Computer Science

• One Semester
• 1 credit
• Grade: 9-12
• Required for all students beginning with freshman cohort 2024-25. Available to take online.
• Prerequisite: None; also meets third lab science or fourth math requirement if taken senior year

Computer Science is an introductory computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science in a project-based learning environment. Students will investigate problems and design and evaluate solutions using algorithmic thinking and testing. Using digital data analysis, they will begin to identify trends and patterns to create new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.

• One Semester
• 1 credit
• EPSO
• EOC: NO
• Grade 9-12
• Prerequisite: Algebra 1; counts as third lab science or meets computer science or fourth math requirement if taken senior year

AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.

• One Semester
• 1 credit
• EPSO
• EOC: NO
• Grade 9-12
• Prerequisite: Algebra 1; counts as third lab science or meets computer science or fourth math requirement if taken senior year

AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.

• One Semester
• 1 credit
• Grade: 9-11
• Prerequisite: None; also meets computer science, third lab science or fourth math requirement

A course that exposes students to various information technology occupations. Proficient students will be able to describe various information technology (IT) occupations and professional organizations. Moreover, they will be able to demonstrate logical thought processes and discuss the social, legal, and ethical issues encountered in the IT profession.