During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions achieved an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either have reached 50% 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. Concordia Prep was one of only 847 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSP.
"Achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles is not just a milestone for Concordia Prep—it's a testament to our mission and an example of our commitment to foster a diverse, inclusive environment where all students are empowered to pursue their passions,” shared Headmaster Brent Johnson. “This award is a reflection of our students' potential in the STEM field, and we will continue to champion opportunities that inspire our Saints to be faithful leaders and innovators committed to serving and advancing our communities into the future."
AP Computer Science Principles, which first launched in the 2016-17 school year, continues to grow. In 2024:
- 175,261 students took the AP CSP Exam—almost 4 times the number of exam takers in the course’s first year.
- 60,259 female students took the AP CSP Exam, approximately 4 1/2 times the number who tested in 2017.
Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 161% since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students.
Upper School student Brytt Coulter ’25 has taken some of these courses during her academic career at Concordia Prep and shared that she is happy with the School receiving this award. “I think it’s incredibly important for women to be represented in STEM and computer science…, [showing] our younger female students that taking a computer science course can be helpful not only in growing your knowledge of computer science but also learning how to problem solve and truly make a situation better when you may not initially know how to.”
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% 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 Computer Science Principles students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP Computer Science A (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% of AP CSP participants and 26% of AP CSA participants. The 1,153 schools that receive this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award serve as inspiration and are models for all U.S. high schools.