TAVARES – The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment has named Lake County Schools as the 2024-25 U.S. District of the Year in the Medium category. The award recognizes the district for its continued success in the Cambridge Pathway, expanding access to high-quality, rigorous coursework for all students.
A team from Cambridge will present the award at the Lake County School Board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 14 at the Lake County Administration Building, 315 W. Main Street in Tavares.
The Cambridge Pathway is designed to be flexible, offering academic programs that prepare students with the essential skills to succeed in postsecondary education and/or the workforce. Lake County Schools offers the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma program as an accelerated learning option that helps prepare students for college and equips them with the skills needed to be successful once they get there. The Cambridge AICE program is offered at Eustis, East Ridge, Lake Minneola, Leesburg, South Lake and Umatilla high schools; at Carver, Gray, Oak Park and Umatilla middle schools; and at the Aurelia M. Cole Academy K-8.
“Students in Lake County are accepting the challenge to accelerate their learning, passing the AICE exam, and earning college credits tuition free before they graduate high school,” Lake Superintendent Diane Kornegay said. “Additionally, in Florida when a student earns the Cambridge AICE diploma and has the required GPA and community service hours, the student gets a full Bright Futures scholarship covering 100 percent of their tuition at any state college or university in Florida. That’s a life-changing opportunity for our students and their family.”
Each year, Cambridge honors three districts based on high school enrollment: large districts with over 20,000 students; medium districts between 10,000 and 20,000, and small districts with fewer than 10,000 students. Within each category, Cambridge recognizes the districts that rank highest based on the following criteria:
Increasing access to rigorous Cambridge curriculum the past three years, and
Exhibiting strong student performance on Cambridge exams, and demonstrating the district’s dedication to expanding access to high-quality education for all students.
Along with Lake County, the other 2024-25 U.S. District of the Year Award recipients include Hillsborough County Public Schools in the Large category, and Putnam County School District in the Small category.
“We are delighted to honor the Hillsborough, Lake and Putnam County communities for their outstanding academic and instructional achievements through the Cambridge Pathway,” said Mark Cavone, regional director, North America for International Education at Cambridge. “These awards recognize the districts’ unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, creating an environment where every student can thrive and realize their full potential.”