Vientiane International School
Web: www.vis.laopdr.com
2008-2009
Vientiane International School (VIS) is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational day school offering an educational program for qualified students, ages 3-18, of all nationalities. The School operates under status conferred by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The school year extends from mid-August to mid-June.
Organization: VIS is governed by a 8-person Board of Directors, composed of parents of children attending the School. Board members are elected at the Annual General Meeting of the parent body. The U.S. Embassy, sponsoring embassy for the School in Lao PDR, appoints a non-voting member to sit on the Board.
Curriculum: VIS is in the process of becoming an International Baccalaureate World School. Presently VIS is a fully authorized IB Diploma School, and students in grades 11 and 12 can earn the IB Diploma. VIS expects to receive IB Primary Years Program authorization in May of 2009 and will seek authorization for the Middle Years Program in future years. The school utilizes many American textbooks to set a standard of education comparable to many other international school of comparable size. The language of instruction is English. VIS aims to prepare its students for return to schools in their home country or for moving on to another international school and for entry into college and university. Primary classes are self-contained except for art, music, and computer, which have separate classrooms. Secondary School instructors teach courses in specialized classrooms. EAL (English-As-Another-Language) is taught within the regular primary classroom, with the exception of some pullout classes for beginners. Students not enrolled in Foreign Language classes in the secondary school (grades 6-10) will attend separate EAL classes. VIS has an active Mother Tongue Language program, and classes are held for several languages after school on Saturday mornings. An extensive after-school activity program includes sports, cultural studies, and arts and crafts. VIS offers a Special Education Program for students with mild learning disabilities. The School offers the PSAT, SAT, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. VIS is a member of East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools and Mekong River International Schools Association. During 2008-2009 VIS will be hosting the MRISA Cultural Exchange and Middle School soccer tournament VIS received accreditation in 2001 from both the US-based Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). VIS is the only school in Laos accredited by these agencies
Faculty: At the beginning of 2008-2009 school year, there are 35 full-time and 4 part-time faculty, including teachers from Australia, Canada, Sweden, Great Britain, France, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.S. Class size averages 15 and ranges from 9 to 21 students per class.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 310 (3 year-olds–18 year-olds). The Lao student enrollment represents 9% of the student body, the remaining 91% coming from over 35 different countries. The largest representations of international students are Australian, U.S., and Korean. There are presently 24 American students.
Facilities: The new VIS campus is a modern facility. The academic facilities include two large science labs, two computer labs with 25 computers each, and wireless Internet access throughout the campus. There are 2 music rooms, 2 art rooms, a 400 sq. meter library, and a large modern cafeteria. There are 32 general purpose classrooms. The facility is built for a capacity of 550 students. There is a modern medical infirmary on campus. The new campus is located in Ban Saphanthong Tai, Vientiane. The sports facilities are exceptional and include two full-sized basketball courts, one of which is a stadium. There is also a full-size football pitch.
Finances: In school year2008-2009, the School’s income derives mainly from tuition. The annual tuition rates are as follows: PS3 $2,200; PS4 $4,500; Primary Prep-grade 5: $9,250; grades 6-8: $10,200; and grades 9-12: $11,850. In addition, the School charges an application fee of $1,000 and a $1,500 annual capital fee. Other fees include an optional bus fee of $700 annually. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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