The IB Diploma Program at James S. Rickards High School meets the needs of highly motivated students and is considered the most rigorous high school curriculum in the world. James S. Rickards High School endeavors to carry out the intentions of the International Baccalaureate Organization. Colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma for course credits, awarding up to 30 hours college credit. The IB curriculum also fulfills the requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship.

The IB Diploma Program at James S. Rickards High School meets the needs of highly motivated students and is considered the most rigorous high school curriculum in the world.

International Baccalaureate students at RHS will:

• Critically reflect upon the larger issues of international awareness.
• Understand the ways of humanity in society and the scientific forces of the environment.
• Reach considered conclusions about humanity, language and literature.
• Learn how we learn.
• Conduct college-level research to prepare themselves for success at the university level and beyond.
• Be informed, tolerant and willing to communicate readily with others on a range of topics about which they have already formed considered opinions as a result of having shared a common two-year experience with other students from around the world.
• Become learners who are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. 

James S. Rickards High School endeavors to carry out the intentions of the International Baccalaureate Organization. Colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma for course credits, awarding up to 30 hours college credit. The IB curriculum also fulfills the requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship.

For more information, please visit: IB Diploma Programme

The AVID program, or  Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college-preparatory program designed to increase learning and performance through research-based methods of effective instruction. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates students' learning, uses research-based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.   

James S. Rickards High School AVID students have gone on to attend UCF, UWF, USF, Spelman College, FAMU, FSU, FAU, and Kentucky State University, to name a few. More than $100,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to AVID students at James S. Rickards High School.

For more information, please visit: AVID

The Millicent Holifield Academy of Health Sciences

The Health Sciences program provides students with the skills and experience necessary for employment and post-secondary education in any of the allied health sciences, medical sciences, veterinary medicine, dental medicine, public health sciences or nursing. Academy students have the opportunity to become members of HOSA and the Big Bend AHEC/TMH Healthcare Ambassador Program, dual enroll, and earn Industry Certification. Students are also eligible for a TMH clinical scholarship set aside specifically for graduates of the Millicent Holifield Academy of Health Sciences.

The Millicent Holifield Academy of Health Sciences at James S. Rickards High School is designed to encourage and prepare students for entry into healthcare careers immediately upon graduation and/or continued education in the healthcare profession in the post-secondary arena. While in the program, students have the opportunity to obtain post-secondary credits, obtain industry certifications, and participate in hands-on experiences. During their senior year, students have the opportunity to participate in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program and clinical experience, dual-enroll in another post-secondary healthcare program, or be placed in an externship position.  Those who participate in the CNA training program will sit for the CNA licensure exam at the end of their senior year.

For more information, please visit: Millicent Holifield Academy of Health Sciences

The Engineering Academy is offered for students who desire to pursue a career in the engineering, manufacturing, and/or technical fields. The Academy allows students to earn industry certification through hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment. The integrated curriculum provides technical skills in a variety of areas, including computer design, quality assurance, manufacturing processes, electrical systems, and automated systems.

In addition, the Academy allows students to apply their acquired technical knowledge in various design projects. The design projects help students to solve real-world problems as a team, which fosters interpersonal and communication skills, vital components in the 21st-century workplace. Future endeavors of the Engineering Academy include student internships at local-area businesses.  

For more information, please visit: Engineering Academy