ACES Scholars Program

    About ACES: ACES Home | The Course of Study |Sample Schedules
     Recognition and Benefits | Brochure (PDF)

    The Course of Study

    Program Requirements:

    • Biology, Chemistry and Physics (2 of which must be honors, or AP®)
    • At least five credits of the following (three credits of which must be AP®):
      • AP® Biology (2 credits)
      • AP® Chemistry (2 credits)
      • AP® Environmental Science
      • AP® Calculus AB or BC (1 credit)
      • AP® Physics 1
      • AP® Physics C
      • Anatomy
      • Molecular Biology
      • Forensic Science
      • Science Internship (Full school year)
      • MCPS Science Fair
      • Intel Science Talent Search (https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-sts)
      • 2 years of science competitions (ex: WJ Science Olympiad, Chem-a-thon, Physics Bowl)
    • Advanced Placement® (AP®) exams must be completed for all AP® courses used to fulfill ACES Program requirements.
    • Student must earn a semester grade of B or higher in all courses used toward fulfilling the ACES Program requirements.
    • It is preferred that participation be declared by the end of 10th grade.

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    Sample Schedules

    There are many different course options for completing the ACES Scholars program so it is recommended that students take the upper level courses of most interest. Students will need 2-3 periods of science most years to complete this program.

    Maximum AP® Courses: (5 AP®sciences)

    9th Grade: H Biology & H Chemistry
    10th Grade: AP® Physics 1 & AP® Environmental Science
    11th Grade: AP® Physics C & AP® Chemistry
    12th Grade: AP® Biology

    Rigorous AP® Schedule: (3-4 AP® sciences)

    9th Grade: H Biology & H Chemistry
    10th Grade: AP® Physics 1 & AP® Environmental Science
    11th Grade: AP® Chemistry or AP® Biology
    12th Grade: AP® or Advanced Science

    Alt Rigorous Schedule: (2 AP® sciences)

    9th Grade: H Biology
    10th Grade: H Chemistry
    11th Grade: H Physics or AP® Physics 1 & AP® Chemistry
    12th Grade: AP® Biology
    (Must also complete an internship, one additional AP®/advanced science class 

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