School Spotlight: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

Schrole is proud to represent some of the very best international schools from around the world. In our School Spotlight series, we’ll take an in-depth look at these schools, detailing their history, ethos, location and of course, benefits, to help you choose the school that best suits you.

Snapshot: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

Year founded: 1993
Public or private: Private school
Profit/Not for profit: Profit
Day or boarding: Day
Segregation type: Co-Educational
Religious affiliation: None
Curriculum: IB DP, IB MYP, IB PYP
Instructional language: English
Alternate instructional language: None
Start grade: Nursery
End grade: 12

About: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

At International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is proud of its rich history of learning. As the first IB World School in Ho Chi Minh City, ISHCMC has been innovating through a mix of pedagogy, curriculum, facilities and opportunities beyond the classroom for over 30 years.

Founded in 1993, and previously named the “International Grammar School”, ISHCMC was established to provide high quality education to children of expatriate families in Vietnam.  Today, ISHCMC represents a culturally diverse group of families and teachers from over 55 countries.

ISHCMC is made up of two beautiful campuses – Primary and Secondary – and is conveniently situated in one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most charming districts. Students are educated to construct an understanding of knowledge and their world through carefully developed learning and social skills.

International School Ho Chi Minh City is part of Cognita, an extraordinary family of diverse yet connected schools that share one common purpose: to create an inspiring world of education that builds self-belief and empowers individuals to succeed. With 85+ schools in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, Cognita employs some 10,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 60,000 students.

Ethos: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)’s community is brought together by a common purpose to inspire wellbeing and learning so that its diverse, internationally-minded community flourish as energised, engaged and empowered learners.

ISHCMC students are educated to construct an understanding of knowledge and their world through carefully developed learning and social skills. ISHCMC offers a progressive educational approach set within modern learning environments.

ISHCMC utilises the flexibility of the International Baccalaureate programmes to encourage an inclusive, broad and balanced approach to learning through inquiry, exploration of concepts, principled and caring citizenship, creative problem solving, collaboration, communication and connectivity.

Offering a progressive educational approach set within modern learning environments, ISHCMC utilise the flexibility of the International Baccalaureate programs to encourage an inclusive, broad and balanced approach to learning through inquiry, exploration of concepts, principled and caring citizenship, creative problem solving, collaboration, communication and connectivity.

Facilities: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is incredibly proud of its diverse learning spaces and the communities that enjoy them. One Community, Two Campuses describes the way in which ISHCMC strives to build a single culture across both campuses.

The Primary Campus and Secondary Campus, whilst spatially separated, offer an unforgettable learning experience that strengthens the ISHCMC community, allowing students to flourish in spaces designed to meet their respective educational, social, and emotional needs.

The Primary Campus features an award-winning Primary Library, Fab Lab, Makerspace, food tech rooms, film studio and dedicated art rooms designed to encourage creativity through inquiry-based learning. Collaborative learning areas with wide corridors and break-out spaces for facilitating group study as well as individualized learning. The gym, adventure playground, 25m 6-lane pool and outdoor courts give younger students room to play and grow.

The Secondary Campus offers a great opportunity for student learning through technologically advanced classrooms, collaborative learning spaces and senior student study areas. Unique facilities will help to prepare students for the realities of the 21st-century commercial world. These include an Information and Media Centre, a professional theatre, recording studios, design suites, music practice rooms, NBA-size basketball court, rooftop sports field, 25m 8-lane pool, food tech and science labs.

Location: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

Both International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)’s Primary and Secondary campuses are conveniently located in one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most charming neighbourhoods, Thao Dien.

Thao Dien is a ward in District 2 situated only 15 minutes from the historic Saigon city centre. Whilst close to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the neighbourhood does not exhibit the hustle and bustle of other districts. With a host of cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique shops, gyms and more, it is one of the most settled areas for expat families and locals alike.

With a large selection of world class apartment complexes, standalone houses and compound-living options, there is a living space for families of all sizes and financial means.

Benefits: International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)

Number of Contract Days: The approximate number of teacher contract days is 198.

Starting Salary Range: All new teachers commence employment on a maximum of Step 9 on the salary scale. The step is determined by the number of years of teaching you have previously completed.

Taxes: Taxes are paid by the employee up to 35%.

Savings Potential: A Single teacher usually saves between US$20 000 depending on their lifestyle. A Teaching Couple usually saves up to US$30 000 depending on their lifestyle. A Family (one teacher) can save up to US$10 000 depending on their lifestyle.

Accommodation: A ‘Housing Allowance’ of up to US$1, 300 per Single Teacher or 2,040USD per Teaching Couple per month is provided. Taxable income, to be paid with the monthly salary. A ‘Settling In Allowance’ of $920USD per Single Teacher or 1,391USD per Teaching Couple is paid. Taxable income, to be paid during orientation. USD is estimated as the amount is fixed in VND. Location introduction: The An Phu/ Thao Dien area in District 2, where the two ISHCMC campuses are located, is HCMC’s most popular area for expatriate professionals to live. It is a peaceful, warm and family-friendly area that is just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the city center. The tree-lined streets of Thao Dien offer a variety of boutique stores and spas, gourmet grocery shops, bakeries, butchers, fishmongers as well as many restaurants and cafes. Daily, residents can be seen walking and cycling the streets and enjoying the village environment and strong community spirit of the An Phu/Thao Dien neighbourhood.

Flights/Transport: Return airfares are provided annually. One-way economy ticket for relocation/repatriation, a return economy ticket for an annual home visit, non-taxable and to be paid directly to the school’s appointed travel agent.

Utilities: Utilities are to be covered by the employee.

Furniture: With regard to furniture there are plenty of options as many properties are available either fully furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished. Furniture is relatively cheap and functional in Vietnam and many teachers leave with more furniture than they arrived with.

Moving Allowance: A ‘Moving Allowance’ of up to $ 1,830USD per Single Teacher or 2,739USD per Teaching Couple is paid for relocation and $2,770USD per Single Teacher or 4,087USD per Teaching Couple for repatriation. Non-taxable income, to be paid directly to the school’s appointed local shipper. USD is estimated as the amount is fixed in VND.

Dependent Opportunities: The school will provide tuition free of charge for up to two dependent children.

Medical: Health Insurance is provided by the employer. This package is considered to be comprehensive for all of the world, except the USA, Singapore and HK.

Dental: Dental Insurance is provided by the employer.

Disability: Long Term Disability Insurance is not provided by the employer.

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