Umatilla High School is celebrating a major academic milestone. They had 31 students earn the prestigious Cambridge AICE Diploma during the 2024-2025 school year, qualifying them for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, worth $25,000 each. In total, these scholarships amount to an impressive $790,500 awarded to Umatilla High students this year alone.

The school achieved a 60% overall pass rate on the rigorous spring Cambridge AICE exams. Across all grade levels, students passed 524 exams, resulting in 1,572 college credits earned, a substantial cost savings for families. Based on current tuition rates, these credits represent a total savings of $334,380.

(Students study in the AICE Modern European History Class. Photo Credit – Ben Nash.)

Ben Nash, Umatilla High’s Cambridge AICE Coordinator, praised the students and staff for their dedication and excellence.

“Congratulations to all our students who earned credits and scholarships,” Ben says. “The students were driven to be successful, and they had the best teachers and support staff I have ever seen in my 22 years in education. None of this would have been possible without an amazing administrative team.”

What sets Umatilla’s program apart is its open-access model. Unlike many advanced programs, there is no application process required to join the AICE program. Any student may enroll and challenge themselves, making this opportunity a life-changing option for many.

(Students study AICE Psychology. Photo Credit – Ben Nash.)

Student Drew Parkinson reflected on the journey, saying, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Today, those efforts led me to my AICE Diploma with Merit, and tomorrow, they’ll carry me even further.”

Another graduate of the program, Lynzee Bowling, shared her experience saying, “The AICE program has been a really challenging program that has pushed me to grow as a student. The late nights and all the studying were so worth the final results.”

Ben noted that the emotional impact of success was deeply felt.

“Many students broke down in tears of joy when they learned they had passed the program and would receive their diploma,” he says.

(The Cambridge AICE Program at Umatilla High will allow these students to save thousands of dollars on college tuition. Many of them cried tears of happiness when they learned they got their AICE Diploma. A life changing accomplishment.)

The Cambridge AICE program was introduced at Umatilla High by Principal Brent Fraizer just a few years ago. Since then, the results have been nothing short of extraordinary. Inspired by Umatilla’s success, multiple Lake County schools and neighboring districts have implemented the AICE curriculum, collectively saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in future college tuition by allowing students to earn free college credits while still in high school.

Congratulations to all of the students, teachers, parents and all who believe in this great program.