Within ACC, one of the largest pathways available to students is computer science. Being headed by Jeff Elkner with support from Chris Jones and Alice Gallegher the program has a variety of pathways, including designing web pages, cybersecurity, computer programming, and database management. These classes are especially special since all of them are taught in collaboration with NOVA, meaning that students have the opportunity to get college credits while taking classes with skills that will last a lifetime. With all the options available, students who are really driven can graduate with an Associates degree in computer science in addition to a high school diploma. This has happened  31 times since it was introduced for the class of 2021 and in each year was the most common degree students received.Some of the specific skills that the students can gain from the classes include learning HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, SQL, and Python in web development. They also learn Python and C++, along with exposure to C, Assembly Language, and JavaScript during the 3 years of computer programming. Beyond just the skills, they can also leave with industry certifications, including the PCEP (Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer) and CPE (C++ Certified Entry-Level Programmer) certifications. This variety of skills can help the students get jobs as they have a very strong foundation that companies want to see.

Not only does this program have a strong academic presence, but the students also use these skills to make a community impact. In the 2023-2024 academic year, four students presented at PyCon—the Python Conference—on an app they created to aid the Mars rover. The ACC Django girls club, with one senior, one junior, and four sophomores, has created three projects, including a scheduling platform for Cosmetology and Barbering and a reservation system for Culinary Arts. Additionally, they are competing to design a website to support a project that aims to provide access to clean stoves to households in these areas. If they do well in this project and their website is accepted, the team will present this project at PyCon this year.

On January 25th, seniors Sheel Shah, Nate Levin and Brayden Zee, with support from Chris Jones and Jeffrey Elkner, ran a coding competition for all APS middle and high school students as a way to influence the next generation of coders. This event happened at ACC and was the first competition like it within APS.

I spoke with Chris Jones, one of the computer science teachers, about what he sees as the goal and benefits of the program. He says that “the program as a whole is all about problem-solving, how to break down a problem and rebuild the parts better.” Web design is the starting point since it has skills beyond just computer science. His end goal is that students come away with a mindful understanding of technology and how to use it efficiently. Additionally, he wants people to understand how computers work at the most basic level and that they aren’t magic.

Arlington Tech is about combining rigorous academic studies with real-world applications.  The ability to play in the sandbox with the foundational in-demand skills while accessing abstract academic content offers deeper learning opportunities.  The CS program is just one example of how that happens at Arlington Tech.