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The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is the city’s first international school and one of its finest. Located on two campuses in District 2, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most charming neighborhoods and only 15 minutes from the historic Saigon city center, the coeducational Cognita school caters to students aged 2 to 18.
An education here empowers students to construct an understanding of knowledge and their world through carefully developed learning and social skills. ISHCMC achieves this through the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. As an IB World School, it offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) — all of which encourage an inclusive, broad and balanced approach to learning through inquiry, exploration of concepts, principled and caring citizenship, creative problem solving, collaboration, communication and connectivity.
More than 61 nationalities are represented at ISHCMC. Source: International School Ho Chi Minh City
Cultivating curiosity and critical thinking in an international-centric environment
Since its founding over 30 years ago, ISHCMC has established a legacy and reputation for excellence. Today, it has a 100% university acceptance rate and a 100% pass rate for the IB DP in 2023 (with an average score of 36 points). Just this year, 86 students in Grade 12 have received 448 offers and over US$21 million in scholarships to their best-fit universities, which include Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, and many other prestigious names.
Many graduates credit their success to ISHCMC. Being part of the first IB World School in Vietnam and the first IB Continuum School in the region gave them a competitive edge. They stand out — most prominently through how they exhibit future-ready skills fit for a rapidly changing world made up of increasingly interconnected countries.
Perhaps the most striking trait of ISHCMC graduates is their interpersonal skills. They possess cross-cultural understanding, empathy and open-mindedness. They are critical thinkers with rich perspectives. They speak English and key foreign languages. Growing up amongst disparate races — over 61 nationalities are represented on campus — and learning from expert teachers recruited from more than 20 countries can do that to you.
“The connections you make at ISHCMC guide you far into the future. Even after graduation, the sense of belonging and connection to the school remains strong. The network has opened doors to incredible opportunities, from professional connections to lifelong friendships,” says Hippolyte Genet.
ISHCMC delivers outstanding results not just in academics but in sports too. Source: International School Ho Chi Minh City
Nurturing lifelong learners in an inclusive and adaptive legacy school
An IB education is holistic. It challenges students to not only do well in exams but in life. Pair this with ISHCMC’s Principles of Learning and students here are empowered to think critically, raise their own questions and develop their research skills.
For example, those in the Primary Years Programme follow an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. The goal is to transform children into caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.
In classrooms, they investigate key concepts such as cause, connection and perspectives, through broad, open-ended questions in an inquiry. They ask questions like what is it like? How does it work? Why is it as it is? By viewing concepts as a set of questions, the inquiry is directed, purposeful and manageable.
These complement ISHCMC’s sports and arts programmes. As ISHCMC is a core member of the 15-school SISAC athletic conference, students here have to compete in the following sports: volleyball, football, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, track and field and cross country. There is a swim team that competes locally and internationally including in Bangkok, Singapore and Hanoi as well.
To develop their creativity and follow their passions, the Arts programme provides quality, progressive and fun lessons for students to learn music. Instruction is based on the IB curriculum style and includes the opportunity to follow two exam syllabi, the ABRSM and RockSchool, for which students can earn internationally recognised qualifications which may assist with university entrance. The setting? Dedicated facilities like a 350-seat theater, Black Box theaters, a recording studio, music practice rooms and art studios.
What happens beyond ISHCMC’s campus and its facilities is just as important. This is a school that transforms children into well-rounded graduates and global citizens. To achieve this, it takes community engagement seriously. It has raised collective awareness and understanding of pressing climate issues among students, parents, and community members. It has forged partnerships amongst a diverse array of stakeholders, including local companies, NGOs and businesses. Open dialogues, knowledge sharing, and celebrations are held, enabling constructive conversations and empowering students to take an active role in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is substantial financial support to local charity initiatives as well, including contributions to a renovation of a school in the Mekong Delta.
Interested? Be part of an Adaptive Legacy School that prioritizes holistic education and community engagement — apply to ISHCMC today.
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