Saigon South International School Reviews (14)

It's a really good school because it has updated technology that other schools might not have like Schoology. Also, this school pushes student's to their highest potential both physically and academically.

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As a student who has been at SSIS for more than a decade, it is evident that it is the best school in Vietnam. From a high school standpoint, SSIS offers the largest course offerings in all of Vietnam, offering both the highly renowned and rigorous Advance Placement (AP) courses as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and its SSIS courses. Students are not secluded from taking IB, unlike other international schools, providing great comfort to the learning of students. Having one of the highest IB average scores in Vietnam, it outperforms many international schools as it can have such a high score while having to handle the AP curriculum as well. That said, it isn't perfect. SSIS is well known to have "professor-attitude" teachers, in which students may occasionally have to self-study. And although it better prepares students for the rigors of college, it takes a toll on the level of happiness of students as it brings further rigor in a student's life. Nonetheless, with 4 high school counselors and a psychiatrist (not even counting middle and elementary school), this issue is under control and in great hands. Student life is beyond great here. Except for the frequent complaints of expensive, overrated food for lunch. I wouldn't complain about that because I have lived in the United States before, and trust me, it is way better here than the $10 overrated lunches at boarding school. Speaking of boarding school, although it doesn't offer a boarding program, SSIS students are known to be very preppy. It is known to be the place where some world leaders, highly-respected CEOs, or multi-millionaire tycoons dump their kids for school. Fun fact: Vietnam's first and richest female billionaire, sent her kids to SSIS. And although students retain their respectable manners among their peers, there is a sense of classism in the student body. If you plan to bump into a millionaire at every corner (like Monaco), SSIS is the place. SSIS is also known for its great variety of extracurricular activities. In terms of sports, SSIS offers not only the conventional sports teams of Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Track & Field, and Swimming, but it also has Ping-Pong, Tennis, Softball, and Golf. SSIS competes in 3 sports districts/conferences: the Saigon International Schools Athletic Conference, the Mekong River International School Association, and the South East Asia Student Activities Conference. This allows students to be immersed in the Vietnamese and international community quite frequently, and quite frequently they place in the Top 3 of the respective competition. That said, its extra-curricular activities are way more impressive. Aside from the countless service clubs, SSIS is the only school in Vietnam that offers an NSDA-accredited Debate Program, in which students can compete at University competitions like Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Georgetown. I, for one, received a speaker award from Harvard University.

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The most healthy and health-conscious school in Vietnam by far! The campus is green, the air is clean, and the school has a large team of counsellors and psychologists to care for students' mental health. Their athletics are great, and they have all the best facilities to promote physical health too. Very happy!

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Because my daughter goes there and it is a very good school and they care about the students feeling. They cater to most of your child needs.

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I used to to be a student there in ssis and I think that this school is amazing and helps other people succeed in life.

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I am a former student that attended SSIS from 2005-2009 for 9th-12th grade. At that time, the building was much smaller, some facilities were "under the weather," and the IB program was not yet available (plus so much more). Despite these minor setbacks, my education was phenomenal. I attribute my success, values, and diligence to my time spent at SSIS.

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I have two children that attend this superb school. As with anything, there is always room for improvement, but overall, this school has exceeded my expectations. Education: The school follows the American Curriculum offering the IB and AP programs in high school. In both the Elementary and Middle School, project-based learning is highly valued and inquiry based, so very similar to the IB program. Teachers at this school are top notch, with all having Masters Degrees and beyond. My daughter is currently in 5th grade and I appreciate her teacher's approach to learning this year, focusing on self-management and regulation in preparation for Middle School. These are essential skills that are needed for fostering independence. The approach is different for my 2nd child in Kindergarten where the focus is on socialization and an introduction to basic concepts like reading, math, science, and social studies. In Kindergarten, essential concepts like sharing, collaboration, patience, etc. are really learned through meaningful play, so I'm pleased that the school starts with this focus at the beginning of the year and then gradually moves into academics. Support Services: The school has several support services including EAL, counseling and psychologists. The school is slowly rolling out a wellness program that hopes to dovetail with the academic program. As a parent, the social and emotional well-being of my kids is a top priority and I think the school knows that students who are more emotionally centered perform better academically. The high school guidance counselors are amazing and if one measure of success is University acceptances, then our students have hit the jackpot! Students have gone on to study at some of the top universities in the world. The guidance counselors really work with individual students to find the best "fit" for them. Individual Education Plans: This is an area where the school could show some growth. Some students have learning disabilities or may be gifted and need more individualized attention. My understanding is that focusing on a personalized learning program is part of the long term plan for the school and will be a focus of overall academic goals in the future. Diversity: The school has a diverse population from all over the world. While many of the students hail from Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China, and India, several Americans, Australians, Brits, Russians, and handful of others attend the school giving it a truly international feel. Not for Profit Status: As a parent, I am a huge proponent of not-for-profit education. It's important that the money the school makes is invested back into the community, in particular for two things: high quality programs and top notch teachers. Saigon South is the only not-for-profit international school in Ho Chi Minh City and as a parent, I am confident that the tuition I am paying goes directly to building on an improving programs that further the intellectual and social and emotional development of my children. Activities: Saigon South hired a new Activities and Athletic Director who brings an enormous amount of experience to the job. Under his leadership, both of these programs have already grown and everyone seems excited about what is in store for the future. Environment: Saigon South International School has the best campus of any international school in Ho Chi Minh City, hands down. The amount of green space the school has and its grounds really make it an environment in which kids want to socialize and play. Located in Phu My Hung, District 7 is the most livable part of the city and has plenty of parks where you can walk, bike and exercise, so families should feel really comfortable getting around. In sum, I would strongly recommend this school to prospective parents who are interested in providing their children with an international education that has strong academics, a variety of extra curricular activities, and a burgeoning social and emotional wellness program.

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SSIS is not-for-profit. That says so much. All decisions are based on what is best for students not how much will this cost.

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Wonderful learning environment. Beautiful campus. Teachers are very caring. Supportive administration. A little more diversity in student population would be nice.

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