Boca Raton Community High School
1501 Northwest 15 Court, Boca Raton, Florida 33486
Phone: (561) 338-1400 Facsimile: (561) 338-1440
Principal Geoff McKee, Ph.D.
The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) is a diploma program emphasizing
balance and flexibility. It is overseen by the University of Cambridge International Examinations
(CIE), a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. AICE
courses expose students to rigorous instruction as well as collegiate level exams, which are provided
by CIE. Cambridge helps students develop the in-depth subject knowledge and understanding that
universities and employers look for. With passing scores, a student may enroll in a university with up
to 45 hours of college credit.
The AICE program was piloted in three Florida public school districts between 1997-2000. The pilot
courses were a success and thus AICE was adopted in all Florida public schools in 2003. AICE
provides Florida students an opportunity to earn Bright Futures Scholarship funds. In order to qualify
for the top level of money through AICE, students must earn an AICE diploma and also accumulate
100 hours of community service. http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/
There are two levels of AICE courses; “AS” and “A”. To obtain an AICE diploma, a student must
accumulate six (6) points by passing six (6) AS level exams. A passing scores on an “AS” exam is
worth one (1) point towards an AICE diploma. A passing score on an “A” level exam is worth two (2)
points towards an AICE diploma if the “AS” level was not previously awarded. It is necessary for
students to take an “AS” level course before taking an “A” level course or at least learn all of the “AS”
material along with the “A” level material to be successful on an “A” level exam.
Students must accumulate six (6) points by passing as least one exam from three different subject
groups.
Group A: Math and Sciences
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Biology
Chemistry
Computing
Design and Technology
Environmental
Management
Marine Science
Mathematics
Physical education
Psychology
Thinking Skills
Groups B: Languages
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Group C: Arts and Humanities
Afrikaans
Arabic
Chinese
English Language/
English Literature
French
German
Hindi
Marathi
Portuguese
Spanish
Tamil
Telugu
Urdu
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Accounting
Art and Design
Business Studies
Classical Studies
Economics
Food Studies
General Paper
Geography
History
Law
Music
Psychology
Sociology
Thinking Skills
Travel and Tourism
Courses in BOLD are offered at Boca High.
A University of Cambridge
“Center of Academic Excellence”
Accredited by the Southern Association
Of Colleges and Schools
Florida Department of
Education Grade:
The School District of Palm Beach County provides equal educational
opportunities and equal employment opportunities.
Boca Raton Community High School
1501 Northwest 15 Court, Boca Raton, Florida 33486
Phone: (561) 338-1400 Facsimile: (561) 338-1440
Principal Geoff McKee, Ph.D.
Universities award credit based on a subject-by-subject basis according to grades earned on
individual exams passed. Therefore if a student does not earn the full AICE diploma, they can still
earn college credit. Cambridge International courses are accepted at universities throughout the
world. For more information on the recognition and acceptance of AICE, please visit:
http://recognition.cie.org.uk/
AICE exam sessions occur twice a year; May/June and October/November. Results are issued in
August and January respectively. Cambridge grades using a letter system: A through U. A,B,C,D and
E are all passing grades. “U” stands for ungraded and is not passing. A letter grade of “E” is
equivalent to a “C” here in the United States or a “3” on an AP exam. Cambridge “A” and “AS” level
exams use a wide range of assessment processes and techniques to supplement written
examinations-orals, practical, projects and coursework are all used in various subjects where they
are the best means of measuring attainment.
AICE courses are similar to AP (Advanced Placement) courses in several ways. Both the AP and AICE
curriculums are college level. The University of Cambridge writes the course outcomes for AICE and
The College Board writes the outcomes for Advanced Placement. For both AP and AICE, there is an
exam at the end of the school year. The exam dates are pre-set and will be communicated to students
well in advance since no make-up dates are offered. The grade a student receives from their Boca
High teacher and the score they receive on the national (AP) or international (AICE) exam are
completely separate from one another. It is reasonable to assume though that if a student is doing
well throughout the school year in their Boca High course, they will likely score well enough on the
exam and be able to use the course for college credit. College credit is only earned by passing the
national (AP) or international (AICE) exam. A weighted grade will be earned here at Boca High as
long as the student sits for the exam(s) at the end of the school year. See www.collegeboard.com for
more information on Advanced Placement.
AICE websites that may be helpful:
The University of Cambridge AICE website is:
http://www.cie.org.uk
AICE course descriptions can be found at: (be sure to click the year in which the student will take the
exam):
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/uppersec/alevel/ubjects
Florida state statute provides information on passing scores and college equivalents for AP, IB and
AICE. Passing scores correlate to specific college courses in the State of Florida:
http://www.fldoe.org/artriculation/pdf/acc-cbe.pdf
There is also a power point at www.bobcatnews.com with more information.
Kelly Foss
AICE Coordinator
(561) 338-1515
Kelly.Foss@Palmbeachschools.org
Updated 8/11
A University of Cambridge
“Center of Academic Excellence”
Accredited by the Southern Association
Of Colleges and Schools
Florida Department of
Education Grade:
The School District of Palm Beach County provides equal educational
opportunities and equal employment opportunities.