Elementary School
We help curious children develop the thinking skills necessary to unlock their world ... the future!
-Dr. Daniel J. Keller
Elementary School Principal
SSIS is an excellent elementary school for international students in Ho Chi Minh City. Our elementary program begins with our early childhood program (for children 3-4 years old), and continues through grade 5 (for children approximately 10-11 years old). Our outstanding program is based on four keys to success:
- Exceptionally qualified and experienced teachers who deliver quality instruction every day
- World-class facilities that create stimulating and engaging learning environments
- An exciting curriculum that is anchored in our Core Values, focuses on developing critical thinking skills, and connects all subjects to the real world.
- Grade level expectations that are based on academic standards that are rigorous and clearly defined.
Our exceptionally qualified teachers deliver a world-class education to every child. Every class has a full-time teacher who is supported by full-time teaching assistants in each classroom. Our faculty includes specialist teachers in the areas of visual arts, music, drama, physical education, swimming, library, host-country studies (Vietnamese), English as an Additional Language (EAL), Learning Support, and child psychology. Teachers are supported by full-time in-school professional development coaches in the areas of literacy, science, technology, engineering, and math. Our faculty members enjoy partnering with parents and other community members in guiding and supporting students’ learning. Parents looking to find a truly international elementary school experience have come to the right place.
Our Curriculum - Setting the Stage with Super Units
At SSIS, we believe in the value of instilling a love for learning at an early age. Even our youngest students are encouraged to think critically, explore their interests and develop their creativity.
Our curriculum of integrated units of study, “Super Units,” sets the stage for students to make connections between the elementary subjects of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Arts (visual art, drama, music), Vietnamese, Library and Physical Education. They learn to analyze, synthesize and think critically, to listen carefully, to ask questions, to appreciate various perspectives and opinions and to cooperate and collaborate with others.
Each school year is divided into four separate Super Unit themes, and are adapted per grade level throughout all of Elementary School:
- Understanding Ourselves: Achieving my Goals in Life
- Understanding Others: Serving the Needs of Humanity
- Understanding our Environment: Sharing the Resources of our Planet
- Understanding our World: Managing the Complexity of Systems
Academically rigorous, the Super Units nurture critical skills and understanding relevant to the world today and prepare students for future success throughout school and in their lives beyond.
Curriculum Per Grade Level
Early Childhood
Our early childhood program provides a supportive, creative and dynamic environment for children 3 and 4 years old. Students learn through play, hands-on experiences, experiments and quality instruction.
Children develop basic concepts and understandings exploring and discovering through various learning centers indoors and outdoors. Classrooms are organized into experiential centers with stations designed to support all learning styles. These centers provide a basis for learning through individual, small group and whole group experience.
Teachers implement a balanced curriculum which integrates language, social, emotional, physical, creative and intellectual/cognitive development. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, library, music, physical education and swimming.
Kindergarten
Our kindergarten program continues supporting dynamic learning environments as students develop increasing levels of independence. Students learn through exploration, stimulating experiences, experiments, and inquiry. Classrooms are organized to support whole group, small group, and individual learning activities. Classroom learning centers incorporate all core curriculum areas: language, math, science, and social studies. The development of reading and writing skills is supported through explicit teaching and modeling. The active learning environment provides opportunities for children to make choices, use their imagination and creativity. The kindergarten program strives for students to become independent and confident learners. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, library, music, physical education and swimming.
Grade 1
Our Grade One program stimulates the exciting growth of student skills in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. Students develop reading and writing skills through whole-class, small group, and individual instruction. Students explore patterns in
numbers, basic mathematical concepts, social studies and science. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, drama, host country studies (Vietnamese), library, music, physical education, and swimming.
Grade 2
Our Grade Two program continues the development of academic skills in all subject areas. As academic skills grow, students begin to apply those skills to increasingly complex integrated units of study. As students grow into confident and independent learners, they learn different strategies for solving open-ended problems in mathematics and science. Students grow and develop their strengths, as well as their personal and social skills. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, drama, host country studies (Vietnamese), library, music, physical education, and swimming.
Grade 3
Our Grade Three program continues the development of academic skills in all subject areas. As independence and responsibility grow, students consider their connections to their neighborhood community. Students read and write in a variety of forms, explore themes and ideas and begin to think more beyond the text. One of the exciting integrated units of study in this grade has students exploring our neighborhood of Phu My Hung, with topics ranging from migration to landforms and the role of waterways. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, drama, host country studies (Vietnamese), library, music, physical education, and swimming.
Grade 4
Our Grade Four program continues the development of academic skills in all subject areas. With developing skills in independence, responsibility, and collaboration, students consider their place in the larger world beyond their neighborhood. Students gain an understanding and appreciation for creative and expository writing, poetry and drama, and learn to communicate effectively through written and spoken language. One of the exciting integrated units of study in this grade has students exploring the vibrant country of Vietnam, with a focus on the complex relationships between geography and culture. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, drama, host country studies (Vietnamese), library, music, physical education, and swimming.
Grade 5
Our Grade Five program continues the development of academic skills in all subject areas. With developing skills in independence, responsibility, and collaboration, students consider their relationship to time and space. Students reflect on their reading both orally and in writing with criteria and models, which support a more sophisticated delivery. One of the exciting integrated units of study in this grade has students explore the formulation of theories, with a focus on how evidence in different subject areas is collected and analyzed to formulate ideas, conclusions, and theories. All students learn with specialist teachers in the areas of art, drama, host country studies (Vietnamese), library, music, physical education, and swimming.
