Carnegie Mellon University’s Computer Science Academy

In Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, we understand that the future of the field depends on introducing students to computer science well before they reach college. Often, though, students have limited — or no — access to a CS curriculum in high school. The lucky ones who do may take a few interactive classes in elementary and middle school, then it’s crickets until they take an AP CS course in high school. And even then, those courses may lack the continuity and standard that will really help students prepare for college.

Our Computer Science Academy wants to change all that.

Founded by Mark Stehlik and David Kosbie — two of the School of Computer Science’s award-winning teaching professors — the CS Academy aims to create an entirely free, online, interactive high school computer science curriculum. CS Academy doesn’t just provide the curriculum framework, though. It comes with teacher training, an online interactive textbook, online technical support and more.

CS ACADEMY FEATURES

Interactive notes with dynamic autograded checkpoints Browser-based environment Learning text-based Python programming Engaging graphics and animations Autograded exercises Blocked copy + paste functionality on student accounts Image inspector tool CMU student-authored content CMU student-supported online help for teachers

CURRENT COURSE OFFERINGS

CS0: A light version of our CS1 course designed to engage and excite future CS1 students. It includes about 40 hours of instruction and is intended for out-of-school programs, summer camps and middle school rotation schedule settings.

CS1: Our fiagship course includes 120 hours of instruction and is a robust introduction to programming in Python through graphics and animations.

APCS-P add-on modules for Code.org: Python-based modules that fit into the Code.org Advanced Placement CS Principles curriculum and allow for multiple entry points based on students’ prior experience.