International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Academy

The International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Academy (ISHCMC - American Academy) is an international school for middle and high school children aged 11 to 18 years old in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.^[1] ISHCMC - American Academy is one of three schools in Vietnam under the schools group Cognita, along with the International School Ho Chi Minh City and International School Saigon Pearl.^[2]

American Curriculum

ISHCMC - American Academy delivers a full American curriculum under the rigorous American Education Reaches Out (AERO) framework, which is aligned closely with U.S. national standards across math, science, English, and social studies. All students from Grades 6 to 12 take the U.S. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) standardized assessments in English Reading and Math twice a year.

English Language

ISHCMC - American Academy teaches in the English curriculum and has an English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program for students whose English is not their first language.^[3] The EAL program is based on the WIDA framework and assessments, which progresses students through 6 stages of the language acquisition process until they reach a proficiency level equivalent to that of a native speaker. In 2015, over 60% of our high school students achieved above the worldwide standards in their English MAP® tests.

ICT Program

ISHCMC - American Academy's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Program aims to educate students to use technology confidently, responsibly and constructively. An on-site Video Production Suite, equipped with a professional green screen, studio lighting, and the latest audio-visual system, allows students to explore filmography and video editing skills while developing their journalism and English communication skills. ISHCMC - American Academy's 1:1 laptop program equips students with the skills for effective communication, research, and individual project management. Technology is also integrated across the curriculum, with lessons enhanced through the use of Promethean Smart Boards, access to two computer labs and electronic research tools.

University Preparation

One of the hallmarks of the education program at ISHCMC - American Academy is its focus on preparing students for future success at local and overseas universities. ISHCMC - American Academy students have received over U.S. $1 million in scholarships to study at overseas universities in the last two years^[4]

Syracuse University Project Advance

ISHCMC - American Academy is the only school in Vietnam to offer early university credit through the Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA).^[5] Through this partnership, ISHCMC - American Academy students can take university-level courses that use the same syllabi, materials, textbooks, assignments and assessments as courses offered at Syracuse University. Successful completion of SUPA courses and examinations earns ISHCMC - American Academy students early university credit while still in high school, saving both time and money in their tertiary education. SUPA students at ISHCMC - American Academy also graduate with two transcripts: an American high school diploma and a SUPA transcript.

University Counseling Program

ISHCMC - American Academy has a free University Counseling Program, where a professional university counselor schedules regular meetings with students to help them achieve his or her university goals. The university counselor coordinates university tours, assists with university selection and university applications, and reveals avenues for financial aid. In their final year at ISHCMC – American Academy, all 12th grade students also take part in a week-long intensive University Boot Camp to work on their university applications. To support this program, students have access to an on-site University Counseling Suite equipped with resources and tools needed to tackle the university admissions process.

Advanced Placement Program

ISHCMC – American Academy students can take university-level courses through the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. More than 90% of the four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. have an AP policy that grants incoming students credit, placement or both for qualifying AP Exam scores.^[6]

References

1. "ISHCMC American Academy". ExpatArrivals. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
2. "INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HO CHI MINH CITY-AMERICAN ACADEMY, VIETNAM". Cognita. Cognita Schools. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
3. Ross, Nick. "And the Answer is?...English". Word. Word. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
4. Ross, Nick. "And the Answer is?...English". Word. Word. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
5. "SU Project Advance: Global Programs: Vietnam". Syracuse University Project Advance. SU Project Advance. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
6. "Credit & Placement". AP Students. College Board. Retrieved 16 March 2016.