Acacia International School Kampala Uganda

By | August 18, 2020
0 Comment

Acacia International School is an independent K-12 Christian day school located in Muyenga, Kampala. We offer an American Classical curriculum in K-8, Cambridge IGCSEs and A-Levels for high school.

We have two campuses, the Junior School for Early Years to Grade 5 and Senior School for Grades 6-12.  We celebrated the graduation of our first Grade 12 class in June 2019.  

In elementary and middle school we follow a North American Classical curriculum that is designed for an international setting.  In secondary or high school we offer the Cambridge IGCSEs and A-levels. You can find out more from our admissions or curriculum page or drop us an email to schedule a visit (admin@acacia.co.ug), we’d love to see you.

Acacia International School Curriculum

What we learn…

Kindergarten to Grade 8

From Kindergarten to Grade 8 we follow the Core Knowledge scope and sequence in most subjects.  This is a ‘Classical’ curriculum designed in the US for a diverse and international classroom.  In History we use Susan Wise Bauer’s Story of the World. For Mathematics, we use Singapore Math.  You can find out more about Acacia’s Classical approach to education and how our faith impacts instruction in our Philosophy of Education.

For specific content in each class you can read the overview here:

Early Years – Kindergarten – Gr 1 – Gr 2 – Gr 3 – Gr 4 – Gr 5  – Gr 6  – Gr 7 – Gr 8

High School

In grades 9 and 10, students prepare for Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) with final exams in May. IGCSE is the most widely used and most recognized international qualification for secondary school students. It parallels GCSE examinations in the UK, however, the curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of international students.  In addition to the IGCSE subjects students take classes in Bible, Physical Education, ICT and Service Project where they are challenged to serve Christ through leadership, serving each other, serving the local and global community and caring for the environment.

In grade 11 and 12 Acacia offers a range of AS and A Level subjects, also examined by the Cambridge International Examinations Board.  Most students study four subjects at AS level in grade 11 and continue with three subjects to full A level in grade 12.  In these final two years they continue to study Bible, Physical Education and Service Project.

Acacia offers American credits for all classes taken, with a view to graduating students with an accredited American high school graduation diploma in addition to the IGCSE and A-level results.  

Subjects Offered

Art & DesignBibleBiologyChemistryDramaEnglish LanguageEnglish LiteratureFrenchEconomicsGeographyHistoryICT (Computer Science)MathematicsMusicPhysicsPhysical EducationService ProjectBusiness Studies

Assessment

We use various tools to gauge and track student attainment and academic growth.  From Kindergarten to Grade 4 students are tested in Reading A-Z three times per year.  This gives teachers insight into students growth and areas of weakness and helps them guide students to reading material at an appropriate level.  Annually, junior school students take the SATS tests, a standardized testing, compulsory in the UK.  

In Grades 5-8 the New Group Reading Test provides a regular benchmark in literacy.

We also use ‘levels’ as an academic standard that measures progression and attainment in all subjects from kindergarten to eighth grade. The levels progress from Level 1 to Level 8 and beyond, which is called ‘Exceptional Performance’, and each level is divided into three sub levels “a”, “b” and “c” with “a” being the strongest.  For example, a student who is performing at the top of Level 4, nearly at Level 5, would be placed at a Level 4a.

Levels do not correspond directly with grades.  Although there is an expected average level in each grade, what is more important is that whatever level a student is at, they are making at least two sub levels of progress each academic year.  Teachers, parents and students are encouraged to regularly reflect on target levels as a means of supporting the students academic progress.

Admissions at Acacia 

If you are a prospective parent coming to Kampala or just checking out schools in your neighborhood, a very warm welcome to you.  This page has most of the information you will need for admissions, some frequently asked questions and the application forms.  

Acacia is selective in its admissions and the Admission Committees decisions are based on the criteria listed below.  Short listed students will be asked to take the admission test before a final decision is made.  No preference is given for early applications and the school does not maintain a long term waiting list.

Criteria for admissions 

Acacia aims to be an open and welcoming Christian international school, and views each child as a unique person made in God’s image.  In our admissions and school operations we do not discriminate on the basis of national or ethnic origin, religion or faith background, gender, age, race, color or disability.  Our teachers, however, are Christians. 

All admissions decisions are made by an Admissions Committee.  The criteria have been set by the school board and include the following priorities.

  • We prioritize families that are likely to support learning from home and participate in the life of the school. Each family writes a ‘parent essay’ as part of admissions process.
  • We prioritize students who are likely to benefit from and contribute to an academically rich and rigorous environment.  The admission test and interview is weighed along with report cards from previous schools. 
  • We prioritize siblings to try to keep families together.
  • We prioritize Affiliate Member missionary families who serve in full-time ministry. Read more about Affiliate Membership here.

Please note, the school almost always places students in with their age group.  Read more about grade placement here.

Admission Steps

  1. Visit.  If you are living in Uganda you’ll probably want to visit first.  Please set up an appointment by emailing admin@acacia.co.ug.
  2. Apply. Submit the application forms in person or by email (admin@acacia.co.ug).  A complete application includes:
  3. The Admissions test.  Short-listed applicants take an English and Math admissions test, this costs $50 and is payable before the assessment.  
    • English language learners in Six to Twelfth Grades are required to take the Duolingo English Test which combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview.  This an external online test and costs and additional $49. 
  4. An Admissions decision.  The Admissions Committee will consider completed applications and after making a decision they will communicate to parents within two weeks and usually sooner.  For the normal August intake, admission decisions are made in April.  Mid-year applications are considered when they are submitted.
  5. Confirmation. After receiving a letter of admission, parents need to pay the Admissions Fee within two weeks to reserved a space.

Application deadline

For the August intake completed application are due by the 31st of March.  Short-listed students will take an admissions test during the first two weeks in April.  The Admissions Committee will make a decision by the end of April.

For mid-year transfers, the Admissions Committee will usually meet and review completed applications within two weeks. 

The school does not maintain a long-term waiting list or hold applications from one admissions period to the next. If your application is unsuccessful and you wish to apply for admission for the following school year, you are welcome to submit a new application in March the following year.

Forms

NOTE: These forms are in Google Docs and PDF formats.  To edit a google doc click “Edit>Make a copy….”  Kindly email admin@acacia.co.ug if you have any problems getting our website to work.

Application Form (Google docs) or Application Form (pdf)

Health Form (Google docs) or Health Form (pdf)

Parent Essay (Google docs) or Parent Essay (pdf)

Acacia Fee Structure

2019-2020 Fees  Fee range per year $5,000-$10,000.

Diplomatic FeesThis applies to children whose tuition is paid by an embassy or foreign government including affiliated development organizations or UN Agencies (UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, etc). 

Affiliate Member Fees  Affiliate Members and approved Christian missionary organizations have a discounted fee structure.  Contact the school for more information (finance@acacia.co.ug).  

Contact info

WAYS TO PAY

1. Bank Deposit. US$ only

Deposit slips must be brought to the finance office so a receipt can be issued and parents accounts updated.

Account name: Acacia Education Services Limited 
Bank name: Stanbic

Bank Account #: 9030015341377
Branch: Forest Mall, Kampala

 2. Check.  US $ or UGX

Checks from Ugandan banks are welcome; please make them payable to Acacia Education Services.

 3. Wire Transfer (Electronic Funds Transfer). US$ only

BANK NAME: STANBIC BANK LTD

             BANK ADDRESS: 3A SPORTS LANE, FOREST MALL, PO BOX 7131, KAMPALA, UGANDA

SWIFT CODE: SBICUGKX

             SORT CODE: 040147

ACCOUNT NAME : ACACIA EDUCATION SERVICES LTD

US $ ACCOUNT NUMBER :9030015341377

4. Cash is only accepted at the finance office for smaller payments eg. after schools clubs, uniforms and lunches. All tuition payments should be made at Stanbic bank.

CONTACT DETAILS

  • Junior School Reception: +256 (0) 752 403 961
  • Senior School Reception: +256 (0) 786 014 448