SNA Marianapolis International School vs Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School
SNA Marianapolis International School and Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 21 km apart. Both schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) and American programmes. Published annual fees are close, at ₫238,000,000 - 412,650,000 for SNA Marianapolis International School and ₫238,500,000 - 409,500,000 for Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School. SNA Marianapolis International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School from 6 to 17. Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School is the larger school, with around 800 pupils to SNA Marianapolis International School's 500. Typical class sizes are 22 at SNA Marianapolis International School and 4 at Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School.
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
Wellspring Saigon International Bilingual School is situated at 92 Nguyen Huu Canh Street in Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The campus lies within the Saigon Pearl residential area, a modern and well-connected neighborhood located just a few minutes from the city center. Its proximity to the Saigon River and key transport routes makes it convenient for families living in both central and suburban areas. The school will also open a new Saigon Pearl campus approximately 100 meters from the current site for the 2025–2026 academic year.
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
Wellspring Saigon offers a complete K–12 bilingual education structured across three main levels: Primary (Grades 1–5), Lower Secondary (Grades 6–9), and Upper Secondary (Grades 10–12). Each level integrates the Vietnamese national curriculum with international academic standards drawn from the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and Common Core. English is introduced as a core language of instruction from early primary, with an increasing number of subjects taught by international teachers as students advance through the 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
The school is a co-educational day school welcoming both Vietnamese and international students. It does not provide boarding facilities, allowing families to engage closely with their children’s daily learning and school activities. The environment encourages inclusivity, collaboration, and bilingual fluency across all year groups.
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 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
The school does not explicitly list specialized provisions or facilities for Special Educational Needs (SEN).
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
While Wellspring Saigon is a Vietnamese school, its international program follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, Common Core Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) from the United States. This approach provides a strong American academic foundation while maintaining alignment with Vietnamese educational requirements.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
SNA Marianapolis International School does not have a formal religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
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
The school follows a full-day academic schedule from Monday to Friday. Although specific start and end times are not published online, the day typically includes core academic sessions in the morning followed by enrichment activities, clubs, or electives in the afternoon. Lunch and short breaks are built into the schedule to support student wellbeing and focus throughout the day.
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
Wellspring Saigon offers a comprehensive school bus service for students across Ho Chi Minh City. Families can choose between home pick-up or pre-arranged collection points. The service is managed by the school with trained drivers and accompanying staff to ensure safety and comfort during the journey. This transport option helps parents manage commuting efficiently, especially for younger students.
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 and Enrollment Fees
* Placement Test Fee: VND 2,000,000 per student (per attempt). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and must be paid before the test date. * Enrollment Fee: VND 25,000,000 (one-time). This fee is payable upon confirmation of enrollment within one week of receiving an offer and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Tuition Fees (per academic year)
Tuition includes meals (breakfast, lunch, snack), academic instruction under the Vietnamese Ministry of Education & Training curriculum and the U.S. Common Core Standards, co-curricular arts, sports, and skill development programs, and one local day field trip per year.
Primary School * Grades 1 – 4: VND 238,500,000 per year * Grade 5: VND 253,800,000 per year
Lower Secondary School * Grades 6 – 8: VND 288,000,000 per year * Grade 9: VND 324,900,000 per year
Upper Secondary School * Grades 10 – 11: VND 359,100,000 per year * Grade 12: VND 409,500,000 per year
Families may choose to pay annually, by semester (two installments), or by quarter (four installments). Discounts apply for early or full-year payments (up to 8%).
Boarding Fees
The school does not offer boarding. Tuition includes full day meals for day students.
Other Costs
* Meal Opt-Out Adjustment: Parents may opt out of school meals by submitting a form five working days before term start; the remaining meal fee is refunded for unconsumed periods. * Uniforms and Learning Materials: Billed separately per school policy. * Health Insurance: Mandatory for Vietnamese students as part of the national scheme.
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 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
Wellspring Saigon delivers a bilingual program combining the Vietnamese National Curriculum with international academic frameworks from the United States. The international component follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), ensuring continuity with global education systems. In the Primary and Lower Secondary levels (Grades 1–9), students study core subjects—Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies—in English, while other subjects follow the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training requirements. In High School (Grades 10–12), the curriculum expands to include Advanced Placement (AP) courses and preparation for international examinations. Across all levels, the program integrates arts, technology, sports, and life skills education, promoting both academic and personal development within a bilingual learning environment.
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. Submit Enrollment Information Parents begin by completing the registration form either online or on-site at the school. Once submitted, an Admissions Officer contacts families within one to three business days to provide consultation and explain the next steps. This includes guidance on required documents and the overall admissions timeline.
2. Consultation and Initial Application Submission Families meet with an Admissions Officer to discuss the school’s curriculum, educational approach, and student support options. During this meeting, the officer collects the necessary application materials, including official student records, and ensures the family understands the relevant academic pathways offered at Wellspring.
3. Entrance Assessment All applicants take an entrance assessment as part of the school’s admissions plan. The content is adjusted according to the student’s age, grade level, and chosen academic track. This ensures fair evaluation aligned with the student’s background and readiness for the bilingual program.
4. Admission Results Notification Results are typically released three to five business days after the entrance test. In periods of high application volume or when additional assessments are needed, notification times may vary. The Admissions Office communicates updates directly with parents.
5. Enrollment Finalization Upon acceptance, families must complete enrollment paperwork and settle the applicable fees within seven to ten business days of receiving the admission notice. The student’s place is confirmed only once all documentation and payments are completed.
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
1. Wellspring Talent Scholarship The *Wellspring Talent Scholarship* program recognizes outstanding students—both new and current—across academics, sports, arts, and community engagement. The total scholarship fund is valued at up to VND 20 billion annually. Awards may cover up to 100% of net tuition. Applications are open to students in Grades 1–11, with a submission deadline of 15 June 2025. Forty scholarships are available each year, and details are announced every October.
2. Student Reward Policy The *Student Reward Policy* recognizes current students for consistent achievement throughout the year. Rewards are given monthly, per semester, and annually for excellence in academics, sports, cultural, and fine arts competitions. The policy is reviewed and issued each October and applies to all grades within the school.
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.
Waitlist
Wellspring Saigon does not disclose or confirm the use of a waitlist or pool system.
