Ms Khanh Nguyen
Australian International School Saigon is delighted that you’re considering our school for your child’s education. We’re looking forward to answering all of your questions and welcoming your family to our school.
Our Educational Approach
Jon Standen
Executive Principal
At AIS, diverse students from a wonderful range of cultural backgrounds have access to a contemporary and comprehensive programme of education. By combining a rigorous up-to-date curriculum with high expectations and an enquiry-based approach to teaching, pupils are encouraged to build upon existing knowledge and, importantly, develop their critical-thinking skills. By applying this approach to real-world experiences, all year groups can demonstrate their understanding continuously, thus ensuring learning is relevant and sustained.
High-Quality International Education
AIS is committed to providing a high-quality international education where students excel inside and outside the classroom. The school's broad online learning programme delivers a full curriculum and features daily interactive sessions. Digitally focussed lessons follow a regular school schedule and are inclusive of specialist lessons.
Core programmes and specialist subjects in the EYP, PYP, (I)GCSE and IB form a rich and relevant curriculum. Led by expert staff, courses of study include performing and visual arts, music and sports, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, especially leadership studies. This multi-disciplined approach helps create happy learners eager to participate in all aspects of school life.
Quick summary of key school information
The school's life in pictures
All the details about this school in their own words
We have organised the information available for this school into 11 sections and 39 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
| Number of students |
1300 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
More than 40 |
| Most common nationality |
Korean, Australian, New Zealander, American, Japanese, Chinese, British |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
1:1 |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
English as an Additional Language (EAL) - focuses on developing English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. There is an emphasis in the EAL lessons on the understanding of vocabulary from relevant subject areas, including science and humanities. The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) - aims to develop the student’s English skills to a level where they can access the mainstream curriculum. This means the students will be in English lessons for twenty or more periods per week with an EAL specialist teacher. The lessons are very structured and follow the Cambridge Second Language Course curriculum. The programme enables students to have a solid foundation of English literacy skills. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish |
| Max. number of students per class |
20-24 depends on year level |
| Average number of students per class |
19 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes, for kindergarten and primary and also for Special Support students. |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
We operate under a 'Bring Your Own Device' system. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes |
| External examinations or assessments available |
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), IB Diploma |
| Results in these examinations |
IB result in 2021:
|
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
We have special support teachers for both primary and secondary students. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
We offer merit-based scholarships for gifted, able, and talented students every year. Many students who have received AIS scholarships have graduated and gone on to top universities like Oxford, Imperial College London, etc., |
| Student access to education psychologist |
All of our students have access to dedicated on-site counsellors. |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Middle School Entrance Test (Years 7&8 , Years 9&10)
|
| Waiting list |
Depends on the grade level |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
AIS offers admissions throughout the year. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
8:00 AM |
| School finish time |
2:45 PM |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Yes, We do have teachers around designated area to supervise students before and after school day. As for our kindergarten student, we offer after hour child care till 4:30 PM. |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| School provided lunches |
Yes, our lunches are included in the school fees for primary students. Secondary students can bring food from home or choose various food in our canteen. The school supervises the canteen operations to ensure that quality standards are maintained. |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
There are 100+ after-school activities available for students in both Primary and Secondary, such as Football, Swimming, Basketball, Hip-hop dance, Model United Nations, Robotic club, etc,. |
| Sports activities included |
We provide PE classes for students from kindergarten to year 11. In addition, we have a compulsory swimming class from kindergarten to year 10. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes, we have our AIS Titans team that competes in many sports competitions between international schools. Our Titans are also a part of SISAC (Saigon International Schools Athletic Conference), ASAC (ASEAN Sports and Activities Conference), and AISA (Australian International School Association), giving them plenty of opportunities to join Sports competitions in the country and abroad. |
| Facilities at the school |
Library, Auditorium, Science labs, Design Technology room, Boarding House, Media Centre, Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Football Field. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Two of our campuses, Thao Dien and Thu Thiem, have 25-meter saltwater swimming pools and an outdoor basketball court. On the Thu Thiem campus, we offer one grass field area for PE and an indoor gymnasium. In 2017, the city sports council awarded our Thao Dien swimming pool as the best pool for community services. |
| Grades/ages available for boarding |
11 years old and above |
| Boarding facilities at the school |
Boarders can access all school facilities, such as the swimming pool, library, gymnasium, football field, and basketball court.. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
AIS is committed to providing a high-quality international education.
|
| Teaching approach of the school |
At the Australian International School we want our students to listen to the world around them, to hear it hum, and to grow into young people who are curious, reflective and want to make a positive difference to their world. AIS emphasises the development of each student’s academic ability and encourages well-rounded, confident individuals who aspire to achieve their potential. Our curriculum is rigorous and balanced, with appreciation of different learning styles and experiences. It supports the individual strengths and talents of our students so that they are excited by learning and embrace challenges with a belief in their own ability. |
Why choose AIS?
Kindergarten and Primary | Ages 2-11
AIS's world-class Kindergarten programme, has built a reputation for providing excellent education to young learners in Ho Chi Minh City.
A highly-qualified, international team of motivated teachers encourage a primary school learning environment filled with energy, enthusiasm, and creativity. The expertise and dedication of staff helps to create a positive atmosphere, where all students can thrive and can achieve their very best as independent learners.
AIS has an enquiry-based approach to learning and the curriculum in Years 1-6 is developed around the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), supplemented with elements of the Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP) curriculum.
Secondary School | Ages 11-18
The Lower Secondary School at AIS accepts students in Years 7 to 11. Pupils follow the widely-respected University of Cambridge IGCSE programme, which extends the enquiry-based approach that the International Baccalaureate Primary Years curriculum offers in a broad programme of subjects, including art, maths, science and IT.
The Lower Secondary education adequately prepares students for the rigours, challenges and demands of the IB Diploma Programme.
As an IB World School, AIS is proud to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. The IBDP is a two-year pre-university academic programme, widely recognized and highly regarded by respected colleges and universities all over the world. Students are able to transfer into the IB Diploma Programme from other IB World schools, as well as from other school systems.
Our Campuses
Three world-class, purpose built, richly resourced campuses.
All campuses are safe and secure, and are monitored 24/7 by our security team.
Located in Thu Duc City, all our campuses are easily accessible from all HCMC districts and neighbouring provinces. Three of our campuses are in the heart of Thao Dien and the biggest one is in Thu Thiem.
Boarding
AIS boarding school offers state-of-the-art boarding facilities to students in Year 7 to Year 13 who wish to gain the full experience of a comprehensive education. As the first premium international boarding school accommodation of its kind, AIS is proud to welcome Secondary and Baccalaureate students to its fully-equipped on-site boarding residence in Ho Chi Minh City.
With comfortable boarding rooms specifically designed to cater for the needs of up to 50 boarding students, flexible weekly and termly boarding options are available for international and national pupils. Bespoke boarding arrangements can be made upon enrolment to ensure a comprehensive and convenient stay for learners who wish to return home on weekends or during school holidays.
Get in contact with the Admissions team