Local identity, global strength
Helping our school thrive while protecting what makes it distinctive
ISHCMC is proud to be part of Cognita, a global group of schools that creates the conditions for schools to thrive.
Cognita works behind the scenes, bringing together educational, wellbeing, safeguarding, leadership and operational expertise. This support helps each school become the best version of itself, while giving its leaders and teachers more time to focus on what matters most: their students.
Cognita does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Every school retains its own identity, ethos and connection to its local community. For ISHCMC, this means continuing to build on our distinctive character as Ho Chi Minh City’s first international school and an established IB World School in Vietnam.
Parents choose ISHCMC because of what makes our school special. Being part of Cognita helps us protect and strengthen those qualities, supported by the knowledge, experience and resources of a global schools group.
How Cognita supports our school
Expertise, resources and shared learning behind the scenes
Being part of Cognita gives ISHCMC access to expertise, tools and shared learning from schools and education specialists around the world.
Our teachers and leaders are connected to an international professional community where colleagues exchange ideas, share evidence-informed practice and learn from different educational contexts. This global network helps us understand what works, strengthen our approach and continue improving the experience we provide for students and families.
Cognita also supports important areas behind the classroom, including safeguarding, wellbeing, professional development, leadership, governance, operations and infrastructure. These strong foundations help create a school that is safe, joyful, purposeful and well supported.
Strengthening teaching and learning
Connecting educators with evidence, insight and professional collaboration
Cognita’s educational expertise supports schools in continually improving the quality of teaching and learning.
At ISHCMC, this complements our full IB continuum and our belief that students learn most effectively through inquiry, challenge, reflection and meaningful action. Our educators benefit from professional learning, collaboration with colleagues across the Cognita network and access to evidence and best practice from a wide range of schools.
This wider professional community gives teachers and leaders space to test ideas, consider different perspectives and bring relevant learning back to ISHCMC. It supports thoughtful improvement while respecting the educational approach, priorities and character of our school.
For students, this means learning in a school where teachers are supported, leaders are focused and the quality of education is always being strengthened.
Culture of Care
Creating the safe and supportive conditions students need to thrive
Students learn best when they feel safe, known and valued. This belief sits at the heart of ISHCMC and is reinforced by Cognita’s shared commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing.
At ISHCMC, our culture of care is reflected in the relationships between students, colleagues and families. Pastoral care, counselling, advisory learning and wellbeing programmes help students develop confidence, resilience, empathy and a strong sense of belonging.
Cognita provides schools with safeguarding standards, specialist expertise, training, policies and regular review processes. This support helps us maintain strong and consistent practices for protecting children and young people.
Wellbeing and safeguarding are not separate from education. They are essential conditions for students, teachers and school communities to thrive.
Rooted locally, connected globally
Combining local identity with the strength of an international network
ISHCMC’s connection to Cognita brings together local understanding and global expertise.
Our identity, values and relationship with the Ho Chi Minh City community remain central to who we are. At the same time, Cognita gives our school access to broader knowledge, specialist support and a network of colleagues committed to helping schools improve.
This combination strengthens ISHCMC without making it the same as any other school. It helps us build on our pioneering history, respond thoughtfully to the needs of our community and continue developing the conditions in which students and colleagues can thrive in a rapidly evolving world.