Avon High Recognized For Female Diversity In Computer Science

AVON, OH — Avon High School received its first College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award this week. The honor is given to schools that achieve high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles.

More than 18,000 school offer AP courses, but only 685 have received the Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Only 13 schools in Ohio received the honor, and Avon High is the only Lorain County school to be recognized.

“We’re honored by this recognition,” said Avon High School AP Computer Science Principles teacher Kyle Stellar. “Our program continues to grow. The class is more than just about an AP exam, as the students have two performance tasks (projects) they must complete. They learn skills such as analyzing data, creating technology that has a practical impact, and gain a general understanding of how computer science impacts people and our society."

The AP Computer Science Principles class has grown exponentially over the past three years, particularly in the number of female students. Here's a look at how the number of females in the class has grown:

2016-17: 22 students enrolled, 13 took the exam
2017-18: 54 enrolled, 35 took the exam
2018-19: 75 enrolled, 60 taking the exam

“By inviting many more young women to advanced computer science classrooms, Avon High School has taken a significant step toward preparing all students for the widest range of 21st-century opportunities,” said Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president of the AP Program. “We hope this inspires many other high schools to engage more female students in AP Computer Science and prepare them to drive innovation.”