Computer Science

Honors Exploring Computer Science

Course Number: 668201H

Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing

Credits: 1                   

Homework Expectation: Work is completed using school resources during class. Work that is not completed at school can be made up at home or Academic Lab.

Assessment Retake Policy: n/a

Grading Categories:  70% Summative and 30% Formative 

Exploring Computer Science is an introductory course designed to show that anyone can master computing. Students will explore a wide range of concepts including human-computer interaction, problem-solving, web design, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Through curiosity and inquiry, students develop programming skills by creating music, animating stories, and developing games. The course emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and ethical issues related to computing's impact on culture. This Honors version is part of the Computer Science for All initiative, ensuring a culture of equity while providing a strong foundation for future technical studies.

AP Computer Science Principles

Course Number: 670501A

Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing

Credits: 1

Homework Expectation: Work is completed using school resources during class. Work that is not completed at school can be made up at home or Academic Lab.

Assessment Retake Policy: Retakes are available to students for skill-checks

Grading Categories:  70% Summative and 30% Formative                  

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology impact the world. This course focuses on creative problem-solving and real-world applications, covering the internet, digital information, big data, privacy, and app development. Students will learn to design and implement innovative solutions by programming in Python, using an iterative process similar to that of professional computer scientists and engineers. Unlike traditional syntax-heavy courses, it emphasizes using Python as a tool to solve computational problems and create personally relevant artifacts. Students develop vital skills in computational thinking and collaboration, preparing them for the AP Computer Science Principles exam, which includes both a programming project submission and a traditional final exam.

AP Computer Science A

Course Number: 778301A

Prerequisites: ECS, AP CSP, or dept. approval

Credits: 1

Homework Expectation: On average, students can expect about five hours a week of work outside of class, including watching lecture videos and writing Java programs. 

Assessment Retake Policy: Learning targets for each unit will be assessed multiple times, with the opportunity to replace earlier grades if you show improvement on that skill. 

Grading Categories:  90% Summative and 10% Formative                  

This course is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science, introducing students to fundamental topics including problem-solving, design strategies, and data structures. The curriculum emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem-solving using the Java language, focusing on techniques that scale from simple tasks to large, complex systems. Students will develop a solid foundation in text-based programming, exploring algorithms, analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical implications of computing. As this course is compatible with most university CS1 courses, it is a vital component for almost all college-level STEM fields of study.

AP Cybersecurity

Course Number: 672501A

Prerequisites: ECS, AP CSP, or dept. approval

Credits: 1

Homework Expectation: Work is completed using school resources during class. Work that is not completed at school can be made up at home or Academic Lab.

Assessment Retake Policy: Retakes are available to students for skill-checks.

Grading Categories:  70% Summative and 30% Formative 

AP Cybersecurity is an advanced computer science course designed for students who want to expand their understanding of computing into the critical field of digital security. This course introduces students to the principles, technologies, and practices used to protect information systems and networks from cyber threats.  Students will learn how data is secured, how vulnerabilities are identified, and how to apply ethical hacking and defense strategies to real-world scenarios. Topics include network architecture, cryptography, authentication, secure software design, system forensics, and risk management. Through hands-on labs and problem-solving activities, students will develop technical skills in analyzing cyberattacks, designing secure systems, and responding to security incidents.  By completing AP Cybersecurity, students will gain both the knowledge and the confidence to engage with technology not only as users, but as informed and ethical protectors of the digital world.

CS 331 Data Structures and Algorithms for High School Students (Dual Enrollment)

Course Number: 055000N

Prerequisites: AP CS A

Credits: 1

Homework Expectation: Set by Illinois Tech

Assessment Retake Policy: Set by Illinois Tech

Grading Categories:  Set by Illinois Tech

Data Structures and Algorithms for High School Students is a dual enrollment course offered remotely at Jones during the school day.  It will allow you to earn three hours of college credit through a collaboration between Illinois Institute of Technology and Jones College Prep. This class replaces the old AP Computer Science AB course. The class gives you more depth in data structures, which are foundational for advanced computer science courses. CS 331 is offered through IIT’s Department of Computer Science and will be taught by a senior IIT instructor. Lectures will be posted online alongside slides and screencasts, allowing you to review them on demand the entire semester. You will learn: how to analyze the time and space complexity of algorithms using asymptotic upper bounds (big-O notation); how to design, implement and analyze the time and space performance of recursive functions, how recursion relies on the run-time stack, as well as the motivation for, design and implementation of classical data structures, including: lists, stacks, queues, expression trees, binary search trees, heaps, hash tables. The Python programming language will be used throughout the course. 

Note that this is a self-directed, group-study course and students will largely be expected to work together both in groups and independently as directed by an IIT instructor without Jones teacher assistance. During the first semester students will be required to take an additional IIT ITM course: past offerings have included ITMD 361 Front-End Web Development and ITM 313 Open Source App Development, but students should request updated information from IIT and Jones regarding current IIT course offerings for high school students.  First semester, in addition to taking the ITM course, students will learn the basics of Python, and do an overview of data structures concepts in Java.  During the second semester, while the IIT data structures class is officially running, IIT estimates six to ten hours a week of total study time. Please note that some universities will not accept the IIT credit for data structures unless you have Introductory Programming credit from the AP CS A exam. Because the sign-up for this course involves July registration for the ITM course, and a second application to IIT in the fall, and because of the unusual degree of independence required on the part of students, parents and students must sign an agreement stating their shared understanding of both the course format and the unusual degree of independence required.