AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science Principles is a completely separate course from AP Computer Science and has a completely different curriculum. This class will focus on creativity, problem solving, real-life application, how the internet works, cyber security, and will work on producing apps. AP Computer Science mainly focuses on coding in Java, so the College Board is hoping that the new course will appeal to a broader audience (not just males and majorities). “The AP Program designed AP Computer Science Principles with the goal of creating leaders in computer science fields and attracting and engaging those who are traditionally underrepresented with essential computing tools and multidisciplinary opportunities,” according to the College Board. Ms. Teresa Elmore, math teacher at LHS, will be teaching this course and she shared the Algebra I is the only prerequisite for this course and it is available to freshman-seniors. “A student can take AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science independent from another, but the natural progression is Computer Science Honors, AP Computer Science Principles, and then AP Computer Science,” said Elmore. For this AP test, it will consist of multiple choice and submitting artifacts (apps) to the College Board.