ABCIS:
| History of The ABCIS |
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The ABC International School (originally the ABC English School) was established in 1994 at a time when Ho Chi Minh City lacked options in international education for children of foreign investors, expatriates and Vietnamese nationals. The school began with 12 students in a playgroup and nursery class and added new classes each year. By 2001 the school catered for 70 children from Playgroup to Year 6, teachers were increasingly recruited from overseas and the school formally began to follow the British National Curriculum. At this time, the school name was altered to the ABC International School to reflect the growth of the school and the diversity of the students and staff. In 2003, the school was registered with the important UK educational bodies the QCA and DfES. At this stage, the school was involved in a very rapid phase of expansion and growth as its popularity grew. The school moved into its first purpose built campus in Saigon South in 2004 and shortly afterwards, we were obliged to move to the larger present campus at Saigon South as the student population then exceeded 500. In 2005 the school was accredited by Cambridge University (UK) to teach the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced level examinations. In the same year, the school successfully applied for membership of the Federation of British International Schools in South and East Asia (FOBISSEA). Currently, The ABCIS is the only School in Vietnam to be acknowledged and accepted as a member of the Council of British International School (COBIS); a group of the most prestigious and best of British curriculum schools abroad that uphold the very highest academic standards and are recognised by the British Government. Similarly, it is the only school in Vietnam to offer examinations from Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) board. The students population now numbers 750 |
| About The ABC International School |
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Established in 1995, the ABC International School is a rapidly expanding multi-national, non-denominational day school for both first and second language English speaking students. Providing education for 2-18 year olds, the school offers instruction in all UK curriculum subjects through the medium of English and offers teaching of an adapted version of the British National Curriculum, the Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A levels. The school comprises students of thirty seven different nationalities, providing a rich cultural diversity of which it is proud. The highly experienced, fully qualified class teachers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, China and France. From August 2011 there will be 65 overseas teachers employed at the school. The number of students registered at the ABC International School is currently 750. |
Foundation Stage
Playgroup (ages 2 - 3), Nursery (ages 3 to 4) and Reception (ages 4 to 5)
In these years the children follow a carefully structured, relevant and child centred curriculum promoting development in six areas of learning - Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication, Language and Literacy, Mathematical Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Creative and Physical Development. The children learn through doing, experimenting and playing in a safe, happy and stimulating environment. These years are extremely important as they form the basis for late learning in the school.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
Years 1 and 2 (ages 5 to 7), Years 3 to 6 (ages 7 to 11)
Both Key Stage 1 and 2 represent the primary part of the school and concentrate on the three core subjects of Literacy (English), Numeracy (Mathematics) and Science plus the foundation subjects of History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Music, Physical Education (including swimming) and Information Technology (Computers). In Year 1 Mandarin Chinese is introduced.
Key Stage 3
Year 7 to 9 (ages 11 to 14)
Students take the same subjects as those in Key Stage 1 and 2 but at a much higher academic level and also take Business Studies and choose to study either Mandarin Chinese or French. Students are encouraged to be more independent thinkers and learners and to question evidence rather than accept everything as factual. These years are crucial in preparing students for the IGCSE and AS/A levels.
Key Stage 4
Years 10 and 11 ( ages 14 to 16) IGCSE
At age 14 students start to study for Cambridge International Examinations called the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). This is a two year course which is specifically designed for the international school student and culminates in a final examination at age 16. The IGCSE course acts as a bridge for the student towards study at AS and A levels. Obtaining successful results in A level examinations qualifies students to gain entry into any university in Europe, North America, Australia and in many other countries worldwide, both in Asia and beyond. This is because A level qualifications are recognised by most universities worldwide as successful criteria for admission.
The following subjects are available for study at IGCSE level:
English Language or English Second Language, English Literature, Drama, Mathematics, Art, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Music, Geography, History, Computer Studies, Economics, Physical Education, Chinese, French.
English Language/English as a Second Language and Mathematics are compulsory. The other subjects may be selected from a range of options.
The IGCSE Grading System
The grades range from A* to E but only A* to C are catagorised as passes. Most universities require a grade C or above in both Maths and English (alongside consideration of other results at A level) to consider admission of a student.
Key Stage 5
Years 12 and 13 ( age 16 to age 18) AS & A Levels
Cambridge International Examinations Advanced Level (A Level) subjects are two-year pre-university courses designed for the international student. Examinations are taken at AS level in Year 12 and points gained count as accreditation towards university entry. In Year 13 student take some or all of their subjects onto A2 or full A level and a final examination .Students typically follow three or four subject courses in Year 12. On completion of the AS level component, students may elect to reduce the number of subjects they take in Year 13 by dropping one of them.
The following subjects are available at AS and A Level
English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Art, Geography, Business Studies, Applied Information Technology, History and Economics.
There are also two lessons of PE per week, and The Duke of Edinburgh (International) Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels is also offered. The four sections of the award that the students need to complete in order to gain the Award at each level include:
- Service (helping the community)
- Adventurous Journey
- Skill (a personal talent or interest)
- Physical Recreation
The Award concept is one of individual challenge designed to encourage young people to develop into responsible, active citizens who will positively contribute towards society. It presents a balanced, non-competitive and enjoyable program of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility and service to the community.
The A Level Grading System
The pass grades range from A to E for both AS and A2 components. Grades awarded correlate to points and it is these points totals which determine university course entry. A points total of 250 is the average requirement of most reputable universities
| Fees |
School Fees - For School Year 2011 - 2012
For those parents wishing to pay in Vietnamese Dong, the school will apply the VN commercial bank rate. Examination Fees for IGCSE, AS and A Levels These additional fees are payable at the start of the relevant academic year (non-refundable). Please note that an additional fee is payable for students taking public examination offered by the Cambridge International Examinations Board. The charges are as follows:
Registration Fee The Registration Fee is non-refundable and is payable when an offer of a place is made by the School Management. Payment of the registration fee assures the student of a place at our school. The Registration Fee is paid once only, but is upgraded throughout the student’s time at the school. Those students moving to a higher year group will need to make up the difference in registration fee over the years. For example, when a child moves from Nursery into Reception, an extra US$400 must be paid (US$900 - 500 = US$400). Responsibility for payment of tuition fees A child is considered to be a registered student at The ABC International School only when full payment of either the annual fee or an instalment has been made. Parents/guardians of students are responsible for ensuring payment is made in good time to ensure such registration. The school will not communicate with any company or business regarding outstanding school fees which have not been paid on behalf of the children of employees. Payment of tuition fees Tuition fees can be paid either annually or by instalment. Where payment is made annually in one lump sum, it works out to be approximately 10% cheaper than paying in instalments. To qualify for this reduction in costs, the annual lump sum payment must be made on or before 1st August 2011. Where payment is made by instalments, a deposit of 1000USD for students of all year groups 500USD for half day students) is required at the beginning of the school year. a) The school will accept payment in either US$ or in VND at the Vietnamese commercial bank rate (US$ ↔VND) as published on the due payment date; or, at the relevant rate on the day when payment is received in advance of the due payment date. b) Any late payment of fees will, after 15 working days attract an additional penalty surcharge of 5% which will be added to the outstanding balance. Tuition fee payment dates are as follows: First instalment – On or before 1st August 2011 (All initial payments must to be made by the due date to secure your child’s place at the school at the start of the new academic year) Second instalment – On or before November 23rd 2011 Third instalment – On or before March 14th 2012 Instalments must be paid on time to ensure a student’s continued registration at our school. The tuition fees are exclusive of school residential trips and visits, instrumental lessons and school buses. Non-Payment of Fees – In the event of non-payment of Tuition Fees the school has the right to refuse to accept the pupil into school. Discounts on tuition fees1. Sibling Discount: We offer a discount of 15% off tuition fees for the second, third or fourth child enrolled at our school from the same family. 2. Loyalty Discount: For those families who do not qualify for a sibling discount, we offer a discount of 5% off tuition fees for students who have been enrolled at the school for at least three consecutive full academic years. * Please note* No individual pupil may receive a discount in excess of 15% (Excluding Scholars). Refund policy on the withdrawal of a student’s registrationThe school operates a no refund policy concerning any portion of instalments paid. However, where parents have paid the annual fee as a single lump sum, the school will return the unused instalment(s) subject to written notice of the withdrawal of a student being received by or before the due date of the preceding installment payment. For instalment 3 to be repaid, notice of withdrawal must be received by or before the due payment date of instalment 2. For instalment 2&3 to be refunded, notice must be given by or before the due payment date for instalment 1. The school will refund the full deposit to the parent subject to receiving written notice of the withdrawal. Similarly and in accordance with the above explanation for tuition fee refunds; the school will refund the full deposit to a parent when written notice of withdrawal is received in advance of the preceding instalment payment period. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
