2020-2021 Four Corners Upper School Course Guide Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 Dear Parents and Students, We are pleased to provide you with this comprehensive curriculum guide for Four Corners Upper School. For the 2020-2021 school year, new courses have been included in this guide. Please be reminded that the implementation of any course is dependent upon sufficient enrollment numbers. As a charter school, you will find we offer a wide range of courses that lead to a high school diploma in preparation for college and/or future career decisions. Students are encouraged to talk with parents, teachers, and guidance counselors to assist in making their course selections. Four Corners Upper School’s Cambridge Advanced Program of Study will now be in its third year with many exciting courses and opportunities. The Cambridge Advanced Program of Study is an internationally-recognized, pre-university curriculum which offers a rigorous and relevant program of study and is sponsored by the Cambridge University in England. The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is an international curriculum and examination system that emphasizes the value of broad and balanced study. Alongside in-depth understanding of a variety of subjects, students also need to master a broader range of skills critical for success in university study and employment. More information is available at: http://www.cie.org.uk/countries/usa. All courses offered at Four Corners Upper School meet the established requirements set by the School Board of Osceola County. I encourage you to carefully review the guide as you select your courses for the 2020-2021 school year. Sincerely, Denise Thompson Principal Four Corners Upper School 9160 Bella Citta Blvd Champions Gate, FL 33896 Four Corners Upper School 1 Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 PATHWAYS AICE (CAMBRIDGE) PROGRAM OF STUDY 1. What is AICE? The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) is an international diploma that students can earn via an advanced academic curriculum and assessment program written and administered by a non- profit department (CIE) of the University of Cambridge in England. AICE program courses and examinations may be offered during grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 in worldwide schools registered as CIE Centers. (Please note that AICE Diploma candidates must complete their exams within a three year period. 2. What are the benefits of AICE? AICE advanced level courses are equivalent to those of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Furthermore, graduating with the AICE Diploma makes students more competitive in the college application process. Passing several AICE exam can lead to advanced standing (a maximum of 45 college credits) at the college level. 3. What is meant by AICE Graduation Option? The Florida Legislature has determined that the AICE Curriculum is a graduation option for students beginning with the graduating class of 2011. Students must remain AICE students in good standing and complete all of the AICE Curriculum requirements to utilize this option. Students failing to meet the curriculum requirements are subject to all standard graduation requirements. For example, AICE Diploma students may currently waive HOPE and the online course requirements set by the DOE if they qualify for the diploma by the completion of their junior year. 4. Does earning the AICE Diploma qualify students for the Florida Bright Futures tuition scholarship? Yes, currently, students who earn the AICE Diploma and complete 100 service hours during their high school careers automatically earn the current Florida Academic Scholars tuition scholarship regardless of grade point average and/or college entrance examination scores. 5. What do I have to do to earn an AICE Diploma? Students must pass six credits worth of examinations. At least one examination must come from each of the three subject groups: Mathematics & Sciences, Languages, and Arts & Humanities. Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level exams count for one credit and Advanced (A) Level exams count for two credits. If a student fails to earn six credits but has passed the six classes, he may still qualify for the Florida Medallion Scholarship. 6. What is the difference between AS and A Level exams? Advanced (A) Level Syllabuses and exams cover approximately two years of college-level curriculum in a subject. The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level syllabus and exam covers the first year of the two- year A Level curriculum. An AS Level exam counts for one credit towards the AICE Diploma. The A Level exam counts for two credits. Four Corners Upper School 2 Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 7. Do students have to earn the full AICE Diploma in order to earn college credits? No. Students receive General Certificate of Education (GCE) subject certificates for AS and A Level examinations passed. Colleges award credit on a subject–by– subject basis according to grades earned on individual examinations passed. 8. Do many universities give college credits for AS/A Level exams passed? Yes. University of Cambridge International Examinations publishes a list on its website of US universities that have provided written statements of their AICE (which includes AS and A Levels) recognition policy. If a university admissions counselor is unfamiliar with AICE, CIE suggests that you ask to speak to the international admissions counselor. All public universities and community colleges in Florida award up to 45 hours of college credit for AICE and AP exams passed. By law, Florida public colleges and universities are required to provide credit for passing scores on AICE exams. Most exams result in awarding of three college credits. Below you will find a list of some, but not all, of the institutions that accept AICE exams in Florida: • University of Florida • University of Central Florida • Polk State College • Valencia College • University of South Florida • Florida International University • Stetson University (requires score of C or higher) 9. Is AICE comparable with IB and AP? Yes, all three programs are well established in the education community and in universities around the country. Both AICE (AS and A Level) and IB are accepted at universities around the world. The main difference between AICE and IB is the flexibility of the AICE Diploma. Students have the freedom to create their own educational experience within the three AICE curriculum areas. Requirements for Cambridge Diploma Four Corners Upper School 3 Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 Cambridge Sample Schedule Subject Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 English PreAICE Language AICE General AICE English AICE English Arts Paper Language (AS) Language (A) Math Geometry Honors Algebra 2 Honors PreCalculus Probability & Honors Statistics Honors Science Chemistry 1 AICE Marine AP Environmental AP or Dual Honors Science Enrollment Science Social Studies Humanities 1 preAICE World AICE United American Honors History States History Government & Economics Honors Elective 1 Digital College & Career College & Career College & Career Information Academy Academy Academy Technology Elective 2 World Language World Language World Language World Language (French 4 or AP Spanish) Elective 3 Elective AICE Sociology Elective Elective Four Corners Upper School 4 Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 STANDARD DIPLOMA Courses listed in this table are academic/core courses. The table is provided as an example; it is impossible to list every possible combination of courses, students in above-grade-level courses should check the course progressions to determine their placement. Each student will select one each of English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Each student will also select additional coursework from the list of electives in conjunction with their parent/guardian and guidance counselor. High School students will enroll in seven (7) courses. Requirements for High School Graduation in the State of Florida change from time to time. Each graduation year group is called a “cohort”. You can find your child’s graduation cohort requirements by clicking here: http://www.fldoe.org/academics/graduation-requirements/ ENGLISH MATH SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 9: GRADE 9: GRADE 9: GRADE 9: English I (Reg) Algebra I Honors Environmental Science (Reg) Humanities 1 Honors Pre-AICE English (Honors) Algebra 1A Biology 1 Honors Algebra 1 GRADE 10: GRADE 10: GRADE 10: GRADE 10: English II (Reg/Honors) Geometry Honors Biology (Reg/Honors) World History AICE General Paper Liberal Arts Math 1 Chemistry 1 Honors (Reg/PreAICE) Algebra 2 Honors GRADE 11: GRADE 11: GRADE 11: GRADE 11: English III (Reg/Honors) Geometry (Reg) Chemistry (Reg/Honors) U.S. History (Reg/Honors) AICE English Language Algebra II (Reg/Honors) AICE Marine Science AICE US History (AS Level) Liberal Arts Math 2 Biology 1 (Reg) GRADE 12: GRADE 12: GRADE 12: GRADE 12: Algebra II (Reg) English IV (Reg/Honors) Liberal Arts Math 2 Chemistry 1 (Reg) American Government AICE English (A Level) Math for College Readiness PLTW Biomedical (Reg/Honors) PreCalculus Honors Dual Enrollment Science and Economics Probability & Statistics (Reg/Honors) Honors NOTE: All Pre-AICE Courses are honors level. All AICE Courses are college-level Four Corners Upper School 5 Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 Accelerated Sample Schedule Subject Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 English PreAICE English English 2 Honors English 3 Honors English 4 Honors Math Geometry Honors Algebra 2 Honors PreCalculus Advanced Topics Honors OR or PreCalculus Advanced Topics