Computer Science

The Core Computer Science Curriculum: Archmere offers three Computer Science courses from a beginning level introductory course to two AP level courses. Students with no programming experience can learn coding fundamentals in Archmere’s Introduction to Computer Programming with Robotics course. In this class, students work in groups to build and code an actual robot instructing it to move around, flash lights, and navigate obstacles autonomously using built-in sensors. Then, students may enroll in AP Computer Science Principles which expands upon their fundamental programming skills. Unique to this course is a focus on how data is stored in computers, how the internet works, and the impacts computing has had on our society. Archmere’s computer science curriculum culminates in AP Computer Science A where students learn to code in an object oriented language. Here students will use the fundamentals that they have learned in previous courses and apply those skills to build a hierarchy of classes. These courses prepare students not only for college, but also for a career - and life in general - as they learn about the physical and logical systems that make information available, and the systems that help organizations, schools, and people operate and connect.

An Exclusive Course for Future STEM Research: Archmere Academy enjoys an incredible connection with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and its Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine. Through this relationship, Archmere offers the Advanced Cancer Research and Analysis course which combines a biology class focusing on the genetics of cancer and a computer science class focusing on analyzing data sets as one would in a research setting. Students enrolled in this course have the exclusive opportunity to intern at CHOP in the following summer.

Activities: Outside of our academic curriculum, students can participate in Archmere’s RobAuktics Club in which students create and program a robot to compete against other schools and groups in an annual robotics competition. Robots in these competitions may need to pick up and carry objects, launch balls into a bin, and even jump and climb up a ladder!

Students with an interest in cybersecurity and cracking codes can also compete in the CodeBusters competition with Archmere’s Science Olympiad team. In Science Olympiad, students compete against other schools in various science based competitions.

Introduction to Computer Programming

Introduction to Computer Programming (with Robotics) introduces students to the fundamental ideas of computer science. The course is designed to be an introductory course but assumes students have basic literacy in computers (creating folders, moving files, and installing applications). Topics include basic input and output commands, control statements, iterations, boolean logic, and debugging strategies. Students will develop these skills and broaden their knowledge of these topics while using a series of hands-on projects. The ultimate goal of this course is to introduce students to the problem-solving techniques required to create useful programs. Earning a minimum of an A in this course (and in Algebra I) is a prerequisite for both AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A.
AP Computer Science Principles

The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first semester introductory college computing course. In this course, students will develop computational thinking skills vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. The course engages students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and will discuss and write about the impacts these solutions could have on their community, society, and the world. This class is not a prerequisite for AP Computer Science A.

Prerequisite Courses: Introduction to Computer Programming; Algebra I

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.

Note: A student may be admitted into the AP Computer Science Principles course without having completed the listed Computer Science prerequisite, provided they can demonstrate previous coding experience. To ensure readiness for the rigor and expectations of the course, the student must meet with a coding teacher to share and explain past coding projects they have completed independently or in other educational settings. This conversation will allow the teacher to assess the student’s foundational knowledge and problem-solving skills to determine if they are prepared to succeed in the AP-level course.
AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first semester, college-level course in computer science.The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing.The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language.
These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems.The AP Computer Science A course curriculum is compatible with many CS1 courses in colleges and universities.
Students should expect to be coding both in writing and by using an IDE. Throughout the year, students will be completing AP level assessments to challenge their knowledge and understanding of the Java language as well as to prepare for the course exam created by the College Board.

Prerequisite Course: Introduction to Computer Programming or AP Computer Science Principles; Geometry or Honors Geometry

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.

Computer Science

Introduction to Computer Programming

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science A

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