At Palmetto High School, many amazing opportunities are provided. Although a popular highlight of the school is the AICE program (Advanced International Certificate of Education). This program is an international curriculum and examination system that empathizes the value of broad and balanced study that offers a special Diploma. Alongside an 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.
A little history behind the name is that The Cambridge AICE Diploma was first awarded in 1997 and has since become popular with a range of schools in different parts of the world. It encompasses the ‘gold standard’ Cambridge International AS and A Level Qualifications and offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their individual interests, abilities, and future within an international curriculum framework. This Diploma sounds intriguing…so why exactly should students at Palmetto High go for it?
I was lucky enough to catch an in-person interview with one of the AICE coordinators Mrs. McMillan, at Palmetto High School. Of course, she had a lot to say regarding the subject at hand. Starting off, Mrs. McMillan first clarified the qualifications of the AICE Diploma. McMillan stated, “The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a group certificate which requires learners to study a compulsory core subject, Cambridge AS Level Global Perspectives & Research, with Cambridge AS & A Level subjects drawn from three curriculum areas: mathematics and science (Group 1), languages (Group 2), and arts and humanities (Group 3). There is the option to study interdisciplinary subjects (Group 4).” I proceeded to ask, “What must students do to achieve this Diploma?” Mrs. McMillan smiled, and explained excitedly, “To achieve the Cambridge AICE Diploma, learners must achieve a minimum of seven credits (including Cambridge International AS Level Global Perspectives & Research) from subject groups 1, 2, and 3 (and optionally Group 4) to be awarded the Diploma. Learners must achieve at least one credit from each of Groups 1, 2, and 3. The remaining credits can come from any of the groups. A Cambridge International AS Level is awarded one credit, and a Cambridge International A Level is awarded two credits. Learners who pass the Cambridge International A Level in Global Perspectives & Research meet the compulsory requirement of the core group and have one credit which may then be included in Group 4 to contribute to the overall requirement of seven credits”. Concluding my interview with the AICE coordinator Mrs. McMillan, she stated, “I believe every student has the opportunity and knowledge to strive for their AICE diploma here at Palmetto High School. Never feel discouraged or give up, we are here to help you!”
The Diploma itself is an acceding accomplishment, including incredible benefits for students that make those late nights and early mornings all worth the while. Students who earn an AICE Diploma based on exams taken within a twenty-five-month period, as well as completing 100 hours of community service as well as submitting their Florida Financial Aid Applications by their high school graduation date will automatically earn the Florida Academic Scholars award! Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) will receive an award to cover 100% of tuition and applicable fees. Students attending a public institution will have tuition and applicable fees covered.
You indeed read that correctly, tuition and applicable fees covered 100%!! Now doesn’t that sound like a dream come true? Students here at Palmetto High are experiencing that dream becoming reality every year thanks to the AICE diploma. We already heard from one of Palmetto Highs’ hardworking AICE coordinators, now what do the students here have to say? I interviewed a handful of Palmetto Highs AICE diploma recipients for the class of 2022, to ask questions and hear what their personal experience was while pursuing this academic track.
Recipient One: Palmetto High Senior Tanner Simpson
Question: “Tanner, what made you originally want to strive for the AICE Diploma?” Answer: “I felt that it was my best chance at getting accepted into major colleges.”
Question: “Has it been easy? Or hard? Has it been considered worth it to you?” Answer: “It has been hard at times, but is pretty simple overall”
Question: “Would you recommend the AICE diploma track to incoming students at Palmetto High?” Answer: “Yes I would recommend it”
Question: “Has any specific AICE course or teacher impacted you the most?” Answer: “I would say Mrs. McMillan impacted me the most because even though I suck at math and always do bad on her tests, she puts in the maximum effort to make sure I improve”
Question: “What are your biggest tips for incoming or current AICE diploma students to achieve this accomplishment?” Answer: “Tips I have would just be to stay on top of everything, don’t let yourself get behind in classes, and to not stress out over everything”
Recipient Two: Palmetto High Senior Grace Lucas
Question: “Grace, what made you originally want to strive for the AICE Diploma?” Answer: “What made me strive to get my AICE Diploma is the scholarships and money you are able to get out of it along with getting some college classes out of the way!”
Question: “Has it been easy? Or hard? Has it been considered worth it to you?” Answer: “It has been hard and stressful at times trying to balance everything but, in the end, at least for me I feel it was completely worth it!”
Question: “Would you recommend the AICE diploma track to incoming students at Palmetto High?” Answer: “Yes, I would recommend the AICE program to anyone!!”
Question: “Has any specific AICE course or teacher impacted you the most?” Answer: “I feel like Global Perspectives has impacted me the most because it shows what is going on around the world and how other people are living compared to what we are used to”
Question: “What are your biggest tips for incoming or current AICE diploma students to achieve this accomplishment?” Answer: “My biggest tips are to always talk to your teachers and don’t wait to cram everything in at the last minute, most of the time it never works”
Recipient Three: Palmetto High Senior Michael Cappola
Question: “Michael, what made you originally want to strive for the AICE Diploma?” Answer: “I wanted classes that could challenge me and increase my academic growth”
Question: “Has it been easy? Or hard? Has it been considered worth it to you?” Answer: “The path has had parts that were difficult, but I have had help from both teachers and fellow students”
Question: “Would you recommend the AICE diploma track to incoming students at Palmetto High?” Answer: “If they want to challenge themselves, then I would recommend it”
Question: “Has any specific AICE course or teacher impacted you the most?” Answer: “I would say that I had more of an impact with the Biomed course”
Question: “What are your biggest tips for incoming or current AICE diploma students to achieve this accomplishment?” Answer: “Just do the work and listen to the teachers and you will pass the course and the class”
The Class of 2022 has had its challenges and continues to push through them all. ALL the AICE Diploma recipients of Palmetto High School Class Of 2022 deserve to be recognized and honored, the following list provides all the recipient’s names, congratulations to them all! To the incoming recipients, continue to strive and accomplish all you wish to achieve, Palmetto High believes in you!
Total Recipients 75:
- Coral Bell
- Ruth Centeno
- Eleanor Iris
- Angela Hoyle
- Natalia Madrid
- Jessica Miller
- Nirvana Soundara
- Riley Williams
- Piper Berndt
- Madison Bouchard
- Collin Butzow
- Jason Caouette
- Michael Cappola
- Chloe Domion
- Jake Dunn
- Ryan Febinger
- Cyler Gabel
- Misael Garcia
- Zachary Henjum
- Thomas Husser
- Caden Kendzior
- Sadie Kendzior
- Grace Lucas
- Alexandrea Mackendrick
- Madison Maliniak
- Ella Mcnaughton
- Mateo Melton
- Merissa Murphy
- Eduardo Perez-Gonzalez
- Christian Poulin
- Madisun Reif
- Tyler Schmidt
- Gabriel Thomas
- Christopher Anderson
- Ethan Bell
- Trevor Brenneman
- Raelyn Bullard
- Savannah Chambers
- Devanee Craddock
- Morgan Hansen
- Madeline Hume
- Arianna Longo
- Mattison Mathews
- Anahy Mendoza
- Liliana Mont
- Emily Neves
- Ethan Niles
- Haylee Peace
- Quillan Reed
- Mia Rooke
- Luke Zika
- Marissa Baty
- Eric Brust
- Madison Carroll
- Mazie Dunbar
- Sophie Hecker
- Rylee Jackson
- Megan Keegan
- Andrew Maccini
- Lauren Mcclintic
- Kelly Mckeithen
- Lucas Meyer
- Kaitlin Sloat
- Hannah Weltzien
- Madisyn Clark
- Christopher Conboy
- Isabella Daymon
- Alivia Deloach
- Ashley Dieckmann
- Dalton Frasier
- Micah Johnson
- Dylan Labadie
- Quintin Rizner
- Tanner Simpson
- Ava Skon