Our History

On March 13th, 2009, the Canadian International School (CIS) was officially established as the first international school in Vietnam to offer a Canadian curriculum. The school’s founders chose the Ontario Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Curriculum for its emphasis on character education.

The 2009-2010 school year began at the temporary campus on the ground floor of the Panorama Condominium in Phu My Hung with 165 students.

The CIS journey was launched with the cooperation of the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN). DSBN provided advice about pedagogy and curriculum as well as solutions for managing schools according to Ontario public schools in Niagara. DSBN supported CIS to recruit Ontario certified teachers, to recommend learning resources and to provide professional learning opportunities. DSBN also conducted annual inspections of the CIS program as part of a commitment to continuous improvement. Students were given the choice to finish Grade 12 at CIS in Vietnam or at an Ontario secondary school.

Opening Ceremony of Original, Temporary Campus of CIS, 2009

CIS Intermediate/Senior students, the school year 2009 - 2010

The first Tet holiday at CIS.

On September 18, 2010, Khoi Nguyen Education Holdings (KNE) hosted the Grand Opening Ceremony of the newly constructed CIS campus in the Residential Quarter 13C, Phong Phu Commune, Binh Chanh District, HCMC.    

Front view of the first CIS Campus, Binh Chanh, HCMC.

Flag-raising Ceremony at the CIS Grand Opening (26 countries represented in the student body).

CIS Canadian and Vietnamese staff, the school year 2009 - 2010.

CIS students flew paper airplanes representing the launching of their dreams at the CIS Grand Opening, 2010.

CIS’ first Grade 12 graduates in both Vietnam at CIS and in Ontario celebrated many proud achievements:

• Dung Nham was accepted to four universities. He chose to attend Denison University, USA with an annual scholarship of 37.000 USD each year!
• Ivy Nguyen won entrance scholarships to Ottawa University, Queen’s University, and McMaster University.
• Tuan Hung Nguyen received a scholarship of $40.000 USD from Trinity College, Connecticut, USA.

On August 4, 2013, CIS Alumni Association (CAA) was established; the first members -  the CIS Class of 2013.  4 years after its establishment, CIS also begins its journey to become an IB World School.

The Graduation Ceremony of CIS Class of 2013.

CIS Alumni Association (CAA) was established in 2013.

On November 11, 2012, KNE hosted the Grand Opening Ceremony for the new campus of CIS and Maple Leaf Centre (MLC).

On July 1, 2014, CIS began its partnership with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the largest school board in Canada and the 4th largest school board in North America. The TDSB now supports our implementation of the Ontario Curriculum.

A bird’s eye view of Phu My Hung Campus, including CIS, BCIS and MLC.

The Grand Opening of the new campus of CIS, 2014.

Mr. David Devine, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam (third from left) presented a replica of the Bluenose II, the historic vessel featured on the 10 cent coin and serves as Canada’s sailing ambassador, to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh, President of CIS’s BoD (second from left) and representatives of CIS Student Council with the hope that this special ship will serve as a reminder of the friendship between the two countries and peoples.

Band choir of CIS students and teachers performed the national anthems of Vietnam and Canada.

On March 9, 2015, we received official notification from IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) that CIS-Vietnam was now an authorized IB World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12.

Mr. Andrew Lin handed over the IB Certificate to the CISS Board of Directors.

Dr. Sheryl Freeman, CISS Secondary Principal and Chair of Leadership Team, unveiled the IB flag.

CIS first cohort of  IB students.