SF Earns Dual AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Recognized for Improving Female Representation in AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles

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SF Earns Dual AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. St. Francis Catholic High School Sacramento, CA

St. Francis High School has earned the College Board AP®Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA) and 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 earned an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either reach 50% or higher female representation in AP computer science courses or have the percentage of female AP computer science exam takers meet or exceed that of the school’s female population. St. Francis was one of only 69 to be recognized for improving female representation in both AP computer science courses.

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.

AP Computer Science A, which first debuted in 1988, also continues to see increases in the number of exam takers. In 2024:

  • 98,136 students took the AP CSA exam—over a 60% increase in participation since 2017.
  • 25,811 female students—an 81% increase in female participation since 2017.

Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 161% since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students.

Providing young women with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.

According to a Google study, 54% of female computer science majors took AP CSA in high school. College Board research about AP CSP also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP 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 AP computer science classes. They account for just 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants and 26% of AP Computer Science A participants. The 1,153 schools that receive one of this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Awards serve as inspiration and are models for all U.S. high schools.