Among the international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, ISHCMC American Academy occupies a distinct niche: it is the secondary and high school that offers a United States style route, where most of the city's larger schools run the IB or a British pathway. It is the sister school of the International School Ho Chi Minh City and part of the same Cognita group, and it sits on a campus in Thao Dien, the riverside district east of the centre that has long anchored the city's expatriate community. It is the only school in Ho Chi Minh City to offer the AP Diploma.
ISHCMC American Academy at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | American curriculum: high school diploma with Advanced Placement courses, authorised by the College Board |
|---|---|
| Stages | Middle and high school, ages roughly 11 to 18 |
| Founded | Not published |
| Accreditation | College Board authorised for Advanced Placement since the 2012 to 2013 school year; part of the Cognita group |
| Fee band | Premium for the city (see Ho Chi Minh City fees) |
| Campus area | Vo Truong Toan Street, An Khanh Ward, Thu Duc City, east of central Saigon |
Curriculum and academics
ISHCMC American Academy teaches an American curriculum built on United States standards, leading to a high school diploma supported by Advanced Placement courses in the final years. AP courses are university level subjects assessed by external exams set by the College Board, and the school has been authorised to offer them since the 2012 to 2013 school year. The AP Diploma it offers, a recognised cluster of AP results, is unique to this school in Ho Chi Minh City, and the school publishes its annual AP results.
For a relocating family the American route is a meaningful alternative to the IB and British pathways that dominate the city. AP lets a student go deep in chosen subjects and signals readiness for university level work, which appeals to families with one eye on North American universities. Parents weighing the Academy are usually comparing AP against the Diploma offered elsewhere, and our overview of the IB schools in Ho Chi Minh City is a useful counterpoint when you are deciding between specialising through AP and keeping breadth through the IB.
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ISHCMC American Academy fees
ISHCMC American Academy sits in the premium tier of our guide to international school fees in Ho Chi Minh City, in line with the established schools in the Cognita group. As at most schools, tuition rises by grade, and the high school years that carry the AP courses are the most expensive stage. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them.
Beyond tuition, families should budget for a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, AP examination entries in the senior grades, and daily transport across a city where traffic can make the commute long. Our fee calculator pulls these line items into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set an American high school against an IB or British alternative in the city.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and the Academy accepts applications year round wherever a place is free in the grade a student would join. That suits families relocating to Vietnam outside the usual cycle, since a mid year start can often be arranged. The school reviews prior school records and may assess a student to confirm the right grade and the level of English support needed, particularly for entry into the high school years that lead to AP study.
Places in the senior grades can be competitive, so a family aiming at the AP Diploma should apply early and expect prior grades to be considered. As the secondary partner to a large primary school, the Academy draws many of its students from the linked International School Ho Chi Minh City, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability in your child's grade, the documents required and any assessment or interview.
Location and who goes there
ISHCMC American Academy is on Vo Truong Toan Street in An Khanh Ward of Thu Duc City, in the Thao Dien district on the eastern bank of the Saigon River. Thao Dien has long been the heart of expatriate Ho Chi Minh City, with international shops, cafes and a settled foreign community, which makes the Academy convenient for families who want to live close to school. The campus is a short distance from the wider ISHCMC community, so siblings at different stages can stay within the same group of schools.
The intake mixes expatriate families on assignment, returning Vietnamese families and local families who want an American education with a clear route to North American and other universities. For how Thao Dien compares with District 7 and the central districts on housing, commute and school choice, the Ho Chi Minh City hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents.
ISHCMC American Academy reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once we can confirm the reviewer is part of the school community, and you will not find an invented star rating here. If your family has experience of ISHCMC American Academy, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are ISHCMC American Academy fees?
ISHCMC American Academy sits in the premium tier of the Ho Chi Minh City range, with tuition rising by grade and the high school years the most expensive. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm current figures with admissions and budget for registration, a deposit, examinations and transport on top.
What curriculum does ISHCMC American Academy follow?
The school teaches an American style curriculum leading to a high school diploma, with Advanced Placement courses for university preparation. It has been authorised to offer AP courses by the College Board since the 2012 to 2013 school year and is part of the Cognita group.
What ages does ISHCMC American Academy take?
ISHCMC American Academy is a middle and high school for students aged roughly 11 to 18, from the start of secondary through to graduation. Younger children in the same family usually attend the linked International School Ho Chi Minh City.
Is ISHCMC American Academy a good school?
ISHCMC American Academy is the only school in Ho Chi Minh City to offer the AP Diploma and publishes its Advanced Placement results. As an independent guide we do not rank schools or take payment to feature them, so we point parents to its published results, its College Board authorisation and a visit.
When do ISHCMC American Academy applications open?
The school year runs from August, and applications are accepted year round subject to places in the relevant grade. Families relocating mid year can apply for an in year place, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability and any assessment.
