Lester Stephens
ISSP Head Of School
The International School Saigon Pearl provides a international integrated program for children aged 18 months to 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.
ISSP Vision
We will consciously develop the breadth of learning opportunities for every child through impactful approaches to learning, to strengthen academic excellence set in a safe and welcoming environment.
Our Values which are Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Wisdom are aligned with the IB Learner Profile with an overriding imperative to develop well rounded humans who have the skills and attributes to contribute to society and thrive in their future.
Our IB Learner Profile
• Reflective
• Balanced
• Open-minded
• Knowledgeable
• Risk-takers
• Caring
• Principled
• Inquirers
• Communicators
• Thinkers
| Number of students |
421 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
30 |
| Most common nationality |
Vietnamese; American; Australian, Canadian, Korean & Chinese |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
25% is international students, 52% hold dual passport. |
| 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. All homeroom teachers are also required to have pedagogical qualifications. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Mandarin, Vietnamese and Japanese in the next School year |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Yes. We have a wide range of digital equipment |
| 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 |
| 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 |
No |
| 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 |
Our superb learning environment includes a Library Media Center with over 14,200 English books, digital learning resources and a full-time librarian.
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.
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 are also amply cultivated in our school with specialist rooms for Visual Art, Music and Dance.
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.
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.
From 2021, International School Saigon Pearl has become International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) Candidate School. We are applying the IB framework into the curriculum of early years and elementary students. The IB framework includes three pillars: The learner, learning and teaching and the learning community. This framework shapes the school curriculum and guides the school to achieve authentic conceptual inquiry-based learning that is engaging and challenging for students. Through the units of inquiry, students are able to build the typical attributes of the IB Learner.
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.
