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Mr. Garth O’Donnell
Executive Principal
15+
Years in leadership
12
Academic Progarms
8
School Initiatives
10+
Innovative Strategies
Garth O’Donnell serves as Executive Principal at the American School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He is currently in his eleventh year as an administrator with TAS. Prior to joining The American School, Mr. O’Donnell served for seven years as K-12 Vice Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at another WASC-accredited school in Ho Chi Minh City. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as a Master of Arts in Education and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership. Garth was born and raised in New York. He is a self-proclaimed foodie who enjoys time in the gym and beach holidays during his free time.
Garth O’Donnell serves as Executive Principal at the American School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He is currently in his eleventh year as an administrator with TAS. Prior to joining The American School, Mr. O’Donnell served for seven years as K-12 Vice Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at another WASC-accredited school in Ho Chi Minh City. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as a Master of Arts in Education and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership. Garth was born and raised in New York. He is a self-proclaimed foodie who enjoys time in the gym and beach holidays during his free time.

Discover Our Story:
A Legacy of Excellence in Education

Through Innovative Learning and Comprehensive Support

Our goal is to educate the whole child incorporating mind, body, and spirit. Strong partnership of motivated students, caring faculty and parents, affirms and challenges each person within a dynamic American educational program enriched by a multicultural setting in Vietnam

Our Philosophy

We are dedicated to student success by fostering engagement, creativity, and critical thinking.

Teaching Method

Our approach emphasizes collaborative learning, experiential activities, and seamless technology integration.

Teacher and a group of smiling students in red and blue uniforms sitting and talking together on blue modular seating in a school library.
Certificate of Accreditation presented to The American School of Vietnam by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, valid through June 30, 2028.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

The American School is a WASC Accredited School (from Early Childhood to High School).
The WASC accreditation process focuses on Student Learning.

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.

What is WASC?

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States.

The Council of International Schools (CIS)

The Council of International Schools (CIS) is a global membership community shaping the future of international education.
Our community includes more than 1,545 schools and universities, representing 124 countries.

Certificate showing The American School Vietnam as a CIS Member School, signed by Executive Director Jane Larsson.
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The American School (TAS) granted international school license by DOET

On September 12, 2014, The American School (TAS) was granted the official operating license as an international school in Ho Chi Minh City (4563/QĐ-UBND) by the HCMC Department of Education and Training (DOET). The school’s official English name is The American School, with TAS as an accepted abbreviation. The school’s official Vietnamese name is Trường Quốc tế TAS. For more information, please visit the government’s announcement website or the DOET’s website with full list of approved and accepted international schools in the city.

Celebrating Our Academic Achievements

95%

College Acceptance Rate

30

National Awards Won

15

Scholarships Awarded

1000+

Standardized Test Scores

Our students consistently excel academically, achieving outstanding results on standardized tests and earning acceptance into prestigious colleges. We take pride in fostering a culture of academic excellence.

Learn more

Our Graduates Thrive at Top Universities

Our students have been accepted into some of the most prestigious universities worldwide. Their hard work and dedication are reflected in their remarkable college placements.

Learn more
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Fordham University wordmark in dark red serif font.
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White stylized logo with the letters 'U' and 'V' combined, featuring three X shapes on a black background.
UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education logo with text in blue.
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UCONN logo in navy blue letters.
Harvard University official seal with Latin motto 'VERITAS' and three books.
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Logo with stylized text spelling 'OAY Virtual Learning'.
RMIT University logo
Logo of the University of British Columbia featuring a shield with waves and a sun, next to the university name in uppercase letters.
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The University of Sydney black and white logo featuring a lion and a cross with the motto 'Sidere mens eadem mutato'.
SHVI logo with a stylized cube icon to the left of the text.
Fordham University wordmark in dark red serif font.
Stylized logo featuring the text 'JUST Code' with 'JUST' in bold and 'Code' in a script font.
Alberta University of the Arts logo with 'Alberta University of the' in black and 'Arts' in red, rotated upside down.
UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education logo with text in blue.
Cornell University logo with a red circular seal containing shields and an open book, and the text 'Cornell University Founded A.D. 1865' alongside the university name in red.
Logo with the text 'A R T E R I A', where the letters are formed using a stylized abstract design of black lines.
The University of Melbourne logo featuring a winged figure and Southern Cross stars with the motto 'Postera Crescam Laude'.
White stylized logo with the letters 'U' and 'V' combined, featuring three X shapes on a black background.
UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education logo with text in blue.
Black background with a vertical yellow line on the left edge.
UCONN logo in navy blue letters.
Harvard University official seal with Latin motto 'VERITAS' and three books.
Logo of a university featuring a stylized letter U composed of black segments with a large black circular dot at the top right.
Logo with stylized text spelling 'OAY Virtual Learning'.
RMIT University logo
Logo of the University of British Columbia featuring a shield with waves and a sun, next to the university name in uppercase letters.
Blue outlined text reading 'UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA' on a transparent background.
The University of Sydney black and white logo featuring a lion and a cross with the motto 'Sidere mens eadem mutato'.
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