Congratulations Midland Park High School!!

College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for notable female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP)

Midland Park High School has been honored with the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for notable female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students in their communities.

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. Midland Park was one of only 847 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSP.

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.

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.

MPHS is one of only 847 schools acknowledged for improving female representation in AP CSP in the 2023-2024 school year. The award signifies our district’s efforts to enhance girls' access to AP computer science. We are grateful to teacher Mrs. Danielle Vandenberghe for inspiring and encouraging students to be a part of the computer science program at MPHS, and we congratulate her and our amazing students on receiving this significant honor.

Midland Park Jr./Sr.High School

MPHS Receives College Board AP Honor

Student of the Month