What will happen when this top British school introduces a U.S. University Pathway?
Harrow Shanghai has officially launched its AP courses.
In response to the insights gained from both current and prospective families regarding their demand for diverse educational pathways and US university preparation, Harrow Shanghai has introduced a US university pathway programme. This makes it the first fully international school in Shanghai to implement the “UK-US integrated curriculum” model.
Head Master, Harrow Shanghai ,Alex Reed said, we listen to the needs and aspirations of Harrow families and understand what matters most to them. With this in mind, we have built on the strengths of Harrow’s traditional British curriculum and introduced an innovative new approach. The British curriculum is known for its depth, and the American system can offer a little something extra to our parents. In this way, we provide students with greater challenges and a wider range of pathways, strengthening their competitiveness for applications to top universities worldwide and supporting their journey from Harrow Shanghai to leading institutions in the US, the UK, and beyond.
Building on the foundation of the British National Curriculum, IGCSE, and A Level programmes, the school has introduced additional offerings tailored to students aiming for US university admissions. These include Advanced Placement (AP) courses, SAT preparation, and courses on American culture, politics, and leadership for students in Years 6 to Year 13. This dual UK-US curriculum allows students to engage with both educational systems simultaneously.
All students continue with the British curriculum as their educational foundation.
Year 6 – Year 9
New courses on American culture, politics, and leadership.
Year 10 – Year 13
Students can choose up to three Advanced Placement (AP) subjects from a range of 6–7 options, with four days of after-school study each week. They can also take SAT preparation courses and sit the SAT exam on campus.
Students can enrich their personal portfolios with the “Harrow Diploma”, gained through extracurricular activities, competitions, visits, and internship experience.
We offer 7 AP subjects,Calculus AB, Calculus BC, English Literature and Composition, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and U.S. Government and Politics.
A Levels VS AP
A Levels are the best academic preparation for university in the world.
Highest level of content challenge in each subject
Most targeted course available: you can choose exactly the 3 or 4 subjects you want to study
Most rigorous and well-established course structures: 70 years of excellence
The UK’s “Gold Standard”
AP courses can give our ambitious children an extra edge.
Creative courses that overlap but cover additional content
Understood and accepted by all US universities
Accepted for course credit at US universities
Q
Instead of following a single curriculum, what are the benefits of studying both A Level and AP courses for students applying to US universities?
A
A Level remains our core curriculum. It is the perfect curriculum for entry to universities in all countries. A limited number of AP courses, as an optional extra, helps our pupils demonstrate that they are completely ready for US university courses.
Q
What kind of students are best suited for this combined academic curriculum?
A
A Level are our core curriculum. The optional AP course is for pupils who are doing well academically in their A Levels and may wish to apply for US universities.
Q
What is the counsellors’ experience and track record in placing students in top universities?
A
Our counsellors have placed pupils in the very best UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, and also in a number of Ivy League universities and University of California universities, as well as Stanford.
Q
Are the AP teachers certified by the College Board? What are the qualifications and experience of the SAT instructors?
A
All AP teachers will have certified College Board training, and will be Harrow Shanghai certified too. The SAT instructors come with a great deal of tutoring experience and references.
Q
What is Harrow Shanghai’s success rate in placing students in their first-choice universities?
A
Exceptional! Successful Oxbridge candidates every year. G5 and Russell Group placements for nearly all pupils. Top Arts universities in the US and UK. And, yes, top US and Canadian universities too. Also top Hong Kong and Australian universities.
On the day of launch, Harrow Shanghai celebrated its heritage of excellence with a Seal Conferment Ceremony.
A Governor from Harrow School in the UK presented Harrow Shanghai with a commemorative seal during the ceremony. This ceremony highlighted the strong bonding and connections between the schools.
The event featured student performances, including orchestral and The Bluer Band pieces, a choir by Primary pupils, Guzheng solo and speeches that showcased their talents, knowledge and global perspective.
Dr. Rosanna Wong, Chairman of Asia International School Limited (AISL), Ms. Valerie Chiu, Director of AISL, along with the AISL educational team, officers from the Pudong Education Bureau and Sunland Wai Gao Qiao Group, industry representatives, and Harrow parents and students, together celebrated this historic occasion.
