The Beverly Institute, Inc.
Policies and Procedures
Graduation Requirements for Students Who Enter
Ninth Grade in 2007-2008 School Year:
Last Update 07/08/08
Students Entering Ninth Grade in 2007-2008
Florida students entering their first year of high school in the 2007-2008 school year may choose
from the following graduation programs:
1. The traditional 24-credit program (click here to see individual credits)
2. An International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
3. An Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma Program
4. A three-year, 18-credit college preparatory program
5. A three-year, 18-credit career preparatory program
All of these graduation paths include opportunities to take rigorous academic courses designed to
prepare students for their future academic and career choices. All students, regardless of
graduation program, must still earn a specific grade point average on a 4.0 scale and achieve
passing scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in order to graduate with a
standard diploma (refer to graduation options charts). However, the two three-year programs are
significantly different from the traditional 24-credit program.
Traditional 24-Credit Program – It’s a Major Opportunity!
This program requires students to take at least 24 credits in subject areas such as English,
mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, and a physical education course to include the
integration of health. Foreign language credit is not required for this program, although it is
recommended for community college preparation and is required for admission to Florida’s state
universities. This program offers students the chance to take eight elective credits- four credits in a
major area of interest and four credits combined to allow for a second major area of interest, a
minor area of interest, or elective courses. Major areas of interests will allow students to define their
interests and use their high school experience to become better prepared for higher education
and/or a career of their choosing.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university course of study
leading to internationally standardized tests. The program’s comprehensive two-year curriculum
allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of many different nations’ education systems. Students
completing IB courses and exams from the six subject groups are eligible for college credit. The
award of credit is based on scores achieved on IB exams. Students can earn up to 30
postsecondary semester credits by participating in this program at the high school level.
Approximately 45 Florida high schools participate in the IB program. Students in Florida’s public
secondary schools who are enrolled in IB courses do not have to pay to take the exams. For
information, visit www.ibo.org.
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program
The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program is an international curriculum
and examination program modeled on the British pre-college curriculum and “A-Level” exams.
Florida’s public community colleges and universities provide college credit for successfully passed
exams. Students in Florida’s public secondary schools who are enrolled in AICE courses do not
have to pay to take the exams. For information, visit www.cie.org.uk and click on “Qualifications &
Diplomas.”
Three-Year, 18-Credit College Preparatory Program
This accelerated graduation program requires fewer credits than the traditional 24-credit program
and does not require the student to select a major area of interest. It focuses more on academic
courses, which means students take fewer elective courses. Unlike the traditional 24-credit
program, the three-year college preparatory program requires students to earn two credits in a
foreign language. Students must earn at least 6 of the 18 required credits in specified rigorous level
courses and maintain a cumulative weighted grade point average of a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale with a
weighted or unweighted grade that earns at least a 3.0 or its equivalent in each of the 18 required
credits for the college preparatory program. It also requires higher-level mathematics courses than
does the 24-credit program and the three-year career preparatory program. The credits required
by this program must satisfy the minimum standards for admission into Florida’s state universities.
Three-Year, 18-Credit Career Preparatory Program
This accelerated graduation program requires fewer credits than the traditional 24-credit program
and does not require the student to select a major area of interest. It focuses more on academic
courses, which means students take fewer elective courses. Unlike the 24-credit program, the
three-year career preparatory program requires students to earn specific credits in a single
vocational or career education program. It requires students to maintain a cumulative weighted
grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with a weighted or unweighted grade that earns at
least a 2.0 or its equivalent in each of the 18 required credits for the career preparatory program.
The requirements of the program are designed to prepare students for entrance into a technical
center or community college for career preparation or for entrance into the workforce.
Choosing a Program
The three-year programs are designed for students who are clear about their future goals, who are
mature enough to leave high school, and who are ready to pursue their goals beyond high school
in an accelerated manner. To assist students and parents with this task, each school district shall
provide each student in grades 6 through 9 and their parents with information concerning the
three-year and four-year high school graduation options, including the respective curriculum
requirements for those options, so that the students and their parents may select the program
that best fits their needs. To select a three-year graduation program, students and their parents
must meet with designated school personnel to receive an explanation of the requirements,
advantages, and disadvantages of each program option. Students must also receive the written
consent of their parents. Students must select a graduation program prior to the end of ninth
grade. Each student and his or her family should select the graduation program that will best
prepare the student for his or her postsecondary education or career plan.
Acceleration Programs and Advanced Course Work
Studies show that students who complete a solid academic program in high school, including
advanced courses, are more likely to be successful in college. Students in all graduation programs
are encouraged to take advantage of advanced course offerings and acceleration programs such
as dual enrollment, early admission, the Advanced Placement Program, the International
Baccalaureate Diploma Program, the Advanced International Certificate of Education Program, and
the Florida Virtual School. These programs are available to all qualified students, no matter which
graduation program they choose. For information, contact your child’s school counselor.
Dual enrollment allows eligible high school students to enroll in postsecondary courses. They earn
credit toward high school graduation and, at the same time, earn credit toward a college degree or
technical certificate. All 28 public community colleges and some of the state universities in Florida
participate in dual enrollment. Students are permitted to take dual enrollment courses on a part-
time basis during school hours, after school, or during the summer term. Dual enrollment students
do not have to pay registration, matriculation, or laboratory fees. In addition, text books for dual
enrollment are provided to students free of charge.
Early admission is similar to dual enrollment, except that students enroll in college/university
courses full-time. They earn credits simultaneously toward a college degree and a high school
diploma.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a nationwide program consisting of more
than 30 college-level courses and exams offered at participating high schools. Subjects range from
art to statistics. Students who earn a qualifying grade of three or above on an AP exam can earn
college credit or advanced placement or both, depending on the college or university. Students in
Florida’s public secondary schools enrolled in AP courses do not have to pay to take the exams.
For information, visit http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html.