Eschool is a 'boutique school'. So, what is a 'boutique school'? And what benefits does it bring to students?
The term ’boutique’ is associated with the concepts of ‘small and intimate,’ ‘excellent quality,’ and ‘individual care’.
Small and intimate: Boutique schools are typically smaller in scale, allowing for a closer relationship between students, teachers, and staff. At eSchool, all students and teachers know each other, which fosters a sense of community and a strong bond between individuals.
The design of a boutique school also reflects its intimate nature. eSchool features warm and welcoming spaces, such as cozy sofas, tents, paintings, shelves, and wooden furniture, that create a comfortable and homely environment. The teaching and recreational activities at eSchool are designed to encourage students to get to know each other better, play together, and become closer friends. As a result, students feel relaxed, comfortable, and at ease when they attend eSchool, which enhances their overall learning experience.
Excellent quality: In addition to providing an intimate environment, a boutique school emphasizes excellent quality in teaching and facilities. eSchool is a standard boutique school that features luxurious, sophisticated, and modern design, reminiscent of a premium nature resort rather than a typical school.
Students at eSchool follow the UK International Curriculum and are assessed based on the standards of England and the United States. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities that allow students to develop their skills and interests, which helps them excel academically and grow into well-rounded individuals.
Individual care: Boutique schools are developed based on the belief that ‘each child is a separate subject.’ Each child possesses their own intelligence, psychological and physical characteristics, and learning style. Therefore, boutique schools aim to educate each individual, guide children to develop the best according to their level, personality, and interests.
At eSchool, each student is closely monitored by many teachers in different departments, and the school regularly holds meetings to discuss each student’s progress and agree on solutions to help them develop to their fullest potential. This personalized approach to education ensures that each student is supported and guided to achieve their best, regardless of their unique learning style, personality, or abilities.
A “boutique school” is a premium and effective educational model that offers numerous benefits to students. This approach to education prioritizes creating a welcoming and comfortable learning environment that promotes happiness and academic achievement. Boutique schools also emphasize socialization, allowing students to form strong friendships and connections with their peers. In addition, this model of education provides personalized attention and support to each student, catering to their unique abilities and fostering their development accordingly. Overall, a “boutique school” is an excellent choice for parents seeking an educational experience that combines academic rigor, socialization, and individualized care for their child.
What are the differences between the Oxford International Curriculum taught by eSchool and other programs?
The Oxford International Curriculum is a relatively new education program developed by Oxford University Press, a part of the University of Oxford, according to the standards of England National Curriculum.
While it shares its origins with the Cambridge International Curriculum, the Oxford International Curriculum distinguishes itself with its approach, placing “the joy of learning” at the center of teaching and learning.
To help students find “joy in learning,” in addition to traditional subjects such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Computing, the Oxford International Curriculum introduces two new and essential courses: the Global Skills Project and Wellbeing (a concept that includes physical health, mental health, and living a happy life).
Moreover, teaching methods and content of the Global Skills Project and Wellbeing are integrated into other subjects. This allows students to regularly practice and become proficient in all essential skills, be physically fit, have a strong mental state, and know how to live a happy life.
The Oxford International Curriculum is taught from preschool through high school. The program equips students with the knowledge needed to succeed in International GCSE, AS and A-Levels exams offered by Oxford International AQA Examinations (OxfordAQA) or Cambridge CIE.
eSchool is a partner of Oxford University Press (OUP) – the developer of the Oxford International Curriculum (OIC). eSchool is certified as an OIC school. eSchool teachers are trained and supported by OUP. eSchool students receive certificates from OUP – Oxford University.
What are the differences between eSchool's Vietnamese language program and the program offered by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training?
eSchool takes great pride in being one of the few international schools that proactively invest in and innovate the Vietnamese language program following the model of international programs. The characteristics of eSchool’s Vietnamese language program are as follows:
The Vietnamese language program combines various new contents beyond the textbooks: while following the framework of the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training’s curriculum, eSchool also integrates numerous new knowledge and lessons from various sources such as American textbooks, books, stories, magazines, research papers, and newspapers. Lessons are not only about language but also cover a broad range of fields such as science, history, society, ethics, lifestyle, politics, culture, and economics. As a result, eSchool students not only learn the language but also gain additional valuable and modern knowledge.
The Vietnamese language teaching method is compatible with the English Language Arts teaching method: eSchool teaches Vietnamese language using the American method. Students not only learn typical language skills such as vocabulary, grammar, and spelling but also learn in-depth reading methods, analysis skills, synthesis of texts, research methods, and presentation skills. Additionally, they learn how to write based on theoretical foundations, write clearly, fluently and creatively. Both Vietnamese and English language programs use the same font, allowing students to easily connect and learn both languages simultaneously. Thanks to these compatibilities, students can easily switch back and forth between the Vietnamese and English language programs.
Why do students need to take an entrance exam when applying to eSchool?
All students applying to eSchool must take an entrance exam and interview with foreign teachers. The purpose of the entrance exam is to assess the student’s knowledge, English and Vietnamese language proficiency, math skills, psychological and physical health. Through this process, the school can determine whether the student has the necessary skills to succeed in the program.
The difficulty level of the entrance exam is equivalent to the end-of-year exam of the previous grade level. During the exam, students have the opportunity to interact and have a one-on-one interview with native-speaking teachers. The teachers who conduct the interviews are typically the ones who teach the grade level that the student is applying for. This allows the teachers to accurately determine the student’s ability to succeed in the program.
The test results not only show the score for each section but also include a detailed evaluation report from the teacher. This report provides parents with information on their child’s academic abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for improving their learning and skills. Based on the test results and these detailed comments, parents can develop appropriate learning support plans and strategies for their child.
All admission decisions are based on a careful consideration of the student’s interview and test results, as well as the school’s assessment of each student’s ability to meet their learning needs.
Can students who are currently studying in the International Program switch to the Bilingual Program, or vice versa?
ESchool recognizes that selecting between the International Program and Bilingual Program is dependent on each family’s educational values and beliefs, long-term study goals, financial capability, as well as the student’s ability and aspirations at different times. As a result, the school strives to create a supportive environment that allows students to transfer between programs, subject to availability and after careful assessment of the student’s academic level and the school’s capacity to accommodate them. This reflects the school’s commitment to providing flexible and personalized education that caters to the diverse needs and goals of its students.
Transferring between the International Program and Bilingual Program within eSchool is not overly challenging or disruptive to students’ learning and well-being, as the school has a deep understanding of each student and provides appropriate support when they switch to a new program. Additionally, both programs cover the core subjects of the Oxford International Curriculum (Mathematics, English, Science, Wellbeing, Global Skills Project) and the Vietnamese Curriculum. As a result, students who transfer between programs have the necessary knowledge to seamlessly integrate into their new program. This reflects eSchool’s commitment to ensuring that students receive a high-quality and consistent education, regardless of their chosen program
Parents are kindly requested to inform the school at least 2 terms in advance before transferring their child to another system, so that the school and parents can work together to prepare and ensure the best possible outcome for the student.
Is the degree earned from eSchool recognized by schools both domestically and internationally?
All students graduated from eSchool have two transcripts (International Program and Vietnamese Program) and dual degrees: IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), A-Levels and Vietnamese high school diplomas including the Certificate of Completion of Elementary School Program, Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Program, and High School Graduation Diploma. As a result, eSchool students can apply to Vietnamese specialized schools (such as Tran Dai Nghia and Le Hong Phong), transfer to any public or private schools, international schools, study abroad in English-speaking countries, and be eligible for admission to universities worldwide.
With the longest learning hours of international program (taught by native-speaking teachers) among international and bilingual schools, a team of excellent teachers, and a standardized system of testing, assessment, and teaching support, eSchool ensures that students can achieve high scores in International GCSE, AS and A-Levels exams.
In addition, with the optimized Vietnamese program taught using modern methods, eSchool ensures that students excel in Vietnamese language, have sufficient knowledge of Vietnamese culture, literature, history, and geography, and complete the program according to the requirements of the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training.
How does the school support students with academic challenges?
As a boutique school, eSchool aims to provide personalized education, guiding each individual student to develop their fullest potential according to their level, personality, and interests.
Thanks to the “House system” model, each student at eSchool is assigned a homeroom teacher, subject teacher, teaching assistant, and House Manager who closely monitor and care for them on a daily basis. Teachers always keep track of their students’ progress to provide timely assistance and support. The school and each house regularly hold meetings to gather information about individual students, where teachers discuss and collaborate to develop solutions to help each student reach their full potential.
For students in need of support, the school always promptly notifies parents to keep them informed of their child’s academic progress, and proposes remedial plans (in groups or 1-on-1) to assist students in subjects such as English, Math, and Vietnamese. Teachers also adjust homework assignments to suit the learning abilities of each student.