August 19, 2025 | 10:00

Beyond grades: How holistic education helps ISHCMC students flourish

Diep Linh

ISHCMC blends academic excellence with personal growth, fostering confident, humble, and globally minded graduates prepared for life’s challenges.

For over 30 years, the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) has consistently delivered academic excellence, building a robust educational foundation that prepares students for the most rigorous university programs worldwide. Yet, the school’s core belief goes beyond high scores. ISHCMC is dedicated to cultivating well-rounded individuals who are ready for the complexities and challenges of the modern world. This comprehensive approach ensures students achieve outstanding academic results while also developing the essential qualities for lifelong success. With a diverse student body representing more than 60 nationalities, ISHCMC offers a rich and truly global learning environment.

ISHCMC’s vision for confident and humble learners

Head of School Mr. Longmore captures the heart of this vision: cultivating “confidence without arrogance.” This philosophy encourages students to be self-assured and innovative while also fostering humility and respect for others. It helps them take initiative and lead with integrity. ISHCMC’s broad and flexible International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity, critical inquiry, and exploration across all disciplines.

Cultivating well-rounded individuals

Growth at ISHCMC integrates rigorous academics with a wide range of extracurricular activities and a strong focus on emotional intelligence. This holistic approach develops a diverse skill set, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication - crucial for success in university, careers, and personal life. The school offers more than 95 After-School Activities (ASA) in state-of-the-art facilities and over 26 programs in the International Performing Arts Academy (IPAA). Whether on the sports field, in artistic performances, or through student-led initiatives, students build teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and empathy - skills as important as academic knowledge.

Tailored support for every learner

A key part of ISHCMC’s individualized approach is its Student Support Services team. As Director Dr. Hana Adams notes, the presence of in-house clinicians sets the school apart. This reflects ISHCMC’s commitment to inclusive practices and personalized learning, recognizing that each child’s journey is unique. Whether students require challenge and enrichment or targeted learning support, they are encouraged to reach their potential.

Expert teachers, dedicated counselors, and specialized support staff work together, drawing on deep expertise in child development to respond to individual needs. This partnership extends to families through regular communication, workshops, and individual consultations. A low student-to-teacher ratio further ensures personal attention in the classroom.

Graduates equipped for global success

The results of this holistic educational model are clear in ISHCMC graduates. They leave as confident, humble, and purpose-driven individuals, distinguished by exceptional academic achievements, such as the average score of 34 points on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, well above the global average, and over US$56 million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2025, as well as strong character, leadership skills, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in the global community.

ISHCMC’s counseling program has helped 98% of students gain admission to their top-choice universities in 2025. Alumni have gone on to leading institutions worldwide, including seven of the top 10 QS-ranked universities such as Harvard, Yale, UPenn, the University of Chicago, and LSE. For Korean families, ISHCMC graduates have also gained admission to prestigious SKY universities (Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University).

Academic rigor is paired with a global outlook: 57% of students earn a bilingual diploma in 10 languages, including Korean, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Dutch, and Spanish - more than double the international average of 23%.

Alumni embody ISHCMC’s spirit - “the will to do, the soul to dare” - as thoughtful leaders and compassionate global citizens committed to lifelong learning.

Families also feel the long-term impact. As alumni parent Irene Moni (2015–2020) shares:

“Although it’s been a few years since our children graduated, the impact is still deeply felt. They often reflect on the opportunities they had to grow, excel, and succeed during such a formative time. To this day, they speak fondly of their memories at ISHCMC and the amazing teachers who helped shape who they are. We remain truly grateful for the foundation the school provided - not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well.”

About ISHCMC

The International School Ho Chi Minh City is the first international school established in Ho Chi Minh City, offering high-quality education to students aged 2–18. The school provides three graduation pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Diploma), IB Courses, and the ISHCMC High School Diploma. Accredited by CIS and NEASC, ISHCMC offers a learning environment where every student is encouraged to discover their potential and develop holistically. Over the years, ISHCMC students have been accepted into seven of the world’s top 10 QS-ranked universities.

Website: ishcmc.com

Phone: (028) 3898 9100

Email: admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn

Attention
The original article is written and published on VnEconomy in Vietnamese, then translated into English by Askonomy – an AI platform developed by Vietnam Economic Times/VnEconomy – and published on En-VnEconomy. To read the full article, please use the Google Translate tool below to translate the content into your preferred language.
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