Length of course: 1 semester

Prerequisites:
  - 85 or higher average in Intro to Digital Tech and Computer Science Principles
  - 85 or higher average in Algebra 1 and Geometry
  - Teacher recommendations (more details coming soon)
  - Completion of short winter reading and assignment
  - Exceptional work ethic and a willingness to persevere

Course Description:
Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.

AP Computer Science Principles Course Content:
The following are the major areas of study, or big ideas, that serve as the foundation of the course, enabling students to create meaningful connections among concepts and develop deeper conceptual understanding:
¦ Creative Development: When developing computing innovations, developers can use a formal, iterative design process or a less rigid process of experimentation, and will encounter phases of investigating and reflecting, designing, prototyping, and testing. Collaboration is an important tool at any phase of development.
¦ Data: Data are central to computing innovations because they communicate initial conditions to programs and represent new knowledge.
¦ Algorithms and Programming: Programmers integrate algorithms and abstraction to create programs for creative purposes and to solve problems.
¦ Computing Systems and Networks: Computer systems and networks are used to transfer data.
¦ Impact of Computing: Computers and computing have revolutionized our lives. To use computing safely and responsibly, we need to be aware of privacy, security, and ethical issues.

AP Computer Science Principles Computational Thinking Practices:
The following computational thinking practices describe what skills students should develop during the course:
¦ Computational Solution Design: Design and evaluate computational solutions for a purpose.
¦ Algorithms and Program Development: Develop and implement algorithms.
¦ Abstraction in Program Development: Develop programs that incorporate abstractions.
¦ Code Analysis: Evaluate and test algorithms and programs.
¦ Computing Innovations: Investigate computing innovations.
¦ Responsible Computing: Contribute to an inclusive, safe, collaborative, and ethical computing culture.