AP / IB Academic Courses
On top of the standard curriculum, The Duncan Academy offers two distinct advanced tracks — AP and IB — together with an AP / IB Elite stream, giving focused students a higher-level pathway to sharpen their academic edge.
AP and IB aren't simply "harder vs. easier" — they're two different academic directions. AP focuses on per-subject depth, letting students concentrate on areas tied to their intended major. IB emphasizes systematic learning, cross-disciplinary thinking, research, and academic writing. We work with each student — based on academic foundation, capability, and goals — to choose the path that fits.
AP — Advanced Placement
AP is administered by the College Board in the United States and is one of the most widely recognized advanced high-school course systems internationally. Students may take one or multiple AP courses to strengthen specific directions — engineering, computer science, business, math, or the sciences. Its flexibility makes it a strong fit for students who already have a clear direction and want to demonstrate deeper ability in selected subjects.
IB — International Baccalaureate
IB is a globally oriented, comprehensive curriculum that prioritizes balanced development across multiple disciplines. It emphasizes research, writing, presentation, and integrative thinking — closer in style to university-level study. For students with strong academic ability and adaptability, IB offers a more systematic form of advanced training.
Beyond AP and IB coursework, Duncan also offers the Elite Class for students ready to take on more demanding academic expectations. The point of the Elite Class isn't simply to crank up difficulty — it's to keep students improving steadily through key stages, supported by a clearer course plan, closer learning follow-up, and milestone-based feedback.
The Duncan Elite Class
In the Elite Class, students plan their progress around target universities and intended majors. We adjust course combinations, pacing, and milestone tasks based on each student's situation, and use ongoing feedback to help them sharpen how they study. For students aiming at top universities or in-demand programs — or simply wanting to show stronger academic ability in high school — this structure provides clearer, more targeted support.
AP — What Defines It
- Subject-by-subject choice, flexible combinations
- Strengthen specific majors / directions
- Builds subject depth and analytical ability
- Highly relevant to university admissions
- A good fit for students with a clear direction
IB — What Defines It
- Emphasizes cross-disciplinary and integrative ability
- Focus on research and academic writing
- A more systematic learning structure
- Closer in style to university-level study
- A good fit for students who want all-round growth
Who the Elite Class Is For
- Students aiming at top-tier universities
- Students planning to enter in-demand majors
- Strong academic base, ready to push further
- Students who benefit from a clearer plan and ongoing follow-up
Where the Elite Class Focuses
- AP / IB course reinforcement
- Advanced academic skill training
- Milestone-based goal management
- Small-class feedback and academic follow-up
- Top-school and in-demand-major application prep
- Both grades and capability — improved together
The point of studying AP / IB isn't simply taking on harder courses —
it's helping students build stronger academic ability along a path that fits them.