High school

Grade 9 – Grade 12

Mr. Andrew Ris

AIS High School Principal

“Welcome to High School at American International School! Across all grade levels, AIS provides a high-quality educational experience, preparing students academically and fostering positive citizens in their world. In High School, we have a broad range of programs and opportunities to further those important goals.”

First and foremost, we have an incredibly dedicated team of teachers, counselors and administrators all working together to provide challenging, college-preparatory academic options, with a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses. AIS graduates consistently are accepted and matriculate to some of the most well regarded colleges and universities in the United States and throughout the world.

Our teaching approach emphasizes inquiry and authenticity, supporting students to become critical and empowered thinkers. As an Apple Distinguished School, technology plays a powerful role in our learning environments and curricula. Students are expected to bring their own Apple devices, including at minimum a Macbook Air laptop to fully experience the opportunities we offer.

Learning never stops at the classroom door. Our high school students are involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from seasonal intramural to varsity level sports, visual and performing arts opportunities, and a host of other clubs or special interest organizations including Model United Nations, TED-Ed, Human Rights & Inclusive Club, Eco-Green Club, Engineering Club and elected student leadership roles with the Student Council, Athletic Council and the Prom & Graduation Committee.

Global citizenship has always been a key focus for our education programs. Through all grade levels, we encourage and provide opportunities for students to play an active and positive role in our society. As such, dedicated community service is a high school graduation requirement. Additionally, our Outdoor Education and Leadership Program (OELP) Service in Action Week ensures every high school student and teacher are involved in a week-long overseas or experiential learning trip. These experiences build cultural understanding, global connections and a service oriented mindset. Taking our high school students out of their familiar surroundings, develops deep and enduring understanding and appreciation for their responsibilities as global citizens. This is a hallmark experience of an AIS education.

AIS’ ability to provide all of the amazing opportunities for our impressive students is a credit to our exemplary teachers and staff. They model our core values; Justice, Knowledge, Love every day and build impactful and lasting bonds with our students. We are consistently recognized for the supportive learning environment and the strong sense of community. It is evident across our campus. We’re very proud of what we do, and we’ll be very happy to share more with you.

AIS high school program

Curriculum Overview

The AIS High School academic program is credit-based. High School students are expected to complete 4 years of full-time study, taking 7 courses per year. AIS does not offer half-credits. Please note that all courses are subject to maximum and minimum enrollment and that courses may be altered based on student demand.

Typically, freshmen (G9) and sophomores (G10) complete foundational courses in the core subjects together with initial credits in Visual & Performing Arts (VPA), Computer Science & Technology (CST), World Languages: French, Mandarin or Spanish (WL) and Physical Education & Health (PEH). Pre-AP level courses for students anticipating taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes are offered for suitably qualified students in G9, G10 and G11.

AIS HIGH school curriculum handbook

AIS High School Profile

Graduation Requirements

High School students must earn a minimum of twenty-four (24) Carnegie Credits to graduate with an AIS High School Diploma. College admission data suggests applications to university are enhanced if students complete 3 to 6 Advanced Placement (AP) course credits in a broad range of subjects. AIS has a rigorous college preparatory program, which requires students to successfully complete a minimum of five Grade 12 (4C or 5C) or AP course credits to meet graduation requirements.

Subject	Credits
English Literature	4
Mathematics	3
Science	3
Humanites & Social Studies	3
World Languages	2
Physical Education & Health	2
Visual & Performing Arts	2
Computer Science & Technology	2
Electives	3 – 7
Total (including Electives)	24 – 28

promotion requirements

Minimum Number of Academic Credits
Grade 9 5 Credits	Grade 10 11 Credits	Grade 11 18 Credits

Community Service REquirements

Community service hours must be completed with a registered charity or non-for-profit organization, and official letters must be submitted to prove the student’s voluntary work. We have a community service club that generates ideas for projects and activities for students to get involved in within our Hong Kong community. Students also complete a number of community service hours during their Outdoor Education & Leadership Program (OELP).

Minimum Number of Community Service Hours
Grade 9 10 Hours	Grade 10 10 Hours	Grade 11 20 Hours	Grade 12 20 Hours

PLEASE NOTE:

AIS High School students are required to take a full-time schedule of seven courses each academic year.
AIS only offers year-long credit courses. One credit is awarded for the successful completion of a full-year course.
Students transferring into AIS High School receive one AIS credit for successfully completing 140 hours of academic work at other accredited institutions.

College board Advanced Placement (AP)

AP Capstone™ Diploma

AIS was one of the first schools worldwide to offer the AP Capstone™ Diploma program. AP Capstone™ is based on two, year-long AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These courses are designed to complement other AP courses that the AP Capstone student may take.

Instead of teaching specific subject knowledge, AP Seminar and AP Research use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills students need for university-level work. Over the course of the two-year program, students analyze topics through multiple lenses to construct meaning and gain understanding, plan and conduct a study or investigation, collaborate to synthesize information and make cross-curricular connections, and propose solutions to real-world problems.

Students who earn scores of three (3) or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, and on four (4) additional AP Exams of their choosing, receive the AP Capstone Diploma™, valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.

As the name suggests, the AP program provides students with advanced placement at the university level, allowing students to earn university and college credits prior to beginning their program of study, providing our graduates with greater flexibility and choice at post-secondary institutions.