Redondo Beach school board approves partnership with Cambridge International and greenlights proposed courses

The Redondo Beach Unified School District board voted March 24 to approve an agreement with Cambridge International and to authorize a slate of Cambridge AS/A‑Level and IGCSE courses for the 2026‑27 school year, district officials said.

Assistant Superintendent Allison Garland and Redondo Union High School Principal Marvin Brown presented the Cambridge program to the board, describing it as an internationally recognized pathway that emphasizes in‑depth, application‑based assessments over a two‑year sequence. "Our goal is to provide an additional opportunity for our students. It's not to replace AP," Garland said, according to the presentation.

Garland and Cambridge representatives outlined proposed offerings that would begin at the AS level — including math, biology, marine science, art and design, and IGCSE Chinese — with A‑Level continuation in year two where feasible. A Cambridge representative said that while some universities (notably UC campuses) already award credit for A‑Level exams, credit for AS and A‑Level coursework varies by institution and is determined individually by colleges.

Board members pressed presenters on implementation details, including which courses would be offered initially, how students would enroll and whether courses would receive a GPA weight similar to honors or AP classes. "Assistant principal Sonata just created a Google form that will go out if these classes get approved to our students," Brown said, explaining enrollment logistics. Garland said Cambridge courses would receive the same GPA weighting as honors and AP offerings.

Cost and assessment format were discussed: presenters said Cambridge assessments include multiple components (written exams, applied problems, portfolios) and that testing costs differ from AP (presenters cited AP at about $107 and Cambridge AS/A‑Level components at roughly $124 for two tests). The board also heard that Cambridge assessments emphasize short‑answer and extended‑response items rather than primarily multiple choice.

Following the presentation and Q&A, the board approved the contract with Cambridge International and separately approved the courses and materials for next school year, with trustees noting that course offerings will depend on teacher interest and student enrollment. Dr. Garland said the district will return with any necessary curriculum and materials items if courses move forward.

The vote was taken after discussion; the student advisory vote was recorded as "Aye" and the board approved both the agreement and the course list. District staff said access fees for Cambridge platforms would be incurred only if classes are ultimately taught.

Next steps include finalizing curriculum materials and communicating enrollment options to families; any expansion to an ACE diploma or broader A‑Level program would require additional courses and multi‑year buildup, Garland said.