AP Computer Science Principles pathway introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. In this pathway, students will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students will also explain how computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, work and potentially impact and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical. It is important to note that the AP Computer Science Principles course does not have a designated programming language – teachers have the flexibility to choose a programming language.

AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.

 

Course sequence

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science A

CTE Advanced Studies, CTE Apprenticeship, or CTE Internship

Supporting courses

Microsoft Word & PowerPoint

Career Management

IB Personal & Professional Skills

Microsoft Excel

Introduction to Computer Science

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Articulated Credit

Articulated credit is earned as a result of a student's completion of a CTE course and meeting the the following qualifications:

Additionally, students must enroll in a NC community college within two years of high school graduation and meet the following criteria:

  • Final grade of B or higher in the high school course AND
  • Proof of Learning (POL)
    • CTE post assessment
      • Score of 90 or higher
    • Performance-based Measurement (PBM)
      • Meets course proficiency
    • Industry Credentials
      • Courses that have industry credentials as proof of learning will follow the procedure for Credit for Prior Learning as outlined in NC Community College System Curriculum Procedures Reference Manual (https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/sites/default/files/academic-programs/crpm/attachments/section1911feb2022creditforpriorlearning.pdf).

Community college officials must verify eligibility of the courses listed on the submitted high school transcript to receive articulated credit. Students may be asked to submit additional supporting documentation or demonstration to receive credit. Colleges must follow the criteria of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in awarding credit.

Microsoft Word & PowerPoint

OST 136 Word Processing

Supporting schools



Central Academy of Tech & Arts Cuthbertson High School Forest Hills High School Marvin Ridge High School Monroe High School Parkwood High School Piedmont High School Porter Ridge High School Sun Valley High School Weddington High School

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