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AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLFOR STUDENTS AGED 11-18

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Welcome to the International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Academy The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) - American Academy offers a comprehensive and robust academic program built upon the principles and standards of the American education system. Our rigorous American curriculum is designed to inspire our students to become successful lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. With this comprehensive academic program, we offer our students the opportunity to achieve future success at US and international universities.

An American accredited curriculum which includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses is taught in the English language by highly qualifi ed teachers and Adjunct Professors from Syracuse University. To ensure students also have a strong foundation in the host country language and culture, we include subjects in Vietnamese literature, geography and history. To develop their interests and abilities, we provide a robust program of extra-curricular activities which includes sports, music, drama and special interest clubs. Additionally, community service opportunities are offered to create social awareness and a sense of global responsibility.

Our highly qualifi ed teachers are student-focused teaching students to be collaborative, critical thinkers, effective communicators, community contributors and self-directed learners. We believe all students have special areas of interest and talents, and at ISHCMC – American Academy these are identifi ed, developed and supported within our Gifted Education Program.

We provide a challenging yet caring learning environment for our students, catering to the needs of expatriate and national students alike.

I hope that you will take the opportunity to contact me and others in our school community to gain a deeper understanding of our program. And of course we hope that you can visit us to learn fi rst-hand what sets us apart in the world of education.

Mr. Eric Hamilton

Principal ISHCMC – American Academy

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Our VisionAs a school community we will continually strive to provide the best teaching and learning experience for every student so that each individual reaches their maximum potential. The ISHCMC - American Academy’s philosophy and guiding statements will lead us in fulfi lling our vision of being one of the most prestigious American International Schools in Asia.

Our PhilosophyThe ISHCMC - American Academy challenges its students to achieve academic excellence through our college preparatory curriculum that adheres to American

academic standards, which is taught in the English language and utilizes the most modern technology available. The ISHCMC - American Academy promotes community service, responsible global citizenship and the integral development of the individual student with American and Asian values.

Guiding Statements We will support our philosophy through these Guiding Statements:

• Maintain high standards of academic progress, achievement and performance including preparation for admission into competitive universities in the US and worldwide.

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American Academy, we will develop future leaders with active and innovative minds.’innovative minds.’innovative minds.

• Create an environment in our schools where students feel safe, secure and can thrive.

• To develop bilingual students, fl uent in English and Vietnamese, who also have the opportunity to study and become competent in either Mandarin or Spanish.

• Encourage students to become responsible global citizens.

• Instil in students confi dence and an enthusiasm for life-long learning.

• Develop future leaders with active and innovative minds.

• Celebrate diversity and build an understanding of and respect for different value systems and cultures.

• Promote critical understanding and compassion for others and the courage to act based on one’s beliefs.

• Provide a variety of learning support resources including English as an additional language, enrichment and counseling so that each individual can achieve success.

• Recruit, retain and professionally develop leading American and international teachers.

• Be a refl ective and thoughtful community who seeks input from a variety of sources to successfully guide our progress.

• Continue to develop a welcoming community that supports happy and passionate staff, students and parents.

Our goal is to provide a balanced educational program within a positive, stimulating environment so that each child can learn and grow to their fullest potential.

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Middle School - Grade 6 to 8Our goal is to provide a balanced educational program within a positive, stimulating environment so that each child can learn and grow to their fullest potential.

We recognize and address the broad range of needs of young adolescent learners and offer a well-balanced program which pays particular attention to supporting their emotional, social, physical, and academic needs. We promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, as well as exposure to the arts and a stimulating academic environment. Academically, we develop student’s higher thinking and reasoning skills and help them to establish their own personal identity and social skills.

Our highly qualifi ed teachers are caring, experienced and well trained to encourage the best from all our students. They conduct bi-annual external assessments called MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress). This allows us to determine your child’s instructional level and measure academic grow throughout the year ensuring students make good progress and reach their full potential.

We also offer a Gifted Education Program systematically identifying high ability students and developing their special areas of interest and talent through programs associated with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY), the most prestigious and successful talented and gifted program worldwide. In association with the Johns Hopkins CTY, the ISHCMC - American Academy discovers your child’s abilities,

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‘We provide a challenging academic program to prepare students for high school and future success at competitive US universities and worldwide. ’

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reinforces his or her confi dence as an academic achiever and opens doors to online courses, Johns Hopkins CTY summer programs and gifted programs within the school year.

Parental involvement is an essential ingredient in providing a quality education for our students. Regular progress reports are sent to parents and parent/teacher conferences are held to discuss each student’s social and academic progress. We look forward to being partners with you and guiding your child’s Middle School education at the ISHCMC - American Academy.

Course Subjects • English• Mathematics• Science• Social Studies • Computer Science• Foreign Language

(Mandarin or Spanish)

• Physical and Health Education• Visual and Performing Arts • Achievement Center

(Gifted Education Program; English as Additional Language Program)

• Vietnamese Studies (including Literature, History and Geography)

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High School - Grade 9 to 12The ISHCMC - American Academy provides a challenging academic program that gives students the opportunity to achieve future success at US universities and worldwide. High School students will have the opportunity to graduate with an ISHCMC - American Academy High School Diploma as well as the Advanced Placement International Diploma allowing them to gain university credit while still at high school.

In addition to the substantial knowledge gained, the skills developed during High School teach our students the value of information and independent study skills. These are both important for achieving success at university where higher order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation are constantly required.

Our highly qualifi ed and well trained teachers encourage the best from our students. Assessment is continuous and systematic which allows for personalized learning and

ensures that students reach their individual potential and are able to receive a High School Diploma and the Advanced Placement International Diploma.

ISHCMC - American Academy High School DiplomaStudents who graduate from the ISHCMC - American Academy will earn an American High School Diploma. Students must earn a minimum of 24 credits on their transcript which includes:

• English – 4 credits• Vietnamese/ Mandarin/ Spanish – 2 credits• Social Studies – 3 credits• Mathematics – 4 credits• Sciences – 3 credits• Arts – 1 credit• Physical Education – 2 credits

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• Information and Communication Technology – 1 credit• Electives – 4 credits

Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)To earn an APID, students must earn grades of 3 or higher on at least fi ve AP Exams, one from each of the following content areas:

English • AP English Language & Composition

World Languages • AP Chinese Language & Culture • AP Spanish Language

Mathematics • AP Calculus • AP Statistics

Sciences • AP Environmental Science • AP Biology • AP Chemistry

History and Social Sciences • AP World History • AP Psychology • AP Macro and Microeconomics

Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA)

The ISHCMC - American Academy is also proud to be the only international school in Vietnam to offer Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) courses. These courses are designed to provide highly academic students the chance to take actual Syracuse University courses in high school. Students who successful complete a SUPA course will receive an offi cial Syracuse University transcript. Students can then build up university credit setting them apart from their peers worldwide with a head start on their university careers. This helps our students complete their degree in a shorter amount of time saving them money or allowing students to get a head start on their Masters.

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TEACHINGEXCELLENCECOGNITA

The Cognita GroupOver 19,000 Students • over 3,500 Teachers • over 55 Schools • 6 Countries

Teaching Excellence

“Walk through the classroom door and you know the atmosphere is intense. Every child is involved, there is silent

concentration and there is excitement and there is laughter. This is teaching as it should be. How is it done? The teachers

are passionate about their subjects. They have the highest possible expectations of every child. They are experts in the

craft of the classroom. Teaching excellence, Cognita’s goal, is the most important thing we can offer our students.”

Sir Chris Woodhead, Cognita Chairman.

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• We foster best practice in every aspect of our schools’ provision.

• We support and monitor teacher performance, investing in regular and appropriate staff training and development.

• We strive to challenge all children to realise their full potential in all fi elds of endeavor.

• We encourage open and effective communication between our schools and our parents.

• We seek to engage and work with our parents at every available opportunity.

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ISHCMC - AMERICAN ACADEMY

OVERVIEW

GIVING YOU THE BIGGER PICTURE

AcademicsISHCMC - American Academy offers a rigorous American curriculum including Advanced Placement (AP) designed to ensure our students achieve future success in US universities and worldwide.

CognitaThe ISHCMC - American Academy is part of the Cognita network of schools which educates over 19,000 students, employs over 3,500 teachers and support staff in over 55 schools, across six different countries. Teaching excellence, Cognita’s primary goal, is the most important service we can offer our students.

Communication Communication and support between home and school are critical to us. We fi rmly believe that parental involvement is an essential ingredient in providing a quality education. We seek input from our student’s parents to guide our progress and we encourage parents to be actively involved in their child’s education.

Gifted Education Program The Middle School program systematically identifi es high ability students and develops all students special areas of interest and talent through programs associated with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY), the most prestigious and

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successful talented and gifted program worldwide. In association with the Johns Hopkins CTY, the ISHCMC - American Academy discovers your child’s abilities, reinforces his or her confi dence as an academic achiever and opens doors to online courses, Johns Hopkins CTY summer programs and gifted programs within the school year.

High School student’s talents and areas of special interest are identifi ed, developed and supported through the Syracuse University Project Advance. The American Academy is the only school in Vietnam to offer this program. While students take courses to obtain the AP International Diploma, they also have the opportunity to pursue their special areas of interest and talent by taking Syracuse University courses for college credit while they are still in High School at the ISHCMC - American Academy.

Career Guidance The School Counselor supports students in establishing clear goals for their future once their special areas of interest and talents are identifi ed. The Gifted Education Program opportunities are an integral part of the guidance counseling and goal setting process, where students are tested for competencies and ability levels to develop their talents in a supportive and caring environment.

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EAL At the ISHCMC - American Academy we offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) instruction and we have experienced EAL teachers who are able to provide support to students both in class and through personalized instruction.

Extra-Curricular Activities We offer a variety of extra-curricular activities to enhance our students’ experience at the ISHCMC - American Academy and allow them time to explore outside interests in a structured way. These include sports, music, drama, special interest clubs and

community service activities. In addition to the extra-curricular activities programs, students have the opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities that build upon and extend the core academic program. Programs such as the Harvard Model United Nations, the Young Entrepreneurs Competition and the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC are offered.

Teaching StaffThe ISHCMC - American Academy is committed to recruiting teachers who are highly experienced, dedicated, caring and passionate about their subject, in addition to being excited by the prospect of working within a dynamic and diverse community. Our

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teachers have an average of 9.5 years of teaching experience and over 60% of our faculty teaching staff have post-graduate degrees.

Technology As a 21st century school, the ISHCMC-American Academy integrates technology into the curriculum in all classes through the use of Smart Boards and wireless infrastructure so students can use their laptops to enhance their learning at school, in addition to courses in computer skills.

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Facilities The ISHCMC - American Academy is located in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City, in a purpose built campus over fi ve fl oors with a covered sports area.

To maximise the delivery of the curriculum to our students, we have state of the art air conditioned classrooms with interactive Promethean boards, science laboratories, Video

Production Lab and Innovation Center, ICT suite, art room, a brand new interactive media center/library with over 10,000 books. We also have a dedicated University Counseling Suite where our experienced Counselor helps students prepare and succeed in being accepted to top US universities and others worldwide.

Within the ISHCMC – American Academy campus we have a covered sports hard court arena that is used to play basketball, volleyball and badminton as well as other sports

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and recreation. As a school we also have the use of Riverside which is 200 meters from the ISHCMC – American Academy campus and this allows our students access to other sports such as football, athletics, swimming and tennis.

In the fi nal two years of High School students have access to their own Student Lounge with study and social areas enabling them to have their own space and prepare themselves for life after the ISHCMC - American Academy.

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Admissions - getting you where you want to beThe ISHCMC - American Academy is open and looking forward to hearing from you Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. We offer rolling admissions, allowing entry throughout the year as long as space is available. Our goal is to make the admissions process a pleasant, straightforward experience. To inquire about availability of places, or for more information about anything covered in this brochure, please contact Admissions via email at admissions@aavn.edu.vn or by telephone at (84-8) 3898-9098.

Please note that admissions meetings and school tours are available by appointment only.

Necessary Documents:

• Application form• Application fee• Three (3) passport photos• Photocopy of student and parent passport• Photocopy of birth certifi cate• Medical examination form• Offi cial transcript or report cards for the previous two

(2) years• Any educational or specialist evaluation report

Steps for AdmissionStep 1Prospective students who wish to apply to the ISHCMC - American Academy will need to submit all forms, fees and documents before an application can be reviewed for admission. Applications are considered in chronological order of receipt.

Step 2Once these documents have been submitted and the application fee has been received, the Admissions Offi ce will review the application fi le. More information may be requested from you or from your child’s previous school. The ISHCMC - American Academy will then contact your family to schedule age specifi c assessments followed by an informal interview. You will then be notifi ed whether your child has met the criteria for admission.

Step 3When a place is offered, the enrollment fee must be paid within seven (7) days. If the enrollment fee is not received within 7 days, priority will be given to other applicants. The Medical Examination Form will need to be completed and returned prior to the student’s start date.

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An International Schoolfor students aged 11 -18

Part of Cognita School Group

School campus

16 Vo Truong Toan, An Phu Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (84 8) 3898 9098 Email: admissions@aavn.edu.vn

Admissions office

26 Vo Truong Toan, An Phu Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (84 8) 3898 9100 Email: admissions@aavn.edu.vn