Description
Computer Science & Programming Course Overview
Computer Science & Programming is a full-year introductory course designed for middle and high school students. This course blends foundational computer science concepts with hands-on programming practice, helping students learn to think like computer scientists while building real, working programs.
Students develop logical reasoning, structured problem-solving skills, and technical confidence through guided lessons, coding challenges, and multi-stage projects.
What Your Student Will Learn
- How computers and the internet work
- Computational thinking and abstraction
- Algorithms and simulations
- Structured programming using variables, conditionals, loops, and functions
- Working with files and handling errors
- Core data structures (lists, dictionaries, sets, tuples)
- Introduction to object-oriented programming
- Recursion and algorithm refinement
- Software design principles
Students will design, build, test, and refine their own programs, culminating in a final capstone project that demonstrates their growth and understanding.
Technology & Ethics
In addition to programming skills, students explore the ethical and social impact of computing. Topics include privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, accessibility, and the role of technology in modern society.
Watch Sample Class Sessions
High School Credit
- 1 credit
Recommended Grade Level
- Grades 9–12
Prerequisites
- None
Required Software
- Visual Studio Code (VS Code) — Free code editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Syllabus
Download the Computer Science & Programming Syllabus (PDF)
Estimated Workload
Approximately 2 hours per week outside of class.
