American International School Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1986, American International School (AIS) is a private, independent, international school
in Hong Kong
serving families from local and international communities. 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.
school and was renamed American International School in 1996. Students come from diverse backgrounds, with over 40 nationalities represented. As of September 2011, AIS enrolls approximately 820 students and employs 70 faculty and staff.
The campus is located on 125 Waterloo Road in Kowloon Tong, distinctive by its red-bricked buildings. At the High School level, students pursue the Advanced Placement Examinations and the AIS High School Diploma.
In recent years AIS has undertaken significant 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 2, and a second new high school building. The new elementary school building including a full-size volleyball court and rooftop basketball court was completed and open in February, 2011. Since March 2011, all classrooms are installed with interactive white boards.
The school celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010-11 with a Silver Jubilee Gala Dinner in the Hong Kong Jockey Club and a Time Capsule Burial Ceremony in front of the elementary school building.
al: elementary school (early childhood 1 and 2, grade 1 Junior, grade 1-5), middle school (grade 6-8), 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 AIS student body. It is an elected group, each grade 9-11 homeroom selects one member, while grade 12 homerooms select two members. 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 color. 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 colors coming from the school emblem, as well as the American flag
. The three animals are the Blue Dragons, the White Tigers, and the Red Phoenix.
and SAT II
tests on campus.
The fee of a compulsory AIS High School Outdoor Education and Leadership Program (OELP), which varies from approximately HK$4,000 to HK$20,000, is not included in the school fee.
International school
An International school is loosely defined as a school that promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations, or by following a national...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
serving families from local and international communities. It delivers US standards-based educational program
Educational program
An educational program is a program written by the ministry of education which determines the learning progress of each subject in all the stages of formal education....
for students from early childhood through grade 12
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. AIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
(WASC), one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States.
History
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-profitNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
school and was renamed American International School in 1996. Students come from diverse backgrounds, with over 40 nationalities represented. As of September 2011, AIS enrolls approximately 820 students and employs 70 faculty and staff.
The campus is located on 125 Waterloo Road in Kowloon Tong, distinctive by its red-bricked buildings. At the High School level, students pursue the Advanced Placement Examinations and the AIS High School Diploma.
In recent years AIS has undertaken significant 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 2, and a second new high school building. The new elementary school building including a full-size volleyball court and rooftop basketball court was completed and open in February, 2011. Since March 2011, all classrooms are installed with interactive white boards.
The school celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010-11 with a Silver Jubilee Gala Dinner in the Hong Kong Jockey Club and a Time Capsule Burial Ceremony in front of the elementary school building.
Structure
The school is divided into three sections, all coeducationCoeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
al: elementary school (early childhood 1 and 2, grade 1 Junior, grade 1-5), middle school (grade 6-8), 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 AIS student body. It is an elected group, each grade 9-11 homeroom selects one member, while grade 12 homerooms select two members. 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 color. After 2004, the school began to make changes to the house system
House system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
based on homerooms in grades. The house system was changed into three competitive houses with animals and colors coming from the school emblem, as well as the American flag
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
. The three animals are the Blue Dragons, the White Tigers, and the Red Phoenix.
Academics
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. Annual standardized tests for all students from Grade 3 through Grade 11 take place in early spring. Advanced Placement (AP) examinations take place in May. Academic progress is reported formally each quarter when report cards and progress report cards are issued. AIS is an approved SAT Test Center allowing AIS high school students to take both SAT ISAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
and SAT II
SAT Subject Tests
SAT Subject Tests is the name for 20 multiple-choice standardized tests given on individual subjects, usually taken to improve a student's credentials for admission to colleges in the United States. Students typically choose which tests to take depending upon college entrance requirements for the...
tests on campus.
Tuition fees 2011-2012
Annual fees:- Early Childhood 1 (Half-Day): HK$58,500
- Early Childhood 2 (Full-Day) - Grade 2: HK$87,500
- Grade 3 - Grade 5: HK$92,200
- Grade 6 - Grade 8: HK$98,700
- Grade 9 - Grade 12: HK$108,200
The fee of a compulsory AIS High School Outdoor Education and Leadership Program (OELP), which varies from approximately HK$4,000 to HK$20,000, is not included in the school fee.
Notable alumni
- Stephanie CheStephanie CheStephanie Che is a Chinese actor and singer born on December 28, 1974 in Hong Kong. Che started her career as the winner of New Talent Singing Awards in 1992.-Filmography:-References:...
, actress and singer - Edelweiss CheungEdelweiss CheungEdelweiss Cheung was the winner of Miss Hong Kong 2008. Edelweiss Cheung was 22 years old and stood 180cm tall, being the tallest Miss Hong Kong since the titleholders of 1973....
, Miss Hong Kong 2008 - Dorian Ho, fashion designer
- Gigi LaiGigi LaiGigi Lai is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop singer. Lai was under a contract with the television station TVB and she retired in October 2008. She is popularly nicknamed by the Hong Kong media as the "Goddess of Beauty" ....
, actress - Teddy LoTeddy LoTeddy Lo is a Hong Kong and New York-based LED artist known for his work in the "tech-art" scene. He has held exhibitions in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Lo studied advertising design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he began exploring the use of...
, Hong Kong based LED artist prominent for tech-scene works. - Tamami OnoTamami OnoTamami Ono is a Japanese figure skater who competes for Hong Kong. She has competed for Hong Kong for her entire career. She is the 2005 & 2006 Hong Kong national champion and 2004 Junior national champion. She is a member of the Hong Kong national team....
, 2005 and 2006 Hong Kong national champion figure skater - Daniel ChanDaniel ChanDaniel Chan Hiu-tung, born on 3 September 1975 in Hong Kong, is a popular Hong Kong singer, songwriter, and actor. He is most notable as one of the young talents in the 1990s music scene.-Career:...
, Hong Kong pop-singer and actor