CAMBRIDGE PROGRAMS GENERAL INFORMATION
What Is The Cambridge Program?
University of Cambridge in England offers a rigorous, international curriculum for grade levels K-12 known as Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
MAST Academy currently hosts three Cambridge Programs:
- Cambridge General Studies (grades 6-8)
- Cambridge Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) (grades 9-12)
- Cambridge Global Studies (grades 9-12)
Aims of the Cambridge Continuum
- The development of oral, practical and thinking skills, as well as the acquisition of knowledge
- An investigative approach to learning
- The use of initiative and creativity in solving problems
- The application of skills, knowledge, and understanding
- The ability to undertake individual projects and to work as part of a team
- To promote international understanding in an ever changing global society
AICE Diploma
- To Earn the AICE diploma students must earn at least seven (7) AICE level credits (including Cambridge International AS Level Global Perspectives & Research).
- Students must test and earn credit a minimum of one AICE credit from each of the following groups of study:
- Group A: Mathematics & Science
- Group B: Languages
- Group C: Arts & Humanities
- Students must then earn an additional 3 AICE credits from any of the areas above or optionally from Group D:
Benefits of the Cambridge Program
- Academic support by the prestigious University of Cambridge in England
- Academic support by expert, dedicated, Cambridge-trained teachers
- Individualized attention and opportunities to collaborate with peers and teachers
- Flexibility to pursue areas of interest and strength
- Access to a rigorous, proven, high school curriculum
- Additional ways to qualify for the Bright Future scholarship
- Ability to earn college credits
- International perspective necessary for tomorrow’s leaders
- Ability to compete for admission to the most elite colleges and universities
Cambridge Program Descriptions
Cambridge students will need to select which Cambridge program he or she desires to study throughout high school—Cambridge Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) or Cambridge Global Studies in the beginning of the second semester of the eight grade year.
- Students will be committed to this high school Cambridge program throughout the Cambridge Pre-AICE and Cambridge AICE curriculum’s.
- Both high school Cambridge programs will execute the same Cambridge syllabus and examinations in core courses, yet the programs will differentiate in approach to the subject matter.
- Courses in both high school Cambridge programs will be equally rigorous, challenging, and enriching and will effectively prepare students for advanced academics in high school and university. All students in the program begin college-level course work in their sophomore year.
- Teachers in all Cambridge programs will be Cambridge trained and will implement Cambridge curriculum with fidelity
- Students will have the same opportunities to earn an accelerated diploma, college credit, and compete for scholarships and admissions to the most elite colleges worldwide.
- Students in all Cambridge programs will be encouraged to develop a strong commitment to social change, accept civic responsibility, and emerge as a leader sensitive and empathetic to the global community.
Cambridge General Studies Program (middle school)
Cambridge General Studies program offers a curriculum framework for the educational success of accelerated learners preparing students for the future rigor of the AICE program in high school. Students will take elective courses in a variety of science disciplines and general global studies courses to facilitate their decisions to pursue the Cambridge STEM Program or Cambridge Global Studies Program in High School.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills will be honed through Socratic discussions and project-based and experiential learning. Learning experiences focuses on the active exploration of major concepts, ideas, and theories that respond to life’s big questions. Students will be exposed to the history of these ideas; the struggles and controversies necessary for their development; the kinds of questions and problems that are key to the discovery process; and the special role of effort and creativity. Students learn to explore new questions, to ponder the significance of new discoveries, and to use scientific knowledge and critical thinking in their own life decision-making.
International benchmarks as well as the Common Core State Standards are infused throughout Language Arts, Science, and Mathematics classes. At the culmination of the Cambridge Secondary 1 Academy in eighth grade, the Cambridge Checkpoint exam will be administered to assess each student’s success in the Cambridge program.
Cambridge Global Studies Program (high school)
The Cambridge Global Studies Program at MAST Academy prepares students for college level study in the United States or internationally. Students in this program will master a broad range of skills and develop the in-depth understanding of a variety of subjects required to earn the internationally recognized Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma. Students complete coursework that broadens their perspective and provides a global lens through which to address the economic and social challenges facing our world. In recognition of the importance of fluency in multiple languages to the global workforce, all students in this program will be required to complete the foreign language component of the Florida Bi-Literacy Seal through examination or coursework while at MAST Academy.
Cambridge Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Program (high school)
The Cambridge Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Program at MAST Academy prepares students for international studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. Students in this program will master a broad range of skills and develop the in-depth understanding of a variety of subjects required to earn the internationally recognized Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma. Through active exploration and guided inquiry, students will have opportunities to engage in research, solve real-world problems, and learn experientially while becoming cognizant of the limits of knowledge and become sensitive to the over-reliance on science and technology. Students take advantage of the range of science and technology offerings at MAST to complete introductory college level coursework in the sciences and participate in STEM competitions. Students will take multiple science classes a year as part of this program.
