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American School of Kosova – Wins Gender Diversity Award in AP Computer Science Principles

American School of Kosova – Wins Gender Diversity Award in AP Computer Science Principles

Known for improving the representation of girls in AP Computer Science Principles. 

The American School of Kosova has won the College Board's AP® Computer Science Gender Diversity Award for achieving high representation of girls in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP).

Schools that win this award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for girls in their communities.

During the school year 2023-24, 1,153 institutions have achieved the Gender Diversity Award in AP Computer Science for CSA, CSP, or both courses. Award candidates must have achieved representation of girls from 50% or more in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female students taking the computer science exam that exceeds the representation of girls in the general school population.

The American School of Kosovo was one of only 847 institutions that were recognized for improving the representation of girls in AP CSP

“We are happy to congratulate our AP computer science students and their teachers for this step towards gender equality in computer science education,” [school leadership] said. “It is an honor for our school to have earned this recognition and we look forward to seeing these girls and others pursue and achieve success in their education and careers in computer science.” 

"Computer science is the basic code of our economy and many professions," said Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program. “In the seven years since the inception of the AP Computer Science Gender Diversity Award, it has been inspiring to see schools like the American School of Kosova welcome so many young women into this vital field.” 

AP Computer Science Principles, which first launched during the 2016-17 school year, continues to grow. In 2024: 

175,261 students took the AP CSP Exam—nearly four times as many as in the first year of the course. 

60,259 girls took the AP CSP Exam, approximately 4.5 times more than in 2017. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, payment annual average for computer and mathematics professions was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent only 26.9% of 6.5 million people employed in these fields. 

That's why data The College Board's AP CSP data are encouraging. According to this data, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than five times more likely to study computer science in college, compared to female students with similar academic backgrounds who do not take AP CSP.

The study also shows that AP Computer Science Principles students are twice as likely to enroll in AP Computer Science A (CSA), and for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM courses. 

These findings highlight the importance of schools across the country achieving gender parity in AP computer science classes. Overall, female students remain underrepresented in computer science classes.

They only constitute 34% of participants in AP CSP and 26% of participants in AP CSA.

1The 153 schools receiving the Gender Diversity Award in AP Computer Science this year serve as inspiration and role models for all high schools in the US. 

>>Winning Schools<