Optimized Primary
Optimized Primary

Ontario Optimized Primary School

Students aged 6 to 11 progress at our Canadian elementary school, developing independence and confidence as they benefit from the Ontario Optimized Curriculum. Fully immersed in English while building bilingual skills, they are encouraged to explore, think critically through STEAM integration. Their natural curiosity fuels learning and encourages them to develop lifelong learning habits.

Our curriculum

Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in the primary years through the Ontario Program for Grades 1 to 5. Students are fully immersed in English while learning 10% of their subjects in Vietnamese, preparing to succeed anywhere in the world, just like native Canadian students. With a focus on STEAM and inquiry-based learning, learners develop critical thinking skills.

Assembly

Celebrate together, belong together

At our school in Hanoi, students come together in whole-school gatherings where they learn to listen respectfully and reflect on shared values. Through assemblies that celebrate culture, achievements and key events, students develop a sense of belonging and pride in their school.
They begin to recognize positive behaviours, participate in shared experiences and apply those values across their daily learning, strengthening their confidence and sense of community.

Assembly

Design and Technology

Invent, build, improve

Students learn to identify real-life problems and use their creativity to design functional solutions with simple tools and materials. Through a guided design process (planning, making, testing and improving) they explore how ideas take shape from concept to completion.
As they build their creations, students practise using tools responsibly and safely, developing not only independence and creativity but also a deep respect for the design process and how it connects to the world around them.

Design and Technology

English Language Arts

Express ideas, discover voices

Students strengthen their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing through rich stories and meaningful tasks. They communicate clearly and confidently, both in conversation and in writing, while expanding their vocabulary and expressive language.
Children learn to understand a variety of texts and apply grammar, vocabulary and structure in their writing. These foundations support their growth as capable, thoughtful communicators.

English Language Arts

Food Technology

Cook, care, create healthy habits

Children explore food preparation through fun, hands-on lessons that teach basic cooking skills, hygiene and nutrition. They follow safety guidelines, work with healthy ingredients and prepare simple recipes.
By learning about balanced meals and food groups, students develop healthy eating habits and a sense of responsibility in the kitchen.

Food Technology

HPE

Move with confidence, live with balance

At our Canadian international school, students build coordination, endurance and motor skills through active play and movement in Health and Physical Education. They learn to work as a team, show sportsmanship and stay engaged in group activities that promote fitness and fun.
Lessons also help students explore body awareness, emotions and personal safety, encouraging healthy habits and a strong sense of physical and emotional well-being from an early age.

HPE

ICT

Think digitally, learn creatively

Learners build digital literacy as they explore how to use age-appropriate devices and software to support learning and creativity. They complete tasks using digital tools, use technology respectfully and safely, and discover how technology helps solve problems across subjects.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) empowers them to become confident, responsible users of technology.

ICT

Library

Read, research, wonder

Students develop love for reading and inquiry-based learning during library time. They enjoy a wide range of texts, from stories to non-fiction and learn to locate books and resources using the library system.
Learners ask questions, seek out information and explore texts that spark their curiosity and interaction skills, laying the foundation for independent learning.

Library

Literacy Development Program

Build strong foundations for reading and writing

Learners strengthen core literacy skills through phonics, guided reading and structured writing activities. They learn to decode words, build reading fluency and express ideas through writing.
This targeted support helps each learner grow into a confident reader and writer.

Literacy Development Program

Mathematics

Thinking mathematically every day

At Hanoi Toronto, students develop strong number sense and reasoning skills by solving real-world problems using effective strategies. They deepen their understanding of number operations, measurement, geometry, data and patterns.
Throughout lessons, students confidently communicate their mathematical thinking using tools, models and clear mathematical language.

Mathematics

Musical Arts

Play, perform, appreciate

Children explore rhythm, beat and melody by singing, playing instruments and moving to music. They participate in group performances where timing and collaboration are key.
Music lessons cultivate creativity and an appreciation for diverse cultures, helping students listen actively and express themselves through sound and movement.

Musical Arts

PHSE

Understand yourself, care for others

Students build emotional intelligence by recognising and expressing their feelings appropriately. They learn important personal safety and hygiene habits and develop empathy and respect to foster positive relationships.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) empowers students to care for themselves, others and the wider community.

PHSE

Performance Arts

Telling stories, building confidence

Students use their voices and bodies to bring characters and stories to life, exploring emotions and ideas through drama and movement.
Learners collaborate to plan and perform short pieces, and learn to reflect constructively on their own and others’ performances. This subject nurtures confidence, imagination, and empathy.

Performance Arts

Science and Technology

Explore, investigate, understand

Learners cultivate curiosity by asking questions and conducting simple investigations following the scientific process. They observe changes in living things, materials and the environment, using tools and technology to record their findings.
This hands-on exploration helps students build a solid foundation in scientific inquiry.

Science and Technology

Social Studies

Discover people, places and perspectives

Children explore community roles, responsibilities and structures while learning about traditions and cultures both in Canada and globally.
Learners investigate how people, places, and events have changed over time, fostering a strong sense of identity, cultural understanding and civic responsibility.

Social Studies

STEAM

Creating, solving, innovating together

Students collaborate to design and build solutions to real-life challenges by combining skills from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Children reflect on their design process and improve their projects based on feedback, developing critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities.

STEAM

VAL

Connect through languages

Students new to Vietnamese have the opportunity to develop their communication skills through Vietnamese as an Additional Language (VAL). They engage in speaking, listening, reading and writing activities that focus on everyday vocabulary and phrases.
Through participation in simple conversations and practice with reading and writing short texts, students build confidence and deepen their cultural awareness.

VAL

A typical school day in our Primary class

At our Canadian international school in Vietnam, every day provides meaningful learning experiences and opportunities for your child to explore and grow. While schedules vary across year groups, here’s an overview of what happens between lessons in our Primary School, following the International Ontario Optimized Program.

Comprehensive Literacy Development Program

Comprehensive Literacy Development Program


Primary students in Grades 1 to 3 build strong foundations in reading and writing through our Comprehensive Literacy Development Program. Guided by expert teachers and supported by a multi-tiered system (MTSS), each student follows a personalised learning path tailored to their unique strengths and needs. Using high-quality, evidence-based resources and ongoing assessments, students grow at their own pace.

Core learning pillars

At HTS, Primary students build independence, confidence and a genuine love for learning in a supportive bilingual environment. Our core learning pillars blend academic rigour with a strong life skills program, helping students develop social-emotional awareness, thrive through bilingual communication and form meaningful connections with peers around the world.

Academic achievement
Academic achievement

Enjoy personalized learning that continuously enhances knowledge, skills and understanding through tailored feedback and collaborative activities.

Life competencies
Life competencies

Gain essential life skills to thrive in academics, as well as careers and personal lives with HTS Life Skills Program.

Multilingualism
Multilingualism

Students fast-track fluency while continuing to grow in their home language, becoming confident bilinguals in English and Vietnamese.

International opportunities
International opportunities

Try global skill-building programs and activities that develop critical thinking, teamwork and leadership.

Duong  Quynh Bao Anh

I feel more confident speaking English every day

Duong Quynh Bao Anh, Year 5 Primary Student

When to enrol?

Hanoi Toronto School provides flexible enrolment for Primary School, delivering the Ontario Optimized Program entirely in English, complemented by Vietnamese language support. Our admissions team is here to support you in choosing the most suitable start date for your child’s academic path.

Enquire now

Explore HTS Primary School with Ontario Optimized program, bilingual support, STEAM and global connections.

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Accreditations