Addison Trail earns AP Computer Science Principles Female Diversity Award

Addison Trail 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 an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students in their communities.

See the information below from College Board for more details about this recognition.

During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions throughout the U.S. received an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for AP Computer Science A (CSA), AP CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either have reached 50 percent or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam-takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population. Addison Trail was one of only 847 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSP.

AP CSP, which first launched in the 2016-17 school year, continues to grow. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 161 percent since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students.

Providing young women with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9 percent of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.

That’s why College Board research about AP CSP is so encouraging. According to the data, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than five times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to female students of similar background and academic preparation who didn’t take AP CSP. The study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.

These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender equity in AP computer science classrooms. Overall, female students remain underrepresented in computer science classes. They account for just 34 percent of AP CSP participants and 26 percent of AP CSA participants. The schools that received this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award serve as inspiration and are models for all U.S. high schools.