(SIS) — Saipan International School proudly announces that 26 of its students have earned an impressive 42 Advanced Placement or AP distinctions this year. Additionally, three-fourths of SIS students taking AP exams achieved scores of 3 or higher. Leading the way in their respective grade levels were Senior Tony Li with an average score of 4.43, Christian Newman (Grade 11) with an average score of 3.67, and Dong Hyun Lee (Grade 10) with an average score of 4.4.
These results underscore SIS’s commitment to academic excellence and its role as a leader in advanced education on the island. “This year set a record number of AP Scholars at SIS,” said Dr. Ron Snyder, Saipan International School headmaster. “Our offerings have increased to a total of 15 AP courses, which has helped our students achieve these distinctions. However, it is the students who have met the stringent requirements set by the College Board, and we are very proud of them and their achievements.”
SIS is also celebrating its recognition as the first AP Capstone Diploma school on the island, a prestigious honor reflecting the school’s dedication to providing rigorous academic programs. This year, 22 SIS students successfully passed the AP Research course, making it the largest class of AP Research students to date, further highlighting the students’ hard work and the school’s supportive learning environment. The AP Capstone program, an innovative diploma program created by the College Board, emphasizes research, collaboration, and communication skills. It consists of two courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.
AP Capstone Courses
1) AP Seminar. In this course, students explore various academic and real-world issues through an interdisciplinary lens. They analyze information from multiple sources, develop arguments, and present their findings. The course assessment includes a team project, an individual research-based essay and presentation, and an end-of-course exam.
2) AP Research. Building on skills developed in AP Seminar, students in AP Research design, plan, and conduct a year-long research project on a topic of their choice. They produce a 4,000-5,000 word academic paper and present and defend their research findings to a panel. There is no exam for AP Research; the assessment is based on the paper and presentation.
AP Distinctions Earned
AP Scholar
Awarded to students who score 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
• Serin Chung, 12th Grade
• Martha M. Culp, 11th Grade
• Jiho Kong, 10th Grade
• Seohee Lee, 12th Grade
• Charlie Wei Li, 11th Grade
• John A. Linden, 12th Grade
• Claire S. Park, 12th Grade
• Yelin Park, 12th Grade
• Yebin Shin, 12th Grade
• Charlene T. Son, 11th Grade
• Hangyeol Son, 11th Grade
• Ian J. Song, 11th Grade
• Elizabeth N. Tom, 11th Grade
• Jinhee Woo, 11th Grade
AP Scholar with Honor
Awarded to students who score an average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
• Stephanie Kim, 12th Grade
• Kyle M. Kramer, 11th Grade
• Li Sha Lai, 12th Grade
• Dong Gyu Lee, 10th Grade
AP Scholar with Distinction
Awarded to students who score an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
• Dong Hyun Lee, 10th Grade
• Tony Li, 12th Grade
• Milarose Jeanne M. Magno, 11th Grade
• Christian F. Newman, 11th Grade
• Angel M. Yu, 12th Grade
AP Capstone Diploma
Awarded to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP exams.
• Serin Chung, 12th Grade
• Stephanie Kim, 12th Grade
• Li Sha Lai, 12th Grade
• Milarose Jeanne M. Magno, 11th Grade
• Christian F. Newman, 11th Grade
• Claire S. Park, 12th Grade
• Yebin Shin, 12th Grade
AP Seminar and Research Certificate
Awarded to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research. The 11th-grade students still have the chance to earn the AP Capstone Diploma by completing all of the requirements in their 12th-grade year.
• Martha M. Culp, 11th Grade
• Junghyun Hwang, 12th Grade
• Kyle M. Kramer, 11th Grade
• Yelin Park, 12th Grade
• Soledad T. Sablan, 11th Grade
• Charlene T. Son, 11th Grade
• Hangyeol Son, 11th Grade
• Ian J. Song, 11th Grade
• Elizabeth N. Tom, 11th Grade
• Jinhee Woo, 11th Grade
• Jacky Zhen, 11th Grade
AP International Diploma
The AP International Diploma or APID is a globally recognized certificate awarded to students who wish to pursue university studies outside their home country or demonstrate a strong international academic background.
To earn the APID, students must fulfill the following requirements:
1) Global Perspective. Score a 3 or higher on two AP exams from two different world languages or one AP world language exam and one AP English exam.
2) Science or Math. Score a 3 or higher on one AP exam in either science or mathematics.
3) Global Studies. Score a 3 or higher on one AP exam from the history and social sciences category, in courses that demonstrate a global perspective. At SIS, this includes AP Human Geography and AP Macroeconomics.
4) Additional Exams. Score a 3 or higher on one or two additional AP exams, not already used to meet the criteria above, for a total of five AP exams.
The APID was awarded to:
• Serin Chung, 12th Grade
For more information about Saipan International School and its programs, visit www.saipaninternationalschool.com or contact the office at (670) 288-9660. Enrollment is open.
About Saipan International School
Saipan International School is a premier educational institution committed to providing a rigorous academic curriculum that prepares students for success in higher education and beyond. With a focus on excellence, innovation, and global citizenship, SIS nurtures students to become leaders in their communities and the world.
