International School of Vietnam (ISV) will be the first Vietnamese backed International school in the country located in the beautiful Hoang Mai district. This is one reason the design as been shaped to weave Vietnam’s ethos into a 197,000 square foot modern building so that foreign students can enjoy a truly memorable learning experience in a unique environment that awakens their sense of wonder. This school project is a labor of love for Tuan Duc Ltd., a successful real estate development company for the past twenty years that creates sustainable projects. ISV’s 21st Century educational curriculum will be supported by interior and exterior spaces, which have been designed flexibly to allow for the evolution of world-class education. ISV will be lead by Head of School Elizabeth Loadwick who has over thirty years of experience as a teacher and Principal at various IB Schools both in Australia and the Middle East. She holds a Master’s degree in Education specializing in Special Needs education and works with the IB as an authorization visitor.

ISV understands that each child is different and everyone learns better in different ways. Groups of students are organized into learning communities for a home-like environment that allows them to feel comfortable and learn in various learning modalities. This is especially important in international schools where many students need extra nurturing as they adjust to their new environment. The school will have plenty of natural daylight which studies have shown helps students learn better. Teachers will have collaboration workrooms that are enclosed in glass next to each learning community’s Commons so they will act as role models for the students and work together creatively to offer cross-disciplinary curricular opportunities to the students. The Commons is a key component of the design, which will facilitate project-based and inquiry based learning projects.

The ground level houses the Pre-K through Grade 3 students with their own indoor play area entry, their own small café, learning terraces, and main lobby with bleacher stairs for performances and exhibition of student work. The first level has a university-like library with small group study rooms, a reading terrace and zones for younger and older students to engage in collaborative independent learning. Grades 4-8 are on this floor with a Cafe that also serves as a Multi Purpose room on the west and another Gym Café next to the Sports Hall.

Fine Arts and Science is on the second level with a science roof garden and themed Commons with plenty of room for project-based learning. The third level is for the High School with spectacular views and another roof garden for science projects.
The school will accommodate up to 984 students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. A Sports Hall, Natatorium, and three areas for fine arts performances are amenities that can be enjoyed after hours as well as during school hours. The first phase of the school will open in August 2012 for Pre-K through Grade 5 with all the amenities. In 2013, Grades 6 through 8 will be added and each year more grades will be added until the first High School class graduates by 2017.