VSA Celebrates Record-Breaking IB Success with Nine Perfect Scorers

Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) has set a new institutional benchmark in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This year, nine students achieved the maximum score of 45 points — the highest number of perfect scorers in the school’s 21-year history — while eight students scored 44 points.

The 122-strong Class of 2026 recorded an impressive average score of 39, with nearly 49% of candidates scoring 40 points or above and a perfect 100% pass rate. In total, the cohort received over 550 university offers from leading institutions worldwide, including offers from the University of Oxford, Stanford University, and Peking University, as well as top local institutions such as The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Notably, 91 of these offers came from universities ranked among the global top 20, with 70% from the world’s top 100. Graduates were also awarded more than HK$10 million in scholarships.

At the school’s results announcement event on Monday, school leaders expressed immense pride in the graduates’ achievements. VSA School Supervisor Dr Peggy Lam said the results had exceeded expectations. “We are not only celebrating academic excellence but also the holistic development of our students,” she noted.

Dr Victor Koong, Executive Director of Academy, described the outcome as a milestone for VSA’s largest-ever graduating class. “Our graduates reached new heights. Not only did we celebrate our largest class ever, but they also achieved a record number of IB perfect scorers and the most offers from top global universities,” he said.

Praising the students’ resilience and strong community spirit, Secondary School Principal Dr Shirla Sum said: “These outstanding IB results reflect not only their academic excellence, but also their resilience, self-management, and the way they have supported one another as a community. Beyond the classroom, they show breadth and passion across service, business, environmentalism, the arts, and more.”

Outstanding Individual Achievements

Seven perfect scorers and several near-perfect students attended the press conference to share their personal journeys, offering a glimpse into the dedication behind the remarkable results.

CHAN, Billy (45 points) is heading to The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to study Medicine. His passion for the field was shaped by personal experience living with a congenital kidney condition. “Ever since I was born, I have been going in and out of hospitals. It really sparked my interest in the field,” he explained. During his time at VSA, Billy completed a 50-page medical literature review on chronic kidney disease through a University of Cambridge mentorship and founded a student-led STEM club to support younger learners.

CHEUK, Genevieve (45 points), also bound for HKU Medicine, served as Head Student and founded the VSA Caritas Club, where she delivered weekly English lessons to underprivileged children. She highlighted the importance of multilingual communication and creative teaching approaches.

WONG, Matthew (45 points) will study Politics and Economics at the London School of Economics (LSE). He aspires to work in government policy or green finance. Wong has already gained practical experience through a government internship at the Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau and co-founded Music for Good, an initiative that organises live concerts for elderly residents in care homes and hospitals.

Among the 44-point scorers, CHU, Yi Fan is heading to Stanford University for Human Biology. She founded education initiatives supporting Afghan girls and led hygiene drives for the homeless.

Balancing Rigour and Wellbeing

While the results are outstanding, students were candid about the intense demands of the IBDP, widely regarded as one of the most challenging pre-university programmes. Many emphasised that peer support, effective time management, and maintaining balance were essential to their success.

Perfect scorer CHAU, Man Hei(45 points) described the pressure of juggling six subjects, the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS requirements. “The most difficult part was managing stress,” she said. “I relied heavily on friends who shared the same values and worked together.”

Common strategies for coping with pressure included regular exercise, spending time outdoors, and sticking to consistent routines. “Go out, touch grass, and look at the view,” advised Yi Fan. “The world is much bigger than your exams.” Other tips shared by students ranged from early sleep schedules and past-paper drills to identifying personal study styles — whether focusing on one subject at a time or rotating between topics.

Above all, students stressed the power of community. “We share notes and support each other. This collaboration started from primary school,” they remarked, highlighting VSA’s supportive culture.

Holistic Education and Student Agency

School leaders attributed this year’s success to VSA’s long-standing commitment to holistic, student-centred education. As Hong Kong’s first IB through-train school offering the full continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP), the academy places strong emphasis on developing independent learners.
Dr Sum noted that the programme encourages independence from an early age. Students are empowered to lead their own clubs, participate in local and international service-learning projects, and pursue personal passions. This philosophy — “to take ownership of their learning, think creatively, and explore new possibilities” — is deeply embedded in school life.

Future Aspirations and Commitment to Hong Kong
Despite receiving offers from prestigious overseas universities, a deep sense of belonging and affection for Hong Kong was clearly evident among many top scorers. For most of them, Hong Kong is home — a place they are determined to return to and contribute to after their studies.
When asked about the rise of AI and its potential impact on fields such as medicine, law, and engineering, the students remained optimistic. One law aspirant, Catherine Woods (44 points), said: “AI is a powerful tool, but it cannot replace human creativity, empathy, and originality.” She described entering the legal profession as “the most exciting but also most dangerous time,” urging fellow students to maintain an open mindset to seize new opportunities.
Dr Lam warmly endorsed this forward-looking yet rooted mindset: “Most of them said they want to come back to Hong Kong. It shows they have a heart for their home and their country.”

Looking Ahead
Located in Aberdeen, VSA currently serves over 2,100 students in a bilingual environment. With this year’s results marking a new post-COVID peak, school leaders are confident that the Class of 2026 will inspire future students while upholding the school’s tradition of balancing academic rigour with character development and community service.

As Dr Koong concluded, these graduates are not only academically outstanding but also ready to become “compassionate, forward-thinking global leaders” who will make meaningful contributions to society.