Discover Our Story:
A Legacy of Excellence in Education

We believe in nurturing each student's potential through innovative teaching and community engagement.

At The American School, we are proud of our longstanding tradition of educational excellence. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to cultivating young minds, inspiring curiosity, and equipping students with the skills to succeed in a global society.

Empowering Students to Thrive in a Supportive Environment

The American School fosters the growth of the whole child in a multicultural environment aligned with American educational models. 

Our Mission

The American School educates the whole child in a multicultural environment aligned with educational models in support of individualized pathways. We nurture individual abilities to produce creative, confident, and critical thinkers who are self-aware, socially conscious, and prepared for an ever-changing society.

Our Vision

To empower students by nurturing their unique talents, fostering intellectual curiosity, and preparing them to thrive in a dynamic global society.

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.

Leadership Team

Our leadership team comprises dynamic thinkers, dedicated strategists, and experienced educators who work collaboratively to uphold our school’s mission. Committed to innovation, integrity, and inclusivity, they ensure that every decision supports our students’ academic growth, character development, and global readiness.

Mr. Garth O’Donnell

Executive Principal
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Mr. Garth O’Donnell
Executive Principal
20+
Years in leadership
100%
Student Engagement
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.

Ms. Dana Hamilton

Student Support Coordinator
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Ms. Dana Hamilton
Student Support Coordinator
20+
Years in leadership
100%
Student Engagement
8
School Initiatives
10+
Innovative Strategies
Ms. Dana Hamilton was appointed Student Support Services Coordinator and Middle-High Counselor from August 2024 Master of Education – School Counseling (Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology (Central Washington University), Ellensburg, WA) Licensed Certified Professional Counselor, Nevada Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Washington National Board-Certified School Counselor, 2014 National Board-Certified Counselor, 2014 I have been a school counselor since 2002. I’ve worked at the primary and secondary level focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused brief therapy. I believe if one changes the way they think they will change the way they feel. Prior to becoming a school counselor, I worked as a mental health therapist dealing with children and adults in crisis as well as providing brief and intermediate therapy. I believe that dealing with the “whole child” creates a path facilitating the best outcome for the student in their educational pursuit. I am a firm believer in Social-Emotional Learning and believe that the lives of children will be better the more empathic they are. My husband I love to travel – we have been all around the world and plan to continue to do this. I am an avid runner – I just ran my 12th marathon. I am so excited to become a part of the TAS community. I am ready to make a difference.

Mr. Peter Nguyen

Academic & College Counselor
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Mr. Peter Nguyen
Academic & College Counselor
20+
Years in leadership
100%
Student Engagement
8
School Initiatives
10+
Innovative Strategies
Mr. Peter holds the following degree and certifications: International Student Advocate Certificate from NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) MA of Education from The College of New Jersey BA Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey CELTA certificate from Cambridge University Press and Assessment BA from George Fox University, with a double major in Business and History Aside from spending time with his family, Mr. Thong loves to play sports, chess (Chinese and American) and is passionate about helping others to discover and maximize their talents and gifts to achieve their purpose and goals.

Ms. Rachel Temple

Curriculum Director
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Ms. Rachel Temple
Curriculum Director
20+
Years in leadership
100%
Student Engagement
8
School Initiatives
10+
Innovative Strategies
Ms. Rachel Temple has been named TAS Curriculum Coordinator beginning August 1, 2024. Originally from Seattle, WA, U.S.A., Ms. Temple began her career in education teaching English in Caracas, Venezuela and Seoul, South Korea. After completing a teacher certification program in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., she taught high school Spanish for five years at public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Moving back to Seattle, Ms. Temple taught Spanish and served as the Assistant Director of a small private school. Most recently, Ms. Temple served as the founding Director of Academic Programs at an independent school in the Seattle Metro Area. Ms. Temple holds the following degrees and certifications: Master of Arts in International Relations, Dublin City University Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Texas Christian University ECAP Teacher Certification Program Texas Educator Certification, Languages Other than English - Spanish (EC - 12), English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC - 12) Ms. Temple is dedicated to helping every learner achieve at their highest level. She is excited to join the TAS team and is looking forward to working with the Mustang faculty, staff, and students!

Mr. Will Harper

ES/ECC Vice Principal
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Mr. Will Harper
ES/ECC Vice Principal
15+
Years in leadership
100%
Student Engagement
8
School Initiatives
20+
Innovative Strategies
In his professional career, Mr. Harper will be entering his 20th year in education and taught self-contained, behavior, special education classes, helped develop, design, and implemented behavior programs for self-contained special education students, taught Alternative Education for credit recovery at the high school level, and taught English Language Acquisition to students whose first language is not English. Mr. Harper also was part of a team of educators that helped develop a whole school Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program. He has a passion for SEL in his professional and personal life. He has held teaching certificates/credentials in the states of Washington and Nevada. He also has two years of working for online schools including being a “Success Coach” to help credit deficient students navigate the challenges of getting back on track to graduation. He has coached High School Football, youth baseball, youth soccer and started a mountain bike team at Spanish Springs High School, Sparks, NV, USA. Before entering the world of teaching, Mr. Harper spent many years working in the outdoor retail and recreation industries. He helped open REI’s flagship store in Seattle, WA, worked as a ski and snowboard sales representative for multiple outdoor sporting goods stores, and managed Guest Services for multiple Ski Resorts in Washington state, USA. Mr. Harper also briefly started a Mental Health Case Management company before returning to education. He also spent time "ski-bumming" and working for the Sun Valley Ski Resort in Ketchum, ID. When not at work, Mr. Harper enjoys skiing, mountain biking, travel, food, watching sports, playing racket sports, working out, meditation and spending time with family. His wife, Dana Hamilton, is a School Counselor at TAS and together they have one son who is teaching English as Second language at a language academy in HCMC. It has been a life-long family dream to live and teach abroad. Mr. Harper is thrilled to be part of the TAS team. Mr. Harper holds the following degrees and certifications: BA in Special Education (K-12) from Central Washington University TEFL Certification (K-12) Sierra Nevada University Special Education Generalist Certification (K-12) Alternative Education Certification (7-A) Social Emotional Learning trained (9-12)

“ Music activities here not only made me confident but also sparked creativity in every student. These experiences helped me express myself and discover new talents, making my time at TAS unforgettable “

Peter Nguyen
Class of 2023

“That's when I began my running and weight loss journey, fueled by the incredible support of my community, include my friends at TAS and especially Mr.B“

Danny Bui
Class of 2021

Ready to Join Our Community?

Discover how easy it is to become part of The American School family! Learn more about our transparent fee structure and streamlined admission process.

Our Certifications and Partnerships

We proudly showcase our accreditations and partnerships with leading educational organisations to ensure quality.

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.

Start Your Journey with Us

At The American School, we believe in providing a nurturing and supportive environment where every student can thrive.

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