Mount Vernon School (MVS) is located on a 40-hectare campus in Sandy Springs, Georgia, just about 24km from downtown Atlanta. As a school of inquiry, innovation, & impact with the Design Thinking approach, has been rendering services in the field of education from kindergarten to grade 12 since 1972. MVS was regarded as one of the top ten most innovative schools by NAIS (The National Association of Independent Schools) in 2017 and delivered a presentation at the annual conference on innovative education.

MVS is one of the top private schools in the State of Georgia, attracting students from different regions in the U.S., and around the world. MVS has been our partner school since December 2020. Many MVS graduates are currently enrolled in prestigious universities worldwide, including Harvard, Purdue, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory.

Outstanding numbers

• 100% College Acceptance Rate
• 1,247 Students in Preschool-Grade 12
• 56 Competitive Sports Team
• $40 Million in Scholarships since 2015
• 21% Students of color

Partnership activities

Since the official partnership in December 2020, MVS and FV88 It Com have been jointly implementing inclusive collaboration on delivering American education to elementary to high school students in Vietnam. FV88 It Com have pioneered integrating Design Thinking into the academic programs for Vietnamese students.

Sharing a similar educational philosophy to FV88 It Com, MVS underscores answering the key question: How can the school better reflect the real world? Both schools aim to empower learners to become inquirers and knowledge explorers, positively impact communities, and become leaders to master world changes. The partnership with MVS reflects FV88 It Com’ ambition to bring Vietnamese education closer to world-class education, equipping students with the knowledge, personality, and skills of global citizens in the 4.0 era.

Partnership and collaborative training activities between FV88 It Com and MVS include

• Designing integrated programs as well as transferring teaching methodology and U.S. courses
• Train the Trainer: The training on pedagogical methodology provided by MVS fosters thinking, and builds up the necessary toolkit & skillset for TDS teachers teaching integrated programs and MVS-transferred programs.
• Inspection of academic program and teaching quality of integrated courses: MVS experts will carry out observation at TDS to assess teaching and practices of English, Mathematics, Science, MDE, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts curriculum.
• Training on College Admissions Counseling: MVS college admissions counselors provide information about university programs and application processes.
• Training on enhancing learner agency in learning: Introduction to methodology for improved student agency in learning.
• Introduction to summer camps: Introduction of summer camps where TDS students experience life in the United States.

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Those were the heartfelt words shared by speaker Daniel Chung – former Deputy Director of Admissions at Stanford University – to TDSers during a career orientation workshop themed “From Dewey to Top Universities”, held on the morning of April 26th.

Speaker Daniel Chung – former Deputy Director of Admissions at Stanford University shared strategies for building an impressive application to get into top universities in the US

With experience assisting and advising hundreds of students admitted to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, etc., speaker Daniel Chung, together with TDSers, “unveiled” the secrets of admissions into prestigious American universities. In the context of fierce competition, how can one make a strong impression on American admissions officers? How can one build an ‘unbeatable’ application profile for renowned universities? These questions were answered during the nearly 2-hour workshop.

Mr. Daniel Chung stated that candidates are evaluated by five criteria in their application profiles for top universities in the United States, including: demographic information, academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays and recommendation. Among these, essays showcasing individuality and diverse life experiences are significant ‘plus points.’

In addition to outlining specific requirements for each criterion, Mr. Daniel Chung also pointed out common mistakes students make during the application process: “Despite participating in numerous activities, competitions at school and research attempts, many students still don’t know how to build their personal brand and lack practical knowledge about society. Some students blindly pursue brand name universities without articulating a specific vision about their future.”

During the workshop, TDSers had the opportunity to interact with the speaker, having their doubts and questions about the application process addressed. Student Phan Nguyen Chau Anh (Grade 11 Berlin) expressed: “I feel very happy to participate in today’s informative workshop. Through the speaker’s insights, I understand more about the structure and admissions process of American universities. I realize that balance is very essential when building a profile. It’s not just about having high GPA or SAT scores, candidates must have a harmonious combination of criteria to impress admissions officers.”

During the workshop, TDSers had the opportunity to interact with the speaker, raising questions about the application process 

The workshop “From Dewey Top Universities” was organized by the University & Career Counseling Office (UCCO) – a department consistently accompanying TDSers on their journey to acquire knowledge, gain practical experience, and cultivate a comprehensive understanding of all fields in society to be ready to “venture into the vast ocean”.

Speaking about the importance of organizing early career-oriented activities for students during the application process, Mr. Daniel Chung emphasized that this helps students explore and understand their desires, thus knowing how to stand out when applying to universities. This process might take time. Hence, starting early will be an advantage for students.

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 1. Incorporating English into Daily Situations

Practical knowledge is often easier to remember and visualize for children. Applying English to everyday situations and real-life objects around the house helps children develop a habit of language practice in a natural, context-appropriate manner. Parents can engage children by teaching vocabulary related to clothing while folding laundry, introducing food-related vocabulary while cooking, or practicing toy-related vocabulary while tidying up. Prioritizing topics that children are fond of and curious about aids in effortless vocabulary retention and expansion.

2. Engaging in English Language Games

Children often struggle to maintain focus for extended periods, hence parents should integrate fun activities to spark their interest. Parents can explore various English language games to enhance memory and reflexes, such as bingo, remembering pictures, or word jumble races etc. English knowledge embedded within games is more naturally absorbed by children, making learning more enjoyable and engaging.

Establishing a routine of practicing English communication at home helps children apply what they learn at school, improving reflexes and progress.

• Watching English Movies with Children

English movies serve as an ideal platform for children to familiarize themselves with native intonations and highly applicable conversational patterns. Parents should select movies that align with their children’s interests to cultivate enthusiasm. Spending 15-30 minutes each evening watching movies at home, followed by discussions about the film’s themes and beloved characters, enhances children’s enjoyment and encourages active participation in conversations.

Fostering a natural interest in self-learning English at home helps children absorb knowledge more easily.

3. Reading English Books with Children Before Bedtime

Reading books with children before bedtime provides parents with an opportunity to interact in English with their children. Aside from enriching vocabulary, this activity lays the groundwork for early logical thinking development through reading. Parents should choose books with understandable vocabulary suitable for children to become acquainted with or allow children to select their favorite books. Asking simple questions in English to encourage children to speculate about objects and potential story scenarios stimulates curiosity, thereby fostering more interest in reading.

After finishing the story, parents can engage in discussions with their children about the characters and plot details. This method also enhances children’s synthesis and critical thinking skills in specific situations.

Sustained and consistent exposure to English is a prerequisite for children to quickly memorize and improve their language proficiency. Importantly, parents should actively communicate and inquire in English with their children. It is hoped that the information in this article will provide parents with effective methods to help their children develop and enhance English communication skills.”

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For the IB MYP, candidates faced questions in English from international teachers who will directly instruct them upon enrollment. The interview questions delve deeply into understanding each candidate’s individuality, perspectives, thoughts, as well as their knowledge of the International Baccalaureate program.

For the Dewey Scholarship, students must “confront” interview questions that require the application of critical thinking, confidence in communication, as well as persuasive presentation of their viewpoints to make an impression on the judges in this final “race”.

Tension and anticipation filled the waiting time; confidence and daring to be different when “handling” the tough interview questions from the judges were the common marks that the candidates demonstrated throughout the day of the examination.

Mr. Nguyen Bao Trong – IB program Director, shared, “The students are excellent candidates from various school campuses. Both I and the other judges were pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the diversity of their abilities. I was quite impressed by the mindset of one candidate when he shared that life is about giving; he participated in all competitions like chess, science, etc., to earn rewards and contribute all those rewards to charitable funds. Despite feeling quite exhausted after a long day of interviews, both I and the other judges felt joy and have great hope in a generation of talented and compassionate young individuals.”

Congratulations to all the candidates who have successfully passed the rounds of the Dewey Scholarship Program and the IB MYP Scholarship Program for the school year 2024-2025. You may feel satisfied or unsatisfied with what you have demonstrated throughout the participation process, but let you be proud and rejoice that you have dared to embrace the challenge, confidently explore your own colors and potential, to enhance resilience and steadfastness on the journey ahead.

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The Dewey Scholarship is a prestigious Scholarship program held annually, where outstanding students from both within and outside FV88 It Com have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, comprehensive abilities, and a sense of responsibility, in order to be ready to shine in the most advanced educational environment in Vietnam. The scholarship program for the 2024-2025 school year sponsors up to 100% of High School tuition fees for the Adventure International Program or the Discover Integrated Program, comprising 11 scholarship slots with a total value of up to 2 billion Vietnamese dong.

The IB-MYP* Scholarship Program for the school year 2024-2025, in partnership with the Edufit Scholarship Fund, offers opportunities for outstanding students in grades 6 and 9 to participate in a high academic standard program recognized worldwide. Students awarded the scholarship receive up to 100% of the tuition fees in all the educational levels, along with being equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills foundation to transition seamlessly to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) and subsequently to top prestigious Universities worldwide in the future.

*FV88 It Com Tay Ho Tay is a candidate school for the Middle Years Program (IB MYP) and the Diploma Program (IB DP)

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Throughout each stage of the project, TDSers learned and applied knowledge from subjects such as History, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts, transforming seemingly unrelated subjects into visually engaging and captivating experiences. Students personally crafted documentary films and detailed diagrams depicting the stages of formation and evolution of the Vietnamese script, marking cultural milestones over the decades. From the distinctive features of the Vietnamese script to its significant historical implications for our nation, every aspect was meticulously explored, researched, and enthusiastically discussed by TDSers.

TDSers collectively “recreated” the path that linguists have taken by staging a play to elucidate their contributions to the dissemination of the Vietnamese script. Additionally, students constructed a set of questions about the Vietnamese script and linguists to reinforce their knowledge.

This project not only helped students understand more about the history of the Vietnamese script and the contributions of linguists but also helped TDSers recognize and raise awareness about the importance of using the Vietnamese script correctly, elegantly, and beautifully.

Let’s take a look back at some moments captured during the presentation of the Grade 6 Vietnamese project below!

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That was the advice from speaker Cristy Grover, Head of Partnership Development Unit – Asia Pacific at Sommet Education, to the TDSers of Scholarship Hunters Club at the “Professions and Employment Opportunities for Gen Z in the Experience Economy” workshop.

To answer the question “What is your dream profession?” TDSers were exposed to insights on how to choose a desired career in the modern 4.0 society. Dr. Cristy Grover stated, “Generation Gen Z is particularly “individualistic” compared to the Millennial generation; they do not want to be confined, they want to take control and have great ambitions.”

Therefore, transitional skillsets are essential for them to adapt to any new circumstances or jobs. Some skills that Gen Z should acquire include goal-setting skills, problem-solving skills, leadership skills, and more.

The speaker also emphasized to TDSers the importance of exploring professions that can leverage a common set of skills, such as Hotel Management, Marketing, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, and more.

At FV88 It Com, students learn through innovative educational approaches: Design Thinking, Project-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, and Experiential Learning. This enables TDSers to acquire all the necessary skills on their journey towards realizing their dream careers.

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After six months of research, preparation, ideation, and production, Grade 9 TDSers hosted a brilliantly successful project presentation, evoking various emotions among teachers and the audience. With the theme “Expressing thoughts on life’s paradigms,” students sequentially presented on crucial issues such as human and environmental interaction, death and beauty, and the divine.

Not stopping at a normal report session, the Dewey Theater suddenly transformed into a colorful exhibition featuring various products such as magazines, essays, posters, drawings, bookmarks, and themed publications. The Vietnamese Literature subject became even more intriguing and captivating as TDSers incorporated knowledge from other disciplines such as Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and History into their project works. The performances, films, plays, and songs showcased in the program all aimed to convey the students’ thoughts and ideas.

In addition, the essay presentations by students Minh Anh (9Dublin) – “Beauty and Liberation” and Thanh Mai (9Copenhagen) – “Why are Humans Fear God?” also received praise from the panel of judges. When asked “whether using “Beauty” for healing is only reserved for philosophical figures like Tagore, what about ordinary people like us?” Minh Anh (9Dublin) responded, “Even Tagore, whether as a writer or a poet, had to utilize the beauty of everyday life to satirize and criticize the society outside, alongside expressing his own longing for a society with complete freedom. So, there’s no reason why we – ordinary people – couldn’t use that simple beauty for healing. Regardless of who you are, or what you are like, each of us deserves to use beauty for healing.”

This is an opportunity for Students to have profound moments of contemplation on five essential issues in life, providing TDSers with a space to pause, reflect, and ask themselves, “Who am I?” and “What do I want?” These are pivotal steps in the maturation process of students.

Ms. Nguyen Van Anh – Specialist of the Social Sciences Department, shared, “Students have matured and become much more confident than in previous years, especially in developing soft skills and knowing how to convey meaningful messages to the audience. Through this project, they have also enhanced important skills such as information gathering, research, analysis, synthesis, … crucial for high school and university levels.”

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To cultivate a fervor for acting, the Performing Arts curriculum stands as a beloved choice among TDSers, serving as a fertile ground where young talents uncover their passions. Recently, the 11Paris TDSers had the opportunity to showcase their acting abilities through the play “Two,” a piece adapted from Jim Cartwright’s original work. The play was directed and guided by Mr. Daniel McColgan, the Drama Teacher, in a completely new and challenging manner.

“Two” – a simple name for a play, yet deeply embedded within are vibrant, realistic, and meaningful stories. Each scene unfolds as a dialogue between different couples, set in the backdrop of a bar in England.

Audiences are continuously led by these couples through various life fragments, different narratives, offering intriguing perspectives on human beings and life itself. The play becomes unexpectedly profound in its final scenes, where two seemingly minor characters, the bar owners, emerge as central figures, delivering a poignant story about a lost child. A notable highlight is the authentic, emotive performances of the 11th-grade students, which moved the audience to tears, once again showcasing the talent and dedication to character portrayal, living alongside the characters of TDSers.

When asked about the feeling of embodying such a complex adult character, student Tran Bao Tram expressed, “At first, I was very scared and worried because we rarely participate in play. But thanks to rehearsals with my peers and guidance from our teacher, we learned how to immerse ourselves in the character most authentically. After the play, I also realized many special things, such as different perspectives and the uniqueness of each person’s personality, so we should respect that.”

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Let’s explore the secrets that 06 talented TDSers from Dewey Hai Phong have applied to successfully receive prestigious international Scholarships.

Tip 1: Discussing with the University and Career Counseling Office Teachers

TDSer Nguyen Phuong Nhi – 11Paris (Recipient of a $10,000 scholarship for the University Preparation Course at UTS Australia) emphasizes the crucial support from Dewey’s University and Career Counseling Office (UCCO): “Through one-on-one counseling sessions and career workshops, the teachers at UCCO invest time in listening to understand my aspirations and capabilities. Based on this, they introduce suitable domestic and international scholarships. Additionally, they provide detailed guidance on procedures such as essay writing, CV preparation, interview readiness, and advise on necessary achievements to meet scholarship requirements.”

Tip 2: Setting clear goals and creating a detailed plan to pursue those goals

TDSer Mai Minh Phuong – 11Zurich (Recipient of a $3,000 scholarship for the University Preparation Course and $30,000 for 3 years of study at Macquarie University, Australia) shares: “If you’re considering applying for scholarships, start early. Actively research available opportunities, establish clear plans, and create checklists of items needed for application submission. Try your hand at various types of scholarships to increase your chances of success and tailor your applications to fit each scholarship’s requirements. Make an effort to list your achievements and demonstrate your unique qualities in your application.”

Tip 3: Understanding yourself – Understanding the study field – Understanding the university

Do Bao Lien – 12Dublin (Recipient of a Talent Scholarship worth 200,000,000 VND – Business Administration Major – Swinburne Vietnam University), emphasizes the most important factor to impress the Admissions Council of the institution is “Be yourself!”

“There are three things you need to do to make it easier for yourself when searching for scholarships: understand yourself, understand the university, and understand the study field you’re choosing. Take the time to reflect on yourself, identify your weaknesses to improve, and highlight your strengths in your application. The second factor is understanding the university you’re applying to for the scholarship. Research thoroughly about various aspects of the university such as its mission, academic programs, and reasons why you’re applying to this university. Finally, understand the field of study you’re applying for. The Admissions Council may ask questions related to your field of expertise, and they’ll be more impressed if you apply your knowledge to answer those questions.”

Tip 4: Determination + Confidence = Significant Impression on the Admissions Council

TDSer Vuong Minh Chau – 11Paris (Recipient of a $7,500 scholarship for the University Preparation Course at UTS Australia and a $10,000 scholarship for the University Preparation Course at UNSW Australia) shares: “Determination is a necessary quality in the scholarship ‘hunting’ journey. It’s also an incredibly important source of motivation, driving individuals to continuously strive towards their goals. I believe determination is the key that leads to every step of progress.”

Similarly, TDSer Nguyen Vu Giang Nhi – 11Zurich (Recipient of a $3,000 scholarship for the University Preparation Course and $30,000 for 3 years of study at Macquarie University, Australia) summarizes: “I believe that Confidence and Integrity, coupled with one’s own capabilities, are crucial to winning scholarships. Be confident in applying, and if not successful, we still gain experience for the next attempts.”

As the only TDSer receiving a scholarship from Switzerland this time, Duong Tu Van – 12Dublin (Recipient of a Merit-based scholarship worth 245,000,000 VND – Hotel Management Major – SHMS Switzerland) offers advice: “During the scholarship interview, I didn’t hesitate to share my past experiences in the hotel industry that I gained through Dewey and my family. In Particular, I highlighted my advantages in this field such as knowing three languages, communication skills… At the same time, I also shared my weaknesses and expressed my desire for personal growth and development while accompanying SHMS. Nobody is perfect; everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in a certain field. It’s essential to develop our strengths and find the most suitable path for ourselves.”

FV88 It Com – where children experience diverse and creative learning in an internationally recognized American standard environment – is the fastest route for children to confidently conquer top international universities worldwide.

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SCIENCE MDE FAIR 2024 – CREATIVE “PLAYGROUND” OF FUTURE SCIENTISTS

TDSers had a special weekend with their parents and friends at the “Lab of Mad Scientist” – Science MDE Fair 2024.

Entering the “Lab,” TDSers encountered teachers who were “both strange and familiar” dressed in unique “mad scientist” costumes. The school grounds were filled with scientific and MDE products “made by TDSers” throughout the semester. What’s more, TDSers were guided by these “mad scientists” to 14 exciting Experience Stations, where they could explore the joy of science through unique experiments such as: Descartes Diver, robot programming, spinning eggs, mirror mazes, mysterious magnetic mazes, bubbles within bubbles, dancing popcorn, rainbow showers, and more. Student Nguyen Sinh Phu from 5Boston declared, “I never thought science could be so interesting. I am determined to become a scientist in the future!”

In addition to moments of learning and play, TDSers also had the opportunity to showcase their problem-solving skills and scientific creativity at the Science Competition 2024. TDSers confidently presented products created through the Design Thinking method, which were highly praised by the judging panel, such as: self-lacing shoes using sensors (6th grade students), an automatic house cleaning machine (3rd grade students), and the Daily Eco mobile application (11th grade students),…

Moreover, alongside these three innovative ideas, students also conducted and presented 16 interesting experiments in English during the fair. Each experiment demonstrated a unique perspective of TDSers on seemingly minor issues in life, such as the direction of wind between buildings or generating electricity from fruits.

Another favorite place for TDSers is the canteen, where the Science Quiz Bowls 2024 take place – an opportunity for TDSers to showcase their knowledge through intriguing questions about science.

Tran Ngoc Khanh, a student from 8Canberra, shares, “Both the Quiz Bowl and the Creative Science Competition are very enjoyable experiences for me. I learn from my peers, enhance my presentation skills, and acquire new knowledge about science. I am very happy with this Science MDE Fair.”

The Science MDE Fair is a major annual event at FV88 It Com. It is an interdisciplinary project focusing on science and MDE, where students present their academic achievements in both subjects, as well as stimulate curiosity and foster a love for science and innovation in each student.

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