About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to encourage students to discover their strengths and pursue their interests while simultaneously building their life skills and developing them into compassionate citizens. We strive to provide a safe and loving environment, where students are confident in their learning and self discovery. We develop students to be independent and lifelong learners who respectfully engage with their communities, both locally and globally. Our hope is that all of our students grow up to be happy and valued human beings.
Our Philosophy
At Palm River Academy, we believe that the best learning occurs when students are actively engaged and deeply invested in their educational journey. Our teaching philosophy is rooted in the principles of play-based and project-based education, where the emphasis is on the learning process rather than solely on outcomes.
We adopt a holistic approach, integrating academic skills through theme-based activities that encourage exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving in imaginative and innovative ways. We create an environment that nurtures confidence and independence, allowing students to develop a strong sense of identity and a profound respect for their surroundings.
Our hands-on methodology is inspired by the idea that "play is the highest form of research," fostering an atmosphere where students can safely and creatively discover themselves and the world around them. By promoting a love for learning and encouraging critical and creative thinking, we aim to prepare our students for success in an ever-evolving global landscape.
In essence, our philosophy is to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the skills and mindset to thrive both academically and personally, making meaningful contributions to society.
The Palm River Vision
We aim to elevate teacher quality by attracting exceptional and passionate teachers to ensure the best possible education for our students. Additionally, we seek to enhance course offerings by expanding academic pathways, introducing specialized workshops and extracurricular activities to cater to individual interests and talents. Committed to improving teaching methods, we prioritize hands-on and project-based learning approaches, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity among students.
A Message From Our Founder
Ms. Luong Thanh Xuan
I'm Xuân, the founder of Palm River Academy, and I would like to share a bit about myself, my journey, and the creation of Palm River Academy.
Born in a small city in the North, I spent many years working in Hanoi as a high-ranking officer at a financial institution before relocating to Hội An, where I've been for the past decade. Despite these achievements, my life twisted and turned and led me to learn some essential lessons. Seventeen years ago, during my second pregnancy, I faced a life-threatening situation, that required an emergency room visit for both myself and my child. The fear of losing my child during that period and the extended hospital stay emphasized the simple happiness of having a healthy and complete child—my first lesson in appreciation.
My prematurely born daughter displayed signs of delayed language development, and by the age of five, her preschool teacher expressed concerns about her ability to enter first grade due to issues such as lack of focus, difficulty remembering songs or poems, sensitivity, easy crying, and a tendency to withdraw. - my second lesson on my life’s purpose.
This led me to immerse myself in education, gradually shifting my priorities to dedicate more time to my daughter’s learning journey. Over the past 11 years, I have explored diverse educational approaches, becoming one of the pioneers in Vietnam to implement STEM, project-based learning, homeschooling, and advanced education philosophies—my third lesson, an intensive crash course in educational development. Palm River Academy is the embodiment of all three lessons I have learned, and I am committed to applying them to benefit every student.
