South International

What South International does

Saigon South International School (SSIS), doing business as South International, is a not-for-profit PreK-12 international school operating under the Phu My Hung Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Founded in 1997 and led by Head of School Dr. Catriona Moran, SSIS delivers an American-style curriculum across three divisions — Elementary (Early Childhood through Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12) — and serves more than 1,500 students representing 48+ nationalities, with over 80% of families living in District 7. It is the only international school in Ho Chi Minh City offering both the IB Diploma Programme and College Board Advanced Placement, supplemented by its own college-preparatory SSIS courses, and maintains WASC accreditation alongside CIS membership.

Core academic infrastructure includes a 7,100 sqm STEAM Design Center with a two-story makerspace, robotics lab, art exhibition space, and discipline-specific chemistry, physics, and biology labs; three divisional libraries holding over 25,000 physical titles plus a 4,500+ online catalog; and IDEA Centers with 3D printers, CNC machines, and industrial laser/water cutters. The proprietary "Super Units" curriculum integrates subjects around four themes (Understanding Ourselves, Others, Our Environment, Our World). Support services include learning support, an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program, four dedicated high school counselors, and a wellness program based on positive psychology.

The business model is direct-to-consumer tuition-based, with primary revenue from recurring annual tuition billed quarterly (with a 6% discount for full annual payment) supplemented by non-refundable application (10M VND), registration (60M VND new students), and enrollment deposit (45M VND) fees, plus auxiliary services from bus transportation, lunch catering (Aden), uniforms, AP/IB exam fees, and after-school activities. Acquisition is community-led, driven by word-of-mouth within HCMC's expatriate community, supported by campus and virtual tours, multi-language inquiry forms, and PTA-driven events. Because SSIS is not-for-profit, 100% of tuition revenue is reinvested into educational programs and facilities rather than distributed as profit. Annual tuition ranges from approximately 498M VND (Early Childhood) to 869M VND (Grade 11-12) on the discounted annual-pay tier.

Name

South International

Legal name

Saigon South International School

Website

https://ssis.edu.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SSIS (South International / Saigon South International School) is a not-for-profit PreK-12 international school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, founded 1997, offering American, IB, and AP curricula to 1,500+ students representing 48 nationalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

Keywords

• International K-12 education
• American curriculum school
• IB Diploma Programme
• Advanced Placement courses
• College preparatory programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ho Chi Minh City

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for PreK-12 education. As a not-for-profit school, 100% of tuition revenue is invested back into students' education, facilities, and programs. Payment options include quarterly installments or full payment with 6% discount.
2. Application and Registration Fees: One-time non-refundable fees including application fee (10,000,000 VND) and registration fee (60,000,000 VND for new students)
3. Enrollment Deposits: Mandatory non-refundable enrollment deposit of 45,000,000 VND for both new and returning students, deducted from annual tuition
4. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from school bus transportation, lunch catering services (via Aden), uniforms, AP/IB exam fees, and after-school activity participation fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SSIS provides PreK-12 American-style international education across Elementary, Middle, and High School divisions in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. As a not-for-profit institution, 100% of tuition revenue is reinvested into student education. The High School uniquely offers both Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, supported by a 7,100 sqm STEAM Design Center, experienced faculty, and comprehensive university counseling.

Product overview

SSIS (Saigon South International School) is a not-for-profit PreK-12 international school in Ho Chi Minh City offering an American-style curriculum since 1997. The institution operates three academic divisions: Elementary School (Early Childhood through Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12). The high school uniquely offers both the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) tracks. The school features extensive facilities including a 7,100 sqm STEAM Design Center with makerspaces, robotics labs, and science labs, plus IDEA Centers and Design Labs across divisions. Academic support services include counseling, learning support, and EAL programs. The school operates a comprehensive Parent Portal digital platform and provides extensive extracurricular offerings including athletics (competing in SEASAC, MRISA, SISAC leagues), performing and fine arts, and over 200 after-school activities including Model UN, Debate, and VEX Robotics. The institution is accredited by WASC and maintains a Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for exceptional Vietnamese students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elementary School (Early Childhood - Grade 5) Early childhood through Grade 5 program featuring integrated Super Units curriculum combining all subjects under themes of Understanding Ourselves, Others, Our Environment, and Our World, with hands-on learning experiences for students.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8) Dedicated middle school program for grades 6-8 with independent facilities, advisory classes, House Leagues for community building, and electives including dance, art, choir, drama, public speaking, and robotics.
• High School (Grades 9-12) College preparatory high school program offering both AP and IB Diploma Programme tracks, college counseling, STEAM Design Center access, and 17 AP courses plus 36 IB courses.
• Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship Three-year renewable scholarship for exceptional Vietnamese students entering Grade 10, honoring Lawrence S. Ting's legacy of developing global-minded leaders.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports program with 72 teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, badminton, swimming, cross country, track and field; participates in SEASAC, MRISA, and SISAC inter-school leagues.
• Performing and Fine Arts Visual arts, music (band, strings, choir, instrumental), drama, and dance programs with performances in 360-seat auditorium and Blackbox Theatre.
• After-School Activities and Clubs Over 200 after-school activities including Model United Nations, Debate, VEX Robotics, FIRST Robotics, and interest clubs such as Fencing and Fashion Design.
• University Guidance Counseling Four high school counselors provide university guidance, SAT/ACT preparation, application support, and scholarship assistance with 100% university acceptance rate.
• Student Support Services Comprehensive support including counseling services, learning support for students with mild to moderate learning differences, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) program.
• Health and Wellness Program School-wide wellness program based on positive psychology with advisory programs, character strengths identification, and social-emotional skill development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% university acceptance rate to top universities worldwide
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)coreOthersSSIS is fully accredited by WASC, a prestigious educational accrediting body recognized internationally. This accreditation ensures the school meets rigorous academic standards and that diplomas are recognized by universities worldwide.
• Council of International Schools (CIS)coreOthersMember of CIS, a global organization of international schools and universities dedicated to quality education and professional development.
• South East Asia Student Activities Conference (SEASAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding and only member in Vietnam of SEASAC, which hosts 24 events at 16 schools throughout the region including Model UN, athletics competitions, and cultural exchanges for high school students.
• Mekong River International Schools Association (MRISA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of MRISA, providing multiple opportunities for middle and high school students to participate in regional athletic and cultural exchanges in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
• Saigon International Schools Athletic Conference (SISAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of local inter-school league with over 15 schools for athletics competitions.
• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE)minorOthersMember of AAIE, supporting professional development and networking for international school leaders.
• Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS)minorOthersMember of AMIS for music education and exchange opportunities.
• College BoardcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized AP (Advanced Placement) testing center and provider of AP courses, enabling students to earn college credit and placement.
• International Baccalaureate (IB)coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme, meeting rigorous international standards for pre-university education.
• Aden CateringminorOthersExternal catering company providing hot lunches for the whole school and operating the school cafeteria and high school kiosk. Morning snacks for middle and high schools also provided.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS): IB continuum school in HCMC serving a multi-national student body from Early Years to Grade 12. Competes directly with SSIS for international families seeking IB diploma pathways in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Canadian International School Vietnam (CIS Vietnam): IB World School in HCMC with Canadian and international curriculum focus, serving expatriate and affluent Vietnamese families. Directly comparable to SSIS on curriculum structure and target demographic.
• International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC): Long-established IB-focused international school in HCMC serving expatriate families across Early Years through Grade 12. Competes directly with SSIS for the same premium expatriate segment and offers a similarly international curriculum track.
• Singapore International School (SIS) Vietnam: Singapore-curriculum international school with multiple campuses in HCMC, offering strong math/science focus and bilingual tracks. Directly comparable to SSIS for Vietnamese and international families seeking premium K-12 education.
• Vietnam Australia International School (VAS): Multi-campus international school system in HCMC and across Vietnam serving both expatriate and affluent Vietnamese families with Cambridge and IB programs. Comparable offering to SSIS but with broader geographic footprint.
• British International School Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC): Part of the Nord Anglia Education group, offering British curriculum with global premium positioning in HCMC. Direct competitor to SSIS for university-oriented expatriate families seeking premium international schooling.
• Renaissance International School Saigon: American-style international school in District 7 of HCMC serving a similar demographic to SSIS with comparable tuition levels. Closest geographic competitor sharing the same Phu My Hung catchment area.

Regional players

• International School Bangkok (ISB): Premier not-for-profit international school in Thailand offering IB and AP tracks to a diverse expatriate community. Comparable to SSIS in operating model, curriculum offering, and target demographic, but operates in Bangkok.
• International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL): Not-for-profit American-style international school in Malaysia offering IB and AP pathways with a long-established reputation. Comparable to SSIS on operating model, curriculum breadth, and university placement focus.
• United Nations International School Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi): Vietnam-based international school in Hanoi with IB curriculum serving diplomatic and expatriate communities. Comparable to SSIS in mission, demographic, and curriculum, but operates in a different Vietnamese city.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SSISOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/Saigon.South
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups/13893900
• Instagraminstagram.com/saigonsouthinternationalschool

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South International