The school officially gained authorization for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in April 2026, becoming the fifth institution in Ho Chi Minh City to deliver the complete IB Continuum, which includes the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
In Vietnam’s international education landscape, IB authorization is widely regarded as a benchmark of academic quality. However, achieving full Continuum status requires more than adopting a curriculum. Schools must meet hundreds of standards set by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), spanning educational philosophy, teacher qualifications, governance, student support, and infrastructure.
Students playing basketball at the school’s indoor stadium. Photo courtesy of Tesla Education |
Tesla Education reached this milestone after securing four major international accreditations within 12 months: Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation in June 2025, Cambridge accreditation in July 2025, IB MYP authorization in November 2025, and IB DP authorization in April 2026.
Each accreditation typically takes years of preparation and evaluation. The school said completing all four within a year reflected a broader five-year development strategy rather than a short-term acceleration.
From primary years focused on inquiry-based learning, to middle years emphasizing academic rigor, and the Diploma Programme centered on independent research and critical thinking, Tesla has structured its academic model as a continuous learning journey.
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Primary students are encouraged to be creative through arts. Photo courtesy of Tesla Education |
Research by the IBO across Southeast Asia suggests that students who complete the full IB Continuum tend to demonstrate stronger critical thinking skills, greater self-directed learning capacity, and improved emotional resilience. By contrast, students entering the IB system only at the final stage may experience a “methodological shock” due to differences in teaching and assessment approaches.
For Tesla Education, the IB Continuum is positioned as a long-term educational framework rather than a standalone curriculum model.
Alongside the IB pathway, the school integrates the Cambridge curriculum and CIS accreditation to build what it describes as a multi-layered international education ecosystem.
The Cambridge programme provides a structured academic foundation valued by expatriate families for its progression and competency-based assessment, while also supporting student mobility across international systems.
CIS accreditation, meanwhile, focuses on institutional quality, including governance, faculty standards, student safety, and well-being. With just over 700 accredited schools worldwide, CIS is considered one of the more rigorous global accreditation bodies.
At the final stage of this pathway is the IB Diploma Programme, which is widely recognized by leading universities globally.
Institutions such as Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ivy League universities, and many universities in the United Kingdom recognize the IB for its academic rigor, independent research components, and emphasis on critical thinking.
Some institutions, including the University of California system, New York University, and members of the Russell Group, may also grant advanced standing or academic credit for strong IB Higher Level results, depending on specific policies.
According to Tesla Education, this pathway can potentially shorten university study duration and improve the long-term return on investment for families pursuing overseas education.
A representative of Tesla Education’s Board of Management said the IB Continuum should be viewed as a foundation rather than an endpoint.
“The IB Continuum is not our final destination; it is the foundation for a long-term commitment. We are building an environment where students are not only equipped with knowledge but also develop intellectual confidence and adaptability to thrive as global citizens,” the representative said.
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Students also have class outside the classroom with green and friendly campus to foster creativity. Photo courtesy of Tesla Education |
Tesla Education’s achievement also shifts the geography of international education in Ho Chi Minh City, where IB Continuum schools have traditionally been concentrated in eastern and southern districts.
Located in Tan Binh District, the school provides improved access for families in areas such as Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan, and Binh Tan, particularly those near Tan Son Nhat International Airport and surrounding expatriate communities.
Shorter commuting times, potentially saving one to two hours per day, can improve student well-being, reduce fatigue, and increase time available for extracurricular activities.
This is particularly relevant for Korean and other expatriate families concentrated around the airport area, where demand for internationally accredited education remains high.
At the same time, Tesla Education is positioning international education as a more financially accessible long-term option for Vietnamese families.
With many self-funded Vietnamese students spending an average of US$30,000 to US$40,000 per year on overseas education, pursuing a globally recognized pathway domestically is increasingly seen as a practical alternative.
To mark its IB Continuum milestone, the school launched an IB Diploma Programme Scholarship Fund for Grade 10 students, offering tuition support of up to 90%.
With maximum support reaching VND500 million, the programme significantly lowers the cost barrier to international education and reflects what the school describes as a broader shift from exclusivity to accessibility.
Established in 2015 in Ho Chi Minh City, Tesla Education is an IB Continuum World School offering a seamless International Baccalaureate pathway from early years to high school.
Its dual-pathway model combines Vietnam’s national curriculum with the IB framework, with an emphasis on science, technology, project-based learning, and holistic student development.
For the current academic year, the school is also offering academic excellence scholarships for incoming Grade 10 students, with tuition support of up to 90%, reducing annual fees to a more accessible level for qualified applicants.
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