Renaissance International School Saigon

Academic Philosophy at Renaissance International School Saigon

Renaissance International School Saigon (RISS) is built on a dual pedagogical foundation: the internationally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum and the rigorous Cambridge International curriculum. This combination provides students with a seamless, inquiry-driven educational journey from Early Years through to pre-university study.

The IB Continuum

RISS is an authorised IB World School offering all three major IB programmes:

• Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in Early Years through Year 6
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Years 7–9 (ages 11–14)
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) for Years 12–13

The IB philosophy places emphasis on critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and the development of the 'whole child' — intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. The Learner Profile attributes (such as being inquirers, knowledgeable, principled, and open-minded) are woven throughout daily school life.

Cambridge IGCSE Bridge

Between MYP and the IB Diploma, students in Years 10–11 study towards the Cambridge IGCSE qualification. This provides internationally benchmarked external examinations, which complement the internal coursework emphasis of the IB programmes and prepare students rigorously for the demands of the Diploma Programme.

Round Square: Service, Leadership and Character

RISS is a member of Round Square, a global network of schools committed to education beyond the classroom. This membership integrates six pillars — Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, Internationalism, and Service (IDEALS) — into the curriculum and extracurricular culture. Students participate in service projects, international exchanges, and outdoor/adventure programmes that build character and global awareness.

Multilingualism as a Core Value

Although English is the primary language of instruction, RISS strongly values multilingualism. World Languages offered include Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and French — a remarkably broad offering for a school of ~540 students. This reflects the school's belief that language learning fosters empathy, cultural understanding, and competitive advantage in an increasingly interconnected world.

Inquiry-Based, Student-Centred Learning

Across all year groups, teachers are trained to facilitate inquiry-led lessons rather than direct-instruction-only models. Assessment is designed to be authentic and meaningful, with portfolios, research projects, and collaborative tasks supplementing formal examinations. The school's student support services — including EAL, Learning Support, and dedicated counselling — ensure that this approach is accessible to all learners, regardless of background or learning profile.

Community Life at Renaissance International School Saigon

Renaissance International School Saigon sits at the intersection of the global expatriate community and the rapidly internationalising Vietnamese society of Ho Chi Minh City. With approximately 540 students and a teaching staff of 47 international teachers supported by over 70 Vietnamese teaching assistants, the school reflects the multicultural character of District 7 — one of the city's most internationally diverse neighbourhoods.

Who Attends RISS?

The school primarily serves the children of expatriate families working in Vietnam's major business hub, alongside Vietnamese returnee families who have spent time abroad and seek an internationally recognised qualification pathway. The school's IB Diploma and Cambridge IGCSE credentials make it an attractive choice for families who anticipate future mobility and require globally transferable qualifications.

Student-Teacher Relationship

With class sizes averaging around 20 students, RISS maintains an intimate learning environment where teachers can develop meaningful relationships with each student. The school's student support infrastructure — including an EAL programme, a Learning Support department, and personal counselling services — underscores a commitment to pastoral care alongside academic rigour.

Vietnamese–International Integration

A distinctive feature of the RISS community is the deep integration of Vietnamese culture and language into school life. Vietnamese is taught as a world language to all students, and the school's Vietnamese teaching assistants play a vital role in both instruction and cultural bridging. Lunches are catered by Skyline and include Vietnamese dishes alongside Western, Korean, and vegetarian options — a small but meaningful gesture of cultural inclusion.

House System and School Spirit

The school operates a House System that fosters community bonds across year groups. Houses compete in events including the annual House Athletics Festival, building team spirit, school identity, and a sense of belonging. This structure is particularly important in a school serving a transient international community, where shared rituals and competitions help new students integrate quickly.

Round Square: A Global Network

RISS's membership of Round Square connects its students with a worldwide network of like-minded schools, enabling international service projects, exchanges, and conferences. This not only enriches individual students' experiences but also contributes to a school culture that values outward-looking, service-oriented citizenship.

Campus and Facilities at Renaissance International School Saigon

Located at 74 Nguyen Thi Thap Street, Binh Thuan Ward, District 7, Renaissance International School Saigon occupies a self-contained urban campus that punches well above its weight for a school of ~540 students. The school has invested significantly in purpose-built facilities that support both its academic and extracurricular programmes.

Sports Facilities

At the heart of RISS's sports provision is a 25-metre, 6-lane indoor saltwater swimming pool, staffed by professional coaches. This is a rare amenity among international schools in Ho Chi Minh City and enables both curriculum swimming lessons and a competitive swim programme. Complementing the pool is an all-weather artificial turf pitch that accommodates football, athletics, and other outdoor sports year-round in Vietnam's tropical climate.

An indoor gymnasium supports basketball, volleyball, badminton, and other indoor sports, and the school competes in the SISAC league (Southeast Asia's tropical school sports competition) against other international schools in the region.

Performing Arts

The school's 230-seat theatre/auditorium is a professionally equipped performing arts venue that hosts student drama productions, music concerts, and whole-school assemblies. Drama and music are core parts of the curriculum and extracurricular programme, with Choir, Orchestra/Band, and Drama Club making regular use of this space.

Library and Learning Spaces

The school library is described as well-stocked and includes separate dedicated areas for younger and older students, supporting both recreational reading and independent academic research. This age-differentiated design reflects the school's awareness that a through-school from Early Years to Year 13 requires spaces calibrated for very different developmental stages.

Dining and School Services

Lunch is provided through a contract with Skyline Catering, offering a varied daily menu encompassing Vietnamese, Korean, Western, and vegetarian options. Uniforms are provided and their cost is included in the school fees, simplifying the onboarding process for newly arrived expatriate families.

Bus and Transport

The school operates a customised bus service covering multiple city routes, including a free run from Tao Đàn Park and District 2. All buses are equipped with seatbelts and are staffed by licensed drivers and school monitors, reflecting a strong commitment to student safety during commuting.

Admissions at Renaissance International School Saigon

Renaissance International School Saigon follows a year-round rolling admissions model, meaning families can apply at any point during the academic year rather than being restricted to a single intake window. The main academic year typically begins in August, but mid-year entry is accommodated.

Application Process

The admissions journey involves several structured steps:

1. Application Submission — Families submit an application form along with a fee (VND 2,000,000 for Nursery–Year 2; VND 4,000,000 for Year 3–Year 13).
2. Admissions Assessment — Upon receiving the application fee, the school schedules the student for their assessment.
3. CAT4 Cognitive Abilities Test — All applicants for Year 3 and above sit the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test, 4th edition), which measures verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. This is a widely used standardised assessment in British-style international schools.
4. English Language Placement Test — Applicants complete an Oxford Online Placement Test, which is aligned to the CEFR framework. This determines the student's English proficiency level and identifies any EAL support needs.
5. Personal Interview — After completing assessments, students (and in some cases parents) participate in a personal interview. Certain year groups require an extended interview format.

Selectivity

While RISS does not publish an official acceptance rate, the multi-component assessment process (CAT4 + English test + interview) indicates a degree of academic selectivity. The school's EAL programme means that students who are not yet fully proficient in English can still be admitted with appropriate support, making the school accessible to a wider range of international families.

Merit Scholarships

For families seeking financial support, RISS offers three categories of merit scholarship: Academic, Music, and Sports/Talent. Scholarship applications for the following academic year are typically due by 15 July. These scholarships recognise exceptional talent and achievement rather than financial need.

Additionally, families enrolling a third child (or more) receive a 20% tuition discount on that child's fees — a meaningful sibling benefit for larger families.

What RISS is Looking For

The admissions process reflects the school's values: intellectual curiosity (CAT4 reasoning), English communication ability (Oxford placement), and personal character (interview). The school welcomes students from diverse national and linguistic backgrounds, and the presence of a robust EAL department signals that English proficiency is not necessarily a barrier to entry for younger students, though it becomes more important at upper secondary level.

Academic Culture at Renaissance International School Saigon

Renaissance International School Saigon prides itself on delivering a coherent, progressive academic journey from the earliest years of schooling through to pre-university qualifications. This 'through-school' model — where students can join in Early Years and graduate 14 years later with an IB Diploma — creates a distinctive academic culture characterised by continuity, high expectations, and holistic development.

Curriculum Pathway

This pathway is internationally recognised and provides strong preparation for university applications to institutions in the UK, US, Australia, Europe, and beyond.

IB Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma is the capstone of the RISS academic experience. Students select subjects from six groups (Languages, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, and a second language), plus the three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). The CAS component, in particular, connects powerfully with the school's Round Square membership and its culture of service and adventure.

Cambridge IGCSE

Prior to the Diploma, students in Years 10–11 study towards Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. This provides rigorous, externally marked examinations across a broad range of subjects, developing the disciplined study habits and examination technique required for IB Diploma success.

Languages Across the Curriculum

World Languages — Vietnamese, Mandarin, Korean, and French — are taught from primary level, reflecting the school's belief that multilingualism is both an academic asset and a life skill. For IB Diploma students, a second language is a compulsory group requirement, meaning RISS students are well-positioned to meet this demand having studied a world language from an early age.

Arts and Extracurricular Enrichment

The Arts are described as a core part of the academic journey at RISS, not an optional extra. Visual arts, drama, and music are integrated into the curriculum, with the 230-seat theatre and dedicated arts facilities providing the infrastructure for high-quality student performances. The school also fields competitive sports teams in basketball, football, badminton, volleyball, and swimming through the SISAC league, ensuring that the IB's emphasis on the 'whole person' is lived rather than merely stated.

University Outcomes

While RISS does not publish detailed university destination statistics, the school states that its graduates attend top universities globally. The IB Diploma — consistently among the most respected pre-university qualifications worldwide — positions RISS graduates competitively for admission to leading institutions in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and increasingly Vietnam's own international-standard universities.