Computer Science Options Abound for Girls

Which Programming Course is Right for Me?

One Schoolhouse offers four programming classes for girls – Introduction to Computer Programming, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, and Creating Tomorrow: Designing for the Digital World.   These classes can be taken as a sequence for students who are looking for a four-year programming strand, or students may take only the specific course that is right for her.  We get a lot of questions about how to decide which class to take.  Here’s what we tell students who can’t decide: 

• If you’re looking to get a taste of programming or you’re nervous about programming, start with Introduction to Computer Programming.  Students who have little to no programming experience, enjoy solving puzzles and playing logic games, are intrigued by using computers for creative expression, or want a solid foundation for more advanced programing classes in future years should take Introduction to Computer Programming.  We offer this course for girls both in the summer and in the school year.  It’s a terrific first programming class and first online learning experience! 
• If you’re looking to earn AP credit or want a more rigorous course, take AP Computer Science A or AP Computer Science Principles.   The AP Computer Science A course is pure coding for students who want to dive into the language of Java. Students spend the year learning Java and go into depth using Java to code a variety of programming problems.  This is the right course for students who have a solid foundation in programming or are considering a career in computer science.  Prior programming experience, which students can get from our summer options or through another class, club, or camp, is strongly recommended. The new AP Computer Science Principles course is a big-picture course. Focusing on finding solutions to real-world problems and the impact of data and the internet in our digital world, it is a broad survey of computer science.  It combines the rigor of an AP class with the creativity of a project-based elective.  Students take an AP multiple choice exam at the end of the year as well as submit a portfolio of their projects, including a “create task” and an “explore task” from the year. APCS Principles is perfect for students who want to explore the possibilities in the field in a challenging environment.  Prior programming experience is recommended but not required.  
• AP Computer Science Principles and Creating Tomorrow are both perfect for a student who likes creative, project-based learning; choose the AP class if you’re interested in a broader survey course and choose Creating Tomorrow if you’re interested in the entrepreneurial side of the tech world.  Creating Tomorrow is much more focused on project creation and is a very personalized course. This class is designed for students who want to take a deep dive into game creation, app development, or web design. Students choose products that they want to create throughout the year and they learn the technology to produce their virtual products. In addition, it is also an entrepreneurship course, as students prepare a marketing plan and product launch for their game, program, app, or website.  While little programming experience is required to take this course, students will be able to apply prior knowledge and take their programming skills to the next level.  This course can be taken before or after our APCS courses, as it is customized to the student’s programming skill set. 

Still confused?  Give us a call!  We’re happy to help you find the right fit!