American International School Hong Kong

American International School

Justice, Knowledge and Love
Location
125 Waterloo Road,
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Hong Kong Hong Kong
Information
Type Private and independent
Established 1986
Head of school Cameron Fox
Grades Early Childhood to Grade 12
Website http://www.ais.edu.hk/
Campus

Founded in 1986, American International School (AIS; Chinese: 美國國際學校) 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. AIS is a member of the East Asian Regional Council of Schools, the College Board, and an international member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

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-profit school and was renamed American International School in 1996. Students come from diverse backgrounds, with over 40 nationalities represented.[1] As of August 2014,[2] AIS enrolls approximately 845 students and employs 70 faculty and staff.

The campus is located on 117–131 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. A new early childhood center on 131 Waterloo Road for the 3–5 years old was opened in August 2013. 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 coeducational: 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.[3]

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. 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 standardized 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 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 I and SAT II tests on campus.

Notable alumni

See also

References

External links

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