Computer Science
The Computer Science Academy includes two tracks to help students focus on a career field: Cybersecurity and AP Computer Science. All Computer Science students begin by taking IT Fundamentals where they are introduced to computer hardware troubleshooting and various operating systems. Students also have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Technology Associate certifications. By their sophomore year, students can choose to follow the Cybersecurity track or AP Computer Science track. The Cybersecurity track teaches students how to secure a network from unauthorized activity. On campus, we house an external network designated for student use that students can practice fortifying and hacking. Students can also earn industry certifications if they choose to pursue the Cybersecurity track. The AP Computer Science track consists of two classes: AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A. AP Computer Science Principles is “designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course. In this course, students develop computational thinking vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. The course is unique in its focus on fostering student creativity.” 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.” Students have the opportunity to earn college credit in both AP Computer Science classes if they pass the exam at the end of the year. Students entering this program must have a 3.0 GPA.