ACS (Independent) IP: 2025 IB Pathway & Talent Programmes

Q: What does ACS (Independent)’s IP guide cover?
A: A quick look at ACS(I)’s six-year pathway into the IB Diploma Programme, the school’s flagship talent programmes, and the latest DSA-Sec update for Year 1/3 entry.

TL;DR
• ACS(I)’s Integrated Programme is a six-year track leading directly to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); IP students skip the O- and A-Levels (except Mother Tongue) and are expected to commit to the full duration, with transfers to other IP schools strongly discouraged (Integrated Programme page).
• Students can join at Year 1 or Year 3 before progressing to the IBDP in Years 5–6, with the school emphasising Christian values, holistic development, and extensive CCA/service experiences (Approach page).
• ACS(I) hosts numerous talent programmes—Accelerated Class for Humanities (ACH), Accelerated Class for Science (ACS), Advanced Class for Integrative Studies (ACis), Advanced Science Programme, Music Elective Programme, Regional Studies Programme, Technovator, Trailblazer, and more—supporting academics, research, innovation, and service (Talent Development overview).
• The 2025 DSA-Sec window has closed; ACS(I) advises interested Primary 6 students to revisit the site in early May 2026 for the next exercise (for 2027 entry), noting that successful applicants are expected to honour their commitment to the school’s IP (DSA Year 1 page).

Quick facts for families

• ACS(I) IP students stay in the school for all six years before sitting the IB Diploma; they do not take O-Levels (Integrated Programme page).
• Year 1 and Year 3 are the main entry points; both feed into the same IB cohort in Years 5 and 6 (Approach page).
• Talent options range from Accelerated Class for Science to Technovator, so there is a clear track for STEM, arts, or service interests (Talent Development overview).
• The 2025 DSA round is closed; watch the admissions site in May 2026 if you plan to apply for 2027 entry (DSA Year 1 page).

1 | IP structure & ethos

• ACS(I) runs dual academic tracks: a four-year Express route (O-Levels) and the Integrated Programme culminating in the IBDP. The IP stresses a seamless journey from Lower Secondary to IB, blending rigorous academics with Christian character formation and vibrant co-curricular life (