SNA Marianapolis International School vs The American School - Ho Chi Minh City
SNA Marianapolis International School and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 18 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 ₫238,000,000 - 412,650,000 at SNA Marianapolis International School and ₫239,800,000 - 532,600,000 at The American School - Ho Chi Minh City, which puts The American School - Ho Chi Minh City roughly 19% higher. SNA Marianapolis International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and The American School - Ho Chi Minh City from 1 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 500 and 575 pupils. Typical class sizes are 22 at SNA Marianapolis International School and 15 at The American School - Ho Chi Minh City.
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (PYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
575
Typical class size
Typical class size
22
Typical class size
15
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2021
Opened
2010
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
SNA Marianapolis International School is located at 397 Street 30/4 in Tran Bien Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. The campus sits about 30 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City and is part of the greater metropolitan area connected by major road links and transport routes. The school is set within a rapidly developing suburban district known for its green spaces and modern infrastructure, providing a safe and spacious environment for students.
Location
06 Song Hanh Road, Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Freeway, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Stages
Stages
The school offers a comprehensive K–12 programme structured into three main divisions: Elementary School (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). A Pre-school entry level is also available for younger learners preparing to enter the formal elementary programme.
Stages
Pre-Nursery to Grade 12 (Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, High School)
School type
School type
SNA Marianapolis is a co-educational school, welcoming both boys and girls from Vietnam and overseas. The campus includes boarding facilities with separate accommodation for male and female students, offering a structured and supervised residential programme for those who live away from home.
School type
International school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students whose first language is not English, helping them to access classroom learning and develop academic communication skills. Teachers receive support and guidance to differentiate instruction for EAL students in mainstream classes. While the school offers language support, it is not specifically structured as a special-needs school, and individualised education plans for significant learning difficulties are limited.
Additional learning support
—
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is based in Vietnam and forms part of the Nguyen Hoang Education Group (NHG), a Vietnamese organization that manages a network of international and bilingual schools across the country. Its curriculum and academic programmes follow an American educational model with Advanced Placement (AP) options in the upper grades.
Country affiliation
Vietnam
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
SNA Marianapolis International School does not have a formal religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
The school day typically begins around 8:00 a.m., with students arriving on campus from 7:00 a.m. for morning drop-off. Classes continue through the day until approximately 3:30 p.m., with scheduled breaks and a lunch period in between. After-school activities and clubs run until about 4:20 p.m., providing students with opportunities for enrichment, sports, and creative pursuits beyond academic hours.
School day structure
—
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service for students living in Bien Hoa and surrounding areas, including parts of Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province. Transportation fees are based on the distance from the campus, and routes are organized to ensure safe and reliable pick-up and drop-off times. Bus monitors accompany students during travel to maintain supervision and communication with families.
Bus service details
—
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees Families are required to pay a one-time, non-refundable Application Fee of VND 4,500,000 for Grade Pre and VND 5,600,000 for Grades 1–12. A Registration Fee of VND 30,000,000 is also required to confirm a student’s place.
Boarding Fees Boarding is available for students in Grades 6–12 at VND 100,000,000 per year (Monday–Friday) or VND 130,000,000 per year (Monday–Sunday).
Additional Costs
* EAL Programme: VND 58,000,000–66,000,000 per year depending on grade level. * Meals Plan: VND 29,250,000 (Pre–Grade 5) to VND 33,750,000 (Grades 6–12). * School Bus Service: From VND 19,090,000 (under 5 km) to VND 74,520,000 (25–30 km) per year.
Billing and Payment Terms Tuition and fees are billed annually and are non-refundable once the academic term begins. Payments are typically made in Vietnamese Dong via bank transfer or credit card to the school’s designated accounts.
Refund Policy Application and registration fees are non-refundable. Tuition refunds are not specified for mid-year withdrawals; families are advised to review enrollment agreements for full details.
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
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Elementary School (Grades 1–5) uses an inquiry-based curriculum built around the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, covering English Language Arts (based on U.S. Common Core), Mathematics, Science (NGSS standards), and Social Studies (C3 standards). The Middle School (Grades 6–8) features core courses in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Vietnamese, and Social Studies, with exploratory subjects like Fine Arts and Physical Education. For High School (Grades 9–12) students follow an American credit-based diploma system (minimum 25 credits required) and may select elective courses; in Grades 11–12 eligible students can take U.S. College Board AP (Advanced Placement) courses. A signature “Centers of Excellence” programme provides specialised tracks in areas such as Business & Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Social Justice with capstone projects in senior year.
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
—
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
95% college acceptance rate. 30 national awards won. 15 scholarships awarded. 1000+ standardized test scores.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
—
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. Fill Out the Form Parents begin by completing an online or in-person inquiry form to provide basic information about the student and request a consultation with the admissions team. This initial step allows the school to understand the applicant’s background, grade level, and language proficiency before proceeding further.
2. Register for Admission After consultation, families complete the full application form and pay the entrance test fee. Required documentation typically includes previous school reports, a copy of the student’s passport or birth certificate, and recent photographs.
3. Entrance Test Students are scheduled to take an entrance test and attend an interview. The assessment evaluates academic readiness and English proficiency to ensure proper grade placement. For younger students, informal assessments or developmental observations may be used instead of written exams.
4. Confirm Admission Once the student meets the admission requirements, parents receive the entrance test results and an offer of admission. Families must then pay the registration fee to confirm the student’s place for the upcoming school year.
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 website does not provide any publicly available information about scholarships or financial aid programmes. There is no mention of merit-based or need-based awards as part of the admissions or tuition process.
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 state that it operates a formal waitlist or applicant pool system. Admissions decisions are made based on the completion of entrance requirements and availability of places in each grade level.
