American International School Hong Kong

American International School
美國國際學校
Location
Map
125 Waterloo Road,
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon

Hong Kong
Coordinates22°19′53″N 114°10′42″E / 22.33139°N 114.17832850000002°E / 22.33139; 114.17832850000002
Information
TypePrivate and independent
MottoNone
Established1986
Head of schoolAnita Simpson
GradesEarly childhood to Grade 12
Average class size20
Websitehttp://www.ais.edu.hk/
American International School Hong Kong
Traditional Chinese美國國際學校
Simplified Chinese美国国际学校
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMěiguó Guójì Xuéxiào
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingmei5 gwok3 gwok3 zai3 hok6 haau6

The American International School (AIS; Chinese: 美國國際學校) is a private, independent, international school in Hong Kong founded in 1986. It delivers US standards-based educational program for students from early childhood through grade 12. AIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. It is also a member of the East Asian Regional Council of Schools, the College Board, and an international member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

It is in Kowloon City District.[1]

History

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The American International School was founded as the California International School in 1986. It initially enrolled 50 students. It changed its status to a not-for-profit school and was renamed American International School in 1996. The school has less than 40 nationalities represented.[2] As of August 2014,[2] AIS enrols approximately 845 students and employs 90 faculty and staff.

The campus is located on 117–131 Waterloo Road in Kowloon Tong. At high school level, students pursue the Advanced Placement Examinations and the AIS High School Diploma.

In recent years, the AIS has undertaken campus redevelopment projects. In the spring of 2005, Phase 1 of the new high school campus was finished, followed two years later with the completion of Phase 1, consisting of a high school building. The new elementary school building includes a small volleyball court and rooftop basketball court, and was completed and inaugurated in February 2011. A new early childhood centre on 131 Waterloo Road for the 3–5 years old was opened in August 2013. Since March 2018, all classrooms have boards.

The school celebrated its Silver Jubilee 25th anniversary in 2010–2011 with a gala at the Hong Kong Jockey Club ballroom.

Structure

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The school is divided into three sections, all coeducational: elementary school (early childhood 1 and 2, grade 1 Junior, grade 1–4), middle school (grade 5–8), and high school (grade 9–12). Each section of the school has its own principal and administration, while the entire school is overseen by the Head of School.

The High School Student Council (SC) represents the student body. It is an elected group, in which each grade 9-12 homeroom selects one member, and leadership positions are elected within the council. The SC meets regularly with a faculty advisor to address student concerns and issues.

AIS has created house activities, causing rivalries in the school in competing in sports-based and academic-based activities. Before the 2003–2004 year, AIS had four houses determined by colour. After 2004, the school began to make changes to the house system based on homerooms in grades. The house system was changed into three competitive houses with animals and colours coming from the school emblem, as well as the flag of the United States. The three houses are the Blue Dragons, the White Tigers, and the Red Phoenix.[3]

Academics

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High school students attend four academic years and must earn a minimum of 24 Carnegie Credit Units to graduate with an AIS High School Diploma. AIS students are actively involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. The school offers an extensive range of opportunities including seasonal inter-mural and varsity sports, visual and performing arts, and special interest clubs including Model United Nations, Global Issues and student government.[4] Every year, the standardised Iowa Tests of Basic Skills are taken by all students from Grade 3 through Grade 11 in early spring. Advanced Placement (AP) examinations take place in May. Academic progress is reported formally each trimester when report cards and progress report cards are issued. AIS is an approved SAT Test Centre allowing AIS high school students to take the SAT test on campus.

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kowloon City District Map" (PDF). Electoral Affairs Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b "AIS Profile | American International School". Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  3. ^ "House Program | American International School". Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Extracurricular Program Overview | American International School". Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  5. ^ 15 August 2009, Singtao Weekly
  6. ^ "YOG of the week: Yvette Kong Man-yi". 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  7. ^ "大熱港姐為愛轉校 張舒雅棄英投美黐情郎", Apple Daily, 9 May 2008, archived from the original on 24 July 2011, retrieved 22 January 2010
  8. ^ Education section, 14 June 2003, South China Morning Post
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