Uganda’s secondary school or high school education consists of six distinct grades designated as Senior One through Senior Six. These six grades are divided into two academic achievement levels, Lower Secondary School, normally referred to as Ordinary Level or O-Level consisting of grades Senior One through Senior Four and Upper Secondary School, commonly referred to as Advanced Level or A-Level made up of Senior Five and Senior Six.
Promotion from Ordinary Level to Advanced Level is through a rigorous national examination system. Advanced Level high school education is required for Ugandan students to advance into University or college for further post-secondary academic studies. While Primary school is free, secondary/high school education is not free.