It is one of two UN schools in the world, with its sister school, United Nations International School, located in New York City. The school primarily caters to the children of diplomats, aid workers, businessmen, and other expatriates living and working in Hanoi. UNIS is regarded as of the most prestigious international schools in Asia.[citation needed] Classes range from pre-school to high school, and the IB Diploma is available to students in grade 11 and 12.
As of May 2018, there were 1123 students with 66 nationalities speaking 44 different languages.[1] The school maintains a 20% cap for any one nationality, which was put in place in order to maintain an international and culturally diverse atmosphere.
There are teachers from 27 countries with 88% from the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. Class sizes at UNIS Hanoi range from 16 to 22 students depending on the grade level with mostly 8 classes per grade level.[1]
History
For many years, the school was housed in a small building attached to the Hanoi-Amsterdam campus (a local Vietnamese high school). In 1999, the campus was moved to the UN buildings in Van Phuc; in 2004 the school was finally moved to the long-awaited, custom-built campus located in a new area on the outskirts of Hanoi called Ciputra Hanoi Estate. In 2012, the school opened its sports center that included two full-sized covered basketball courts, weight/dance rooms, and several multipurpose classrooms. Along with the opening of the sports center, a new center for the arts was also opened that included among many facilities, including a new theater and a recording studio.
When the school was founded in 1988, there were fewer than 10 students in the first class. Since the late 80s, the school has seen significant growth. Up until 1999, there was no 12th grade.
The curriculum is international, drawing upon English language programs and the framework provided by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The School has adopted the IB Programmes: Primary Years (K-5), Middle Years (Grades 6-10) and in Grades 11-12, the School has adopted the IB Diploma Programme. Participation in the IB Diploma Programme is available to all students at UNIS Hanoi.
Instruction in the world and home country languages, the arts, physical education, and English-as-an-Additional Language supplement a core curriculum. UNIS Hanoi has a learning support and counseling program at all grade levels. There is an extensive co-curricular programme of sports and activities and a strong commitment to service-learning, reflecting the spirit of the UN ideals and principles.[citation needed] The School has a fully resourced library and media center. and has a strong commitment to integrating technology throughout the curriculum with a one-to-one personal computer tablet program for all students from Grades 4-12 and mobile computer labs for students in Discovery through Grade 3.[2][failed verification]
Extracurricular Activities
UNIS divides its extracurricular activities into two main groups: "After School Activities - ASA" and "Community & Service - C&S or CAS"
UNIS competes internationally at the varsity and junior-varsity levels in football, basketball, volleyball, competitive swimming, tennis, and badminton through the Asia Pacific Activities Conference.
UNIS also provides opportunities in the arts through APAC in band, orchestra, theatre, and choir.
