Academic life at Aberdare Community School is uniquely stimulating and the key reason that most families choose the school.  We aim to instil in each pupil with an excitement about learning for its own sake and a love of education which will serve them throughout life.  While success in examinations is important, Aberdare Community School's education goes far beyond this and at every stage, pupils are encouraged to pursue intellectual, creative and cultural interests beyond the formal curriculum.

For the first three years, all pupils study a broad range of subjects including English, mathematics, history, geography, religious studies, art and design, drama, music, the sciences, two modern foreign languages and ICT.  In KS4 the pupils study the core curriculum: English, mathematics, science and Welsh Baccalaureate.  In addition, they choose extra subjects from the large options, providing significant breadth in curriculum choice.  All subjects are then studied to GCSE level.

In the Senior School, Years 12 and 13 study a range of academic and vocational courses are offered which prepare students for university, further education, commerce and industry.

In order to offer a wider range of AS courses the school runs a joint timetable with partnership schools allowing students to pick a subject at a different centre to meet their needs.

We also offer a choice of progression routes for students including one year vocational courses and ESOL courses for those with limited English.  

In addition, students are prepared for the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification at either intermediate or advanced level.  This qualification, which at advanced level is equivalent to an A grade, has proved highly successful in both motivating students and equipping them with the skills for both further study and employment.