Academic & Community Excellence (ACE) Plan
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ACE Academic Model (Acceleration Programs)
The ACE Academic Model (Acceleration Programs) is the mechanism for making recommendations for placement of additional acceleration programs at each high school (i.e., IB, AICE, Early College and AP Honors Program - see program descriptions at the bottom of this page). Recommendations for entrance and exit criteria for acceleration programs are also addressed.
Working groups from each high school met in Oct. and Nov. 2008 to help formulate scenarios which have been considered. The Deputy Superintendent and the Superintendent have developed the following Proposal based on this prior work along with feedback from a written survey and student focus groups.
For additional background we have provided a summary of the results from the multiple choice questions on the survey and a summary of the written comments that we received.
In addition to the survey results, we have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that have come up over the course of this work. The answers to these questions are shown in the attached document. It also provides some additional information that you may find helpful in understanding the proposals.
Program Descriptions
AICE Diploma Program
The AICE International Certificate of Education is a pre-university curriculum and examination system for academically able students offered through the University of Cambridge. It offers a flexible, broad-based, two year curriculum world-wide for juniors and seniors. The Pre-AICE course of study is prescribed specifically for freshman and sophomore students. Often referred to as the Cambridge AICE Diploma, the curriculum aims to encourage the skills of independent research and investigation, the use of initiative and creativity and the application of skills and knowledge.
IB Diploma Programme
IB is a rigorous two year pre-university course of study that leads to examinations for motivated students. IB is a challenging two-year curriculum designed for high school juniors and seniors. The Pre-IB Programme is designed for freshman and sophomore students who plan to enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme. The aim of the IB programme is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
Early College Program
Early College is a small learning community (school within school) that blends high school and college courses to provide a rigorous yet supportive program to help students earn a high school diploma and tuition free credit toward a post-secondary degree. In grades 11 and 12, Early College students are enrolled full time at the community college. The Early College Program provides students greater access to higher education and promotes student achievement at the high school and post secondary level.
AP Honors Program
The AP Honors Program challenges students to display exceptional achievement on AP Exams across several disciplines. AP courses are taught at a level equal to that of comparable college freshman courses. Each course is concluded by a comprehensive exam created by the College Board. Students who enroll in an Advanced Placement course are required to take the AP exam. Postsecondary credit for an AP course may be awarded to students who score a minimum of a 3 on a 5-point scale on the corresponding AP exam. AP Honors Programs must offer, and students must complete, a minimum of nine AP courses.
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