By Guest Writer
As the number of international schools in Kampala continues to grow, choosing the right secondary school requires more careful comparison.
Parents are increasingly looking at curriculum, teaching quality, environment and value for money.
This ranking hereunder focuses only on schools offering a fully international curriculum (British, IB, American, or French) and not mixed systems.
The following criteria were used to establish the ranking:
- Curriculum quality and accreditation (Cambridge, IB, etc.)
- The international diversity of the student and teaching body
- Academic performance and placement into international universities
- Value for money
- Student support systems (pastoral care, guidance, wellbeing)
- Facilities and access to sports and extracurricular programmes, including participation in external
competitions and associations
Ranking Full List:
- International school of Uganda (ISU):
ISU offers a full IB pathway within a highly international environment and is known for its strong academic
and extracurricular programmes.
It remains one of the best-established schools in the country, though its
fees are the highest in Uganda and its location in Lubowa is outside central Kampala.
- Rainbow international school Uganda (RISU):
RISU provides a well-rounded Cambridge pathway supported by a diverse student body and a consistent
academic track record. Its location may be rather inconvenient for some families, and its campus is more compacted than those of larger schools.
- 7Hills international school (7Hills)
7Hills is a centrally located school in Kololo renowned for its small class sizes and focus on academic excellence. The environment allows for individual attention and offers strong value for money, while the
campus remains more limited in size compared to larger institutions.
- Kampala international school Uganda (KISU)
KISU offers both British and IB pathways and has a broad academic and extracurricular offering.
It is well established and has a nice and central campus. However, its high fees structure and high staff turnover are drawbacks.
- Acacia international school (AIS):
AIS follows the American curriculum and is known for its strong community feel and close teacher student relationships.
Its campus is relatively small and spread across several plots, meaning students often move between buildings.
- French international school of Kampala:
The French international school offers the French national curriculum within a global network, with a strong focus on language and cultural immersion. In the secondary section, a significant part of the programme is delivered online, with more limited direct teacher support on site, which may not suit all students.
- Heritage international school (HIS):
HIS places a strong emphasis on leadership, values and community, and also has a long-standing presence in
Uganda. However, its higher fees and frequent changes in leadership are drawbacks.
- Kabojja international school (KIS):
KIS offers a large campus, strong sports infrastructure and both Cambridge and IB programmes.
Its location in Buziga can mean a longer commute. Both the student and teaching body are more locally based, which can result in a less globally diverse environment than some other international schools.
- Acorns international school (AIS):
AIS offers both the IB and British curricula and has expanded rapidly in recent years, with growing student
numbers and an increasingly broad programme.
However, such fast growth can place pressure on systems and staffing, which may impact consistency in teaching and overall delivery.
- Galaxy international school Uganda (GISU):
GISU is a modern school with focus on technology, offering the Cambridge curriculum with a wide subject
range.
Its location in Lubowa outside central Kampala may be inconvenient. A more locally concentrated student and teaching body may shape the overall international experience compared with more diverse school environments. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
