Poly’s AP Computer Science class logs in

Poly's AP Computer Science course is a new Upper School offering for the 2013-2014 school year. The course is a mix of classic computer science and Java-based software engineering, and closely follows the curriculum described by the College Board curriculum. Over the course of the year, students learn algorithm design and object-oriented programming, using their own computers to apply what they have learned in a series of projects. Other topics covered in the class include computer security, game design, use of databases, design and coding for the web, and technology in modern culture.

Although this class is new, Poly has offered a spring-semester "Intro to Computer Programming" course for the last four years. That course was based on Python, a powerful but easy-to-learn language originally designed to teach programming concepts. Based on interest from students and feedback from other members of the Poly community, the decision was made to invest some time in developing a full-year course and to make it available to 11th and 12th grade students this school year. The response from students was overwhelming: The course quickly filled, and there is already a waiting list of students who would like to take it next year. Let’s face it: Any class that discusses headless servers, corporate sabotage, "John the Ripper" (security software), and "wardriving" is bound to have student appeal.

Henry Z. ’14, one of a few students who took the class last year and registered this year for the AP class, shared: “Personally, I decided to take the class again because I loved learning a new computer language, especially with Mr. White. I enjoyed learning new tricks for creating faster, smoother, more efficient programs, and the love I had for creating my own programs led me to learn another language. Since the AP class was learning Java, and I loved having Mr. White as a teacher for a semester, I think it was the perfect opportunity for me.” Anisha C.’14, another student who was in the elective class last year, compared the two classes by explaining, “The intro class was much more relaxed, so there was a little more room for experimentation and creativity with free-form assignments, but with the AP class, the pressure of needing to know the language very well and do things as efficiently and quickly as possible definitely has benefits for becoming a better programmer.“