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APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ₫470,800,000 - 568,920,000
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 300
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2004
Bus Service Yes
Part of
APU American International School
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Vietnamese
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

APU American International School’s Middle & High School campus in Ho Chi Minh City offers a US-style curriculum accredited and recognized by US state education departments, with teaching delivered entirely in English. Located in District 11 at 286 Lanh Binh Thang Street, the campus serves students in Grades 6–12. Students follow a California-aligned program and can access Advanced Placement (AP) and College Bridge Program (CBP) courses, which allow them to earn US university credits while still in high school. A dedicated ELD (English Language Development) program supports learners who are new to English so they can integrate into mainstream classes, while required Vietnamese History, Geography, and Civics maintain strong local content. Student life includes clubs such as Football, Music, Math & Science, Charity, and Photography & Movie, alongside an active Student Council and structured community service that is required for graduation. Boarding, shuttle bus services, and on-campus counseling further support students’ daily life and future university pathways.

This campus is part of APU American International School

286 Lãnh Binh Thăng, Phường Phú Thọ, Quận 11, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.

The Essentials

APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
The Middle & High School campus is located at 286 Lanh Binh Thang Street, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City. District 11 is an established residential and commercial area with convenient access to central districts and major city roads. It is close to local amenities and public transport routes, making it accessible for families living across the city.

Stages
This campus serves Grades 6 to 12, covering both middle school and high school. Younger students (Kindergarten to Grade 5) attend the separate Preschool–Elementary campus located elsewhere in District 11.

Type
The school is co-educational, enrolling both boys and girls. It offers day schooling as well as boarding (housing and dormitory) options for students who require on-campus residential facilities.

Additional learning support
The school provides an English Language Development (ELD) program for students who need support developing English proficiency. The school does not publicly outline any specialist Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or dedicated SEN facilities.

Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with the United States, offering an American curriculum aligned with US educational standards.

Religious affiliation
The school is non-religious and has no religious affiliation.

School day structure
The school does not publicly provide a detailed daily timetable. It states that the academic year is organized into two semesters (Fall and Spring), but specific start and end times for the school day are not published.

Bus service
The school offers a shuttle/bus service for students. Bus fees vary according to distance from the campus, with several distance-based fee bands available per semester. Families may choose to use the bus service depending on their location.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school offers a boarding program for students who do not live in Ho Chi Minh City or wish to board. Dormitories are within five minutes' walking distance from the campus. Senior staff act as dorm parents and a big brother or big sister is appointed to each student; dorm parents provide care around the clock, especially after school hours. Each dorm includes a lounge and kitchen area; bedrooms house one or two borders and are furnished with queen-sized beds, dressers, wardrobes, end tables and desks.

Food Options
Dormitory services include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Governance and Ownership
The school was started by Dr. Binh Tran, as noted in the history timeline of APU International School.
Fees

Annual tuition at APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus ranges from VND 470,800,000 to VND 568,920,000 for 2026/27.

Application Fees
A one-time English Proficiency Testing & Application Fee of VND 4,500,000 is required for all new students. A one-time enrollment fee is charged upon acceptance: VND 40,000,000 for Grades 6–8 and VND 45,000,000 for Grades 9–12. A refundable deposit of VND 30,000,000 is required; this deposit is credited against tuition invoices but is non-refundable if the student does not attend.

Tuition Fees (Per Year)
Middle School (Grades 6–8): VND 470,800,000
High School (Grades 9–10): VND 521,400,000
High School (Grades 11–12): VND 568,920,000

Families may choose the installment plan (two payments per year) with an 8% finance charge added to the total tuition. Tuition must be paid in full by the listed deadlines to avoid penalties.

Billing Schedule & Payment Terms

Two options are available:
Option A (full year): Entire year’s tuition due 15 June 2025.
Option B (two installments): Two equal payments due at the start of each semester, including an 8% finance fee.
Late payments incur a 10% penalty after 15 days and an additional 10% after 30 days, with possible suspension of student records.

Boarding Fees
The school offers boarding facilities. The Dormitory Fee is VND 57,500,000 per semester per student. A refundable housing deposit of VND 4,500,000 is required and returned only if no damage or outstanding fees remain.

Additional Fees

School Lunch: VND 21,850,000 per year
School Uniform Set: VND 948,750 per set
PE Uniform Set: VND 506,000 per set
Material Learning Fee: USD 200 per student
Workbooks: Charged separately
Transcripts: VND 400,000 per request

Transportation Fees
Bus service is available with distance-based fees per semester per student:

0–5 km: VND 17,825,000
5–8 km: VND 20,163,950
8–12 km: VND 28,053,100
12–20 km: VND 33,021,100
Over 20 km: VND 45,586,000

Refund Policy
Tuition is generally non-refundable. Lunch, bus service, and dormitory fees may be refunded for full unused semesters when cancellation is submitted at least 10 days in advance. Deposits are refundable only under the specific conditions listed in the school’s fee policy.

Payment Options
The published fee schedule does not specify payment methods; families typically arrange payment directly with the school’s finance office. Payment methods must be confirmed with the school at the time of invoicing.
Academics

APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
The Middle & High School campus follows a US-based curriculum aligned with American academic standards. Middle school students (Grades 6–8) study core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies, along with elective courses that prepare them for upper-level coursework. High school students (Grades 9–12) follow a credit-based system using Carnegie units, completing required subjects across English, math, science, social studies, computer science, physical education, and the arts. Students in Grades 11 and 12 may take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and participate in the College Bridge Program, which allows them to earn university credits while still enrolled in high school. Vietnamese nationals also complete compulsory subjects such as Vietnamese History, Geography, and Civics as required by the Ministry of Education and Training. The English Language Development (ELD) program supports students who need additional English preparation before transitioning into the full academic program.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school integrates social and emotional development through its structured community service programme, which is a graduation requirement and encourages students to develop empathy and responsibility. The Student Council provides a platform for students to express concerns, organise activities, and participate in school decision-making, supporting the development of confidence and leadership skills. The school’s counselling staff also works with students during academic planning, which includes conversations about personal goals and adjustment to school life. Beyond these published elements, the school does not publicly outline a dedicated SEL curriculum or specialist SEL staff.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information about specialist SEN programmes, staffing, or specific types of learning needs it can support. There is no published indication that the school provides individualised SEN interventions, diagnostic services, or specialist learning support staff. The school does not describe itself as a specialist SEN institution. Based on publicly available information, only general academic and counselling support is described, and no SEN-specific facilities are mentioned.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school offers a formal English Language Development (ELD) programme for students who need support before joining the full academic curriculum. Students are placed into one of seven proficiency levels and receive instruction in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The programme also teaches academic skills such as research and presentations to prepare students for mainstream classes. The school states that the goal of ELD is to prepare students to transition into the American curriculum within about one year. No additional EAL programmes beyond ELD are publicly described.

Mental Wellbeing
The school’s Counselling Department provides academic and personal counselling for students, including guidance on course selection, exam preparation, university pathways, and managing school transitions. The founder and counselling team meet with students to support goal-setting and decision-making during their middle and high school years. The school does not publish information about mental-health-specific services such as psychologists, therapists, or wellbeing programmes. Beyond academic and personal counselling, no other structured mental well-being initiatives are publicly detailed.

Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose a safeguarding or child-protection policy on its website. There is no published information about designated safeguarding staff, child-protection procedures, or reporting protocols. While information is available regarding housing supervision and transport arrangements, these do not constitute formal safeguarding policies. Therefore, only limited operational safety information is publicly available, and detailed safeguarding procedures are not provided.
Parent Experience

History
APU American International School was founded in 2004 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, by Dr. Thy Nguyen Truong, who continues to oversee its development. The school was established with the goal of offering an American-style education for both local and international students. In 2015, APU expanded to include a second campus in Da Nang, extending its reach across Vietnam. The Preschool and Elementary division of the Ho Chi Minh City campus was later introduced in 2017 to provide early childhood and primary education aligned with the American curriculum. APU remains part of the larger APU Educational Development Group, which manages all academic programs and partnerships.

Community
APU promotes an active and diverse school community with events that bring together students, teachers, and families. Annual activities such as International Arts Week, Music Club performances, and service-learning projects encourage creativity and teamwork among students. Cultural celebrations, including Vietnamese Teachers’ Day and international holiday observances, help build a sense of connection and respect for cultural diversity within the community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school’s website does not publicly provide information about a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or its specific activities. While parent engagement is encouraged through school events and communication channels, there is no dedicated PTA body, leadership structure, or published calendar of meetings and events. Parents appear to participate mainly through school-organized community events, parent–teacher conferences, and orientation sessions.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Middle & High School Campus is located at 286 Lanh Binh Thang Street, Phu Tho Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, and serves Middle School–High School (Grades 6–12). The campus offers a boarding program with dormitories located within five minutes' walk of the campus. Dorms include lounges and kitchens, and each dorm bedroom houses one or two borders and is furnished with queen-sized beds, dressers, wardrobes, end tables and desks. Dormitory services include round-the-clock security, meals, tutoring support and after-school guidance, a Big Brother and Big Sister Program, room cleaning and laundry, and extensive after-school and weekend activities plus early morning exercise. Academic lessons run 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with after-school activities extending beyond the day (3:30 PM–4:30 PM for Elementary and 3:35 PM–4:45 PM for High School).

Sports Facilities
The School Life program includes sports-oriented clubs, such as Football Club and Badminton Club. After-school activities include opportunities for sports, as listed under the School Life offerings. These clubs provide students with ongoing athletic engagement beyond the standard classroom schedule.

Academic Facilities
APU offers International, Bilingual, and Integrated Bilingual Programs, along with an ELD Program and AP & CBP Courses. University Acceptance support is part of the academic program. A 5th-grade science lab is featured in campus activities, illustrating the presence of science facilities on site. (Academic program details are available under International Program, Bilingual Program, Integrated Bilingual Program, Summer Program, ELD Program, AP & CBP Course, and University Acceptance.)

Extra Curricular Facilities
Community Service is a graduation requirement, with service learning forming a core part of student development. Examples of service initiatives include clothing collections for orphanages, fundraising for flood victims, and Christmas toy drives. The Student Council supports student governance, leadership, and school life activities. Clubs include Football Club, English Club, Music Club, Math & Science Club, Charity Club, Badminton Club, and Photography & Movie Club, with guidance from a faculty member and information available at reception.
Languages

Language Provision
English language development is part of the International Program, with ESL included at the High School level. The Bilingual Program provides extensive English exposure—12-18 periods per week with 90% of instruction from foreign teachers—and uses CALLA to integrate English with other subjects. The Integrated Bilingual Program combines Vietnamese and American education and emphasizes English instruction across levels. Vietnamese nationals follow MOET requirements for Vietnamese History, Geography, and Civics.

Bilingual Teaching
Yes. The Middle School and High School campuses offer a Bilingual Program and an Integrated Bilingual Program. The Integrated Bilingual Program combines Vietnamese and American education and was launched for Early Childhood through High School in the 2023-2024 academic year. The Middle School and High School components emphasize English instruction, with 12-18 periods of English per week and about 90% of instructional time taught by foreign teachers, and they use the CALLA model to integrate English with other subjects.

Immersion Programs
English immersion is provided through the Bilingual Program and Integrated Bilingual Program. The Bilingual Program emphasizes English language instruction, with 12-18 periods of English per week and about 90% of instructional time taught by foreign teachers, and it uses the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA). The Integrated Bilingual Program combines Vietnamese and American education and features English instruction as part of its framework.
Reputation

Awards
The school’s website does not list any institutional awards received.

Accreditations
APU American International School states that it has received accreditation and membership certification from leading international educational organizations, aligning its programs with recognized U.S. education standards. However, the school’s website does not specify the names of accrediting bodies for the Preschool & Elementary campus or the full school system.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Online Application Submission
Families begin by completing the school’s online application form. At this stage, parents provide basic student information and contact details. After submitting the form, the Admissions Office reviews the application and contacts families to explain the next steps. Applicants are also informed about the required English Proficiency Testing & Application Fee.

2. Campus Visit and Consultation
Parents are encouraged to book a school tour through the “Book an APU Experience” form. During the visit, families can see the campus, meet staff, and discuss programme choices such as the English Language Development (ELD) pathway or boarding options. Admissions staff also explain tuition fees, enrollment fees, and required documentation.

3. Placement Assessments and Documentation
Students complete an English proficiency test, which is required for placement into either the mainstream American curriculum or the ELD programme. Families also submit academic records and any additional documents requested by the admissions team. The school then reviews these materials to determine appropriate grade placement.

4. Offer of Placement and Enrollment Fees
If the student is accepted, the school issues an official offer. Parents must pay the one-time enrollment fee and the refundable deposit to secure the place. Only after these payments are completed is the placement confirmed.

5. Final Enrollment and Service Selection
Families finalize their choices for optional services such as school lunch, bus transport, and boarding. The school guides uniforms, learning materials, and the start-of-year schedule. Students entering the ELD programme receive placement level information before beginning classes.

Scholarships
The school states that it offers scholarships for eligible students, including merit-based opportunities linked to academic achievement. Scholarship information is presented broadly, focusing on students’ successes in receiving university scholarships and related support from the school’s guidance team. However, the school does not publish detailed criteria, application procedures, award amounts, or eligibility requirements for its internal scholarships. Families are encouraged to discuss specific scholarship options directly with the Admissions or Counseling Office.

Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose the use of a waitlist or pool-based admissions system.
School Events
The school has not added events
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