Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Computer Science Pathway Allow You To Earn College Credit?

Can You Start This Pathway With No Previous Knowledge of Computer Science?

Will I Be Able To Code Real Projects and Apply What I Learn To Hands-On Activities?

What Types Of Jobs Are There For People Who Major or Pursue Computer Science?

Do The Teachers Of These Classes Help Guide Students Along The Way, Or Is It Mostly Self Driven?

Do You Have To Have A Home Computer Or Personal Laptop To Complete These Classes?

If I Want To Complete Other Tech Electives Such As Robotics That Are Not In the Pathway Can I Do So While Still Meeting The Requirements?

What Is The Average Workload Of These Classes?

Do I Need To Be Formally Enrolled In The Pathway To Take A Computer Science Class?

Yes, some courses offered such as AP Computer Science offer the chance to earn college credit to the University of Rhode Island, you have the opportunity to graduate with a total of 16 credits going into your freshman year.

Yes, you can start and participate in this pathway with no background knowledge or experience in computer science. Most courses without prerequisites start at an entry-level difficulty and then progressively get more complex and interactive as you learn more.

Most computer science courses offer the ability to complete hands-on projects. When I was taking AP Computer Science we were able to code our own simple clicker game, which we were able to then transport to our phones as well so there are many opportunities for hands-on work.

Computer Science is a very broad and vast field study that opens up a whole world of possibilities for people who study it. Many jobs such as being a software developer, computer programmer, web developer, software engineer, or video game programmer. There are hundreds of options to choose from, making it a very flexible and open field. The salaries for these jobs can vary with a starting average of about $64,261 as a computer programmer and about $62,000 as a Cyber Security Analyst, which are just a few examples (glassdoor.com).

The teachers within the Computer Science Pathway are great when it comes to helping students succeed and making sure they understand both what the content is and how to apply it. Many of these classes can be self-driven and many are project based, however, the teachers are always happy to help students when they are having trouble and show great interest in the success of their students.

No, all projects and assignments for these classes can be completed fully on your school-issued laptop. However, you can also use a personal computer or laptop if you wish to do so.

Yes, you can complete other electives that are now within the pathway while still meeting all of the requirements. Over your four years at South Kingstown High School you will have plenty of time to participate in various electives and interests.

Many of these classes offer in-class time to complete assignments, and if you plan accordingly you will be able to complete all or most of the assignments in the class time provided. Also, the homework that is given out, in our experiences as students, is never overwhelming or overly complex.

You do not need to be formally enrolled in the CTE pathway program to take a Computer Science class and you can enroll in any of the electives or classes as long as you meet the requirements just like any other class.