(SIS) — Saipan International School has released its 2025 Advanced Placement or AP exam results, marking a year of exceptional academic achievement. SIS students earned an all-time high 87% pass rate (scores of 3 or higher) and the school received Platinum-level recognition, the highest distinction on the College Board AP School Honor Roll. This is the second year in a row that SIS has earned Platinum-level recognition.
During the 2025 testing cycle, 64 SIS students completed 157 AP exams across sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the AP Capstone program. The 87% success rate represents a substantial increase from last year’s 74% and places SIS well above national averages. Across the United States, AP pass rates typically range from 60–65%, with high-performing schools often reaching the 70–80% range.
Twenty-eight students at SIS were also named AP Scholars. Earning AP Scholar with Distinction were Irin Chung, Jiho Kong, Dong Gyu Lee, Dong Hyun Lee, Charlie Li, Christian Newman and Victor Nash Santos. Asa Backe, Kyle Kramer and Milarose Magno were named Scholars with Honor. Rounding out the scholar list by earning the AP Scholar award were Jungwon Huh, Omari Joab, Scarlett Kim, Kwangee Lim, Eva Lizunova, Irene Park, Jeongbin Park, Charlene Son, Hangyeol Son, Ian Song, Will Sosa, Jinhee Woo, Sui Yi, Joshua Yoo, Jason Yu, Jacky Zhen, and Zi Hao Zhou. Completing this year’s distinctions, Kyle Kramer, Hangyeol Son and Elizabeth Tom earned the AP Capstone Diploma.
In addition to exam performance, SIS earned Platinum recognition by exceeding the College Board’s minimum benchmarks across all three evaluation categories used to assess AP programs. To qualify for Platinum status, schools must meet or exceed 80% in College Culture, 50% in College Credit, and 15% in College Optimization, demonstrating both strong student outcomes and responsible program design.
SIS surpassed each of these benchmarks by a wide margin, earning a 100% score in College Culture, well above the 80% minimum, reflecting a schoolwide commitment to fostering a strong college-going culture. In the College Credit category, SIS earned 80%, exceeding the 50% requirement and aligning closely with the school’s exceptionally high AP exam success rate. SIS also earned 48% in College Optimization, more than triple the 15% minimum, demonstrating thoughtful expansion of AP access while maintaining appropriate course placement and student readiness.
Together, these results show that SIS not only meets — but comfortably exceeds — the College Board’s expectations for its highest level of recognition, balancing access, rigor, and student success.
“These achievements reflect the dedication of our students and teachers and the value of sensible, long-term planning,” said Martin Jambor, headmaster of Saipan International School. “The consistency of these results shows that SIS has built strong academic systems that support students while challenging them to perform at a high level.”
Reflecting on the groundwork laid during the prior administration, Dr. Ron Snyder, headmaster during the 2024–25 school year, added, “Our focus was on building sustainable structures that aligned access with readiness. Seeing students succeed at this level confirms that thoughtful planning and steady improvement truly matter.”
Over the past three years, SIS has implemented research-informed improvements to academic policies, including refined course sequencing, strengthened student supports, closer alignment with AP standards, and sustained professional development for faculty. This year, SIS also implemented a full suite of pre-AP courses. These efforts have directly contributed to improved student outcomes and national recognition.
SIS is the CNMI’s first AP Capstone school and continues to serve as a regional leader in college-preparatory education. With a comprehensive selection of AP courses and a mission-driven faculty, SIS prepares students to succeed in universities around the world.
For more than three decades, Saipan International School has provided a rigorous, internationally minded education grounded in academic excellence, character development, global citizenship, and supportive learning environments. The 2025 AP exam results and Platinum-level recognition reaffirm SIS’s position as one of the premier college-preparatory schools in the Western Pacific.
