About Us

Message from the Executive Principal

ACG-AIS-Welcome-executive-principal-image-and-text

A day of travelling will bring a basketful of learning.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Australian International School.

We are a forward-thinking, connected, and well-established school in Ho Chi Minh City, with a proud tradition and strong reputation for providing excellent education. Our school culture sets high expectations to fulfil our ambition of helping all students achieve their full potential. Across our campuses, we provide a vigorous and experienced team of staff, committed to nurturing every child's continued personal growth and development. We are passionate about the difference we make and the quality of learning and teaching at our school. We facilitate enriching opportunities for students, academically and socially, creatively, and sportingly, and in service to the broader community.

Our students enjoy a genuine love for learning and are taught and guided by exceptional staff, willing to go the extra mile to support students to thrive academically. Our students are all-rounders with the skills and confidence to build on success. They are curious, yet reflective learners, in tune with the global community around them and equipped to adapt and change with the world. Students are exceptionally well-behaved and respect others in the school community. Moreover, the school's governance practices community engagement, which contributes to the school's wonderful atmosphere. AIS is an exciting, holistic, and safe learning environment.

I am proud to be leading this amazing community and am dedicated to our mission – cultivating individuals who will make a positive difference in the world. If you are looking for a transformative educational experience for your child in a secure and nurturing environment, built on a rich and challenging curriculum, join us. Students, parents, and teachers make up the fabric of our school. There is no doubt that being a member of the AIS community will make you feel part of something special.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

— Ms Davina McCarthy, Executive Principal

Our Vision, Philosophy & Values

Our Philosophy

The Australian writer David Malouf encourages the learner:

"Here, take a tuning fork, throw it down, and hear the planet hum."

At AIS, we want students to listen to the world around them, "hear it hum", and grow into young people who are curious, reflective, and want to make a positive difference in the world.

The philosophy behind the teaching methods on all courses offered at AIS, Vietnam, is to emphasise the development of each student's academic ability, and encourage pupils to become well-rounded, confident individuals who aspire to achieve their goals.

The curriculums in place are rigorous and balanced, with an appreciation of pupils' different learning styles and prior educational experiences. Lessons support students' strengths and talents so that they are excited by the learning process and embrace challenges with a belief in their abilities.

Our Mission

AIS is committed to providing high-quality international education. We encourage and support young students up to the age of 18 years in their journey to becoming inquiring and knowledgeable learners with the confidence to achieve their full potential. We empower our students to be global citizens who can actively make a difference to our world.

A Brief History

The History of AIS in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

AIS Welcomes its First Students

AIS first opened its doors in August 2006 with a secondary campus in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. It was founded by Mr Nigel Russell and Mrs Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy in response to the increasing demand for premium schooling and the lack of choice for high-quality international education in HCMC.

AIS's Opening: Thuy (centre front), and Nigel (right front), together with AIS's first school Principal, Mr Chris Faisandier (left front), the Australian Consul General, Mr Mal Skelly (next to Nigel), and along with representatives of RMIT University and the business community in HCMC, August 2006.at AIS's Opening, August 2006.

The Original AIS Campus

The original AIS campus was based in a beautiful old French villa, which had been previously renovated and expanded by RMIT (of Australia). It was utilised as the first RMIT University site in HCMC however, when RMIT moved out to its new campus in District 7, AIS acquired the villa, and the first AIS students enrolled the following year.

AIS students and staff, March 2007

Popular Demand

The growing student body quickly outgrew the old French villa, and Nigel and Thuy decided to open a Kindergarten and Primary campus in Thao Dien. AIS acquired and renovated Dynotots, a successful Kindergarten operating in the leafy APSC residential compound in Thao Dien. Additionally, a nearby villa in the same compound was renovated to create an additional Primary School building. Lotus and Cherry Blossom, the renovated buildings, are now fully integrated additions to the AIS's Thao Dien Campus, alongside a brand-new adjacent Sports Centre, which opened in August 2007.

Due to increasing demand following the opening of Lotus and Cherry Blossom, an additional stand-alone Kindergarten facility was built and opened at Xi Riverview, Thao Dien, in August 2009.

“Cherryblossum”, Thao Dien Campus, under construction, June 2007

Expansion of AIS in Ho Chi Minh City

Meanwhile, in 2007, during the expansion of AIS in Ho Chi Minh City, Australian International Education Services Company Limited (ACG) built an impressive new school campus in Thu Thiem Ward. As a privately-owned education company, based in New Zealand, with an outstanding reputation for premium private schools in New Zealand and Indonesia, the organisation expertly constructed an impressive new school campus within Thu Thiem Ward.

AIS and ACG Join Inspired Education Group

In 2019, AIS Vietnam and ACG Schools joined Inspired and became part of one of the leading global groups of premium schools.

Thu Thiem Campus, under construction, July 2007

Recent Times

In 2019, AIS Vietnam and ACG Schools joined Inspired, one of the leading global groups of premium schools.

In 2020, AIS became the first premium international education provider in Vietnam with premium boarding on-site facilities. A new boarding residence at the unique Thu Thiem campus houses 50 students and a large ratio of House Parents, who supervise and ensure the safety of happy boarders. Residents board in allocated dormitories either on a weekly or termly basis depending on their needs.

Now entering its 15th year, AIS is proud to be one of the top IB World Schools in Vietnam. Over 1,200 students from 40 nationalities attend Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary school classes at three campuses in District 2, Thu Duc City. Praising AIS as a fulfilling place to learn and enjoy their childhood, many of the school's alumni have proceeded to graduate from some of the best universities in the world.

AIS’s Thu Thiem Campus

International Accreditations

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