Everything you need to know about Odyssey International School
Enrolment process
How quickly will my application be considered & when will I hear from Odyssey International School?
We will consider your application as soon as we receive the necessary documents and information and will get back to you as quickly as we can. You should receive an acknowledgement of your application within one to two working days.
Does Odyssey International School use entrance or assessment tests?
Entry into the school is not based on performance in an exam. However, Odyssey International School does have minimal English-language requirements, which vary according to the age of the student (older students must have stronger English skills to benefit from a Odyssey education. Younger children can more easily combine language acquisition with other aspects of learning). If your child requires EAL they will be tested to ensure we offer the correct level of support. The school may occasionally deny entry to a child with special educational needs if it is unable to meet the needs of that child.
Must children have good English before joining?
Not always. Odyssey International School sometimes enrols younger students who don’t speak any English, and often welcomes children with very little English, although they may be required to join our English as an Additional Language programme. Children entering the Secondary programme, and particularly the IGCSE programme, must have functional English before joining the school so that they can access the curriculum and benefit from their Odyssey education. The school can support families who wish to develop their child’s English for entry into the school.
Do you accept all nationalities?
Yes. The school welcomes diversity in all its forms! The only limit that governs enrolment is a legal requirement that no more than half of all students are Vietnamese nationals. To maintain diversity within the school, Odyssey own policy limits enrolment from a single national group to 25% of all students.
Do you have rolling admissions throughout the year?
Yes. You can apply to join the Odyssey International School community at any time.
Do children receive priority for entrance to the school if one sibling is already at Odyssey International School?
Yes. If there is a waiting list, Odyssey International School will prioritise siblings of children already at the school when allocating limited places. It also offers a Sibling Discount for tuition fees.
Money matters
What is covered by the Tuition Fee?
The Tuition Fee covers the cost of everything that all students benefit from. This includes, for example, all regular classes and some outings. Experiences that are not shared by all are charged separately.
Will I have to pay for anything else?
Odyssey International charges a separate fee for things that not all students need or use. This ensures that the cost of each child’s education is fair, with families paying only for what they consume. Examples of things charged in addition to the Tuition Fee include bus travel, exam fees, school clothing, and the laptops and calculators needed by secondary students.
What is covered by the Development Fee?
This helps the school pay for the long-term development of our school, or for projects that are not directly linked to the teaching and learning that takes place in a single school year. Examples include accreditation procedures, building renovation and upgrades, the purchase of equipment such as computers and science laboratory items, etc.
When do I need to pay?
Odyssey International School issues invoices annually, biannually, and quarterly, two weeks before each payment is due. You may choose which option you prefer. The school’s invoice and payment dates are shown on our fee schedule.
How can I pay?
Payment is by bank transfer or cash. The school’s bank details are shared with parents on invoices and in its Fee Policy.
Teaching & learning
What curriculum do you use and how are children tested?
Odyssey International School uses the British curriculum to guide learning but makes it more accessible for an international student body by integrating the International Primary Curriculum in primary and the Cambridge International programmes in secondary. Both are aligned with the British system, ensuring that standards and expectations remain high. Our Early Years programme is guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Where are your teachers from and what are their qualifications?
Odyssey teachers come from all over the world, and most are native English speakers. All are qualified professionals and many hold at least one postgraduate degree in addition to their teaching qualification. Odyssey International knows that a school is only as good as its teachers.
How does Odyssey ensure that high learning standards are met?
The school combines summative and formative assessments to ensure high standards. Learning culminates with the externally assessed IGCSE exams, which provide globally benchmarked and respected evidence of progress.
What are the age requirements for each year group?
Children will usually enter their age-appropriate grade level, which can be found here. In special circumstances, the school will consider entering a child into a grade above or below this.
How many children are in each class?
In the Early Years, each class group is limited to 14 children. In the primary school Odysseys’ largest class group is currently 20, and in secondary it is 14.
Will my child have homework?
Yes, although the school limits homework at the earlier levels as we believe strongly that children learn as much through play and activities beyond the school gates as they do through formal schooling. As your child progresses through their education at Odyssey they will be given assignments or projects to complete at home. These are designed to enhance learning that has taken place in the classroom and to help children build time management and organisation skills.
What learning support is available?
Odyssey International School offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Special Education Needs (SEN) assistance through a combination of in-class support that helps children develop skills while working with their peers, and pull-out support that enhances and builds upon progress made in the classroom.
Can my child learn another language?
Yes. Odyssey International School offers French and Vietnamese as foreign language options. In addition, it supports families wishing to develop their child’s home language or build skills in another. This support may take different forms. Please contact us to find out more.
What textbooks are used at Odyssey International School?
Teachers have access to textbooks and may choose to use them as a resource to complement their teaching. The Odyssey curriculum does not follow one textbook. Teachers use a number of resources, both books in print and online, to meet the individual student learning levels.
What school supplies must my child bring?
Early Years students should bring a change of clothes and, if not yet toilet trained, sanitary items. All students should have a hat and primary and secondary students should have their own water bottle. Primary aged children from year 3 and up must also bring a well-stocked pencil case. In addition to these, secondary aged children will need a scientific calculator and a laptop (if your child does not already have these items, the school can help you source them).
School life & community
How old is the school?
Odyssey International School was established in 2024, making it the newest international school in central Vietnam.
Do you provide school meals, and what are they like?
The school provides a morning snack, lunch, and also a light afternoon snack for the little tummies in our Early Years programme. It caters for a range of different needs, such as: vegetarian, vegan, lactose-intolerant, and other needs as required.
Is there a school bus service?
Yes. Odyssey International School runs a bus service linking its campus with Danang, the coastal villa area en route to Danang, and other parts of Hoi An. It offers a morning bus and two after school buses (one at the end of the school day and one for children who have remained on campus for an Extra Curricular Activity).
When does school start and end each day?
School starts at 8.30am and ends at 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Do you offer extra curricular activities?
Yes, these are offered in a range of areas and are developed in response to requests from parents and students. More information can be found here.
What is the pastoral care support at Odyssey International School?
Odyssey has a school counsellor who works with individual children in need of pastoral support. Our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme, as well as our Values programme, gives pastoral and social development support to all students.
Is there a school uniform?
No. The school has a dress code designed to ensure that students and staff are dressed smartly and respectfully but there is no daily-use uniform. We do, however, have a sports uniform (T-shirt and shorts), and School House T-shirts, which some students choose to wear daily.
Are parents involved in your community?
Yes. The school welcomes parental involvement in a number of areas, which are outlined on the Parents Network page of this website.
How do you communicate with parents?
Odyssey International School uses secure, closed communication systems when communicating with enrolled students and their families. It also publishes a weekly newsletter, with news of upcoming events and other important news for families, through a Parent Portal that also gives access to policies, menus and other useful information.
How many nationalities do you have at Odyssey International School?
This changes every year, but usually between 25 and 30 different nationalities.