Posted On: 14 August, 2025
As parents, we all want our children to have access to the best educational opportunities—those that open doors to the world’s most prestigious universities. The Advanced Placement (AP) program is one of these “golden tickets.”
AP is a series of advanced high school courses designed to mirror the rigor of first-year university classes in the United States. Developed by the College Board (the same organization that administers the SAT), AP enables students not only to master in-depth academic content but also to earn university credits while still in high school—saving time, reducing tuition costs, and gaining a competitive edge in global admissions.
The AP program is offered at more than 20,000 high schools in the United States and around the world, with over 5.2 million AP exams taken each year. AP scores and credentials are recognized globally, reflecting academic excellence, critical thinking, research skills, and discipline—traits that top universities actively seek.
The AP Learning Pathway at TNIS
At True North International School (TNIS), students follow a carefully structured AP pathway:
Grade 9–10: Build strong academic foundations, analytical thinking, and research skills.
Grade 10–11: Begin selecting AP courses aligned with personal interests and future career goals.
Grade 11–12: Increase the number and difficulty of AP courses, preparing for the College Board exams in May.
TNIS offers a wide variety of AP courses spanning Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Languages, Arts, and Economics. Our 20 AP courses in AY 2024–2025 include:
AP Human Geography
AP World History
AP Psychology
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics 1
AP Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP Seminar
AP Statistics
AP Pre-Calculus
AP Calculus AB
AP Music Theory
AP Arts
AP Research
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Awards & Distinctions – Recognizing Academic Excellence
Students achieving exceptional results in AP exams may receive prestigious awards from the College Board:
1. AP International Diploma (APID)
An elite credential for students who excel in multiple AP subjects across diverse disciplines.
TNIS recipients: Ngô Gia Nghĩa, Phan Ngọc Vy, Lưu Tiến Minh Nghĩa.
2. AP Capstone Diploma
Awarded to students completing AP Seminar and AP Research plus four other AP courses. This program focuses on critical thinking, independent research, and presentation skills—key competencies for university and professional success.
TNIS recipient: Ngô Gia Nghĩa – achieved perfect 5s in all 10 AP exams, including AP Research.
3. AP Scholar Awards
AP Scholar: Score 3+ in at least 3 AP exams.
AP Scholar with Honor: Average score ≥ 3.25, with 3+ in at least 4 exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction: Average score ≥ 3.5, with 3+ in at least 5 exams.
Remarkable Growth at TNIS
In just three years, TNIS has transformed AP into one of the fastest-growing academic programs in Vietnam:
AP students: 9 ➡ 47 ➡ 96 (AY 2023–2024) – an increase of 422% in the first year and 104% in the next.
AP courses: 1 ➡ 6 ➡ 15 ➡ 20 (AY 2025–2026).
Average AP score: Consistently above 4.1/5.0—among the highest in Vietnam—calculated across all TNIS AP students, not just a select few.
Why AP at TNIS Stands Out
WASC Accreditation – guarantees that teaching quality, curriculum, and outcomes meet international standards.
STEM.org Certification – affirms TNIS’s strength in nurturing scientific thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Official AP & SAT Test Center – students can take their exams right on campus for maximum convenience and performance.
At TNIS, AP is not an exclusive challenge for a select few—it’s an opportunity for all TNISers to set ambitious goals, work hard, and achieve international standards. Under the guidance of world-class teachers, our students are empowered to excel academically and gain a strong advantage in admissions to top universities worldwide.
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