Academic Excellence Across Pathways: 2026 AP and IB Results

At Shanghai American School, students are no strangers to choice. AP or IB? As it turns out, “both” is also an acceptable answer. Whether they pursue Advanced Placement courses, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, or a carefully chosen combination of the two, students can build an academic pathway that reflects their strengths, interests, and ambitions.

Last school year, nearly 700 SAS students completed 1,947 AP exams, an increase of 279 exams from the year before. Even with the increased participation, the average AP score remained an impressive 4.3 out of 5. Students earned the highest possible score of 5 on 1,060 exams. Additionally, 97% of AP students earned a score of 3 or higher.

 

 

In the IB Diploma Programme, students achieved an average score of 37.2 out of 45, more than six points above the global average of 30.9. Two students earned an impressive 44 points. 35 students were awarded the IB Diploma, an impressive achievement in one of the world's most academically rigorous programs.

Individual IB subject results offer another compelling picture of student achievement. Students pursuing the full IB Diploma and those taking individual IB courses earned 63 subject grades of 7, the highest grade possible, with nearly two-thirds of all awarded subject grades earning a 6 or 7.   Across Environmental Systems and Societies, Mathematics, Biology, English, Music, Film, and Business Management, students achieved average grades at least one full point above their respective global averages, highlighting the breadth of academic excellence across disciplines.

 

 

These achievements reflect the strength and flexibility of the academic pathways available at SAS. As Renee Couturier, SAS's Head of Educational Programs, explains: "The strength of offering both AP and IB is the flexibility it gives our students. They can shape their own pathway to challenge themselves academically, build a strong foundation for university, and go deeper in the areas they are most curious and passionate about, whether that is the full IBDP Diploma, AP courses only, or a combination of both. "

There may be several ways to approach academic success at SAS, but the goal remains consistent: helping students challenge themselves, pursue their interests, and prepare for what comes next. Judging by this year's results, our students are making excellent use of their options.