International School Ho Chi Minh City

A Complete IB Education from Age 2 to 18

ISHCMC offers one of the most complete international curricula available in Vietnam: the full IB Continuum spanning Early Years through Grade 12.

• Primary Years Programme (PYP): Ages 2–10, focusing on transdisciplinary inquiry, developing curiosity and agency in young learners.
• Middle Years Programme (MYP): Grades 6–10 (ages 11–16), building conceptual understanding across disciplines in global contexts.
• Diploma Programme (DP): Grades 11–12 (ages 16–18), the globally recognised pre-university qualification.
• ISHCMC High School Diploma: An alternative pathway within the secondary school programme.

Instruction and Pedagogy

All teaching at ISHCMC is inquiry-based and learner-centred, in line with IB philosophy. Teachers are required to hold IB training certification, ensuring pedagogical fidelity across campuses. Academic rigour is balanced with attention to personal growth, creativity and leadership — qualities that universities and future employers specifically seek.

The school provides dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) support for non-native English speakers, as well as a Learning Support programme for students who need individualised academic assistance. Counselling services are included in tuition.

University Placement: World-Class Results

ISHCMC's academic programme delivers measurable results at the highest level:

• 98% of 2025 graduates accepted to their top-choice university
• The Class of 2025 earned 1,187 university offers and a combined US$56 million in scholarships
• Destinations include Oxford, Yale, UPenn, University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, Imperial College London, UNSW Sydney, and many more
• Historically, the IB DP has maintained a 100% pass rate

These outcomes reflect both the quality of the academic programme and the school's robust university counselling services, which guide students through the competitive admissions processes of institutions worldwide.

From International Grammar School to ISHCMC

International School Ho Chi Minh City occupies a unique place in Vietnamese educational history. Established in 1993 under the name International Grammar School in District 3, it was the first IB World School ever authorized in Ho Chi Minh City — a distinction that has defined its identity ever since.

In 1997, the school relocated to District 2 (Thao Dien) and adopted its current name. This move proved transformative: the Thao Dien area would become the city's premier expatriate residential district, and ISHCMC's presence there grew in step with the international community it serves.

Expansion and the Cognita Era

Over the following two decades, ISHCMC expanded from a single site into two purpose-built, modern campuses — a dedicated Primary Campus and a Secondary Campus — both situated in Thao Dien. The school achieved full IB Continuum authorization, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), making it one of the few schools in Southeast Asia to offer all three.

The school subsequently joined the Cognita group, one of the world's largest networks of private international schools, gaining access to global resources, teacher development pipelines and institutional support, while maintaining its local Vietnamese identity and pioneering spirit.

Accreditation Milestones

Alongside its IB authorizations, ISHCMC earned accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), placing it among the most rigorously verified international schools in Southeast Asia. Membership in EARCOS and SEASAC further embedded the school in regional professional networks.

Today, with over 1,400 students from 60+ nationalities, ISHCMC stands as proof that a school founded on IB values in an emerging market can achieve genuinely world-class outcomes — a legacy built over more than 30 years of continuous operation.

Two Campuses, One Community

ISHCMC operates across two purpose-built campuses in the Thao Dien neighbourhood of District 2 (now Thu Duc City), Ho Chi Minh City — one dedicated to Primary education and one to Secondary. A complimentary inter-campus shuttle connects families with children at both sites.

Primary Campus Highlights

The Primary Campus is designed to inspire wonder and exploration in younger learners:

• Award-winning Primary Library — a dedicated reading and discovery hub
• Fab Lab & Makerspace — hands-on STEM innovation spaces
• Food Technology rooms and Film studio
• Dedicated Art and Design Studios
• Wide collaborative learning spaces for inquiry-based group work
• Indoor gymnasium
• Adventure Playground — safe, imaginative outdoor play areas
• 25 m × 6-lane swimming pool for aquatics programmes
• Multiple outdoor courts for sports and recreation

Secondary Campus Highlights

The Secondary Campus reflects the more specialised needs of older students:

• Information & Media Centre (library and IT lab)
• Professional theatre/auditorium for performing arts productions
• Recording studios for music and media
• Design and Makersuite (technology and engineering labs)
• Music practice rooms
• NBA-size indoor basketball court
• Rooftop multi-sport field — a distinctive urban campus feature
• 25 m × 8-lane swimming pool
• Food Technology and Science Laboratories
• Gym facilities

An Urban Campus That Punches Above Its Weight

For an urban day school in a dense city environment, ISHCMC's facilities are remarkably comprehensive. The inclusion of two full-size swimming pools, professional-grade performing arts spaces and STEM-focused makerspaces on both campuses reflects the school's commitment to providing a holistic education that extends well beyond the classroom.

A Microcosm of the World

ISHCMC's student community is one of the most internationally diverse in Ho Chi Minh City. With students representing over 60 nationalities and international students accounting for more than 75% of total enrolment, the school provides an environment where cross-cultural understanding is woven into daily life rather than treated as an add-on.

Vietnamese students account for fewer than 25% of the student body — meaning local families are welcomed into a genuinely international community rather than joining a school that simply markets itself as international.

Class Sizes and Staff Ratios

Despite its size (~1,400 students), ISHCMC maintains an intimate feel:

• Average class size: 18–23 students
• Student–teacher ratio: 8:1 (one teacher for every eight students)

These figures are notably low for a school of ISHCMC's enrolment, reflecting the school's investment in personalised attention and small-group learning.

Supporting All Learners

The school's inclusive approach is reflected in its comprehensive support services:

• EAL Programme: Dedicated English as an Additional Language support for non-native speakers at every level, from beginner to advanced.
• Learning Support Programme: Tailored academic assistance for students with specific learning differences or who need additional challenge.
• Counselling and Nursing: Both are included in tuition — no additional cost for families.

After-School Life

With 95+ After-School Activities (ASAs) including 36+ performing arts programmes, and competitive sports through SISAC, students have ample opportunity to discover passions, build friendships across year groups and nationalities, and develop the holistic profile that IB and university admissions teams value. ASAs run in two 6–8 week sessions per semester, allowing students to explore different activities across the year.

Applying to ISHCMC

ISHCMC operates rolling, year-round admissions, accepting applications whenever places are available. This flexible approach suits the mobile expatriate community it primarily serves, where families may need to enrol at any point in the academic year.

The Application Process

1. Submit application and Admissions Fee — 25,000,000 VND for Early Years/Kindergarten; 50,000,000 VND for Grades 1–12
2. Assessment — Age-appropriate:
   • Early Years & Primary: Play-based and observational activities
   • Secondary: Academic subject tests and a formal interview
3. Offer issued — if a place is available and the student meets age-grade placement standards
4. Commitment of Enrolment (COE) — families then choose:
   • Option A: Annual Development Fee of 67,500,000 VND/year
   • Option B: One-time COE deposit of 337,500,000 VND (refundable on graduation for Grades 1–10)

English Proficiency

Instruction is entirely in English. Non-native English speakers are assessed and placed in appropriate EAL support levels. There is no minimum standardised test score published for entry — English proficiency is assessed directly by the school.

An All-Inclusive Fee Structure

One of ISHCMC's most distinctive and parent-friendly attributes is its genuinely all-inclusive tuition. Unlike many international schools in Vietnam, ISHCMC's tuition covers:

• All uniforms (annual set provided)
• All textbooks and course materials
• Individual devices (iPads/laptops as appropriate)
• Field trips and excursions
• After-School Activities (ASAs)
• EAL support
• Counselling and nursing services
• Daily morning fruit snack

This means the headline tuition figure (ranging from approximately 287 million VND for Early Years half-day to 988 million VND for the senior IB years) is a genuine 'all-in' number for most families, with no hidden extras.

Sibling Benefit

Families enrolling more than one child benefit from a 50% discount on the younger child's Admissions Fee — a meaningful saving in the context of ISHCMC's fee schedule.

No scholarships or financial aid are offered; the school operates as a full-fee private institution within the Cognita network.