Jordan High School
Current Female Students in AP Computer Science Class
Katy ISD’s Morton Ranch High School (MRHS), Taylor High School (THS) and Jordan High School (JHS) recently earned the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Over 1,000 schools in total were acknowledged by the College Board for encouraging and fostering female student enrollment and success in computer science courses. All three high schools, out of 760 schools in the AP CSP category, were recognized for their work toward equal gender representation during the 2020-21 school.
These educational institutions achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses (CSP and CSA – Computer Science A) or had a percentage of the female computer science exam takers meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population during this academic year.
Over the past five years, female participation in computer science courses has increased by 17% at MRHS and 36% at THS. This past year was JHS’s first time participating in the two AP computer science courses.
“Katy ISD is thrilled to congratulate the female AP computer science students and teachers at these three campuses for seeking opportunities in computer science education,” said Dr. Joan Otten, director of the Katy ISD Gifted & Talented (GT) and Advanced Academics Department. “The District looks forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer science education and careers,” added Otten.
According to College Board research, female students who take AP CSP are likely to enroll in AP CSA in high school and are more than five times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to female students of similar background and academic preparation. Additionally, this category serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) coursework. These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender parity in AP computer science classrooms.