Computer Science

“We currently offer six different courses in Computer Science. Web Programming, Help Desk, App Development, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A are stand alone courses and can be taken concurrently or in any order, however the following order is recommended for students who choose to take multiple AP and IB courses:

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science A

IB HL Year 2 Computer Science

AP Computer Science A must be taken before IB HL Year 2.

Students will earn Math Elective Credit for successful completion of computer science courses. These math elective credits do not count toward the required number of math credits required for graduation.”

AP Computer Science Principles

Credits: 1 Elective Math Credit

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Algebra I

There will be laptop carts available for student use in these courses.

In AP Computer Science Principles, students explore the foundations of computer science at a level equivalent to a rigorous, first-semester college course. Major areas of study are organized around seven big ideas central to computer science: creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the Internet, and global impact.

Students are introduced to programming with a focus on learning fundamental concepts and techniques that can be applied across projects and languages. (JavaScript, both in graphical and text formats, serves as the primary language for this course.) Students discover how information can be digitally represented, manipulated, and transferred between devices. They use abstraction as a way to manage complexity, reducing information and detail to focus on relevant concepts as a problem-solving technique. They learn about “Big Data” and some of the technical, legal, and ethical issues that arise from the collection and analysis of enormous amounts of data. They identify trends and draw conclusions from large data sets. They recognize tradeoffs between advantages of data innovations and concerns about privacy and security. They learn about cybersecurity and cryptography.

Throughout the course, students examine computing innovations, invent protocols, and design computational artifacts based on their interests. They develop communication and collaboration skills both individually and in teams. Students also consider the impact of computer science – both its beneficial and potential harmful effects – on society, economy, and culture.

The AP Exam score for AP Computer Science Principles is comprised of three assessment components: an end-of-course AP Exam and two through-course Performance Tasks to be submitted to the College Board for evaluation.

AP Computer Science A

1 elective credit — Grades 10,11,12

(1 period per day for 1 year) Prerequisites: Geometry

There will be laptop carts available for student use in these courses.

AP Computer Science A is a one year course equivalent to the first two semesters of computer science of a college level Java computer science curriculum. Emphasis will be on object-oriented program design and problem solving using Java as the sole programming language. In the first semester, students will learn the rudiments of programming including input, output, decision making, iteration, methods, and class design. In the second semester, students will learn more advanced topics including inheritance, searching and sorting techniques, recursion, and simple data structures. Students will be expected to implement multiple interacting classes in order to solve various problems. This course curriculum is designed to prepare students for the AP Computer Science A Examination and follows College Board’s AP Computer Science A Curriculum

AP Computer Science A must be taken before IB HL Year 2. The other courses are stand alone courses and can be taken concurrently or in any order, however the following order is recommended:

Web Programming

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science A

IB HL Year 2 Computer Science

IB HL Computer Science Year 2

1 elective Math Credit Grades 11-12

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Computer Science A course and AP Exam

IB Fees: The approximate cost for a single IB course is $120.

There will be laptop carts available for student use in these courses.

The IB computer science HL Year 2 is a continuation of AP Computer Science A and is taught using the Java Programming Language. Students should have successfully completed the AP Computer Science A course and AP Exam prior to taking this course. This course requires an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computational thinking as well as knowledge of how computers and other digital devices operate. The course, underpinned by conceptual thinking, draws on a wide spectrum of knowledge, and enables and empowers innovation, exploration and the acquisition of further knowledge. Students study how computer science interacts with and influences cultures, society and how individuals and societies behave, and the ethical issues involved. During the course the student will develop computational solutions. Topics include computer systems, networks, computational thinking and problem-solving. Object oriented programming will be further studied including abstract data structures like linked lists, trees, stacks and queues. During this course students will complete IB assessments from year 1 and year 2 and cover all IB HL Computer Science curricula not covered in AP Computer Science A. IB Diploma candidates can use this course to fulfill the IB Science HL Group 4 requirement.

All students enrolled in IB Courses are required to take all IB Internal and External assessments. In October of the final year of the course, students will be required to pay IB fees, which cover the cost of registration with the IBO, international curriculum and examination development, Internal and External assessments, and examination fees. For more about the IB program, including the cost see here.