(PSS) — Saipan Southern High School has earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A.
Schools honored with award have expanded girls’ access in AP Computer Science courses.
Of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 1,119 achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses; or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding the school’s female ratio during the 2019-20 school year.
Karen Camacho
For School Year 2019-2020, Saipan Southern High School was one of 232 schools recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A.
“During an unprecedented year, Saipan Southern High School’s female students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science,” said Vince Dela Cruz, the school principal. “We could not be more proud of our female students for staking their claim as the next generation of STEM and computer science professionals. We can’t wait to see their passion for next generation technology lead to lifelong success.”
“Girls can be computer scientists, too,” said Karen Echon Camacho, SSHS AP Computer Science A teacher. “It’s great that SSHS is recognized for the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. My hope is that more women will be interested in male-dominant careers like computer science and engineering.”
“Saipan Southern High School’s students need the power to shape technology, not just cope with it,” said Stefanie Sanford, College Board chief of global policy and external relations. “Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech leaders. Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future they want.”
AP Computer Science A or CSA students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. The number of female AP CSA exam-takers has grown steadily, up nearly 25% since 2017. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 79% since 2017, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students.
