.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisites: None

With an emphasis on computational thinking and collaboration, this semester long course provides an excellent entry point for students to learn the basic concepts and thought process of the Computer Science pathway. In Computer Science 1, students will use visual, block-based programming and collaborative design to learn how to make computers work together to put their ideas into practice. They’ll apply computational thinking practices, build their vocabulary, and collaborate just as computing professionals do to create products that address topics and problems important to them.

Course Activities:  App design, creation, and testing/development

Cost: None

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisites: None

NOTE: Students enrolling in an AP® class will automatically be registered for that course's exam. An exam Opt-Out option is available. This course is approved for AP® designation by College Board. All AP® courses are pending annual approval.

Using Python® as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation. This course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration. Computer Science helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP® CSP). This endorsement affirms that all components of the PLTW CSP's offerings are aligned to the AP® curriculum framework standard and the AP® CSP assessment. 

Activities: Students work in teams to develop computational thinking and solve problems. Each unit focuses on one or more computationally intensive career paths. The course also engages students in issues raised by the present and future societal impact of computing. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills. Problems aim for ground-level entry with no ceiling so that all students can successfully engage the problems. Students with greater motivation, ability, or background knowledge will be challenged to work further.

Cost: Cost of AP® exam if taken.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: *AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Science Essentials 2. Geometry if taken for Math credit.

NOTE: This course may be taken to satisfy a portion of the Math requirements.

NOTE: In Order for Computer Science 2 to qualify for CAPP, students must take both Computer Science 2 and AP Computer Science A in succession; in the same school year. 

NOTE: This course is equivalent to Computer Science 1 when taken prior to the 2023-2024 school year.

NOTE: Recommended for the Information Technology career cluster within the NHS Business and Information Technology Academy.

Students will learn to write, edit, debug, comment, and run computer programs using Java programming language. The software will be constructed using Netbeans 7 and the Java Developers toolkit. Emphasis will be on program planning and structure using the basic fundamentals of object-oriented design.

Activities: Writing, documenting and debugging basic software programs. Group work, individualized instruction, demonstration, stepping through existing programs, and problem-solving.

Cost: None

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.5 credit (1 semester) ; UW-Oshkosh CAPP credits: 3, ONLY if taken in the same year as Computer Science 2

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Computer Science 2 (equivalent to Computer Science 1 through the 22-23 school year)

NOTE: This course is approved by College Board for AP® designation. Students enrolling in an AP® class will automatically be registered for that course's exam. An exam Opt-Out option is available.

NOTE: This course is approved for CAPP credit with UW Oshkosh ONLY if taken in the same school year as Computer Science 2. All CAPP classes are pending annual approval.

NOTE:  Recommended for the  Information  Technology career cluster within the NHS Business and Information Technology Academy.

Students will continue to build off of Computer Science 2 and develop more complex, object-oriented programs using the ideas of data storage, casting, arrays, sorting, algorithms, inheritance, polymorphism, and recursion. Emphasis will be on program planning and structure. Students who complete this course could elect to take the Advanced Placement® exam in Computer Science using the Java programming language.

Activities: This course is largely project-based. Students will be writing, documenting and debugging basic software programs, Group work, individualized instruction, demonstration, stepping through existing programs, and problem-solving.

Cost: A university fee if taken for CAPP credit, or an exam fee if the AP® exam is taken.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Computer Science 2

This project-based course will introduce students to the core skills of computer programming and graphics that are needed to be a part of this growing career pathway.

Activities: Through hands-on projects in a lab setting, students will use computer programming techniques to build software applications and games.

Cost: None

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Science Essentials 2

From the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) website: “Cybersecurity introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely.”

Course Activities:   Identify cybersecurity threats and protect against them.  Detect intrusions and respond to attacks. Begin to examine your own digital footprint and better defend your own personal data.  Learn how organizations protect themselves in today’s world.

Technology Integration:  Students will be using connected devices and web applications and analyze simulated types of cyberattacks.

Cost: None

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisites: *AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Science Essentials 2

Students will learn about Raspberry Pi motherboards. The Raspberry Pi is a series of small, single-board computers developed to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools. Students will create their own electronic project utilizing a Raspberry Pi. Students will use a variety of different resources to create their projects.

Activities: Students will create a few mini projects to get practice working with Raspberry Pi. They will create small objects using the 3D printer. Students will engineer and spec the project they want to create. 

Cost: None

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.5 credit per semester, up to 4 semesters (2 years). Students must work 450 hours for a 1-year program, or 900 hours for a 2-year program.

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Good attendance record, on track for graduation, good communication and time management skills.

NOTE: Students that do not meet program employment requirement will be transferred to the 9990/9991 Work-Based Learning course.

NOTE: Students should check with their prospective post-secondary schools as to receiving for "Credit for Prior Learning"

Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction.

This one or two-year elective program combines academic and career and technical instruction with mentored on-the-job learning. Students work 10 to 20 hours per week / 450 hours for 1 year or 900 hours for a 2 year program. Employers provide wages, worker's compensation, competency training, and mentoring.

Upon successful completion of the program, the Department of Workforce Development issues a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency. 

All post-secondary options are still open to students: four-year university, two-year technical college, apprenticeship, other industry training programs, military, and/or employment.

Student Qualifications for YA:

• Good attendance 

• On track for graduation, 2.0 GPA, no failing grades 

• 2 semesters of program related coursework

• Good Communication Skills and Time Management 

If a student is interested in a Youth Apprenticeship they should see their counselor.

CESA 6 Youth apprenticeship

Department of Workforce Development- Youth Apprenticeship

Program areas include:  

• Architecture & Construction

• Art 

• A/V Technology & Communications

• Finance

• Health Sciences

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Information Technology

• Manufacturing

• Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)

• Transportation Distribution & Logistics

Costs:  Driver's license and/or transportation to the work site, personal costs - textbooks, uniforms, tools.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: By teacher recommendation only. Student application review and interview with selection committee.  Preferred classes taken:  Computer Science 1, AP Computer Science Principles.

The Student Help Desk course is a hands-on study of technology integration within an educational institution. Student Helpdesk provides students with an interest in technology a firsthand experience by offering entry-level technology support to the students and staff of Neenah High School.  Students are assigned tasks based on the needs of the technology department. 

Activites: Course activities include direct student helpdesk support, working the student help desk area, troubleshooting chromebooks and chromebook basics, working with makerspace technology (i.e. Cricut, Makerbots, etc), building instructional resources, image/video/audio editing, and additional opportunities based on current needs of the technology department.  Students build a portfolio throughout their experience and are given the opportunity to complete an Independent Learning Endeavor (ILE) with an emphasis on an area of technology integration based on student interest and choice.

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