Computer Science

EXPLORE COMPUTER SCIENCE - A Level / Honors

Grades 9-12

BTCS50 - A Level -1/2 Elective Credit - 1/2 Year
BTCS50H - Honors Level - 1/2 Elective Credit - 1/2 Year

This class gives an overview of many different topics/skills of computer science.

No experience necessary!

Topics will include:

  • Fly and program a drone to fly autonomously

  • Create your own video game

  • Create your own app

  • Program a robot to autonomously navigate and sense items in a ring

  • Learn about how the Internet and routers work

  • Learn to operate and print with a 3D printer

  • Create a word game and numbers game in Python

  • Explore cybersecurity issues

Students will have an opportunity to make a “deeper dive” in their favorite topics on rotating days.

GAME DESIGN - A Level

Grades 9 - 12

BTCS34A - ½ Elective Credit - ½ Year
Offered Fall and Spring






Code, Compile, Smile

Using a mix of logic and creativity, the goal of this game programming course is to get you hooked on coding while learning fundamental programming concepts. Students will use an online game creation program. No experience necessary!

Remote students must have access to a computer.





AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (CSP)

Grades 10 - 12

BTCS39 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Computer science is everywhere, from our smartphones and video games to music, medicine, and much more. AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) can help you understand how computing and technology influence the world around you. Learn how to creatively address real-world issues while using the same tools and processes that artists, writers, computer scientists, and engineers use to bring ideas to life. In this course, students will study the fundamentals of computing, including problem solving, working with data, understanding the Internet, cyber-security, and programming. The goal is to broaden one's understanding of computer science for use in a diversity of majors and careers.


All students enrolled are required to take the AP exam in May for which there is a fee of $95.00.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A (Java)

Grades 10 - 12

BTCS43 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year

Prerequisite: AP CSP or a previous programming class.

AP Computer Science A is an introductory college-level computer science course. Students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures. (from AP Central)


All students enrolled are required to take the AP exam in May for which there is a fee of $95.00

FUNDAMENTALS of PROGRAMMING USING PYTHON - A Level / Honors
Grades 9 - 12

BTCS38H - Honors ½ Elective Credit -½ Year Fall,½ Year Spring

BTCS38A - A Level -½ Elective Credit -½ Year Fall, ½ Year Spring

This course is an introduction to the Python programming language for students without prior programming experience. We cover the fundamentals of variables, arithmetic operations and expressions, decision constructs, arrays, functions, data types, character strings, and two dimensional arrays. According to a recent survey from the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), Python has overtaken Java as the programming language of choice to introduce students to computer science at top US universities.

FUNDAMENTALS of PROGRAMMING USING JAVA I - Honors

Grades 9 - 12

BTCS29 - ½ Elective Credit - ½ Year Fall

This fast paced HONORS class builds off basic programming techniques. Java is one of the most popular programming languages used today for creating Internet content and mobile applications. This course will dive deeper into object oriented programming with more focus on methods, classes and objects. Students will also use a version of Java to program a vehicle to run autonomously.

(Prior programming experience is recommended but not required)

ADVANCED PROGRAMMING USING JAVA II - Honors

Grades 9 - 12

BTCS30 - ½ Elective Credit - ½ Year - Spring

This class is a continuation of Fundamentals of Programming Java I. We will dive deeper into arrays, strings, classes and constructors. Students will also collaborate while creating useful programs.

MIT AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES - Parts I - Honors

Grades 10 - 12

BTCS41 - ½ Elective Credit, Fall & Spring

Prerequisite: There is none, however, honors level work is required.

This course is based on the MIT Lincoln Labs Mini Racecar program. The Fall course begins with a fast paced, in depth introduction to Python 3 and a basic introduction to the Linux operating system, the programming language and operating system used by the racecar. Projects include programming control of the racecar motion and techniques to control the racecar based on processing of camera images. A final challenge is successfully navigating a slalom course (see Curriculum Phase 1.) Code is developed and tested on a racecar simulator and once refined can be run on an actual racecar. Where appropriate students are encouraged to collaborate on coding and problem solving. The pace of the course will require student initiative and work outside of class.

MIT AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES II - Honors

Grades 10 - 12

BTCS42 - ½ Elective Credit, Spring

Prerequisite: Successful completion of BTCS41 or permission of the instructor.

Honors work is required.

This course builds on BTCS41 and the MIT Lincoln Labs Mini Racecar program. Students build on their code developed in BTCS41 to incorporate use of the depth camera, LIDAR and processing AR code images to program the racecar to navigate an obstacle course (Labs 3 through Final Challenge - see Curriculum Phase 2.) Depending on student progress, additional investigation of inertial guidance and AI techniques and the use of multiple sensors to increase the racecar’s navigational accuracy can be explored. Where appropriate students are encouraged to collaborate on coding and problem solving. The pace of the course will require student initiative and work outside of class.