1
Recall
Retrieve vocabulary, concepts, and AP pseudocode patterns without looking at the answer first.
Course Mission & Philosophy
Everyone belongs in computer science.
Our Mission
Computing is more than writing code. It is a medium for creative expression, a way to investigate information, and a practical tool for solving real problems. In this class, we use experience before formality: explore an idea, test it, explain what happened, and then connect the experience to precise vocabulary and notation.
This is not a course only for future computer science majors. Computational thinking helps people break large problems into manageable parts, recognize patterns, evaluate evidence, design repeatable processes, and communicate solutions clearly.
Those habits are valuable in business, healthcare, science, engineering, the arts, public service, and many other fields. Understanding how software and data work will help you communicate more effectively with technical teams and use AI-assisted tools thoughtfully to prototype software that addresses authentic needs.
Instructor
Dr. John C. McGarvey
Through hands-on projects, collaboration, and exploration, you will design digital solutions and evaluate the impacts of modern technology. The goal is not simply to produce a correct answer. You should be able to describe your thinking, explain why a solution works, learn from unsuccessful attempts, and revise your approach.
Our class-long question
How can we use computing, data, collaboration, and responsible design to create solutions that are useful, understandable, and worth sharing?
Class Overview
Five connected units, one complete computing journey
The class is organized into units that combine programming with the five AP CSP Big Ideas. Programming is not isolated in one part of the course: students repeatedly design, build, trace, explain, and improve programs as new computing concepts are introduced.
Unit 1
Computer Science & Programming Foundations
Students explore what computer science is, how computers execute instructions, and how collaboration, algorithms, testing, and debugging support creative development.
- Computer systems, software, and languages
- Algorithms and program purpose
- Creative development and collaboration
- Snap! programming foundations
Unit 2
Digital Information & Programming
Students connect variables and program logic to the ways computers represent, transform, compress, and interpret digital information.
- Binary and data representation
- Variables, expressions, and conditionals
- Data compression and abstraction
- Using data to discover information
Unit 3
Abstraction & Data Structures
Students use procedures, parameters, lists, iteration, and traversals to manage complexity and create reusable solutions.
- Procedures and parameters
- Lists and data abstraction
- Loops, traversals, and simulations
- Algorithm analysis and testing
Unit 4
Computer Systems & Networks
Students examine how the Internet moves information and how computing systems use distributed, parallel, and sequential processing.
- Internet protocols and packets
- Fault tolerance and scalability
- Parallel and distributed computing
- Cybersecurity foundations
Unit 5
Impact, Innovation & Create
Students evaluate the benefits and risks of computing innovations, consider privacy and access, and apply the full development process to original JavaScript programs.
- Bias, privacy, security, and the digital divide
- Computing innovations and evidence
- Responsible use of data and AI
- Create performance task preparation
30% of AP Score
Create Performance Task
Students design a program that solves a problem, supports an interest, enables innovation, or expresses creativity. College Board provides at least nine hours of class time for the official task.
- Submit: final program code, an individual video, and an individual Personalized Project Reference (PPR).
- Program: include input, output, a list that manages complexity, and a student-developed procedure with at least one meaningful parameter.
- Algorithm: the selected procedure must include sequencing, selection, and iteration, and the program must call that procedure.
- Video: show the program running with input, functionality, and output in no more than one minute.
- Exam connection: use the PPR to answer two written-response questions containing four prompts during the 60-minute exam section.
AP framework: Across these class units, students revisit Creative Development, Data, Algorithms and Programming, Computer Systems and Networks, and Impact of Computing.
Class Workflow
Design, pair, test, explain, revise
Programming labs are completed during class so students have time to collaborate, ask questions, test ideas, and receive feedback while they work.
Pair Programming
- Partners discuss the goal and plan the algorithm before coding.
- One student serves as the driver while the other serves as the navigator.
- Partners switch roles regularly so both students reason and code.
- Both students must be able to trace, explain, and revise the solution.
- Collaboration means contributing ideas—not copying a partner's work.
What matters most: A polished answer is less valuable than being able to explain your reasoning, identify what did not work, and show how evidence guided your revision.
AP CSP Skills and Practices
-
Computational Solution Design
Investigate: Analyze the problem, context, or user needs.
Design: Choose the right approach and plan a method to solve the problem.
-
Algorithms and Program Development
Represent: Show how an algorithm works without needing a specific programming language.
Implement: Write, test, and apply the algorithm in code.
-
Abstraction in Program Development
Generalize: Use variables to represent different data sources.
Manage: Use abstraction, such as functions or lists, to handle complex program details.
-
Code Analysis
Explain: Describe what a specific block of code does.
Evaluate: Determine the final results or find errors in a program.
-
Computing Innovations
Understand Systems: Explain how computing hardware and networks work.
Analyze Data: Learn how computers generate knowledge from raw data.
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Responsible Computing
Collaborate: Work safely and effectively with a team to build solutions.
Ethics: Use digital tools safely, securely, and ethically.
AP Computer Science Principles Course Overview
AP Assessment
Assessment Structure
The AP assessment combines a 70-question digital multiple-choice section with the Create performance task and written responses based on the student's own project.
Weight
70%
Exam
Section I: Multiple-Choice
70 Questions | 120 Minutes
Weight
30%
Project
Section II: Create Performance Task
In-Class Project
Review Page
Review is active practice, not rereading.
Use this review flow to retrieve course concepts, rebuild algorithms, trace pseudocode, and prepare to explain the code in your Personalized Project Reference on the AP exam.
Friday
May 14
2027
AP Computer Science Principles Exam
Exam Date: Friday, May 14, 2027
Start Time: 8:00 AM local time (Session 1)
Digital Portfolio Deadline: April 30, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET (to submit your Create performance task components)
View AP Central 2027 exam dates2
Rebuild Code
Use Parsons problems to put algorithm steps in order and recognize the structure of a working solution.
3
Trace
Track variables, list values, conditions, loop iterations, procedure calls, and output. Slow tracing beats fast guessing.
4
Review Create Task Code
Use your Personalized Project Reference to practice FRQ prompts about program purpose, procedure calls, sequencing, selection, iteration, list complexity, testing, and errors.
Resources Page
Tools for success
The most important platforms and course references we will use throughout the year.
CB
AP CSP Course Page
The official College Board overview of course content, computational thinking practices, classroom resources, and exam information.
PDF
Course and Exam Description
The official framework for AP CSP topics, learning objectives, computational thinking practices, and assessment expectations.
AP
AP Classroom
College Board videos, topic questions, personal progress checks, and multiple-choice practice.
IDE
JuiceMind
Our browser-based IDE for individual JavaScript projects, writing and running code, and sharing work with the teacher during the second semester.
S!
Snap!
Our visual programming environment for designing algorithms, collaborating on labs, and exploring creative coding.
Ref
AP CSP Reference
The official College Board pseudocode reference sheet you will use on the AP exam.