.
- Re-enrolment deposit: USD 500 per student payable in May each year; this deposit guarantees a place for the following year and is deducted from the next year's tuition. Families who notify in writing by 30 June that they will not be returning will receive a full refund of the re-enrolment deposit.
Other costs and optional charges
- Co-Curricular Activities (CCA): optional seasonal activities may require additional payment for external coaches, equipment or materials.
- ISSEA/MUN and other out-of-country trips: partially subsidised; estimated additional cost per participating student ranges from USD 800 to USD 1,500 depending on group size and destination.
- Uniforms: there is no school uniform; students are required to adhere to the school dress code. Any sports kit or items sold through the school shop may incur separate charges.
Billing schedule and payment terms (dates for the 2026–2027 academic year)
- Plan A (single payment): full payment due by 1 August 2026.
- Plan B (two instalments): instalments due 1 August 2026 and 4 January 2027. Each instalment amount shown under Plan B is payable on those dates; totals include finance charges.
- Plan C (three instalments): instalments due 1 August 2026, 1 November 2026 and 1 February 2027. Each instalment amount shown under Plan C is payable on those dates; totals include finance charges.
Refunds and late-payment consequences
- Refunds: Fees paid in advance are refundable only where at least four weeks' advance written notice of withdrawal is given. Refunds are calculated on a quarterly basis; no refund is given where a student has attended any part of a quarter. The re-enrolment deposit is refundable if written notice of non-return is given by 30 June.
- Late payment: If any part of fees remains unpaid 30 days after the due date, the student may be excluded from classes. A late payment fee of 1% may be applied to overdue amounts. Students with outstanding fees may be excluded from school-sponsored trips, and school reports or transcripts will not be released until fees are up to date.
Payment methods and administrative details
- Currency: all tuition and fees are charged in United States dollars (USD).
- Accepted payment methods: bank transfer or direct deposit to the school's bank accounts, or payment through the school business office by US dollar cheque drawn on Stanbic Bank or ABSA Bank. School banking details are provided for electronic payments.
Boarding
- Boarding is not available; the school operates as a co‑educational day school.
Summary notes on variability
- Some optional items (transport, CCAs, trips, sports kit) involve additional charges beyond tuition and levies. Instalment totals for Plan B and Plan C include finance charges and will be slightly higher than the single-payment amount shown under Plan A.
554 students (Whole School) across 56 nationalities; 25% of students are non-native English speakers.
ISU is an independent, non-profit day school in Uganda offering IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) for ages 2 to 18. All instruction is in English. The 33-acre Lubowa campus houses Early Childhood, Junior and Senior Schools on site, with Science Centre (2015) and Arts Centre (2022), vibrant library, dining hall and Early Childhood kitchen with vegetable garden. The school offers four graduation pathways, including the IB Diploma and the ISU High School Diploma options, with all diploma requirements leading to an ISU High School Diploma equivalent to a US high school diploma. ISU is accredited by the Council of International Schools and Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. Beyond the Classroom program runs through ISSEA and ISSAK leagues, with facilities such as a 25m pool, a 400m track, four football pitches, tennis courts, an indoor climbing wall and a 430-seat auditorium. The school opened in 1967 as Lincoln School.
