YISS Celebrates its AP® Award Recipients

At Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS), two students have earned the Advanced Placement® (AP®) Capstone Diploma, and seven students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2018-19 school year. 

“We are proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma™ program, and we continue to look forward to providing students with opportunities to explore their passions while building college-level academic and collaboration skills,” said Dr. Aquil Bayyan, YISS High School Principal.

The AP Capstone Diploma program allows students to develop critical thinking, research, and presentation skills, both individually and as a team. Students conduct academic research on topics of personal interest in two interdisciplinary courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research CertificateTM, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Over 1,500 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2018-19 school year when approximately 7,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and 4,100 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.  

At YISS, students focused their research on a range of topics, including: the impact of migration on urban and rural settings, parental pressure and its psychological effects on international students in South Korea, the influence of child care on South Korea’s current fertility rate crisis, and the effects of academic pressure on international versus native Korean students, to name a few. 

“Congratulations to the AP Capstone award winners, who conduct, present, and defend academic research on topics they are passionate about,” said Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president of AP and Instruction. “Their ability to manage long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations will accelerate not only their academic careers but their professional careers as well.”

Of the students who participated in the AP program at Yongsan International School of Seoul:

• Two students were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. They are Sherly P. and Matthew M. K. 

• Seven students were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are Sneha A., Mia C., Jae Won C., Prachi D., Adeline K., Eliana K., and Maya R. 

• Thirty-four students were awarded AP Scholar with Distinction by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Six students in the YISS Class of 2020 earned this award. They are Jae Won C., Irene G., Eliana K., Matthew M. K., Joanne L., and Sean R.

• Twenty-two students were awarded AP Scholar with Honor by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Twelve students in the YISS Class of 2020 earned this award. They are Sneha A., Mia C.; Moonjoung C., Prachi D., Jayden K., Hannah L., Zach N., Paul O., Francis P., Joshua J. P., Maya R., and Kelly Y.

• Twenty-six students were awarded AP Scholar by earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Fourteen students in the YISS Class of 2020 earned this award. They are Seungmin B., Gabriella C., Sungyu C., Collin K., Eric K., TaeHyun K. Victor K., Doyoon L., Jasmine L., Kee Ryoung L., Annie N., Sungjin P., Hyunsuh R., and Jessica S. Two students in the YISS Class of 2021 earned this award. They are Dyanne A. and Hayong C.

The College Board Advanced Placement Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. A 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams, saving them time and money. Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align their high standards.