Computer Science Courses

There are two sequences of Computer Science courses. The sequences overlap and support each other.

Computer Science Pathway (3 course sequence):
Computing in the Modern World, Beginning Programming, Intermediate Programming (pre-AP/IB)

Students who complete all three courses, in order, are eligible to take the Computer Science End-of-Pathway Exam. If they pass the exam, they will receive a Pathway Completion certificate and a "Pathway Completer" medal that can be worn at graduation. Students who rigorously pursue the Pathway coursework, and are successful in the courses, will be well prepared to pursue various Computer Science majors at 2-year and 4-year colleges, or pursue technical training and professional certification that do not require attending college.

Students who complete the Pathway before their senior year are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking either AP or IB Computer Science.

Suggested AP/IB Course Sequence:
CitMW*, Beginning Prog*, Int. Prog (pre-AP/IB)*, AP or IB CS, Int. Prog (Adv Topics)**
*optional courses, see explanation below

The AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) Computer Science courses are college level courses designed to teach CS topics at a college level and at a college-level pace. Students are expected to be highly self-motivated, highly self-directed, and have high standards for their work and level of achievement. Students registering for these courses are expected to sign up for and take either the AP or IB exam, so the course work reflects a rigorous preparation for these exams. Students who carry an A average in this course, should be able to make a 5 on the AP exam or a 6 or better on the IB exam; students with a B average should expect to make a 4(AP) or 5(IB); and students with at least a C should expect to make a 3(AP) or 4(IB). These ARE NOT courses for students hoping to pad their GPA by getting an easy A in a course with a quality point attached.

* For students with strong academic records, especially those in the Accelerated Math classes and/or with significant independent programming experience, you can take AP or IB CS without taking any of the Computer Science Pathway courses as prerequisites. For other students, it is highly recommended that you gain computer science and programming experience by taking the lower level Pathway courses. Since Computing in the Modern World is currently being required as a prerequisite for Beginning Programming, you must plan for at least a 3-course sequence: CitMW, Beg Prog, and then AP or IB CS. If at the end of Beg Prog, you do not feel you are ready for the AP or IB level work, you may take Intermediate Programming to gain additional experience.

** Students that are able to successfully complete AP or IB CS before their senior year, have not yet taken the Intermediate Programming course, and wish to pursue Computer Science topics beyond those explored in the AP or IB courses are encouraged to sign up for the Intermediate Programming course AFTER taking AP or IB. When taken in this sequence, the Intermediate Programming course can be used to pursue Advanced Topics such as advanced data structures in Java, PHP/MySQL programming (the backbone of interactive web sites), microcontroller programming (such as those used in robotics or factory automation), more advanced game design or simulation programming, or mobile application programming (e.g. Android or iPhone). Success in this course requires a very highly self-motivated, self-directed student, and students are highly encouraged to pursue work that could be used as entries into any number of computer science competitions. Students who show lack of initiative pursuing their chosen topics/projects will be put on a specific traditional curriculum.