APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus vs The American School - Ho Chi Minh City
APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 13 km apart. Both schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) and American programmes, and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City also offers IB. Published annual fees are ₫470,800,000 - 568,920,000 at APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus and ₫239,800,000 - 532,600,000 at The American School - Ho Chi Minh City, which puts APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus roughly 35% higher. APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus takes pupils from 11 to 18, and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City from 1 to 18. The American School - Ho Chi Minh City is the larger school, with around 575 pupils to APU American International School – Middle & High School Campus's 300. Both keep typical class sizes around 15.
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (PYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
300
Pupils
575
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
15
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2004
Opened
2010
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
06 Song Hanh Road, Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Freeway, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Stages
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.
Stages
Pre-Nursery to Grade 12 (Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, High School)
School type
School 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.
School type
International school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
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.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with the United States, offering an American curriculum aligned with US educational standards.
Country affiliation
Vietnam
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is non-religious and has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
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.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
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:
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.
Fee details
*Application fee* - A non-refundable application fee of VND 5,800,000 is required at the time the application is submitted.
*Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable on acceptance)* - Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Pre‑Kindergarten: VND 30,000,000. - Kindergarten and Grades 1–5: VND 40,000,000. - Grades 6–12: VND 55,000,000. - The Registration Fee must be paid within five working days of acceptance to guarantee a place.
*English as an Additional Language (EAL) support fees* - Primary EAL: VND 37,600,000 (Annual) / VND 21,600,000 (Semester). - Middle/High School EAL: VND 47,800,000 (Annual) / VND 23,900,000 (Semester).
*Other service fees — Bus (transport) (annual / semester / day and per-route registration fees listed)* - Route 01 (Thao Dien, An Phu, Binh An, Binh Khanh, Binh Trung Tay & Thu Thiem): Registration VND 13,900,000; Annual VND 8,200,000; Day VND 255,000. - Route 02 (District 2 other areas; District 9 Phuoc Long B, Binh Trung Dong): Registration VND 24,400,000; Annual VND 15,100,000; Day VND 355,000. - Route 03 (District 9 other areas; Binh Thanh; Thu Duc): Registration VND 33,600,000; Annual VND 18,600,000; Day VND 397,000. - Route 04 (Districts 1,3,4,5,7,8,10,11, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh): Registration VND 37,100,000; Annual VND 20,900,000; Day VND 414,000. - Route 05 (Districts 6,12, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Go Vap): Registration VND 41,700,000; Annual VND 23,200,000; Day VND 422,000. - Route 06 (Binh Duong, Bien Hoa, Long Thanh): Registration VND 53,100,000; Annual VND 31,900,000; Day VND 422,000. - Notes: 40% discount on annual bus service for second and subsequent children on the same family; one‑way service charged at 70% of the fee. New registrations or changes require notice to Admissions in advance.
*Lunch service fees (annual / day / registration where shown)* - Early Childhood (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Pre‑K): Registration VND 23,900,000; Annual VND 13,200,000; Day VND 145,000. ECC students receive 3 meals per day (1 lunch + 2 snacks). - Primary School (Kindergarten–Grade 5): Registration VND 25,800,000; Annual VND 15,400,000; Day VND 170,000. Primary students receive 3 meals per day. - Middle and High School: Registration VND 15,100,000; Annual VND 8,200,000; Day VND 95,000. Middle/High students receive 1 meal per day. TOP‑UP options are available. - Notice for Bus/Lunch: to terminate Bus or Lunch service, submit written notice at least 5 working days before the last day of use.
*Textbook deposit and other incidental fees* - Refundable Textbook Deposit: VND 21,000,000 per student (applies to Grades 1–12). The deposit is payable with tuition and will be refunded on withdrawal after deduction of any outstanding charges (lost/damaged textbooks, library fines, lunch/bus fees). - Additional charges not included in tuition: lunch, bus, AP exam fees, SAT exam fees, some special after‑school activities, and Week Without Walls program fees. - Additional administrative charges: extra copies of reports/transcripts/diplomas carry small fees (e.g., VND 150,000 for additional report copies; VND 250,000 for transcripts; VND 500,000 per additional diploma).
*What the tuition covers (items included in the tuition fee)* - Tuition fees include uniform (two school uniforms + one PE uniform), hat, backpack, laptop, yearbook, general school supplies, online application services, national health insurance, and accident insurance for on‑campus incidents or school‑organized trips.
*Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties* - Payment options: Annual payment or Semester payment. Annual payment is settled in advance; Semester payments are paid in advance each semester. All fees are invoiced in VND; payments originating from outside Vietnam may be accepted in USD by bank transfer at prevailing bank exchange rates. Bank transfer is the preferred method; cash or credit card payments must be pre‑arranged with the Accounting Department. Documentary proof of bank transfer must be provided. Bank account details (VND and USD accounts) are provided for fee payment. - Semester payment deposit: when choosing Semester payment, a deposit of VND 30,000,000 is required to secure placement for Semester 2; this deposit is deducted from Semester 2 fees if the student continues and is not refundable if the student does not re‑enroll for Semester 2. - Typical semester deadlines (example schedule): Semester 1 payments are due ahead of the start of Semester 1 and Semester 2 payments are due ahead of Semester 2; example dates used previously were mid‑July for Semester 1 and mid‑December for Semester 2. Late payment policy: 10 business‑day grace period; after that, interest at 0.2% per day is applied. Academic records may be withheld and the school may suspend enrolment if fees remain unpaid 20 days after the published deadline.
*Refund and withdrawal procedure* - A written Withdrawal Notification must be submitted to Admissions at least 60 working days before the student's last day. Refunds of tuition apply only to families who paid under the Annual Tuition Payment option; refunds are calculated as a percentage of the Annual Tuition Fee based on the withdrawal date and the school's published refund schedule. The Textbook Deposit refund is handled separately after deduction of any outstanding charges.
*Boarding (residential) provision* - Boarding is not provided. The school operates as a day school and offers bus transportation and lunch services rather than boarding facilities.
*Accepted payment methods and bank details (summary)* - Preferred method: bank transfer (VND accounts are standard; USD accepted for payments originating outside Vietnam). Cash and credit card payments are accepted only if pre‑arranged with the Accounting Department. Parents are responsible for any bank charges and must provide proof of transfer with the payment reference: “Tuition, student name, grade, academic year.” Bank account names, account numbers and SWIFT codes are provided for both VND and USD transfers.
*Notes on discounts and sibling policy* - Sibling discounts: 10% off the annual tuition for the second (younger) child in the same family; 25% off the annual tuition for the third (youngest) child and subsequent children. This applies to both Annual and Semester payment options.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
American Curriculum with an international perspective. English is the teaching medium; EAL support is provided for students whose English is not yet strong, though EAL is not offered for Grades 10-12. For English Language Arts and Math, TAS follows Common Core Standards and Benchmarks; Science uses Next Generation Standards (Common Core Linked); Social Studies uses AERO Standards. The Early Childhood Center follows GELDS. The curriculum is organized into Early Childhood, Elementary (grades 1-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12). TAS is a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme and is pursuing authorization for the IB Diploma Programme; annual Curriculum Guides describe course descriptions.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
95% college acceptance rate. 30 national awards won. 15 scholarships awarded. 1000+ standardized test scores.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Graduates go on to universities worldwide, including Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University, the University of Southern California, New York University, Harvard University, the University of Melbourne, the University of British Columbia, and UC Irvine.
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.
Admissions
1. Consultation. Schedule a meeting to discuss programs and suitability for prospective students. The consultation may include a campus visit to learn about the program options and admission requirements, helping determine fit with TAS offerings and your child's needs.
2. Required Application Documentation. Submit all necessary forms and records for the application. The required documents include the application form, the application fee, a scan of the child's passport or birth certificate or ID, a recent digital passport photo, two years of previous school records and transcripts with notarized English translations where applicable, the TAS Recommendation Form, and a completed TAS Medical Report.
3. Placement Assessment (If Applicable). A placement assessment may be required to determine the appropriate academic level based on the application materials. If living in Ho Chi Minh City, it will be conducted on campus; if living overseas, it can be arranged as a remote assessment. Assessments may include the WIDA English Language assessment and the MAP for language and math, as applicable.
4. Admission Decision. The Head of Section will provide an admissions decision based on all submitted documentation and any necessary assessments, within 3 working days provided the application fee has been submitted.
5. Enrollment. The Admissions Team will issue an official Acceptance Letter with information and links for Fee Options, Meal Plans, and Bus Registration.
6. Registration Fee. After acceptance, parents must deposit the registration fee within one week (5 working days) from receipt of the invoice to secure the place; the registration fee is non-refundable.
Scholarships
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.
Scholarships
TAS provides scholarship counseling through dedicated teachers who guide students in portfolio development and application preparation. TAS students have earned over USD 200,000 in scholarships from top universities worldwide. AP courses and a U.S.-standard curriculum support scholarship applications and real-world experiences are integrated to strengthen university scholarship opportunities. Graduates have been accepted to leading universities including UC Berkeley, NYU, University of Toronto, Penn State, and the University of Sydney.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose the use of a waitlist or pool-based admissions system.
