The International School Bangkok has been known for years for its strong focus on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Students who have chosen the IB pathway have often been recognized as most academically determined as they worked through such a rigorous program, which not only requires college-level courses but also immense critical thinking skills along with disciplinary learning and global awareness. But in the past few years, ISB has started to introduce and offer more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, giving ISB students more flexibility when choosing their high school academic pathway.
The introduction of more AP courses has enhanced academic flexibility for students at ISB. This is a priority that Dr. Sascha Heckmann, the head of school, sees as crucial for accommodating ISB’s diverse student body. “The vision for adding the Advanced Placement is to offer options for students to take two different externally examined programs that are internationally recognized by most universities,” he says. “This allows students to make choices about what best highlights their academic strengths to attain university admission at a school of their choice.”
While the transition initially raised some questions, he notes that “generally, the feedback has been very positive because people always appreciate choice.” According to Dr. Heckmann, by offering both IB and AP academic pathways, ISB aligns with the school’s “international American identity,” offering choices that meet the school’s mission for the student population. While the IB diploma program is still seen as extremely rigorous and highly respected, it is no longer the only pathway offered to ISB high school students.
Introducing the AP pathway has been a growing trend within international schools around the world. Different from the IB diploma, where students are required to take six two-year courses, AP courses are generally completed within a single year. This allows students to focus on subjects that align with their strengths and interests while still pursuing a more customized learning experience.
At ISB specifically, a significant number of students apply to universities all across the United States where AP courses are widely recognized and thoughtfully understood by admissions officers. While the IB diploma is definitely impressive, it is not always necessary for students who plan to attend schools in the U.S., as most universities accept AP credits, which can even give students the opportunity to graduate early from university.
A recent report from Ms. Justyna McMillan, dean of academics, shows a notable increase in the number of students students choosing AP courses at ISB. The class of 2026 currently has 105 students enrolled in pathways that include AP courses compared to the class of 2025, which only has 59 students enrolled in AP pathways. This data shows that with increased options for AP courses comes growing interest. The class of 2027 is likely to have an even larger number of students choosing an AP pathway as more courses are introduced.
For students like Alice Aas, a current junior taking on the full IB, the choice was more so influenced by her parents as well as her academic future. “My parents definitely had a say in it,” she says. “They think it will benefit me for university, and I agree with them because I want to go to Europe for university.” For students like Alice, the IB pathway is what will most benefit her when applying to university in Europe. When asked about what she thought of students who choose the hybrid pathway, she adds, “I think people used to think students taking the full IB were ‘smarter,’ but I’d say most people agree that’s not the case. We are all doing what’s best for us. I have friends who take AP courses, and they seem extremely challenging.”
For Asa Goodman, a current junior who moved to ISB for high school after growing up in the U.S., the hybrid pathway (a mix of both IB and AP courses) offers the flexibility he is interested in. “Since I’m going to the states for college, AP classes make a lot of sense,” Goodman says. “I like that they’re one-year courses. I can focus on a subject, earn college credit, and move on.” Asa mentions how he likes that he is able to mix challenging classes with subjects that interest him. “I get the chance to challenge myself with IB while still preparing for college in the U.S. through AP.”
ISB’s choice to offer both AP and IB courses reflects its mission to provide students with flexibility tailored to their academic strengths and future goals. As Dr. Heckmann explains, “The inclusion of AP courses is definitely aligned with what we believe. We want kids to have lots of options to explore their interests and their passions to become the best people they wish to be.” By adapting new academic offerings to meet the needs of the diverse student body, ISB remains true to its identity as an American-rooted school with an international outlook, ensuring every student has the opportunity to pursue their goals with the support of flexibility as needed.
