Admissions FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions from Families

1. How do I apply?

Option 1: Download application forms (Application form, Teacher recommendation form, Health check form, Document checklist) from our website, complete the forms, scan and send them to admissions@stpaulhanoi.com

Option 2: You can send the applications in person to the Admissions officer in Building B101.

Please note:

  • Applications can be submitted at any time of the school year
  • New students recruitment is occurring according to each Quarter:
2022 – 2023
Quarter 1 August 12, 2022
Quarter 2 Oct 24, 2022
Quarter 3 January 31, 2023
Quarter 4 April 10, 2023

 

  • Recruitment ends 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the following Quarter
  • Please email admissions@stpaulhanoi.com for questions and seat availabilities

2. Do students take an entrance test?

Yes, all students are required to take an entry test in English that covers listening, speaking, reading, writing, and math.

3. Does St. Paul have an ESL/EAL program?

Yes, we have our own ESL program called SPELL (St. Paul English Language Learning). This comprehensive program is offered for students from Elementary up to Grade 10 and is provided to our families at no additional cost.

4. What are the school hours?

Instructional start time 8:15 AM (Mondays-Fridays)
Instructional end time 3:15 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
2:15 PM (Wednesdays)
  • Afterschool ‘Beyond’ extra-curricular program: 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
  • Elementary school ‘Beyond’: 2 days mandatory, 2 days optional
  • Secondary school ‘Beyond’: 4 days optional

5. Do you offer AP courses?

Yes. We currently offer 18 AP courses for the 2022-2023 school year, which include Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Physics, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, English Literature & Composition, English Language & Composition, World History, Psychology, Chinese, French, Spanish, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Human Geography, Drawing.

All AP courses are free of charge.

6. Do you have counseling services?

Yes, we have 4 full-time counselors who support children and families.
 
Elementary:
Counselor, Ms. Fabiola Shaw
 
Middle School:
Counselor, Mr. Corey Gagne
 
High School:
Counselor, Mr. Lewis McLean
College & Careers Counselor, Mr. Gus Marantos

7. Do you offer school bus and school lunch services?

Yes, most of our school buses are 16-seat buses, all fitted with seatbelts and one bus monitor per bus.
Our two cafeterias offer a daily choice of nutritionally balanced Western and Asian meals.

8. Do students wear school uniforms?

Yes. For special events, our students wear a formal uniform that consists of beige or black-colored pants or skirts, paired with our official polo shirt, which comes in either navy or maroon color.
 
Daily uniforms include any St. Paul shirt that displays the school official logo, paired with beige-colored pants/skirts or PE shorts.

9. What are your High School graduation requirements?

Our High School program is from Grade 9-12. Students must complete at least 44 credits (1 credit=1 semester=60 hours of class) in English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, PE, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Electives in the 4 years of their High School to receive the High School graduation diploma.
 
If students receive an F, they must take an online course to make up this Grade.

10. What countries do students come from?

Our student population is very diverse with approximately 20 different nationalities making up our student body.

11. Do you enforce speaking English at your school?

Yes, we have a policy called PLACE (Policy for Language Acquisition and Community Excellence). The policy outlines when and where to use English and their first language (L1).
 
Academic
The default language of instruction and student interaction in all classes is English. Students are allowed to utilize their L1 for clarification of content or instructions during class time when permitted by the teacher. Teachers have the individual discretion to intentionally incorporate opportunities for students to utilize their L1 for the purpose of clarification and/or explanation.
 
Social
The default language of social interaction in classrooms is English. It is also STRONGLY ENCOURAGED that students use English during non-class time (before school, passing periods, lunch, after school) in order to accomplish the English language goals stated below.
 
Goals of PLACE
1) To optimize exposure and opportunity to practice and improve English skills.
2) To ensure an inclusive and welcoming school community.

12. Do you use textbooks?

Yes, textbooks are managed by our school library. Textbooks will be distributed to students prior to their 1st day of school and are included in tuition costs. However, parents may pay the compensation fee if your child loses or damages their books.

13. Do you have health care services for students?

Yes, we have an on-campus Student Health Center (SHC) which focuses on children’s health and safety. Two full-time, certified nurses staff the Health Center from 7:45am to 4:15pm, Monday to Friday, and on weekends for occasional events.

14. What extracurricular activities do you have?

Our extracurricular activities are called Beyond & Beyond+.
Beyond activities are teacher-led, and Beyond+ are activities provided by external partners from all over Hanoi.
See examples of classes below*.
 
Elementary: STEAM Studio, Beginning Piano, Drama, Chess, Book Club, Dance, Ukulele, Sewing, Origami, Girls Running, Outdoor Sports, Exploring Calligraphy, Archery, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Tennis, Taekwondo, Spanish Language, Chinese Language, Vietnamese Language.
 
Secondary: Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Soccer, Badminton, Yearbook, GIN (Global International Network), SPEAK, MUN, Moviemaking, Creative Dance, Art, Newspaper, Lab Assistant, Roleplaying, Golf, Fencing, Archery, Chinese Language, etc.
*Some of these classes may incur additional fees.

15. Are all your teachers from the USA?

90% of our faculty are certified teachers from the USA. The remaining percentage are comprised of Foreign Language Teachers, Vietnamese Teachers, and a small number from other English-speaking countries.