Notre Dame Academy

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles - Mr. Navarro

Welcome to AP CSP!
Overview
Advaced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) curriculum is a full year,
rigorous, entry-level course that introduces high school students to the foundations of
modern computing. The course covers a broad range of foundational topics such as
programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the
societal impacts of computing.

Goals
The course starts with learning about what is involved in sending a single bit of
information from one place to another and ends with students considering the
implications of a computing innovation of their own design. Along the way students
learn:
-How the Internet works and its impacts on society.
-How to program and rapidly prototype small programs and applications both to
solve problems and to satisfy personal curiosity. -How to collect, analyze and
visualize data to gain insight and knowledge.
-How to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects to people and society brought
on by computing innovations.

Requirements
AP CSP students are expected to come prepared for every time class meets during
zero period. Students are expected to bring the following unless instructed otherwise:
- MacBook Air (charged AND with charger)
- Have Blown to Bits (bitsbook.com) accessible on a device (not smartphone)
- Preferred note-taking method ready and accessible with notes from previous classes
- Any assigned items on their due dates

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Grading (see scales and point distribution below)
90-100 A Homework - 10%
80-89 B Quizzes- 25%
70-79 C Unit Tests- 30%
60-69 D Projects- 15%
0-59 Fail Final Exams (1 each semester)- 20%
*All students will take the second semester final exam unless exempted by the instructor. Exemptions
may be granted if a student has displayed exemplary habits of mind, growth mindset, and academic
achievement throughout the school year, put forth the required effort to prepare for a score of 3 or
higher on the AP Exam, and demonstrated effective test taking strategies and professionalism while
taking the AP Examination. Any student receiving a C+ or lower in her first semester or earning a C+ or
lower during the second semester may not be eligible to take the AP exam and should instead prepare
for a second semester final to improve her grade in the class.

Absences, Work Missed & Late Assignments

Work missed during an absence must be made up. It is the students responsibility to
get homework assignments from each teacher. If the absence is longer than two days,
parents/guardians should contact the grade level Academic Advisor and request
missed assignments and homework. Parents/guardians may pick up assignments in the
office. Late homework can be turned in for 70% credit maximum up to one week after
its original due date.

About the Course

The CS Principles Framework outlines seven Big Ideas of computing, and six
Computational Thinking Practices. Activities in the course should ensure that
students are engaging in the Computational Thinking Practices while investigating the
Big Ideas as follows:
Big Ideas Computational Thinking Processes
1: Creativity 1: Connecting Computing
2: Abstraction 2: Creating Computational Artifacts
3: Data 3: Abstracting
4: Algorithms 4: Analyzing Problems and Artifacts
5: Programming 5: Communicating
6: The Internet 6: Collaborating
7: Global Impacts
*These Big Ideas and Practices are not intended to be taught in any particular order, nor are
they units of study. The Big Ideas all overlap, intersect, and reference each other. The practices

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represent higher order thinking skills, behaviors, and habits of mind that need to be
constantly visited, repeatedly honed, and refined over time.
We will be following the course through the College Board approved Code.Org curriculum.
The class will also utilize resources outside of CodeOrg in the implementation of the Big Ideas
& Computational Thinking Processes.
Code.Orgs module for AP CSP is as follows:

AP CSP Exam Date: Friday, May 11th, 2018

ALL NDA HANDBOOK POLICIES APPLY TO THIS CLASS

Contact
While I am may not be available during all E-Periods during the school year, I will be
available for questions online via email and in-person through a scheduled
appointment.

Mr. Navarro
onavarro@ndala.com
Google Classroom Code: x6phix6

Every girl deserves to take part in creating the technology that will change our world and change who
runs it. -Malala Yousafzai

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Once you have read the Advanced Placement Computer Science
Principles Course Policy Sheet for the 2017-2018 school year, please sign
and return this sheet to Mr. Navarro on Thursday, August 17th, 2017.

Student Name:

________________________________ _______________
Student Signature Date

________________________________ _______________
Parent Signature Date

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