Anyone who thinks women aren’t interested in computer science has not met our Carondelet students. Carondelet earned the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for outstanding representation of girls in one of the most challenging courses in the STEM field, AP Computer Principles. Carondelet is among only 4% of schools worldwide that earned this distinction from the College Board.
In the 2018-19 school year, 110 students were enrolled in the AP Computer Principles course and students achieved an AP test pass rate that was 11% above the national average.
Providing girls with access to computer science courses contributes to greater gender equity in the STEM field’s highest paying jobs and drives innovation, creativity, and competition. Research shows women are more likely to pursue computer science if they’re given the opportunity to explore it in high school.
“We’re thrilled to earn this accomplishment so soon after launching dedicated Computer Science classes,” said Principal Kevin Cushing. “Our curriculum creates a learning environment that helps students acquire the skills they will need in their ever-changing future.”
Schools receiving the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population.