Saigon South International School (SSIS) vs The Canadian International School

	S Saigon South International School (SSIS) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	T The Canadian International School Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₫479,212,000 - 882,200,000	Fees / year ₫531,600,000 - 804,000,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,500	Pupils 1,700
Typical class size	Typical class size 14	Typical class size 21
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1997	Opened 2009
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location SSIS is located at 78 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential zone, a well-planned neighbourhood with lakes, green spaces and local amenities, and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the city centre.	Location CIS is located at No 7, Road 23, Tân Mỹ Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The school’s site is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential and business area, with access via several major bus routes serving District 7 and linking to central parts of the city. Public transit stops within a short walk of the school.
Stages	Stages The school serves Early Childhood (starting at age 3) through to Grade 12. It is organised into divisions encompassing Early Years/Kindergarten, Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12).	Stages The school provides education from elementary through to high school.
School type	School type SSIS is a co-educational day school.	School type CIS is co-educational (boys and girls attend). It presents itself as a day school. They do mention boarding in their fee schedule, but there is no other information available.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school offers Learning Support services for students with mild to moderate learning differences, working with parents and teachers to develop individual learning plans. It also offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for multilingual learners.	Additional learning support CIS has a “Student Support Services” section which mentions learning support and counselling to assist students with their academic and personal development.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation There is no formal affiliation to a particular national government. SSIS operates as a not-for-profit international school based in Vietnam, following an American standards-based curriculum.	Country affiliation The school follows a Canadian curriculum model but it is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliations.	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure	School day structure Specific published times are not detailed on the school's website.	School day structure The website indicates there is a full daily programme including academic classes, co-curricular activities, breaks and lunch, but specific start and end times for the school day are not publicly published.
Bus service details	Bus service details SSIS provides a bus service for students. Each bus has an assigned monitor to ensure students board and alight safely. For after-school activities (ASAs), special bus departures are scheduled (for example at 4:10 pm and 4:40 pm) with an extra charge for ASA-only riders.	Bus service details The Canadian International School offers a daily bus service for students across Ho Chi Minh City. Families can register for the service through the school office, and routes are organized to cover major residential areas, particularly within and around District 7. Details about pickup locations and fees are provided in the school’s transportation guidelines and annual fee schedule.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details * Application Fee: VND 10,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student). * Registration Fee: VND 60,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student, also applies to returning students re-enrolling after one or more years). Enrollment Deposit * Deposit: VND 45,000,000. * Payable upon signing the Letter of Acceptance (new students). * Deducted from the tuition invoice (from full payment or Q4 installment). * Refundable if a Departure Notice is given at least 60 days before leaving. Tuition Fees * EC3–4: 509,800,000 / Q1 178,430,000; Q2 127,450,000; Q3 127,450,000; Q4 76,470,000 * Kindergarten: 580,000,000 / Q1 203,000,000; Q2 145,000,000; Q3 145,000,000; Q4 87,000,000 * Grades 1–5: 702,700,000 / Q1 245,945,000; Q2 175,675,000; Q3 175,675,000; Q4 105,405,000 * Grades 6–8: 749,700,000 / Q1 262,395,000; Q2 187,425,000; Q3 187,425,000; Q4 112,455,000 * Grades 9–10: 794,300,000 / Q1 278,005,000; Q2 198,575,000; Q3 198,575,000; Q4 119,145,000 * Grades 11–12: 882,200,000 / Q1 308,770,000; Q2 220,550,000; Q3 220,550,000; Q4 132,330,000 Families choosing full annual payment by June 25 receive a 6% discount. Billing and Payment Schedule * Quarterly Installments: All installments are non-refundable. * Late enrollment: Tuition charged pro-rata (100%, 85%, 60%, 35% depending on entry quarter). * Refunds: Departure > 60 days = partial refund based on quarter (60% in Q1 → 0% in Q4). * Sibling Discount: 20% for third and subsequent children in the same family. Other Costs Families cover uniforms, lunches, personal supplies, AP & IB exam fees, extracurriculars (athletics, VEX Robotics, debate, performing arts), and bus transport. Students in Grades 4–12 must bring a MacBook. Payment Options Payments can be made via Vietcombank (Nam Sai Gon Branch) or Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) in VND or USD. All bank charges are borne by the payer, and an exchange rate applies to foreign currency transfers.	Fee details Application and Registration Fees * Assessment fee: VND 3,500,000 (per student, non-refundable) * Registration fee: VND 35,000,000 (per student, non-refundable) * Reservation fee: VND 20,000,000 (non-refundable, applied toward tuition) Tuition Fees (2025–2026) * Grades 1–3: VND 531,600,000 per year * Grades 4–5: VND 559,600,000 per year * Grades 6–8: VND 611,000,000 per year * Grade 9: VND 677,700,000 per year * Grade 10: VND 679,300,000 per year * Grade 11: VND 720,000,000 per year * Grade 12: VND 804,000,000 per year Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) pay an additional VND 20,000,000 per year. The annual tuition includes access to textbooks (except IB), accident insurance, and clubs but excludes uniforms and excursions. Billing and Payment Terms * Discounts for early payment: 10% , 7%, or 5% depending on the date. * Tuition may also be adjusted for mid-year entry; later entry months pay between 20–100 % of annual fees, depending on the start date. Boarding Fees (not much information available). * VND 180,000,000 per year Other Fees * Vietnamese after-school class: VND 19,000,000 per year. * English Language Support (ELL): VND 50,000,000 per year. * Meal fees: To be announced. * Bus fees: Calculated by optimized routes. Refund Policy Refunds depend on withdrawal date and advance notice. Up to 100 % of tuition (minus the reservation fee) is refunded before the school year starts with 60 days’ notice, decreasing to 15 % for withdrawals before a certain date. Payment Options Payments are accepted via bank transfer. Families are advised to pay before stated deadlines to qualify for discounts and maintain enrollment.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school requires wearing the approved SSIS uniform to school each day. Uniform items are purchased at the school store, and uniform details are division-specific as shown in the uniform items guide.	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. Uniforms were updated for the 2024-2025 academic year with a new logo; uniforms are designed for comfort and school spirit and are worn by students.
Food options	Food options SSIS has a cafeteria with a catering partner (Aden) starting in the 2025–2026 school year. EC and KG receive pre-ordered lunches delivered to classrooms; Grades 1–12 use their SSIS ID card to pay for meals; menus are published by division. During kitchen and cafeteria renovations (February 24–June 4, 2025), meals were prepared offsite and delivered to the school.	Food options —
House system	House system SSIS has a four-house system: Hydra, Naga, Shenlong, Wyvern. House shirts are worn for orientation and house-based activities; house colors are red for Hydra, green for Naga, yellow for Shenlong, and purple for Wyvern.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership SSIS is established as a not-for-profit entity of the Phu My Hung Corporation.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Teaching and learning at SSIS follow an American-standards based framework across Early Childhood through Grade 12, emphasising inquiry, student engagement and critical thinking. In the Elementary School, a written curriculum provides integrated “Super Units” that connect subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Vietnamese, while specialist teachers support subjects like Visual Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education. In Middle School, students move into discipline-based classes, expanding their study of modern world languages, mathematics, science and humanities. In High School (Grades 9-12), students can pursue the high school diploma pathway with a choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) alongside the SSIS Diploma. The program of studies shows that students earn credits by subject area and can select pathways that match their future study plans.	Curriculum details CIS offers the Ontario Curriculum from Kindergarten through to Grade 12, ensuring consistency through the elementary and lower secondary years. In Grades 9-10 the Ontario programme continues, with optional Advanced Placement (AP) courses available. In Grades 11-12 students may choose the full IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) or IB Course Certificates, and also complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) pathway. The curriculum integrates key elements such as inquiry-based learning, metacognition and student voice across all years. This blended model provides students with recognized qualifications and multiple pathways to higher education.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Saigon South International School integrates social and emotional learning throughout daily school life. The Wellness Program helps students build skills in communication, empathy, responsibility, and community engagement. In the Elementary School, SEL is included through classroom activities such as goal setting and reflection. Middle School students participate in an Advisory Program focused on self-awareness, healthy relationships, and personal growth. In High School, regular advisory sessions and peer activities encourage connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging across the student community.	Social & emotional learning CIS’s school-wide supports include regular counselling services and programmes that address social, emotional, behavioural and academic dimensions. For example, they offer individual and group counselling to help students with emotional regulation and peer relationships. Teachers and counsellors collaborate with families to identify and respond to student needs early, and whole-school workshops help build skills such as resilience and self-management.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school provides Learning Support for students with mild to moderate learning differences. This support is offered through collaboration between classroom teachers, learning specialists, and parents. Individual Learning Plans are developed to help students meet their academic and personal goals. SSIS clarifies that it is not a specialist SEN institution and cannot accommodate students requiring intensive or full-time therapeutic support.	Special educational needs (SEN) CIS describes an SEN Support team made up of SEN coordinators, specialised teachers and therapists, and states that they provide Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) and inclusive education to ensure students with special educational needs have access to the same opportunities as others. The school does not appear to be a specialist SEN institution; rather it provides support within a mainstream international school context.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school offers an English as an Additional Language program for multilingual learners starting from Kindergarten. EAL teachers work alongside classroom teachers to help students develop their English skills while engaging fully in classroom learning. English language proficiency is assessed during the admissions process to determine placement and support levels.	English as an additional language CIS offers dedicated English Language Acquisition (ELA) support and EAL/ELL interventions. Their programme includes specialised English-language classes as well as classroom support for learners who need help to develop proficiency in English for academic access.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Student mental wellbeing is supported through access to school counsellors and structured wellness education across divisions. The High School program includes counselling services, advisory sessions, and lessons focused on life skills and resilience. These initiatives aim to help students navigate academic and personal challenges in a supportive environment.	Mental wellbeing The school emphasises whole-school “well-being” practices, including counselling, workshops on stress management and peer-mentoring, as part of its “School of Wellbeing” model. CIS states they provide safe spaces for students to express concerns and work with families to support student mental health.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Saigon South International School (SSIS) maintains a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy approved by its Board of Directors and reviewed every four years. The policy applies to all teaching and non-teaching staff and outlines clear responsibilities for protecting students’ safety and wellbeing. The school fosters a “Culture of Care,” ensuring all community members are aware of their duty to promote child welfare and report any concerns. A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), supported by divisional principals and counsellors, oversees the safeguarding process and coordinates a “Team Around the Child” approach to provide multi-layered support. Staff are required to record concerns using a secure online system (CPOMS), with clear procedures for emergencies, confidentiality, and follow-up actions. The policy also mandates annual safeguarding training, parent education sessions, and compliance with international and Vietnamese child-protection laws, including the 2016 Vietnamese Children’s Law and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.	Safeguarding The Canadian International School has formal child protection and safeguarding policies in place to ensure student safety. The school implements a Child Protection Handbook and delivers annual child protection lessons for all students. Staff receive training to recognize and respond appropriately to any concerns regarding student welfare. Families are encouraged to review the school’s safeguarding information and handbooks, which outline clear reporting procedures and responsibilities. These measures aim to create a safe and transparent environment for every member of the school community.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy View document	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The SSIS campus spans 6 hectares and serves EC through Grade 12 in three divisions, with bright, modern classrooms and expansive outdoor spaces. Two new buildings were added in 2024 to expand learning spaces. Three libraries hold nearly 30,000 titles across divisions. A state-of-the-art IDEA Center and Design Lab, plus divisional maker spaces including the ES Spark Lab, support hands-on learning and design thinking. The HS IDEA center houses 3D printers, CNC machines, an industrial laser and water cutters, and a 3D scanner; SSIS also supports robotics through VEX and FIRST teams with a dedicated VEX arena for practice.	Facilities overview The Canadian International School campus spans 50,000 m² and features modern facilities. The campus works with MLC Sports Center to provide comprehensive sport and fitness spaces. The facilities include an Olympic-standard 50-meter swimming pool, multipurpose gymnasiums, sports fields, tennis courts, and golf practice areas. The campus houses a library, an art room, a canteen, and a greenery hallway, along with spaces for performing arts such as cinemas and music performance areas.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Athletics facilities indoors include two air-conditioned gyms with three full courts for basketball and volleyball, a brand new fitness studio, and a six-lane pool. Outdoors, there are three full soccer fields with stadium lighting.	Sports facilities The school has sports fields, multipurpose gymnasiums, and an Olympic-standard 50-meter swimming pool. Tennis courts and golf practice areas are available on campus. The facilities are integrated with MLC Sports Center to support athletic programs.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Bright, modern classrooms support instruction across EC through Grade 12. A state-of-the-art IDEA Center and Design Lab, with divisional maker spaces, support STEAM learning. The HS IDEA center houses 3D printers, CNC machines, an industrial laser and water cutters, and a 3D scanner. The MS design lab provides coding and construction, and the Spark Lab covers robotics, circuitry, physical computing, AR/VR, and multimedia. The libraries offer more than 25,000 physical books and more than 4,500 online titles across three divisions. The campus features a 360-seat auditorium and a Blackbox Theatre for performing arts.	Academic facilities The CIS Library is a central resource for study and research. The Art Room supports visual arts and creativity. The Canteen provides daily meals in a dedicated dining space. The campus area is 50,000 m² with modern equipment to support learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Robotics and maker activities are supported by the ES Spark Lab, the MS design lab, and the HS IDEA center, with VEX and FIRST robotics teams and a VEX arena for practice. The performing arts spaces include a 360-seat auditorium and a Blackbox Theatre for after-school productions. Athletic facilities enable participation in citywide and regional leagues with two indoor gyms, a six-lane pool, a fitness studio, and three outdoor soccer fields with stadium lighting. Outdoor learning spaces and learning gardens provide environments for clubs and project-based activities. The libraries and arts spaces support a range of clubs, study groups, and performances.	Extra curricular facilities The School of Well-being model supports holistic development through sports, arts, music, and community activities. Cinemas and music performance areas are on campus to support the performing arts.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The school was founded in 1997 by the Phu My Hung Corporation as a non-profit international school. Lawrence S. Ting and Ferdinand P. Tsien are noted as the visionary founders behind the establishment of the school. Over time the school has expanded its campus, added new facilities and grown its student body to serve a broad international community. The governance is non-profit and linked to the Phu My Hung development.	History CIS was founded in 2009. It was developed under the Khoi Nguyen Education Group (KNE), the operator of the Canadian International and Bilingual school system in Ho Chi Minh City. In December 2022, EQuest Education Group announced a strategic partnership in which it became a key shareholder in KNE and joined KNE’s board; CIS is one of the four KNE schools named in that announcement.
Community	Community The community at the school is multicultural, with students and families from a wide range of nationalities. Regular events include International Day, Family Fun Day, Elementary Sports Day and Christmas Tree Lighting which bring together students, parents and staff. The school emphasises parent-and-community involvement in planning and running these events, fostering active participation across the community.	Community The school hosts regular community and cultural events on campus. Recent examples include an annual Spring Fair (2024) drawing families for cultural and culinary activities, Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations inviting the community to wear traditional áo dài, and themed summer camps for students. CIS also features student life events such as an overnight Grade 12 “Camping Night” on campus, and showcases student participation in citywide arts and academic activities.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The PTA at the school comprises parents, teachers and staff working together to support the school community. It organises coffee mornings for new and returning parents to connect and receive updates, as well as large events such as the Family Fun Day and International Day. The PTA also runs “Parent Clubs” including Art Club, Book Club, Coffee Club, Spanish Language Class, Pilates Club and Sports Club. Country Ambassadors are part of the PTA network, assisting families from specific nationalities to connect within the school community. Volunteers are encouraged to join event committees and support initiatives throughout the school year.	Parent teacher association CIS has an active parent association (CISPA). In April 2024, the school hosted an information session on re-establishing CISPA, outlining goals to strengthen collaboration between families and the school and to engage parents as partners. Subsequent updates describe well-attended parent association meetings focused on two-way communication, feedback, and community building. These activities sit alongside regular parent–teacher events (e.g., secondary parent–teacher conference days) that the school publicizes in its news feed.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual SSIS follows an American standards-based curriculum. The high school program includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). SSIS is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). SSIS is the only international school in Ho Chi Minh City offering both AP and IB in high school.	Academic & intellectual The school offers education from Grade 1 to Grade 12. Elementary is Grades 1–3 and Grades 4–6. Secondary includes Grade 7–8, Grade 9–10, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP).
Arts & creative	Arts & creative SSIS supports arts across visual and performing arts. The STEAM Design Center is 7,100 square meters and includes a makerspace, a robotics lab, an art exhibition space, visual art studios, and science labs. The high school offers AP Art and Design courses.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language SSIS serves an international student body. SSIS provides an English-language curriculum with English-language support through its EAL program. During admissions, linguistic needs are comprehensively assessed to determine English-proficiency services. SSIS is a member of MRISA and SEASAC.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies SSIS offers After-School Activities, athletics, and clubs. Students can pursue interests beyond class through ASAs and sports. Campus life includes a range of social and recreational opportunities.	Social & hobbies The school reports 45+ clubs and more than 30 nationalities among students.
Community & service	Community & service Service in Action connects SSIS students with local partners to perform service. These experiences foster empathy and real-world understanding. The program is integrated across school life.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Head of School is Dr. Catriona Moran. SSIS has a leadership team and a faculty recruited from around the world. Four high school guidance counselors support college and career planning. SSIS operates as a not-for-profit entity.	Leadership & professional The school operates as a member of EQuest Education.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing SSIS provides well-being support through weekly advisory lessons in high school. Dedicated counselors support students' social and emotional growth. SSIS offers health and wellness initiatives and a broad program of student-life activities.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school notes a 100% pass rate.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school uses an English-language curriculum. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for multilingual learners. During admissions, linguistic needs are comprehensively assessed to determine the level of English proficiency. EAL specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to support language development and ensure access to the English-language curriculum.	Language provision English is the language of instruction. A second language is taught: Vietnamese or French. Vietnamese is mandatory for Vietnamese students, while French is mandatory for foreign students.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses English as the language of instruction; Vietnamese or French is taught as a second language.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations * Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): A U.S.-based regional accreditor recognised for validating school quality and continuous improvement for schools in East Asia and the Pacific. * International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO / IB Diploma Programme authorisation): Authorisation that allows SSIS to offer the IB Diploma Programme, demonstrating it meets the standards and practices of the IB organisation. * College Board (AP Programme authorisation): Recognition that SSIS is authorised to offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, enabling students to take rigorous college-level subjects while in high school. * Council of International Schools (CIS) Membership: SSIS is a member of CIS which supports international school quality through benchmarked peer review and professional development. * Association of International Schools in South East Asia (AISA) or similar regional associations: SSIS holds membership in regional international-school networks (such as SEASAC and MRISA) which link the school to peer institutions for activities and standards.	Accreditations * International Baccalaureate (IB) World School: Authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11–12, allowing students to earn a globally recognised qualification for university admission. * College Board (Advanced Placement Program): Approved by the College Board to deliver Advanced Placement (AP) courses, giving students the opportunity to study university-level content and earn potential university credit. * Council of International Schools (CIS): Accredited by CIS, an organisation that recognises schools meeting rigorous standards in governance, curriculum quality, teaching, and student wellbeing. * Cognia (NCA CASI / NWAC / SACS CASI): Accredited by Cognia, a U.S.-based body assessing schools on academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement. * Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): Fully accredited by WASC, confirming that the school meets standards recognised by U.S. and international universities for educational quality and accountability.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Inquiry and Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form and uploading all required documents. An application fee of VND 10,000,000 is payable at this stage. Applicants in Early Childhood to Kindergarten complete a developmental observation, while Grades 1–12 complete written assessments in English and mathematics. 2. Assessment and Interview Following the initial review, students may be invited for additional testing or an interview to determine English proficiency and overall readiness. The Admissions Office evaluates prior school records, assessment results, and whether the school can meet the student’s learning needs. 3. Decision and Offer After review, applicants may receive an offer of admission, be placed on the waiting list, or be declined. Accepted families receive a formal Letter of Acceptance, which must be signed and returned along with a completed health form. 4. Payment and Enrollment To secure a place, families must pay the required enrollment deposit and tuition (or first installment) by the due dates listed in the fee schedule. All payments must be completed before the student’s first day of class. 5. Orientation and Start New students and parents are invited to attend orientation sessions before the start of the academic year in August. Middle and High School students also meet with a counselor to confirm course selections and discuss academic planning. 6. Rolling Admissions Applications are accepted year-round, although placement is based on space availability. Families seeking entry in August are encouraged to begin the process by January of the same calendar year.	Admissions 1. Enquiry and Consultation Parents begin by contacting the school’s Admissions Office or completing the online enquiry form. The admissions team provides an overview of the curriculum, school facilities, and entry requirements, and arranges a campus tour or virtual consultation for interested families. 2. Application Submission Families submit the completed application form along with required documents, including previous school reports, copies of the student’s passport or birth certificate, health information, and any additional records requested. An application and assessment fee must be paid at this stage. 3. Assessment and Interview Applicants complete an age-appropriate entrance assessment to evaluate academic readiness and English proficiency. Depending on the grade level, an interview may also be conducted with the student and parents to understand their educational goals and background. 4. Offer of Placement Successful applicants receive a formal Letter of Offer confirming grade placement, tuition fees, and enrolment terms. Parents are required to review and confirm acceptance within the stated time frame. 5. Registration and Payment Families confirm enrolment by signing the school’s enrolment agreement and paying the registration and reservation fees along with the first tuition installment. The school then finalises class placement and provides joining instructions. 6. Orientation and Start of School Before the academic year begins, students and parents attend an orientation session to meet teachers and learn about the school’s routines and expectations. The student then joins their class on the official start date of the term.
Scholarships	Scholarships SSIS offers the annual Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for one Vietnamese student entering Grade 10 who has only attended local Vietnamese schools. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, English proficiency, interest in global/international affairs and service to others. The application timeline begins in December and features a written test, group discussion and interview rounds, with winners announced in May.	Scholarships CIS offers a “Talent Scholarship” programme (grades 6 to 11) and other transition-based scholarships covering a portion of tuition fees. The Talent Scholarship is valued at up to VND 33 billion for the 2025-2026 cycle and is open to students who demonstrate academic, artistic or sports excellence. Applicants must submit evidence of previous achievement, sit any required tests and apply by the stated deadline. Scholarship awards are applied to the tuition fee (percentage discount) and are subject to renewal conditions and school policy.
Waitlist	Waitlist SSIS operates a wait-pool (waiting list) system. Qualified applicants whose grade level is full are placed on the waiting list until space becomes available. Admission thereafter depends on space and on the candidate meeting requirements.	Waitlist CIS does not publicly specify an official wait-list or “pool” system in its admissions documentation.
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