SAS offers 29 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students who wish to pursue college-level study while they are still in high school. The AP program is a cooperative educational endeavor between high schools and colleges and universities. It gives students exposure to college-level material through involvement in an AP course, and gives them the opportunity to show what they have learned by taking an AP exam in May. Based on exam scores, students may be granted credit, advanced placement, or both at many US colleges or universities, as well as institutions outside the US. SAS gives more AP exams each year than any other school outside of the US with many SAS students annually recognized as AP Scholars due to their superior performance.

A student who wishes to enroll in AP courses will be expected to undertake rigorous and sophisticated assignments and to work independently. Most AP courses require multiple page papers and some research. It is important to be realistic about the level and number of AP courses a student can take and still be successful. While students can ultimately decide whether or not to take a particular AP course, they are advised to give serious consideration to the recommendations of their subject area teachers. At SAS, AP courses are given a 0.5 weighting in determining grade point average (GPA).

AP Honors Recognition

The College Board recognizes students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams each October. A large number of SAS students receive these awards each year. The award levels are as follows:

AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

AP Scholar with Honor: Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction: Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

AP International Scholar: Granted to the one male and one female student attending an American international school with the highest average grade on the greatest number of AP Exams.

AP International Diploma

The Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) certifies the achievement of successful AP candidates who are attending international schools. For students who plan to attend universities in Europe or in other countries where external examinations are required for admission, the Advanced Placement International Diploma may enhance a student’s chances of gaining admission.

The APID is frequently revised. For updated information, please consult the College Board's website. The APID has little relevance for SAS students who will be matriculating to North American colleges and universities. The award is not announced until September - well after students apply to colleges - so it has no relevance in the admission process.