O Level, Senior 1 to Senior 4
Four years that end with the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), set and marked by UNEB. The subjects and grades from these years decide which A Level subjects a student can take next.
Applications are open for children who have just sat PLE.
About O Level at Jonahs
O Level runs from Senior 1 to Senior 4. In the first two years students take a wide range of subjects so they can find what they are good at. In Senior 3 and 4 they focus on the subjects they will sit for UCE.
Every subject at O Level opens or closes options at A Level. A student who wants to take Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Senior 5 needs good UCE grades in those same subjects. That is why we take Senior 1 as seriously as Senior 6, and why every student is followed closely from the first term.
Subjects
Every O Level student at Jonahs takes these core subjects in all four years. They are examined by UNEB at the end of Senior 4.
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- History and Political Education
- Geography
- Christian Religious Education
In Senior 1 and 2 students take a wide range of subjects. No subjects are dropped yet. Their results in these two years help the school and the family choose the right electives for Senior 3.
Sciences
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Humanities
- History and Political Education
- Geography
- Christian Religious Education
- Entrepreneurship
Languages
- English Language
- Literature in English
- Kiswahili
- French
Practical subjects
- Agriculture
- Information and Communication Technology
Creative subjects
- Art and Design
Health and sport
- Physical Education
In Senior 3 and 4 students keep the core subjects and add elective subjects. Electives are chosen with the academic team, based on Senior 1 and 2 results and the A Level subjects the student is aiming for.
Core
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- History and Political Education
- Geography
- Christian Religious Education
Elective languages
- Literature in English
- Kiswahili
- French
- Luganda
Other electives
- Agriculture
- Information and Communication Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Art and Design
- Physical Education
The grades a student gets in Senior 3 and 4 are the ones on the UCE transcript, so choose electives that match the A Level subjects the student wants.
How students are assessed
The final UCE grade in each subject comes from two parts: work done at school over the four years, and the UNEB examination at the end of Senior 4.
Work done at school
- Class tests and assignments every term
- Practical and laboratory work
- Projects, presentations and group work
- Recorded from Senior 1 to Senior 4
School examinations
- Beginning, middle and end of term tests
- End of year examinations
- Mock Examinations
- Feedback and a revision plan for each student
UCE examination
- Set and marked by UNEB
- Sat at the end of Senior 4
- Results come as a transcript
- Needed to join Senior 5
UCE results now use letter grades from A to E for each subject, in place of the old 1 to 9 scale.
| Grade | Meaning | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| A | Exceptional | The student has gone well beyond what the subject expects. |
| B | Outstanding | Very strong understanding and skills in the subject. |
| C | Satisfactory | The student has met what the subject expects. |
| D | Basic | Some of what the subject expects, with gaps. |
| E | Elementary | Only the beginning level of the subject. |
After O Level
Strong UCE grades in the right subjects open A Level combinations at Jonahs. The admissions team looks at every UCE transcript and advises on what fits best.
Science combinations
- PCM: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- BCM: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics
- PEM: Physics, Economics, Mathematics
- BCA: Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture
- PAM: Physics, Agriculture, Mathematics
- MEG: Mathematics, Economics, Geography
Arts combinations
- HEG: History, Economics, Geography
- HED: History, Economics, Divinity
- HEL: History, Economics, Literature
- LED: Literature, Economics, Divinity
- DEG: Divinity, Economics, Geography
- GEA: Geography, Economics, Agriculture
Thinking of medicine? Aim for strong grades in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at O Level. Thinking of law? Strong English, History and Literature help.
For parents
What to pack, common questions, how to apply, the four years at a glance, and how to find us.
Jonahs is a boarding school. Please label every item with the student's name.
- 20 exercise books
- 2 graph books
- Pens, pencils and a ruler
- Calculator and mathematical set
- Oxford English Dictionary
- English and Kiswahili dictionary
- Good News Bible (for Christians)
- A4 art book, drawing pencils and coloured pencils
- A box file
- Mattress, bedding, towel and mosquito net
- Basin, bucket and jerrycan
- Sugar and a small bowl
- Small plastic food container
- Washing soap, bathing soap and sponge
- A dozen toilet paper rolls
- Water bottle
- Night wear
- Electric flat iron with a 3 pin plug
- 2 pairs of black closed shoes
- Sports shoes and sandals
- Gumboots
- Girls: 2 long black skirts, not tight
- Boys: 2 black trousers, not jeans, not tight
- Girls: sanitary towels and 3 petticoats
- Provided by the school: 2 shirts or blouses, 2 trousers or skirts, 1 sweater, 3 T-shirts, 1 tie and 1 sportswear
- No other clothes are worn at school, including at weekends
- 1 ream of Double A paper
- 2 big toilet paper rolls
- Medicines kept by the student. Prescribed medicine goes to the sick bay.
- Super glue
- Alcohol
- Electronic gadgets without permission
- Phones during class time
- Sweaters that are not school uniform
How many subjects does an O Level student take?
In Senior 1 and 2 students take a wide range of subjects across sciences, humanities, languages and practical subjects. In Senior 3 and 4 they keep the core subjects and add electives for UCE. The academic team guides every choice.
What is the difference between Senior 1 and 2 and Senior 3 and 4?
Senior 1 and 2 are the foundation years, where students try everything and find their strengths. Senior 3 and 4 are the UCE years, where they focus on the subjects they will be examined in.
Do O Level grades affect A Level choices?
Yes. Each A Level combination needs good UCE grades in its own subjects. For example, a student hoping for PCM needs strong Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Do O Level students board?
Yes. All students from Senior 1 to Senior 6 live at school. The daily routine helps students build steady study habits.
How is UCE graded now?
Each subject gets a letter from A to E. The grade combines work done at school (20%) and the UNEB examination at the end of Senior 4 (80%). Results come as a transcript.
What does a student need to join Senior 5 at Jonahs?
Good UCE grades in the subjects of the A Level combination they want. The admissions team reads every transcript and advises on the best combination.
Where can I see how Jonahs students did in UNEB?
Our UNEB results are on the UNEB performance page.
Who can apply for Senior 1?
Children who have finished Primary 7 and sat PLE. The admissions office reads every application and may ask for an entrance assessment.
Can a student join in Senior 2 or Senior 3?
Yes, as a transfer, when there is space in the class. Call the admissions office first to ask if a place is free.
How do I apply?
Apply online through Student Admissions, pick up a paper form at the school, or email admissions@jonahs.ac.ug.
- 1Have the PLE results slip readyYou will also need a recent passport photo of the child and the national IDs of the parents or guardian.
- 2Fill in the Senior 1 formOnline through Student Admissions, or on paper at the school office. You get an application reference by email.
- 3The admissions office reads itWe check the results and documents. An entrance assessment may be asked for.
- 4Check the decision onlineUse the reference or the PLE index number with the child's date of birth. If a place is offered you will see the School Pay code.
- 5Confirm the place and get readyPay the registration fee with the School Pay code. The student portal then gives you the admission letter, the fees list and the reporting date.
- 1Senior 1: settling inThe first term helps students adjust to secondary school, boarding life and a wider set of subjects. Teachers follow each student from the first day.
- 2Senior 1 and 2: the foundationStudents take all subject areas and find their strengths. End of term and end of year results guide the electives for Senior 3.
- 3Senior 3: choosing electivesElectives are confirmed with the student, the family and the academic team, based on results and A Level plans.
- 4All four years: work done at school countsTests, assignments, practicals and projects from every year make up 20% of the final UCE grade.
- 5Senior 4: the UCE yearA full mock UCE, feedback for each student, a revision plan, and practice with past papers.
- 6UCE results and next stepsWe go through each transcript with the student and family and plan the move to Senior 5, at Jonahs or elsewhere.
- AddressSt. Joseph of Nazareth High School
Kavule-Katende, 16 miles on the Kampala to Masaka road
Mpigi District, Uganda - Phone+256 788 262 797
+256 752 123 390 - Admissionsadmissions@jonahs.ac.ug
- Generalinfo@jonahs.ac.ug
- Office hoursMonday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
The admissions office welcomes walk-in visits during office hours.
If you are coming from outside Kampala, please call ahead so an admissions officer is there to meet you.
Get directionsSenior 1 places for 2027
Applications are open. The admissions office is happy to answer any question.