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Prestonwood Christian Academy Earns AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) is proud to have earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP Computer Science courses.

At PCA, AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. The number of national 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.

“At Prestonwood Christian Academy, we are proud to have a strong presence of female students studying AP Computer Science,” said Interim Head of School, Mr. John Klingstedt. “We can’t wait to see their passion for next generation technology lead to lifelong success for God’s greater glory.”

Out of the 20,000 schools that offer AP courses, 1,119 achieved either: 1) 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or, 2) a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female students during the 2019-20 school year. In 2020, PCA was one of 232 schools recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A.

“Encouraging students to pursue their God-given gifts and talents is at the core of our mission at Prestonwood Christian Academy,” said Upper School Principal, Mrs. Wendy Morris. “We are proud to offer a rigorous STEM program at PCA attended by many bright young female students. These students not only challenge themselves with the courses they study, they excel.”

According to College Board research about AP Computer Science Programing, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than 5 times as likely to major in computer science in college. Providing female students with access to computer science courses will help ensure gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and will drive innovation, creativity, and representation.

Prestonwood Christian Academy is made up of five schools serving students across the Dallas Metroplex and virtually throughout the world. More than 1,650 students are enrolled at three campuses: Plano (Pre-K3 through 12th Grade), PCA North in Prosper (Pre-K3 through 10th Grade) and PCAplus Virtual Academy. St. Timothy Christian Academy in Plano serves students with learning differences and The King’s Academy provides a Christian education to students in South Dallas. The PCA School System has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country providing intentional biblical worldview training and integration. PCA places great value on the growth of students’ spiritual health in addition to their scholastic endeavors and co-curricular activities. Tantamount to its Spiritual Development plan is PCA’s rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. From the first graduating class in 2002 through the class of 2020, graduates have been offered more than $140 million in scholarship for academics, arts and athletics from universities and other institutions of higher learning. PCA is now enrolling for the 2021-22 school year. Go to prestonwoodchristian.org/admissions for more information.

PCA Student in a Computer Science Course
Tuesday, 26 January 2021