Accelerated Programs
Why Cambridge?
IRCHS provides an opportunity for students to pursue a rigorous course of study through pre-AICE and AICE courses.
Students have the choice to either take individual AICE classes or embark on the full AICE program leading to the diploma. For those pursuing college, many schools seek students who engage in academically challenging coursework.
Benefits of AICE
These advanced courses, comparable to AP and IB, prepare students for university admission, providing college credits and essential skills. IRCHS offers Cambridge courses, allowing students to earn college credit, and/or the AICE Diploma. Completion of an AICE Diploma + 100 volunteer hours will earn the student eligibility to receive the 100% FDOE Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.
AICE & College Credit
Cambridge AS and A Levels are college-level courses, and students passing with a grade of E or higher may get college credit at U.S. universities, including public ones in Florida.
Students are advised to contact the admissions office of their chosen university to understand the credit policy. Typically, college credit is based on subject and exam grades.
AICE Exams
The Cambridge AICE exams are conducted twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Students aiming for the Cambridge AICE Diploma have the flexibility to take up to five exam sessions within a 25-month period to complete the equivalent of seven full credit examinations. This allows students to start the program in either their freshman or sophomore year. This offers flexibility for students to choose when to begin and how to pace their studies.
AICE Curriculum & Diploma
At IRCHS, students accumulate college credit by successfully completing AICE exams. The pursuit of the AICE Diploma is optional, and any student is invited to enroll in an AICE class. Students have the choice to either take individual AICE classes or embark on the full AICE program leading to the diploma.
To qualify for an AICE Diploma, a candidate needs seven credits, achieved by passing a mix of AS or A Level exams, including at least one from each area, Math and Science, Languages, and Arts and Humanities, with various options at AS and A Levels, as well as completing the AICE Core Course (AS Global Perspectives and Research).
MORE INFO
The AICE curriculum is defined as follows:
To fulfill the requirement, a student needs to earn at least seven AICE credits as recognized by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). These credits should span across three academic areas, meeting the criteria set by CIE.
- One credit from Group 1: Mathematics and Sciences
- One credit from Group 2: Languages
- One credit from Group 3: Arts and Humanities
- One credit in AS Global Perspectives and Research
To earn the Cambridge AICE Diploma, students choose subjects from three areas: Math and Science, Languages, and Arts and Humanities, with various options at AS and A Levels.
A Levels = 2 Credits
AS Levels = 1 Credit
To qualify for an AICE Diploma, a candidate needs seven credits, achieved by passing a mix of AS or A Level exams, including at least one from each area, Math and Science, Languages, and Arts and Humanities, with various options at AS and A Levels, as well as completing the AICE Core Course (AS Global Perspectives and Research).
The AICE courses and their corresponding examinations are equivalent to first-year college and university courses. Students earn college credit for each examination they pass. Students do not have to pursue the AICE Diploma in order to take AICE classes at IRCHS; any student who wants to work at the AICE level – even for one class – has the opportunity to do so.
Cambridge AICE Exams and College Credits
Cambridge AS and A Levels are college-level courses, and students passing with a grade of E or higher may get college credit at U.S. universities, including public ones in Florida.
US universities have individual policies for credit by examination, especially for GCE/International AS and A Levels (Cambridge AICE exams). Students are advised to contact the admissions office of their chosen university to understand the credit policy. Typically, college credit is based on subject and exam grades.
2023-2024 AICE EXAMPLE Courses
The listed groups and courses are examples; Indian River Charter High School plans to unveil the official course offerings before the fall of 2024.
- Core Course (Required): AS Global Perspectives and Research
- Group 1 (Mathematics and Science): AS and A Mathematics, AS Environmental Management, AS and A Level Marine Science , AS and A Level Psychology, AS Physics, AS Chemistry
- Group 2 (Languages): AS English Language, AS Spanish Language, AS French Language
- Group 3 (Arts and Humanities): AS Level Art & Design: Ceramics, AS Level Art & Design: Painting , AS Drama, AS Literature in English, AS International History, AS and A Media Studies, AS and A Level Psychology, AS and A Level Sociology, AS Level Travel and Tourism, AS and A U.S. History, AS Spanish Literature, AS and A Level Classical Studies
- Group 4 (Interdisciplinary and Skills-based Subjects): A Level Global Perspectives and Research, AS and A Level Thinking Skills, AS General Paper (only two elective courses from Group 4 may count toward the AICE Diploma, UNLESS A Level Thinking skills and A Level Global Perspectives which count for 3)
For new students, it's recommended to take AICE General Paper as it fulfills the English I graduation requirement. However, most students pursuing the AICE Diploma earn their 7 credits in their later years (sophomore, junior, and senior), and they typically don't count their General Paper credit toward the Diploma.
AICE Exams:
The Cambridge AICE exams are conducted twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Students aiming for the Cambridge AICE Diploma have the flexibility to take up to five exam sessions within a 25-month period to complete the equivalent of seven full credit examinations. This allows students to start the program in either their freshman or sophomore year, and some have even begun in their junior year and achieved success.
This offers flexibility for students to choose when to begin and how to pace their studies.
Your student will enroll in AICE courses when they make their Fall 2024 schedule with their school counselor.