The American Curriculum is a standards-based curriculum that is governed by six accreditation authorities including the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS), and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All subject content must abide by the Common Core State Standards or the AERO Common Core Plus Standards.
American international schools have the flexibility to design their curriculum based on standards that are relevant to their host country. The American Curriculum is divided into three stages: Elementary School, Middle School and High School. In Elementary School, students aged 4 to 11 enter Kindergarten to Grade 5. Students aged 11 to 14 progress to Middle School which covers Grade 6 to Grade 8. They then move on to High School until the age of 18 to complete Grade 9 to Grade 12.
Students need to complete a certain amount of credits from Grade 9 to Grade 12 to be granted the American High School Diploma. In addition, students have the opportunity to sit for standardised tests such as the SAT, PSAT and ACT to measure their knowledge in certain subject areas.
Here are five schools in Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam that offer the American Curriculum:
1. American International School
The school was established in 2016 and offers Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 education. Majority of the school’s student population consists of Vietnamese students. American International School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum infused with Vietnamese family values. Students have the opportunity to learn the IB PYP and MYP during primary and secondary school years. At pre-university level, they have the option to sit for the IBDP or American High School Diploma. English as an Additional Language Programme is also offered by the school. Performing arts is prioritised at the school as students are encouraged to participate in choral, instrumental and drama programmes. In addition, American International School has a counseling department that provides classroom sessions, small group meetings, one-on-one sessions and career/college guidance.
2. APU - American International School
The school opened its doors in 2004 and is owned by the APU Educational Development Group. APU has two campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, namely the Elementary Campus and Middle & High School Campus. The school is authorised to offer a variety of programmes to prepare students for college such as the SAT, Advanced Placement, PSAT and the ACT exams. Another branch of the school is located in Da Nang City.
Established in 2002, Asian International School provides an American-based education to Vietnamese and international students from Grade 6 to Grade 12. The school has a unique curriculum where its morning classes are outlined by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training and the afternoon session is reserved for lessons based on the American Curriculum. Every year students of The Group of Asian International Education have the opportunity to join summer study abroad programmes in June and collaborate with prestigious international educational organisations.
Fosco International School was established in 1997 and bases its curriculum on the AERO Common Core Plus Standards through imported textbooks and online resources from the United States. The school offers preschool and primary school levels to children aged 18 months to 11 years old. Children of all nationalities are welcome to enter Nursery to Grade 5 levels. Fosco International School also provides an English support programme to help non-native English speakers adapt to a classroom where English is used as the medium of instruction. In addition, students also have the opportunity to participate in a two-week overseas summer camp in the United States or United Kingdom.
5. The American School - Middle-High School Campus
The school opened its doors in 2010 and offers Early Childhood the Grade 12 levels. Lessons are conducted in English and students have the opportunity to learn Vietnamese, Spanish and Mandarin as well. The school’s curriculum aims to encourage students to improve their skills in writing, presenting, preparing reports, composing music and performing arts.
Continue reading:
- 5 International Schools in Vietnam offering the British Curriculum
- 6 International Schools in Hanoi
- 3 Things You Should Know About International Schools in Vietnam
To find out more about international schools in Vietnam, make sure to use the powerful School Finder and School Comparison tool on www.EducationDestinationAsia.com.
