What is The University of Cambridge AICE Program?

The University of Cambridge AICE program is an international, pre-university program developed by the University of Cambridge in England. AICE examinations have been offered for over 50 years in more than 150 countries. AICE was first offered in the US in 1995, and officially adopted in Florida in 2001. PVCHS became an official Centre in August of 2010 as an avenue for Park Vista students to expand learning opportunities to increase learning for our global society. The AICE Diploma is awarded based on competence in seven subjects; however, students can take and be awarded for individual subjects. This advanced curriculum is designed as preparation for college and university programs.

What are universities saying about AICE?

Our study found that AICE program graduates attending the University of Florida had an average end-of-freshman year GPA of 3.46 whereas students coming from other acceleration mechanisms such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) had an average GPA of 3.12 and 3.10 respectively.

-Bill Kolb (Former director of admissions at UF) 

One of the things we find with students who have studied Cambridge International is that they have a real depth of understanding of the subject matter that they have had classes in, and a real engagement with it. Those are some of the things that we find really help our students succeed once they get to our campus.

-Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions, MIT 

The depth of knowledge displayed by the best AICE students makes them prime targets for America’s Ivy League universities.

-Yale University

Group 1: Mathematics and Sciences

AICE CHEMISTRY

This course includes the main theoretical concepts which are fundamental to chemistry, some current applications of the subject, and a strong emphasis on advanced practical skills. The emphasis throughout is on the understanding of concepts and the application of chemistry ideas in novel contexts as well as on the acquisition of knowledge. 

AICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

This accelerated Cambridge course has a strong human dimension and is concerned with both local and global issues. The curriculum encompasses the four traditional subdivisions of the global environment, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. The course develops in students a strong understanding of the Earth’s natural systems and the effects of human activity on these systems. (This course can be used in Group 1 or 3.)

AICE MARINE SCIENCE AS & A Level

The class is a college level introductory class into the marine sciences and is designed as a survey class of some of the different marine science disciplines. The class will cover the basics of geological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography and ecology of the marine environment as well covering basic scientific practices and methodologies.

Group 2: Languages

AICE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 

This course promotes an academic excellence in English language arts through enriched experiences in composition, speech, research, viewing, observing, and listening skills. Composition instruction emphasizes the creative, technical, and traditional academic modes of writing through the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). The study of language includes usage, mechanics and other conventions of standard written English as opportunities are provided. 

AICE FRENCH LANGUAGE  

This course enables learners to achieve greater fluency, accuracy and confidence in the language as it is spoken and written, and improve their communication skills. They will learn how to improve their use of French in a variety of situations, understanding how to read texts and other source materials, extract information, initiate conversations and respond to questions both orally and in writing.

AICE SPANISH LANGUAGE  

This course enables learners to achieve greater fluency, accuracy and confidence in the language as it is spoken and written, and improve their communication skills. They will learn how to read texts and other source materials, extract information, initiate conversations and respond to questions both orally and in writing.

Group 3: Arts and Humanities

AICE ENGLISH LITERATURE

This course promotes excellence in English language arts through the enriched experiences in reading, writing, speaking, viewing, observing, and listening. Instruction includes frequent practice in written and oral analysis of literature. Reference skills and methods of summarizing are taught in the production of documented papers/projects. All phases of the writing process are utilized where appropriate (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). Formal and informal speech experiences are provided. 

AICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 

This accelerated Cambridge course has a strong human dimension and is concerned with both local and global issues. The curriculum encompasses the four traditional subdivisions of the global environment, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. The course develops in students a strong understanding of the Earth’s natural systems and the effects of human activity on these systems. (This course can be used in Group 1 or 3.)  

AICE HISTORY (International OR US)

AICE International History

This course focuses on modern world history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The emphasis is again on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research. Learners develop an understanding of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and use historical evidence as part of their studies. 

AICE US History                                                                                   

This course provides students with the opportunity to acquire an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the chronological development of American history from 1860 to the present by examining the political, economic, social, religious, military, scientific, and cultural events that have affected the nation. Implicit in this is an understanding of the historical method, the inquiry process, and historical reasoning and interpretation. 

AICE MEDIA STUDIES

This class offers learners the chance to develop an understanding and appreciation of the role media plays in our everyday lives. The course enables students to take a hands-on approach to the subject by creating through film and print media. Students will create their own media products from planning through to execution. Students also learn to analyze existing media such as film, print, video games, music, and their surrounding industries. 

AICE SOCIOLOGY 

In a rapidly changing world, Cambridge International AS level Sociology offers learners the opportunity not only to explore the processes that are shaping current trends, but also to develop an understanding of the complexity and diversity of human societies and their continuities with the past. The study of Sociology stimulates awareness of contemporary social, cultural and political issues, and focuses on the importance of examining these issues in a rigorous, reasoned and analytical way.

AICE TRAVEL AND TOURISM     

As the fastest growing sector of service jobs in Florida, the hospitality & tourism field faces significant challenges in finding talented, informed new workers. In this course students will learn the tricks of the trade in hospitality management, as well as the economic impact on international destinations as a result of changing travel conditions and trends. Through case studies and relevant texts, participants will study the dynamic challenges facing the biggest companies in the airline, lodging and destination travel industries. 

Group 4: Interdisciplinary Subjects

AICE GENERAL PAPERS      

The purpose of this course is to encourage students to make cross-curricular links; to develop a maturity of thought appropriate to students at this level; and to achieve an understanding and usage of the English language which enables them to express arguments, ideas and opinions in a reflective and academic manner. An awareness of the wider implications of particular issues will enhance the quality of the student’s response to the questions; the General Paper is not a test of general knowledge. The key objective is for the student to convey information or opinion in a way that is thoughtful, perceptive and immediately intelligible to the reader.

AICE THINKING SKILLS  

Thinking skills is an intriguing course that allows candidates to develop a specific set of transferable intellectual skills, independent of subject content. The focus is on development of skills in Critical Reasoning and Problem Solving.  Students must have a “true desire to think”, a willingness to be intellectually involved in group discussions and motivated to improve their skills at thinking. Candidates practice making informed decisions based on sound logical reasoning. Reflection on the outcome facilitates improvement of future decisions. The curriculum creates opportunities for and encourages free and open debate, critical and investigative thinking, and informed and disciplined reasoning.

Required Course for All AICE Diploma Candidates

AICE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

This course prepares learners for positive engagement with our rapidly changing world. Learners broaden their outlook through the critical analysis of-and-reflection in- issues of global significance.  Learners develop research, thinking, reasoning and communication skills by following an approach to analyzing and evaluating arguments and perspectives called the Critical Path.

 

US students who take Cambridge International exams in the US can use the online Grade Transcript Service to send Cambridge International AS & A Level exam grades to US colleges and universities. Grade transcripts are sent within 28 days of when they receive your request. You will need the following information:

• Student’s name, date of birth, and email address
• A picture of student’s valid ID (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or state-issued driver’s license, permit, or official ID)
• Exam series, center name or number, and candidate number
• Institution(s) where you wish to send your grades

If you need assistance with the online form contact customer service by email at info@cambridgeinternational.org or call 917-810-2660 (toll free, open 24 hours from Saturday 8 pm to Friday 7:59 am, Eastern Time).

Students who have demonstrated academic merit through the Cambridge AICE program may be eligible to qualify for Bright Futures without having to meet one or more of the requirements.

AICE Diploma

• Earn a Cambridge AICE Diploma prior to high school graduation. Note: Confirmation of diploma may come from AICE as late as September. 

AICE Curriculum

• Complete a minimum of 14 AICE credits* identified by the Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge International) in the Diploma Core and three academic areas as follows:
  • AICE Diploma Core – AICE Global Perspectives & Research AS level (Two Credits required)
  • Group 1 – Mathematics and Sciences (Two Credits required)
  • Group 2 – Languages (Two Credits required)
  • Group 3 – Arts and Humanities (Two Credits required)
  • Group 4 – Interdisciplinary Skills (Optional – Four Credits maximum)
  • Six additional credits required in any combination from the above four groups.

*Students earn one credit by completing and passing one AICE full credit course and another credit for taking the corresponding AICE examination.

Eligibility for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program is the responsibility of the student. Eligibility requirements are subject to change by the Florida Legislature. Therefore, students are encouraged to refer to the Bright Futures Student Handbook for the most recent updates on the scholarship program.

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, students are required to submit a completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) during their senior year of high school

CAAPP Four Year Plan

CAAPP Presentation for Incoming 9th Graders