Hanoi, Vietnam Report of what it's like to live there - 08/24/22
Personal Experiences from Hanoi, Vietnam
School Name:
United Nations International School of Hanoi
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parents
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
6th-7th, 2021-23
3rd-4th, 2021-23
3. What years did you live here?
2021-23
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
DOS
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
A few other international schools. This school is the based school for the embassy and has the most diverse students bodies.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes. Pretty clear and the staff is very responsive to questions.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
They did a pretty good job. The counselor will talk to the new students and the new students will be assigned a buddy.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Communication is usually done through emails. Both teachers and administrators are pretty responsive.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
There are paid after-school activities if your kids choose them. And fees for the field trips.
Academics & Resources:
1. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
The school library is pretty decent. Students are welcome to use it and borrow books.
2. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
This school is very much driven by technology. The school will provide laptops to your kids for a small fee. And my middle schoolers have many classes that use different computer applications. Design class is part of the requirements for middle school students. My kid love the design class. Most assignments and class resources are online. Parents can see when the homework is due online.
3. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
No computer lab, as all kids are given their own laptop.
4. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Excellent physical resources, like trampolines, swimming pool, 3 tennis courts, big soccer fields and multipurpose field, indoor sport courts and gym.
5. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
An IB school
6. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
This is an IB school. There is no homework policy in elementary school. Middle school has small amount of homework. My kids enjoy the school. But I do not think the math standard meets the math standard in Virginia. You probably need to supplement your kids extra math. This is just my opinion. This school is not well known for academic standard, but they provide other opportunities like sports and fostering a well-rounded global citizen.
7. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Too little homework for me.
8. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Middle school has music, chorus, orchestra, drama. Visual arts and design are not elective.
9. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
10. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Sports provided at school (some are seasonal sports, not all year-round): tennis, soccer, swimming, valley ball, basketball, kickboxing, dance.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What can you say about diversity among the faculty and staff at the school and their experience in supporting minority students?
This is a very diverse school with students from 60 nations.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
B+. Yes, I will choose it again. I just need to supplement my kids extra math.
