Saint Viator Earns College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Saint Viator High School has earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Schools honored with this distinction have expanded young women’s access to AP computer science courses.
"We are thrilled to be recognized as a school that provides opportunities for all of our students, and especially our young women, to gain STEM skills in Computer Science courses,” said Principal Karen Love. “These courses are taught by female teachers who serve as strong role models for young women as they venture into technology fields that have fewer females represented."
Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 818 achieved this important result during the 2018-2019 school year—nearly 20 percent more than the 685 schools recognized last year. In 2019, Saint Viator was one of 639 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science Principles. An additional 36 schools received the award for both CSP and Computer Science A.
Schools receiving the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have achieved either 50 percent or higher female representation in either or both of the AP computer science courses, or the percentage of female computer science examinees meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population.
“In Computer Science Principles, we focus on collaborative work and a lot of unplugged activities. We allow for and encourage creativity while incorporating computational thinking,” said computer science teacher, Mrs. Katie Anderson. “We regularly display students' work to promote the program in the school, and give the students opportunities to share their knowledge with friends.”
The introduction of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016 was the largest course launch in AP Program history. In 2019, nearly 100,000 students took the AP CSP exam, more than doubling participation in three years. During that time, the number of female AP CSP students has far outpaced overall growth, with an increase of 136 percent.
“There has been a huge push to increase female enrollment in Computer Studies in the past few years,” said Anderson. “By striving for at least 50 percent female enrollment in our AP Computer Science Principles course, we are able to provide new opportunities for girls that may not have been considered previously.”
Providing female students with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensuring gender parity in high-paying technology jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and competition. A 2014 Google study found that women are more likely to pursue computer science if they are given the opportunity to explore it in high school.
“We are very lucky to have Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Mroz, and Mrs. Anderson as the Computer Science teachers at Saint Viator, serving as role models and continuing the momentum,” said Love.
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.