International School Ho Chi Minh City - Secondary Campus

The Secondary Campus is located in the Thảo Điền neighbourhood of Thu Đức City (District 2), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It lies in a well-connected area with access to many expatriate housing neighbourhoods and is about 15 minutes from the city centre. Bus routes cover multiple districts and the campus is part of the “one community, two campuses” model with the Primary Campus nearby.

The school serves students aged approximately 11 to 18 and is structured for Grades 6-12 (Middle Years and High School). The curriculum follows the IB Middle Years Programme and then the IB Diploma Programme.

It is a co-educational day school.

The school offers a Student Support and Enrichment team which includes Learning Support for students with mild-to-moderate learning needs, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and counselling. Individual learning plans (IEPs) are used where required.

The school is international with no formal affiliation to a specific national system.

The school has no religious affiliations.

While the exact daily times are not detailed on publicly available pages, the school operates a regular day schedule with morning advisory, class blocks, a lunch break and co-curricular activities after lessons.

The school operates a bus service for students aged 4 years and older, covering many districts of Ho Chi Minh City including District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, Bình Thạnh, Tân Bình, Gò Vấp and Thu Đức. There is also a complimentary shuttle service between the Primary and Secondary campuses for eligible families.

The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) Secondary Campus follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework across all year levels. Students in Grades 6–10 study the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which integrates subjects such as Language and Literature, Mathematics, Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Design, Arts, and Physical and Health Education. From Grades 11–12, students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP), which leads to the globally recognized IB Diploma qualification. The DP includes six subject groups and a core component of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Language learning, technology integration, and service are emphasized across all stages, and English is the main language of instruction. The curriculum prepares students for international university entry and supports diverse academic and personal pathways.

The school runs a “Positive ISHCMC (POSISH)” framework, which includes advisory programmes and Personal, Social, Health & Education (PSHE) lessons to support students’ social-emotional development. It emphasises a teaching structure where homeroom/advisory teachers and counsellors work together to help students reflect on values, relationships and self-awareness. There is a clear intention that each student has access to at least one trusted adult in the school who can be approached about their social or emotional concerns.

A Learning Support team supports students with mild to moderate learning needs through differentiated classroom strategies and Individualised Learning Plans (IEPs). The school explicitly states that it is not a specialist SEN institution and does not undertake to provide for all specialised educational needs. The support services team collaborates with teachers and families when specific needs are identified.

The school offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme. Students whose mother tongue is not English may receive pull-out or in-class support in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and are monitored until they reach the required level of English proficiency. For students in Grades 6–7 there is an “Intensive English Language Program (IELP)” option for those with limited academic English who are preparing for the secondary years.

The school runs a dedicated Health / Wellness Centre staffed by qualified nurses, which provides individual health counselling including emotional and physical health needs. The school aims to integrate wellness, mindfulness and student counselling within the advisory programme and broader wellbeing strategy.

The school has a published Safeguarding policy which states that all staff undergo screening, there are designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) for each campus, and referrals may be made to external agencies when appropriate. Access to campus is controlled (with 24-hour security, camera monitoring and visitor sign-in) and all staff have first-aid training and understand the reporting system for concerns.

1. Submit Your Application
Families begin the process by completing the school’s online application form. Required documents include the student’s personal information, recent school reports, and relevant academic or health records. Supporting documents help the admissions team understand the applicant’s background and readiness.

2. Assessment and Interview
Applicants complete an age-appropriate academic assessment and take part in an interview. This step helps the school understand each child’s learning style, English proficiency, and overall suitability for the IB curriculum. Assessments are designed to ensure students can access the school’s programmes successfully.

3. Receive an Offer
Once assessments and interviews are reviewed, the school notifies families of the admission decision. Successful applicants receive an offer letter outlining placement details, conditions (if applicable), and fee payment information. The admissions office remains available to guide families through the following administrative steps.

4. Confirm Enrolment
Families confirm acceptance by submitting the required documents and arranging fee payments by the specified deadlines. This step secures the student’s place and allows preparation for orientation and the start of school.

The school does not publicly disclose any scholarship or bursary programme on its website. All students are subject to the standard admissions and tuition fee policies.

The school does not publicly state that it operates a waitlist or pool system.