Awards and Special Recognition

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Students who achieve excellence in various areas of school life are recognized each year. A student receives a personal letter of acknowledgement from the Principal.

Honor Roll

Determined each year using the final course grades. This award requires that a student has no D or F grades and GPA that year of between 3.5 - 3.99. A minimum of five letter grades is necessary to quality for recognition.

Head of School Commendation

Determined each year using the final course grades. This award requires a GPA that year of 4.0. A minimum of five letter grades is necessary to quality for recognition.

Dragon Spotlight Awards

Name of Award	Description
Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award	The Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award was established in 2006 during the school's 40th Anniversary to recognize the tremendous service of Bob Christian, the first Head of School for HKIS. The award is presented annually to the Alumnus/Alumna making a significant contribution to the HKIS community, local community or the broader community of which they are part of and bettering the lives of those around them while living our Mission Statement and SLRs.
PFO Merit Scholarship	This year, the HKIS PFO recognises 5 Grade 12s and 5 Grade 11s who have exhibited exemplary commitment in the specific areas of the SLRs, and have worked to provide a lasting and meaningful contribution to the HKIS school community.
Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award	The Bausch and Lomb award is an award for an outstanding grade 11 student in the field of Science. Winners of the Honorary Science Award are automatically considered for four-year scholarships at the University of Rochester. The student chosen has to meet strict criteria, which includes completion of advanced studies in science, outstanding academic excellence, and behavior indicative of Rochester’s and Bausch and Lomb’s commitment to scientific study.
Rensselaer Medal Award	Founded in 1824, Rensselaer is the oldest technological institution in North America, and it is located in the Capital Region of New York State. This prestigious grade 12 award has been awarded since 1916 to one student in any given high school and is designed to recognize that student’s strength and success in the fields of mathematics and science. Medalists who apply, are admitted to, and enroll at Rensselaer are awarded a scholarship worth $40,000 per year.
Sir Edward Youde Memorial Prizes	This award is given each year to one or possibly two seniors based on their all-around potential, including academic performance, personality and conduct, talent and special skills, participation in extra-curricular activities and/or contribution to the well-being of the community. There is a cash prize of $1,000.
The AmCham Charitable Foundation Prize Book Award	Recognition of a local Hong Kong Grade 11 student who combines excellence in scholarship with achievements in community service and leadership.
National Merit Scholarship Finalist(s) (Not included in the Dragon Spotlight Awards Ceremony)	Each year around 1.5 million Juniors enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October. A finalist is among the top 1% of all who entered into this competition. Finalists demonstrate distinguished performance and high potential for future academic accomplishment.
EARCOS Global Citizenship Award	The EARCOS Global Citizen award is presented to a Grade 11 student who embraces the qualities of a global citizen. This student is a proud representative of their nation while respectful of the diversity of other nations. This student: has an open mind, is well-informed, aware, and empathetic, and is concerned and caring for others. encourages a sense of community and is strongly committed to engagement and action to make the world a better place. interacts and communicates effectively with people from all walks of life while having a strong sense of collective responsibility
Ambassador Board Leadership	The Ambassador board plays an important role in the culture of the High School. In addition to close collaboration with the HKIS Admissions office and the HS Leadership Team to host tours and panels, they serve as connectors for the student community including supporting new students in understanding the wide range of opportunities available to them in the High School. As leaders on the Ambassador Board, much is expected. Not only superb skills of organization and negotiation, but humor, grace under pressure and understanding that even on their worst days, they serve as role models for the community and as such must always endevor to model the values of Hong Kong International School.
SDLT Leadership	The mission of Student Digital Leadership Team (SDLT) is to enrich the educational experience of HKIS learning community, empowering them to be better users of technology. This award is given to student leaders who demonstrated leadership in achieving such goal in the team.
National Honor Society Leadership	The National Honor Society serves to recongnize students who demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. The mission of the HKIS chapter is to provide service back to the HKIS community. This award is presented to the NHS chapter leaders who support all chapter initatives, model strength in character, and exemplify service in action through their contributions to our school.
International Thespian Society Leadership	The International Thespian Society (ITS), founded in 1929, is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students located at more than 4,900 affiliated secondary schools across America and abroad. The mission of ITS is to honor student achievement in the theatre arts.
Orientale Editors- in-Chief	Editors-in-Chief of Orientale (Yearbook) working team.
Student Senate EXCO	The mission of the High School Executive Council is to enhance the educational experience provided by the Hong Kong International School. The Student leaders endeavor to represent all aspects of student interest and concern. By providing a forum whereby students have the opportunity to voice their opinions, they encourage effective and responsible action in response to school issues and are dedicated to fulfilling the school’s mission statement.
Class Officers - Grade 9	Class officers serve their grade-level community. Voted in annually, they are responsible for advocating for the needs of their peers within the wider senate, and foster spirit and connection among the class.
Class Officers - Grade 10	The Grade 10 Class Officer team.
Class Officers - Grade 11	The Grade 11 Class Officer team.
Class Officers - Grade 12	The Grade 12 Class Officer team.
Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities	The Humanities Award is given to an outstanding and inspirational student who has shown excellence in the study of the humanities. This individual: exemplifies a passion for learning about our world through multiple disciplines in the Humanities, including literature, history, geography, economics, psychology, political science, and/or religious studies—all the ways of knowing we explore in our varied courses models positive and productive leadership and collaboration skills that foster community-building and inclusiveness demonstrates mastery in academic skills such as persuasive writing, textual analysis, presentation, and discussion exhibits a depth of knowledge, astute critical thinking skills, and sophistication in their understanding of course content makes connections across disciplines in meaningful and insightful ways
Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics	Awarded to an 11th or 12th grade student who demonstrates a passion for learning mathematics. This person has a natural understanding and knowledge of the subject, is a problem solver and has an intellectual curiosity that drives a need to understand.
Outstanding Achievement in Mandarin	Given to a student who is passionate about learning Chinese and Chinese culture, exhibits resilience in the face of challenges and strives for excellence.
Outstanding Achievement in French or Spanish	French: This award is made annually to a student who: sustains dedication over his/her time at HKIS and extracurricular activities in French (peer tutoring member and then Leader) challenges himself/herself outside the regular course structure is a mentor to other students exhibits resilience in the face of challenges strives for excellence demonstrates cross-culturalism Spanish: Given to a student who strives for excellence, challenges himself/herself outside the regular course structure, exhibits resilience in the face of challenges, and demonstrates cultural awareness.
National Spanish Examinations	The National Spanish Examination (NSE) is a motivational contest to recognize student achievement and proficiency in the study of Spanish. This test has been given voluntarily by about 4,000 middle and high school teachers throughout the United States since 1957.
Outstanding Achievement in Physical Education	Given to a male and female student who exhibits exceptional commitment, passion, and dedication to the pursuit of physical education. These students model our independent physical fitness ethic and our full value contract.
Leadership in Technology Award	This award goes to a student who exemplifies innovation and leadership in technology.
Senior Science Scholar	This award goes to student(s) who exemplify the attributes of a scientist in their curiosity, enthusiasm, collaborative efforts and academic excellence in all sciences.
Outstanding Achievement in the Theatre Arts	The recipients of the HKIS Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Arts exemplifies the best traits of a theatre artist: professionalism, collaboration, and resilience. The recipients of this award have worked either as a performer, an assistant director, a leader and/or technician the Dragon Theatre Department at Hong Kong International School. The recipents of this award have made lasting, positive contributions to the Dragon Theatre department and have been highly involved in all aspects of the department.
Visual Arts Award	The Visual Arts department annually recognizes achievement as evidenced by a student's passion, motivation and creative excellence in a variety of courses.
National School Choral Award	The National School Choral Award is an internationally recognized honor. This award is the highest honor for high school choral performer. It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top choral student. The honoree must have participated in the ensemble for a minimum of three years. He/she is chosen for his/her loyalty and cooperation to the ensemble, and his/her continued desire to improve both individually and as an ensemble.
National School Orchestra Award	The National School Orchestra Award is an internationally recognized honor. This is the highest honor you can bestow upon a member of the high school orchestra to recognize excellence in playing and contributions to the ensemble. The honoree has participated in the ensemble for a minimum of three years. The student is chosen for his/her loyalty and cooperation to the ensemble, and his/her continued desire to improve both individually and as an ensemble.
John Philip Sousa Award	The John Philp Sousa Award is an internationally recognized honor. This award is the pinnacle of achievement in a high school band. Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. It was created with the approval of Helena Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster. The honoree has participated in the ensemble for a minimum of three years. The student is chosen for his/her loyalty and cooperation to the ensemble, and his/her continued desire to improve both individually and as an ensemble.
James D. Langford Memorial Award for Excellence in Arts	The James D Langford Award is granted to a student who has participated in at least three fine arts areas in high school. The student must make a significant contribution in at least two of those areas.
Senior Awards - Leadership	This Leadership award is voted by the graduating class and awarded to the senior who has most exemplified the qualities of a servant leader; among them stewardship, awareness, persuasion, empathy, and building community.
Senior Awards - Outstanding Service to HKIS	Voted by the graduating class and awarded to the grade 12 student who has selflessly contributed time, energy, and talents to the school community across the course of their high school career at HKIS.
Senior Awards - Scholar	Voted by the faculty and given to a student of the graduating class whose academic work reflects consistent effort, thoroughness of preparation, concern for learning itself, and a positive regard for scholarship.
Julia & Griffin Lee Spirit Award	In the spring of 2015, the entire Lee family died tragically in a car accident. Griffin was a member of the class of 2015 and Julia was from the class of 2012. Griffin and Julia were both heavily involved in the community and added a spirit of fun and excitement to everything they did. Each year the Senior class selects someone from their class that embodies the spirit of Griffin and Julia.
Spiritual Community Award	The Spiritual Community Award recognizes student leadership in the area of spirituality. This honoree has demonstrated spiritual leadership at HKIS helping build a community that is grounded in the Christian faith while respecting the spiritual lives of all.
Athletics & Team Sport Leadership Awards	This award is given to two of our top athletes who were able to show their dedication and leadership in our renewed HKIS Athletic teams. HKIS recognizes their leadership, and enthusiasm as well as their stewardship in helping to ignite, inspire and define our HKIS Dragon spirit. We commend their efforts and celebrate their accomplishments!