AP Computer Science

[Anonymous]

Is this a class that is okay for a 9th grader to take? Very good, but not insane math student (will be taking Hon Algebra 2). Has some coding experience on python and Java, but not a ton.

If so, between Principles and Computer Science A what is the better one to take?

[Anonymous]

Ask the school, I'd probably wait a year or two.

[Anonymous]

Yes freshman can take it. Most take PE and language as their electives but we know a couple kids who wanted to jump right into CS. More commonly taken in sophomore year.

[Anonymous]

Take AP CS A if your child is interested in the subject. Principles is supposed to be really easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a class that is okay for a 9th grader to take? Very good, but not insane math student (will be taking Hon Algebra 2). Has some coding experience on python and Java, but not a ton.

If so, between Principles and Computer Science A what is the better one to take?

AP Computer Science A has prerequisites of either AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Programming 1.
AP Computer Science Principles has no prerequisites, and is taken by many 9th graders.

[Anonymous]

You typically need a pre-req to take AP CS Java. However, AP CS Principles is one of the pre-reqs. Principles is one of the easiest APs and is nothing to worry about. AP CS Java is typically taken in 10th or 11th grade.

[Anonymous]

Principles and Computer Science is insanely easy. My completely non CS student took it freshman year.

AP CS is more Java related, but I don't think it's that hard, but ymmv.

I thought AP Principals was required before AP CS, but maybe I'm mistaken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a class that is okay for a 9th grader to take? Very good, but not insane math student (will be taking Hon Algebra 2). Has some coding experience on python and Java, but not a ton.

If so, between Principles and Computer Science A what is the better one to take?

AP Computer Science A has prerequisites of either AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Programming 1.
AP Computer Science Principles has no prerequisites, and is taken by many 9th graders.

FWIW, Computer Programming 1 is a better intro for CS than Principles. Every school I've looked at also doesn't give AP credit for AP CS Principles.

[Anonymous]

If your student didn't fulfill their tech credits for graduation in middle school, they should check the current requirements. When my current junior was registering a couple of years ago, AP CS Principles was the only AP that fulfilled that tech credit for graduation. Otherwise, they'd have had to take one of the basic tech classes in order to graduate.

AP CSP at least had some challenging elements (but definitely wasn't all that difficult or stressful), and showed some rigor for college applications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your student didn't fulfill their tech credits for graduation in middle school, they should check the current requirements. When my current junior was registering a couple of years ago, AP CS Principles was the only AP that fulfilled that tech credit for graduation. Otherwise, they'd have had to take one of the basic tech classes in order to graduate.

AP CSP at least had some challenging elements (but definitely wasn't all that difficult or stressful), and showed some rigor for college applications.

Yes, that is still correct. From the 24-25 course bulletin:

One credit in Technology Education is required for graduation. Courses that satisfy that requirement are listed below.
Foundations of Technology A/B
Foundations of Computer Science A/B
Foundations of Engineering & Technology A/B
Introduction to Engineering Design A/B
AP Computer Science Principles, TE A/B
IB Computer Science 1, TE A/B
Advanced Design Applications
Advanced Technological Applications
Engineering Design A/B

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a class that is okay for a 9th grader to take? Very good, but not insane math student (will be taking Hon Algebra 2). Has some coding experience on python and Java, but not a ton.

If so, between Principles and Computer Science A what is the better one to take?

AP Computer Science A has prerequisites of either AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Programming 1.
AP Computer Science Principles has no prerequisites, and is taken by many 9th graders.

Our child was able to sign up and take it without any of those pre-reqs.

[Anonymous]

I would not force a child to take a lower level class instead of a higher level class just to get a TE credit.
Don't let the bureaucracy dumb your kids down.
If you missed your chance to take it in middle school, take it in summer school or online.

It will require minimal effort for a high school student.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/onlinelearning/courses/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a class that is okay for a 9th grader to take? Very good, but not insane math student (will be taking Hon Algebra 2). Has some coding experience on python and Java, but not a ton.

If so, between Principles and Computer Science A what is the better one to take?

AP Computer Science A has prerequisites of either AP Computer Science Principles or Computer Programming 1.
AP Computer Science Principles has no prerequisites, and is taken by many 9th graders.

Our child was able to sign up and take it without any of those pre-reqs.

Prereqs are only guidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not force a child to take a lower level class instead of a higher level class just to get a TE credit.
Don't let the bureaucracy dumb your kids down.
If you missed your chance to take it in middle school, take it in summer school or online.

It will require minimal effort for a high school student.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/onlinelearning/courses/

My kids took the tech credit in MS, so I hadn't even thought about that, but they were also in SMCS so this choice was made for them.

[Anonymous]

AP CS does not fulfill the tech credit? What kind of nonsense is that