American International School on the success of Advanced Placement Programs

Looking for an international school that prepares your high school student for success in universities around the world? Look no further than the American International School in Hong Kong (AIS).

Centrally located in Kowloon Tong, the American International School has provided a rigorous academic program to local and international students since 1986. Each year, AIS graduates are accepted to prestigious universities in the United States and around the world. AIS boasts a family-oriented, close-knit school community where students, parents, and teachers share a sense of belonging and purpose.

Advanced Placement Program

In the High School division,AIS offers the Advanced Placement (AP) Program, a rigorous academic program that allows students to take university-level courses while still in high school. 

The AP Program is run by the College Board, a U.S. non-profit organization that also administers the SAT and other standardized tests. By taking AP courses, students have the opportunity to earn university credit, and demonstrate their readiness for university-level work. 

As part of the school’s commitment to providing a challenging and well-rounded education, AIS offers over 20 AP courses in a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, Science, English, History, Computer Science, Art, Music and World Languages. AP courses are designed to be challenging and rigorous, and cover material that is equivalent to what would be taught in a first-year university course.

At the end of an AP course, students have the opportunity to take an AP exam, which is a standardized test that measures their mastery of the course material. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with a score of 3 or higher generally considered a passing score. 

In the 2022 AP Exams, 125 AIS students took a total of 319 exams, with 85% scoring a 3 or better on their exams. 100% of students in AP English Literature and Composition, AP Physics 2: Algebra Based, AP Chinese Language and Culture, and AP Art and Design received a score of 4 or 5. Our AIS Art program has even had two students receive perfect scores on the AP 2-D Art and Design exam: Yuki Ji (2022) and Scarlett Huang (2018).

Depending on the university and the course, a passing score on an AP exam can earn a student course credit or advanced standing, which means they may be able to skip introductory courses and move directly into more advanced classes. AP courses can also help students stand out in the university admissions process, as admissions officers often view AP courses as a sign of academic rigor and motivation. 

But the benefits of the AP Program goes beyond just university admissions. AP courses challenge students to think critically, analyze complex problems, and write effective analyses–all valuable skills that will serve students well in university and in their future careers. The school’s experienced teachers are passionate about their subjects and dedicated to helping students succeed in their AP courses.

AP Capstone

As part of the AP Program, AIS also offers AP Capstone, which is designed to provide high school students with a rigorous, university-level research and inquiry-based learning experience. The AP Capstone program is unique in that it allows students to explore their interests and passions while developing the skills necessary for success in university and in their future careers.

In the first year of the program, students take AP Seminar, which is a team-based course that focuses on developing students’ critical thinking, research, and presentation skills. Students are required to work collaboratively on a team project that culminates in a presentation and defense of their findings.

In the second year of the program, students take AP Research, which is a more individualized course that allows students to design, plan, and conduct a year-long research project on a topic of their choice. 

Students are expected to produce a written thesis and deliver an oral defense of their research project. In 2021, AIS student Nicholas Wong received a perfect score of 5 for his research paper and presentation, and went on to publish his paper “The Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Glucose Respiration of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae” in the Youth Medical Journal.  

At AIS, the team understands the importance of preparing students for success in universities around the world. That’s why they offer the AP Program and the AP Capstone program – to help students reach their full potential and achieve their academic and career goals.

If you’re interested to learn more about the AP Program and the AP Capstone program at AIS, or for information about applying for enrollment, please visit ais.edu.hk and fill out an online inquiry form to request more information or to schedule a visit to the school. 

The admissions office at AIS is always happy to answer any questions you may have and to provide you with more information about the school’s programs and offerings.