SAS Outpaces Global Averages in AP and IB Results
At Shanghai American School, high school students have more than one road to success. They can pursue the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma Program, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), or even a carefully balanced combination of both AP and IB courses. Whichever path they choose, our teachers and college counselors guide them every step of the way, and last year’s results show just how far those paths can lead.
Last school year, over 600 SAS students tackled almost 2,000 exams across the AP and IB programmes. For AP, students took 1,668 exams across a wide range of subjects, earning an average score of 4.3, well above the global mean of 3.1. SAS students scored a perfect score of 5 on 955 exams! 97% of AP students earned a score of 3 or higher, which comfortably exceeded the global pass rate.
In the IB Diploma Programme, graduates achieved an average score of 37.5 out of 45 maximum points, nearly 7 points above the global average of 30.6, and achieved a 100% pass rate. 21 students scored 40 or higher with two earning a perfect 45 – a rare feat in the IB world!
Whether a student chooses AP, IB, or a hybrid of both at SAS, the individualized pathways we offer ensure that each learner can follow what best supports their growth and goals. As Renee Couturier, SAS’s Head of Educational Programs, explains: “For some students, AP or IB is the best fit for them. But for others, choosing a combination gives them the best of both worlds. This pathway allows students to push themselves academically while building broad foundations for university and tailoring their learning to their passions.”
That flexibility is what draws several students to a hybrid path. As Jasmine Zhang, a recent graduate, shared: “I cultivated a mixed curriculum to get both depth and breadth in my education. For example, over the two-year program, I took psychology and biology in IB so that I could be exposed to real-life applications and case studies in these disciplines that I am more interested in. For disciplines I was less interested in, like English and math, I took AP so that I could still understand the major concepts.”
No matter what path a student chooses, the aim is the same: building knowledge, sharpening skills, and finding the right balance between challenge and opportunity. Our students’ achievements are a testament to their effort as well as the flexibility and breadth of the SAS academic options available. The high scores are just the well-earned bonus points.
