ᐅ Secondary School in Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Thiem ᐅ AIS Saigon

Leading International Secondary Education in HCMC

Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE & IB Diploma | Ages 11 to 18

At our Secondary School in Thu Thiem, Ho Chi Minh City, students benefit from a top-tier international approach from Years 7 to 13: the renowned Cambridge Lower Secondary leading to IGCSE qualifications, followed by the globally recognised IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). This unique combination builds a solid foundation for academic excellence and life skills, preparing students for success in school and opening doors to unlimited future university and career opportunities.

AIS Saigon is recognised as a leading international school in Vietnam, dedicated to delivering a secondary education of the highest standard. Our qualified teachers stay at the forefront of educational innovations, ensuring that our international secondary programme, delivered entirely in English, empowers students to achieve their most ambitious goals while developing strong English language proficiency and a portfolio of future-ready skills.

Why Choose Our International Secondary School in HCMC, Thu Thiem

Our secondary school in Thu Thiem, HCMC offers expert international teaching, preparing students for IGCSE and IBDP exams with results consistently above global averages. Our achievements include Top in Vietnam IGCSE awards and a 100% IB Diploma pass rate. Graduates are accepted into prestigious universities such as Oxford (UK), New York University (US), the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne, and New South Wales (Australia), Auckland University (New Zealand), Seoul National University (South Korea), Keio and Waseda (Japan), and RMIT University (Ho Chi Minh City), among others.

With a comprehensive curriculum, elite extracurricular programs, and state-of-the-art facilities, our students develop academically and personally. From Lower Secondary to IGCSE and IBDP, students are guided by specialists, with enrichment for gifted learners. This ensures they achieve their most ambitious goals both in Vietnam and internationally.

Secondary School Programmes

The curriculum at our Ho Chi Minh Secondary School is designed to develop well-rounded, independent learners equipped to thrive in their academic and personal endeavours. We offer the Cambridge International curriculum, including the IGCSE, and the globally-recognised IB Diploma programme for the final two years of school.

The Secondary School stage focuses on supporting students in forming their identities, increasing autonomy, and making informed decisions. We also teach conflict resolution and cyber safety, as well as emotional resilience, social skills, organisation, and effective study habits through student welfare programmes.

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Lower Secondary School Curriculum

Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum

At the Lower Secondary level, we prepare students for success in the IGCSE and IBDP curricula. Aimed at learners aged 11 to 16, our broad Lower Secondary curriculum fosters critical thinking, creativity, and independence within a supportive environment. Pupils study core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities, alongside specialist subjects such as Art, Drama, Music, and Physical Education. Vietnamese students also take compulsory National Studies after school.

Our curriculum prepares students for Checkpoint assessments in Year 9, setting a strong foundation for IGCSE exams.

IGCSE Curriculum

Year 10 & 11 students in our Secondary School in Thu Thiem undertake the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which is an internationally recognised curriculum designed by the highly regarded Cambridge Assessment International Education for students aged 15-16. The IGCSE curriculum is robust and varied, ultimately leading to globally-accepted secondary school qualifications, preparing students to excel in either the IB Diploma or other senior school curricula.

All IGCSE students* will study:

English (World Literature and/or 1st Language or 2nd Language).
Mathematics (Mathematics or Additional Mathematics).
Physical Education (Non-IGCSE).
One Language OR Global Perspectives.
Three Optional Subjects

*Vietnamese National Curriculum (Literature, Vietnamese History and Geography) is compulsory for Vietnamese students.

It is strongly recommended that students take a subject at IGCSE if they wish to take it at IBDP.

Senior Secondary School Curriculum

The Senior Secondary School (Years 12–13) offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a global leading pre-university course. At AIS Saigon, the IB Diploma is rigorous and challenging, providing depth and breadth across various disciplines.

To earn the IB Diploma, students must complete six subjects from different groups: three at Higher Level (240 class hours) and three at Standard Level (150 class hours), chosen based on their strengths and university aspirations. Additionally, students must complete the three core components: Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and the Extended Essay.

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Secondary School Assessment

At our Secondary School in Thu Thiem, Saigon, ongoing assessment throughout the year helps both students and teachers identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring each learner can reach their fullest potential. Both Cambridge International and the IB Diploma use a standardised system, which means students gain a clear and comprehensive evaluation of their knowledge and skills.

Cambridge International Checkpoint Tests (Year 9):

Two papers per subject (English, Mathematics, and Science), providing excellent practice and benchmarks for potential Cambridge IGCSE results.
Results are given as Checkpoint scores between 0.0 (weakest) and 50.0 (strongest). The average score is generally between 30 and 35.
Each student will receive a Statement of Achievement and a report that provides more detail about their performance.

Cambridge IGCSE Assessment (Year 11):

IGCSE grades are assigned based on performance in examinations, coursework, and practical tests in each subject.
Grades range from A* (highest) to G (lowest).

IBDP Assessment (Year 13):

End-of-course exams in six subjects and competition of core elements provide an IB certification.
Students are graded from 7 (highest) to 1 in each subject.
The final score out of 45 combines grades from six subjects and Core Programme components.

Thu Thiem Secondary Schools to learn English

Languages in Secondary School

At our private Secondary School in Ho Chi Minh City, the language curriculum is designed to develop multilingual proficiency and cultural awareness, equipping students with essential skills for academic and global success. All students study English as part of the Cambridge and IBDP curricula, with the entire programme delivered in English as well. Moreover, students can choose one additional language from the following options:

Korean
Chinese
Vietnamese
French (IBDP only)
Japanese (IB only)

Exceptional Secondary School Facilities in Thu Thiem, HCMC

Designed to enhance the learning experience and provide students with the resources they need to succeed, our state-of-the-art HCMC Secondary School facilities support a truly well-rounded education. With a robust IT infrastructure, students benefit from technology-enhanced learning that fosters both academic and personal growth.

Outstanding Academic Facilities

Modern classrooms and brand-new, fully-equipped science labs enable secondary students to collaborate, work independently, and engage in practical experiments. IB Diploma learners have access to an exclusive study centre designed to support success in this rigorous programme, while all students benefit from a well-stocked library for independent study and collaborative research.

Specialist Art Spaces

Creative spaces, including a new auditorium for drama, dance, and music performances, as well as art and music studios, allow students to enhance and showcase their talents. Other brand-new facilities include a dance studio, drama room, and specialised design and technology and visual arts rooms.

Outstanding Sports & Well-Being Facilities

The school's extensive sports amenities, featuring a multi-purpose gymnasium, swimming pools, and a new FIFA-sized football field, encourage physical fitness and teamwork across a variety of sports.

In addition, our newly upgraded cafeteria provides nutritious meals, promoting students' overall health and well-being.

Highly-Qualified Secondary School Teachers

The secondary school teaching staff at AIS Saigon are highly experienced, with many holding advanced degrees and international work experience. They stay up to date on the latest educational practices and technologies through continuous professional development, ensuring top-quality instruction for your child.

Our teachers personalise lessons to meet individual student needs, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving while building strong relationships to enhance motivation and performance. Their diverse teaching methods ensure that all students are engaged and challenged to reach their maximum potential.

All our secondary school teachers are specialists in their fields and native English speakers. They bring expertise in areas such as Science, Mathematics, Languages, Arts, and Physical Education, enriching the curriculum and helping students excel in all areas.

Extracurricular Activities for Secondary Students

The extracurricular programme at our private secondary school in Thu Thiem, Ho Chi Minh City offers a diverse range of activities aimed at developing students' talents, technical skills, and real-world abilities. Led by expert AIS teachers, support staff, and specialist instructors, these activities and clubs focus on both new experiences and personal achievement. Activities run Monday to Friday from 2.50 pm to 3.50 pm for Years 7 to 11. Additional clubs and sports teams operate from 4 pm, with school buses available at both times.

Below are some of the outstanding extracurricular opportunities available for secondary school students:

Sports, including Kidzone sports activities (swimming, football, pickleball, basketball, and karate) and AIS Titans sports teams (basketball, football, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, tennis, badminton, bench ball, netball, touch rugby, cricket, tee-ball, and athletics).
STEM activities, including robotics lessons
Visual and Performing Arts activities
Model United Nations

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Sports

At AIS Saigon, sporting activities are an integral part of the Secondary School curriculum and extracurricular experience, offering students the chance to engage in a variety of sports, including basketball, football, swimming, volleyball, and athletics, among many others. From Physical Education lessons to AIS Titans sports teams competing in various national and international interschool leagues, to activities at our Sports Centre, our sports programme not only promotes physical fitness and healthy lifestyles but also instils important skills such as teamwork, discipline, leadership, and perseverance.

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Arts

At AIS Secondary School in Thu Thiem, students benefit from a comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts curriculum and extracurricular activities designed to enrich their educational experience. These programmes nurture students' appreciation of the arts and provide a well-rounded education beyond traditional academic subjects.

Visual Arts
Secondary students explore traditional and contemporary visual arts techniques, fostering creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving skills. The programme encourages the development of personal ideas and creative risk-taking, skills which will serve them well in their lives beyond school.

Performing Arts
In our Lower Secondary School, the Music curriculum focuses on listening, performing, and composing activities that promote students’ aesthetic and emotional growth alongside creative skills development. Students have opportunities to sing and play in choirs, concerts, jazz and rock bands, and musicals. Senior Secondary students can also pursue Music as a subject through the IB Diploma.

Additionally, students across all Secondary year groups can develop acting, performance, musical, and theatre skills through participation in drama productions throughout the academic year. Dance is offered as part of the physical education curriculum.

Performance Opportunities
Secondary students participate in annual school productions and other performing arts initiatives like AIS Got Talent, which are integral to the school's holistic approach to education. These opportunities allow learners to apply their skills in real-world settings, fostering teamwork, self-confidence, and public speaking abilities. Through involvement in these activities, students enrich their school experience while gaining technical skills, a sense of accomplishment, and community engagement.

Learn more about our international Secondary School education in HCMC, Thu Thiem and the unparalleled opportunities available for your child.

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