Earn College Credit While in High School

College Prepatory/College Level programs are designed with rigorous curriculum to prepare high potential students for college as well as shorten the path to a traditional 4-year college degree.

By taking intellectually demanding and challenging accelerated courses, motivated students can take their high school education a step ahead towards college. St. Lucie Public Schools Programs offer options for appropriate fit to match student’s individual characteristics.

Expected Student Outcomes

  • Continuous progress based on ability and performance
  • Development of independence
  • Ability to solve complex problems
  • Expanded knowledge of abstract thinking
  • Increased student performance
  • Broaden communication skills

Programs

AICE

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)

About

The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program is an innovative and accelerated method of academic study and curriculum is overseen by the University of Cambridge, an institution consistently ranked as one of the top 5 academic universities in the world. It consists of a flexible, learner-centered curriculum, which is offered worldwide at schools and colleges in over 160 countries. For over 170 years, the prestigious Cambridge University has been setting global curriculum standards through their examinations. AICE features courses designed specifically to prepare for advanced degree programs. It encourages rigorous standards and provides a foundation for confident, responsible, and engaged students; all qualities that are essential at the college and university level.

birdCambridge Mission “Our mission is to deliver world-class international education through the provision of high-quality curricula, assessment and services. Together with schools we aim to develop Cambridge learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, and engaged – equipped for success in the fast-changing modern world.”

Why AICE?

The AICE program offers students one of the most demanding and rigorous college prepatory programs in the world. After completing at least one course in each of three academic areas, students have the flexibility to choose a course of study that best meets their abilities and interests leading to an AICE Diploma. Students also have the option of taking AICE courses and their subsequent exams in order to earn college credits without applying for the AICE diploma. Regardless of the option chosen, enrollment in these rigorous courses will benefit St. Lucie Public School students in college.
 
Universities across the United States have responded enthusiastically to AICE. In addition, Florida Legislature has identified AICE as a graduation option and acceleration mechanism through which students can be awarded up to 45 hours of college credit at all public universities and colleges in Florida. Earn the AICE Diploma to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars tuition scholarship (community service hours required).

AICE Diploma

AICE Diploma candidates must achieve a minimum of seven credits with at least one credit in each of the three subject groupings (Math and Science; Language; Arts and Humanities) and the core (Cambridge International AS Level Global Perspectives) to be awarded the diploma.
 
For a more in-depth look at the new diploma requirements, see the Cambridge AICE Diploma brochure.

High Schools

Explore Cambridge AICE!

Success in Cambridge qualifications often gives students admission to the world’s best universities – in the US and beyond. Cambridge qualifications are accepted and valued by universities around the world, including MIT, Harvard and Cambridge. They are recognized as qualifications that prepare and equip students with the skills they need to succeed both at university and beyond.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies — with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both — while still in high school. Students find that Advanced Placement courses are taught at the equivalent level of college freshman courses. Advanced Placement courses focus learning through critical and creative thinking, analytical skills and reasoning abilities. Participation in Advanced Placement courses provides students a bridge to transition smoothly from high school to college.

All students participating in Advanced Placement classes are required to complete the accompanying exam.

Benefits of Advanced Placement

  • Fine tune academic skills
  • Earn college credit
  • Demonstrate to colleges ability to be successful in rigorous coursework
  • Tuition savings
  • Opportunity to challenge ones self
  • AP Recognition programs
  • Set yourself apart in the college admission process
  • Build college skills
  • Broaden your college and career choices
  • Earn scholarships

Pre-AP (SpringBoard)

Pre-AP (SpringBoard) are advanced courses for students to begin preparing for college. Springboard courses are designed to be a rigorous preparation for advanced courses at the high school level. Students enrolled in Pre-AP are expected to be hard workers who recognize the importance of a college education. Benefits:

  • Students are prepared to be successful in college
  • May earn college credits while in high school
  • Curriculum is broad yet deep in its pace and complexity
  • Teachers receive continuous training

SpringBoard Schools

  • Allapattah Flats K -8
    • 12051 NW Cooper Dr., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
    • (772) 468-5050
  • Oak Hammock K-8
    • 1251 S.W. California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, Fl. 34953
    • (772)344-4490
  • Northport K-8
    • 250 N.W. Floresta Drive, Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983
    • (772)340-4700
  • West Gate K-8
    • 1050 NW Cashmere Blvd, Port Saint Lucie FL 34986
    • (772)807-7600

College AP Credit Policies

Out of state colleges set their own policy regarding awarding credit and placement for exams taken. Explore college AP credit policies for the college of your choice.

Schools

Note: Each high school’s AP course offerings may differ. See your school guidance counselor for courses specific to your school.

Explore Advanced Placement

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment allows students to pursue an advanced curriculum in their postsecondary interests. Participating students have the opportunity to earn college credit while simultaneously earning high school credit. Offering colleges and universities must have an articulation agreement with St. Lucie Public Schools in order to offer dual enrollment courses.

Is Dual Enrollment for You?

To be eligible for participation in the Dual Enrollment program, students must meet all of the qualifications listed below.

  • Cumulative grade point average 3.0 or above (unweighted) based on a minimum of 4 high school credits.
  • Qualifying test scores on SAT/ACT/PERT
  • Speak with your counselor for in-depth details to register for dual enrollment courses

Collegiate High School

A choice option for high school seniors, Collegiate High School works in conjunction with Indian River State College. Participating students must complete 30 or more semester hours of college credit while also participating in a CAPE industry certification program.

Students participating in the program are required to enter into a student performance contract which must be signed by the student, parent, a representative of St. Lucie Public Schools and a representative of Indian River State College. Contact your school guidance counselor for admission criteria.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment

  • Provides for accelerated development
  • Can accelerate education goals
  • Earn college credit
  • Reduce college tuition

Cautions

  • Participation impacts the student’s college grade point average
  • Out of state colleges may not recognize credits

Credits

Carefully select the best courses for your future. Students are limited to a maximum of 60 credit hours of dual enrollment. Therefore, it is important to carefully select the course which will be beneficial for both your high school credits as well as your post-secondary education. All dual enrollment students must complete SLS 1101 – Student Success during their first semester of dual enrollment or will be ineligible to continue dual enrollment courses in future semesters.

Grades

The grades earned from Dual Enrollment courses, including any Ws, Ds, & Fs will always remain on the student’s college transcript. A student earning a ‘W’, ‘D’, or ‘F’ in Dual Enrollment class and wishing to take the course again will do so at his/her own expense. If a student retakes a class and earns a ‘C’ or better, the ‘D’ or ‘F’ is NOT removed from the transcript. Students who withdraw from a course (after the w/d period) cannot take additional dual enrollment classes until they have retaken and completed the course at their own expense or during the summer.

Dual enrollment students must present a high school approval form to their college instructor before a college instructor will withdraw a student. Dual enrollment students must also adhere to all of the College’s withdrawal procedures.

To drop, add or withdraw from a dual enrollment class, the student MUST meet with high school counselor.

Students who fail a dual enrollment course cannot enroll in additional dual enrollment courses until they have retaken and completed the course they failed at their own expense or during the summer.

Schools

IB

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) programme provides a challenging and comprehensive education enabling the development of students as internationally minded individuals.

  • Mission The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is more than its educational programmes and certificates. At our heart we are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education.
  • Benefits
    • Become independent learners
    • IB leads to some of the highest ranking universities in the world.
    • Develop cultural awareness through the development of a second language.
    • Develop ability to engage with people in a globalized, rapidly changing world.
    • Develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics.
    • Benefits of an IB Education

myp The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a challenging curriculum that instills confidence in students by connecting the classroom to the real world from both a local and global perspective. The MYP prepares students for the demanding, rigorous requirements of the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The DP develops student’s breadth and depth of knowledge while teaching traditional academic subjects. dp The Diploma Programme enables students to reflect on the nature of knowledge. Students are also required to complete independent research and engage in a community service project.

Pathway to University

  • The International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Diploma Programme, enjoy a high level of respect and recognition from universities around the world. IB works closely with the higher education community to ensure that students obtain the recognition which they have earned. Although universities recognize the rigor and value of an IB education, always contact the university for clear guidelines as to their IB credit acceptance policy.

Earning Your Diploma

  • To earn an IB diploma, students must successfully complete courses in six subjects while earning a required score on the courses exams. In addition students must successfully complete the core, Theory of Knowledge course, extended essay, and a three-part service project.
  • Visit International Baccalaureate for in depth information.

IB Schools

Both Lincoln Park Academy and Port St. Lucie High School offer students the ability to complete the Diploma Programme. In addition to the Diploma Programme, Port St. Lucie High School also allows students to complete individual IB coursework.

Explore IB

Bright Futures

Bright Futures

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a scholarship rewarded to any Florida high school graduate meeting the requirements of the scholarship and demonstrating high academic achievement. Students can only use the Bright Futures scholarship for degree programs, certificate programs, or applied technology programs at eligible Florida public or private post-secondary schools.

 

Each year the Florida Legislature authorizes eligibility and funding requirements. Florida law recognizes Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) curriculum as a method of qualifying for a Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) or Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award through the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. For eligibility criteria please visit the

Florida Credit-By-Exam Equivalencies

Florida Credit-By-Exam Equivalencies

Florida law recognizes Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) curriculum and International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum as a qualifying method for a Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) or Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award through the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Colleges/Universities may have additional requirements.