It is our aim to make the application process as seamless as possible and a positive experience to families wishing to join the ISSP community. We accept applications from children of all nationalities throughout the year to join our international environment and who would benefit from our educational program. It is strongly encouraged that applications are submitted as early as possible to avoid being placed on a waitlist.
Our Vision & Guiding Statements
Lester Stephens
Head of School
Our Mission
The International School Saigon Pearl provides an American curriculum for children aged 18 months 11 years old. Our community is founded on values that create a welcoming multicultural environment. Through English immersion, our students are nurtured to achieve measurable academic excellence and become confident learners equipped with the life skills necessary to become model global citizens.
The School’s mission is to promote the true goal of education through an outstanding pedagogical approach that blends elements of 4 dimensions including inquiry-based, skills-focused, conceptual framing and student agency with an awareness of the cultural context of Vietnam and the needs of its international community.
Our Vision
Our vision is for ISSP students to not only achieve outstanding academic results, but also develop strong character, motivation, skills and determination to make a positive difference to the next step on their learning pathway.
Our Values: Honesty, Caring, Respect, Responsibility & Wisdom
Our Learner Profile:
- Critical thinkers and problem solvers
- Effective communicators
- Life long learners
- Socially responsible global citizens
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 6 sections and 39 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
| Number of students |
440 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
26 |
| Most common nationality |
Vietnamese; American; Korean & Chinese |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
30% is international students |
| Max. number of students per class |
22 |
| Average number of students per class |
17 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Mandarin, Vietnamese and potential Japanese in the next School year |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Yes. We have a wide range of digital equipment |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
20-30 mins depends on grade level |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Waiting list |
Yes. In some grade level |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Language test, SENs test (Special Education Needs), Medical Check-up, Immunization records... |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Accepting new families all year round |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
N/A |
| External examinations or assessments available |
MAP Test (Measurement of Academic Progress) - NWEA |
| Results in these examinations |
90%+ of students achieve above grade level English & Mathematics, compared to worldwide results in MAP® testing |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
Special Education Needs, Language Support, Designated Safeguarding Supervisor, School Counselor, ... |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Personalize learning. Talented students will be considered and evaluated in case by case basis. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| School start time |
8AM |
| School finish time |
3.15PM |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Yes. From 7.30AM and until 5.00PM |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
64 clubs |
| School provided lunches |
Yes & snacks |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
| Sports activities included |
Swimming, basketball, ballet, football. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Multi purpose room, football field, swimming pool, playground, ... |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Respect - Wisdom - Caring - Honesty - Responsibility |
| Teaching approach of the school |
Reggio-Emilia & American Common Core |
A look into the school's facilities
Library
Our superb learning environment includes a Library Media Center with over 14,200 English books, digital learning resources and a full-time librarian.
Swimming pool
All our elementary students participate in our extensive swimming program, where specialist instructors teach children to refine stroke proficiency and build their strength and core stamina to swim with ease and efficiency over greater distances.
State-of-the-art ICT Lab
The latest in our classroom technology and IT infrastructure includes iPads, interactive whiteboards, a dedicated IT specialist and ICT lab help us to deliver a 360° integrated technology program allowing enhanced and individualized learning for all students.
The Arts
The Arts are also amply cultivated in our school with specialist rooms for Visual Art, Music and Dance.
Sports field and soft play gym
We recognize the importance of sports participation and regular physical activity, not only in improving strength and fitness, but also for its positive effects in increasing self-esteem, mood, and concentration.
Outdoor play areas
Reggio-inspired classroom
A Reggio inspired classroom is a nontraditional learning environment where there are no assigned seats. Children have easy access to supplies and learning material, and are consistently inspired and encouraged to direct their own learning. Because students learn directly from their learning environment, a Reggio inspired classroom is set up in a way that is meant to be a reflection of the culture that the child lives in.