Renaissance International School Saigon vs Saigon South International School (SSIS)
Renaissance International School Saigon and Saigon South International School (SSIS) are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Renaissance International School Saigon also offers British and Cambridge IGCSE, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) also offers Advanced Placement (AP), American and Bespoke. Published annual fees are ₫189,500,000 - 805,600,000 at Renaissance International School Saigon and ₫479,212,000 - 882,200,000 at Saigon South International School (SSIS), which puts Saigon South International School (SSIS) roughly 37% higher. Renaissance International School Saigon takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) from 3 to 18. Saigon South International School (SSIS) is the larger school, with around 1,500 pupils to Renaissance International School Saigon's 500. Typical class sizes are 25 at Renaissance International School Saigon and 14 at Saigon South International School (SSIS).
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
1,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
14
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2007
Opened
1997
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Renaissance International School Saigon is located at 74 Nguyen Thi Thap, Tan Thuan Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The area is a modern, family-friendly district known for its international schools and residential communities. It is well-connected to central Ho Chi Minh City by major roads and bridges, and is close to shopping centres, cafés, and recreational areas.
Location
SSIS is located at 78 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential zone, a well-planned neighbourhood with lakes, green spaces and local amenities, and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the city centre.
Stages
Stages
The school educates students from Early Years (age 2) through to Year 13 (age 18). It is divided into Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, and Sixth Form, offering a continuum from the IB PYP to IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme.
Stages
The school serves Early Childhood (starting at age 3) through to Grade 12. It is organised into divisions encompassing Early Years/Kindergarten, Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12).
School type
School type
Renaissance is a co-educational day school.
School type
SSIS is a co-educational day 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 English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and tailored assistance for students who need extra help with academic progress. Learning support is coordinated through classroom teachers and specialist staff to ensure inclusive participation.
Additional learning support
The school offers Learning Support services for students with mild to moderate learning differences, working with parents and teachers to develop individual learning plans. It also offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for multilingual learners.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows a British-style international curriculum framework combined with IB programmes, but it is not officially affiliated with any single country.
Country affiliation
There is no formal affiliation to a particular national government. SSIS operates as a not-for-profit international school based in Vietnam, following an American standards-based curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day typically begins at 8:00 am and finishes around 3:30 pm, with morning and lunch breaks provided. Specific timings vary slightly between Early Years, Primary, and Secondary levels.
School day structure
Specific published times are not detailed on the school's website.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service for students, operated through a contracted provider. The service includes multiple routes across District 7 and other nearby districts, with pick-up and drop-off points arranged for convenience and safety.
Bus service details
SSIS provides a bus service for students. Each bus has an assigned monitor to ensure students board and alight safely. For after-school activities (ASAs), special bus departures are scheduled (for example at 4:10 pm and 4:40 pm) with an extra charge for ASA-only riders.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee A one-time, non-refundable application fee is VND 2,000,000 (Early Years–Year 2) or VND 4,000,000 (Year 3–Year 13).
Registration Fee Payable once upon acceptance: VND 25,000,000 (Early Years), VND 40,000,000 (Primary), and VND 55,000,000 (Secondary).
Security Deposit VND 22,000,000 per child, refundable with at least 90 days’ written withdrawal notice before the final school day.
Tuition Fees by Year Group (Annual Amounts)
EARLY YEARS
* Early Years 1 (Half Day): 189,500,000 * Early Years 1 (Full Day): 291,600,000 * Early Years 2 (Full Day): 208,500,000 * Early Years 2 (Full Day, older cohort): 320,700,000 * Early Years 3: 379,800,000
PRIMARY SCHOOL
* Year 1: 491,300,000 * Year 2: 556,800,000 * Year 3: 617,400,000 * Year 4: 617,400,000 * Year 5: 617,400,000 * Year 6: 617,400,000
SECONDARY SCHOOL
* Year 7: 691,000,000 * Year 8: 691,000,000 * Year 9: 691,000,000 * Year 10: 725,900,000 * Year 11: 725,900,000 * Year 12: 805,600,000 * Year 13: 805,600,000
Other Fees
* Meal Fees (annual): Early Years 17,200,000 | Primary 18,800,000 | Secondary 20,400,000 * School Bus (annual): VND 28,900,000 – 38,700,000 depending on distance * Uniforms: Three standard and two PE sets plus cap and school bag provided for new Early Years and Primary students
Payment Schedule & Terms Tuition is billed in advance, payable annually or by term. Annual full payment saves 15%. Late payments incur a 0.05% daily fee. Payments accepted via bank transfer to Standard Chartered Bank (VND) or Shinhan Bank (USD).
Fee details
* Application Fee: VND 10,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student). * Registration Fee: VND 60,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student, also applies to returning students re-enrolling after one or more years).
Enrollment Deposit
* Deposit: VND 45,000,000. * Payable upon signing the Letter of Acceptance (new students). * Deducted from the tuition invoice (from full payment or Q4 installment). * Refundable if a Departure Notice is given at least 60 days before leaving.
* Quarterly Installments: All installments are non-refundable. * Late enrollment: Tuition charged pro-rata (100%, 85%, 60%, 35% depending on entry quarter). * Refunds: Departure > 60 days = partial refund based on quarter (60% in Q1 → 0% in Q4). * Sibling Discount: 20% for third and subsequent children in the same family.
Other Costs Families cover uniforms, lunches, personal supplies, AP & IB exam fees, extracurriculars (athletics, VEX Robotics, debate, performing arts), and bus transport. Students in Grades 4–12 must bring a MacBook.
Payment Options Payments can be made via Vietcombank (Nam Sai Gon Branch) or Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) in VND or USD. All bank charges are borne by the payer, and an exchange rate applies to foreign currency transfers.
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
Renaissance International School Saigon offers a comprehensive international curriculum from Early Years through to pre-university level. The Early Years programme follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework, focusing on inquiry-based learning and the development of essential early skills. The Primary School continues with the IB PYP, building knowledge through transdisciplinary themes across core subjects. In Lower Secondary, students study a combination of the Cambridge curriculum and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which is currently a candidate programme. During Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations, and in Years 12 and 13, they undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This progression offers a clear and internationally recognized pathway leading to university study.
Curriculum details
Teaching and learning at SSIS follow an American-standards based framework across Early Childhood through Grade 12, emphasising inquiry, student engagement and critical thinking. In the Elementary School, a written curriculum provides integrated “Super Units” that connect subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Vietnamese, while specialist teachers support subjects like Visual Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education. In Middle School, students move into discipline-based classes, expanding their study of modern world languages, mathematics, science and humanities. In High School (Grades 9-12), students can pursue the high school diploma pathway with a choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) alongside the SSIS Diploma. The program of studies shows that students earn credits by subject area and can select pathways that match their future study plans.
1. Inquiry and Initial Contact Families begin by contacting the Admissions Office or submitting an online inquiry form. The Admissions team provides detailed information about the school, programmes, and available year levels.
2. Campus Visit and Consultation Parents are invited to visit the school for a campus tour and consultation. During this visit, the Admissions Officer discusses the curriculum, facilities, and placement options suited to the student’s age and background.
3. Application Submission Applicants complete the official application form and submit required documents, including recent school reports, a copy of the student’s passport, and a birth certificate. A non-refundable application fee of VND 2,000,000 (Early Years–Year 2) or VND 4,000,000 (Year 3–Year 13) is payable at this stage.
4. Assessment and Interview Students undergo placement testing and/or an interview depending on their year group. The school uses the results to determine academic readiness and English language support requirements.
5. Offer and Registration Successful applicants receive an offer letter. Once parents accept, they must pay a registration fee (VND 25–55 million depending on level) and a security deposit (VND 22 million) to confirm the place.
6. Orientation and Start The school provides orientation for new students and parents before the term begins to help families integrate smoothly.
Admissions
1. Inquiry and Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form and uploading all required documents. An application fee of VND 10,000,000 is payable at this stage. Applicants in Early Childhood to Kindergarten complete a developmental observation, while Grades 1–12 complete written assessments in English and mathematics.
2. Assessment and Interview Following the initial review, students may be invited for additional testing or an interview to determine English proficiency and overall readiness. The Admissions Office evaluates prior school records, assessment results, and whether the school can meet the student’s learning needs.
3. Decision and Offer After review, applicants may receive an offer of admission, be placed on the waiting list, or be declined. Accepted families receive a formal Letter of Acceptance, which must be signed and returned along with a completed health form.
4. Payment and Enrollment To secure a place, families must pay the required enrollment deposit and tuition (or first installment) by the due dates listed in the fee schedule. All payments must be completed before the student’s first day of class.
5. Orientation and Start New students and parents are invited to attend orientation sessions before the start of the academic year in August. Middle and High School students also meet with a counselor to confirm course selections and discuss academic planning.
6. Rolling Admissions Applications are accepted year-round, although placement is based on space availability. Families seeking entry in August are encouraged to begin the process by January of the same calendar year.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school offers Merit Scholarships for Secondary students, covering partial tuition for high-achieving applicants. Awards are based on academic performance, personal achievements, and an interview process. Students must submit additional scholarship application materials, including school transcripts and references. Scholarships are reviewed annually and may be renewed based on continued academic achievement and positive school engagement.
Scholarships
SSIS offers the annual Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for one Vietnamese student entering Grade 10 who has only attended local Vietnamese schools. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, English proficiency, interest in global/international affairs and service to others. The application timeline begins in December and features a written test, group discussion and interview rounds, with winners announced in May.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Renaissance International School Saigon does not publicly mention a waitlist or pool system on its admissions pages. Admissions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis once applications and assessments are complete, subject to space availability.
Waitlist
SSIS operates a wait-pool (waiting list) system. Qualified applicants whose grade level is full are placed on the waiting list until space becomes available. Admission thereafter depends on space and on the candidate meeting requirements.
