Redondo Union High School students will have a new path to college credit this fall through Cambridge International, an international exam program that more than 1,000 U.S. universities accept for credit, advanced placement, or scholarships.
The Redondo Beach school is the first high school in Los Angeles County to adopt the program, the Daily Breeze reported Monday, July 27.
The Redondo Beach Unified School District board approved an agreement with Cambridge International and a slate of courses at its Tuesday, March 24 meeting. The combined investment totals roughly $51,800, funded through the district's A-G Grant.
Eight courses at RUHS, one at middle schools
The board approved eight Cambridge courses at Redondo Union for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Cambridge Advanced Art and Design AS Level
- Cambridge Advanced Art and Design A Level
- Cambridge Advanced Biology AS Level
- Cambridge Advanced Biology A Level
- Cambridge Advanced Marine Science AS Level
- Cambridge Advanced Marine Science A Level
- Cambridge Advanced Mathematics AS Level
- Cambridge Pre-Advanced Chinese Mandarin IGCSE Level
A ninth course, Cambridge Global Perspectives, was approved for RBUSD middle schools.
How it differs from AP and dual enrollment
Cambridge International is administered by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, not the College Board (which runs AP) or a community college. Students sit for externally graded exams and earn a General Certificate of Education at the AS or A Level. AS Level covers the first year of a two-year advanced curriculum; A Level covers the full sequence.
That makes it distinct from RBUSD's existing dual enrollment partnership with El Camino College, which grants community college credit for courses taught during the school day at Redondo Union.
College admissions recognition
More than 1,000 U.S. institutions have formal policies for Cambridge qualifications, according to Cambridge International. The list includes UC campuses at Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara, along with MIT, Duke, Columbia, and New York University. Students who earn qualifying exam grades may receive college credit, advanced course placement, or scholarships.
Teachers already trained
Two RUHS teachers traveled to Florida for Cambridge training ahead of the launch. Katherine Mauss completed Marine Science training in Riverview, Florida, from Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4. Sarah Keasler attended Mathematics training in Lantana, Florida, from Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 22. The district spent $6,500 on the trips, drawn from A-G Grant, Title II, and RUHS block funds.
The board's agenda rationale described the partnership as supporting college and career readiness through critical thinking, real-world application, and internationally benchmarked standards.
Classes start soon. The 2026-2027 school year begins Tuesday, August 18, and families can check rbusd.org for Cambridge enrollment details as they become available.
