AP Computer Science Principles Application - 2026-27 School Year - Course Overview, Prerequisites, Expectations

Sep 22, 2026

AP Computer Science Principles Application for the 2026-27 school year outlines course purpose, eligibility for grades 9–11, and guidance to use AP Central for the curriculum overview. It specifies prerequisites such as completing Algebra I with a B or higher and having strong writing skills, plus submission requirements for an original, socially useful program and written responses with strict word limits. It also explains grading pace, attendance expectations, the AP CSP digital portfolio and performance task deadlines, the final exam timing, equipment needs, summer preparation, and the student/parent acknowledgement and signature process.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Course Overview

Prerequisites

Expectations

Homework/Pace/Grading

The AP CSP Exam

Equipment

Summer Preparation

Agreement/Acknowledgement

AP Computer Science Principles Application 2026-27School Year Course Overview The Advanced Placement Program enables a student to take a college level course while still in high school. The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a ﬁrst-semester introductory college computing elective course. This course is open to students in 9th through 11th grade. 12th grade students interested in Computer Science are encouraged to apply to AP CSA instead. The end of course requirements are not a good ﬁt for the Senior schedule. Please familiarize yourself with the curriculum of this course by visiting the following link: ● [https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles](https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles) Next, please read the following prerequisites and expectations for the course. Both the student and parents must sign that they understand the expectations before the student will be considered to take the course. Prerequisites ● It is strongly recommended that students complete Algebra I with a ﬁnal grade of B or higher prior to enrolling in this course. ● Students must have strong writing skills in place, and must request an evaluation from their English teacher. This request should be made respectfully through email, and the email should [be copied to](be copied to rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com. The teacher will)[ rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com.](be copied to rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com. The teacher will)[ The teacher will](be copied to rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com. The teacher will) then be provided with the link for the recommendation. ● Candidates must submit an original program that solves a problem, enables innovation, explores a personal interest, or expresses your creativity. ○ This program should highlight your ability to think algorithmically, which is being able to take a larger problem, break it down into smaller parts, and write clear, unambiguous instructions to solve it step-by-step. The program may be as long or short as needed to solve the problem. There are no requirements as to how many blocks or lines of code you need. ○ The program may be written in any high-level language, whether blocks-based or text.(NXT-G, EV3-G, RobotC, Scratch, Alice, Python, Javascript, Java, etc.) ○ Please include the following written information: ■ (150 words or less) Clearly explain the intended purpose of your program, and how it could be socially useful. Discuss at least two speciﬁc lines or a speciﬁc block of code that play(s) an important role in your program, and explain how this code contributes to the overall functionality of the program. ■ (250 words or less) Explain why you want to take AP Computer Science. Include your goals for the future, and how Computer Science could play a part. Why is Computer Science important to you, and why is it important to society, the economy, and culture? Identify a current problem in the ﬁeld of Computer Science, and explain how it might be solved. ● Completed programs and written responses must be submitted through email by March 27 , 2026 , [to](to rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com)[ rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com](to rebeccastacey@mckeelschools.com). Expectations Homework/Pace/Grading Because it is a college-level course, the pace will be quick. Students will need to be consistently attentive and on task. Many students have the tendency to be oﬀ task when using an electronic device. Those students will have diﬃculty keeping up with the college-level pace of the curriculum. Students must be willing to work diligently on all assignments. Students who manage their class time eﬀectively will have very little homework. Students who cannot manage their time eﬀectively will quickly fall behind. Attendance in each class is vital. Students who are absent frequently may struggle. It is expected that the students will do their assignments promptly. It

FAQs

Who can apply for AP Computer Science Principles, and who is encouraged to use a different course?

The course is open to students in 9th through 11th grade. Interested 12th grade students are encouraged to apply to AP CSA instead.

What prerequisites must students meet before enrolling?

Students are strongly recommended to complete Algebra I with a final grade of B or higher. Students must have strong writing skills and request an evaluation from their English teacher.

What must be submitted as part of the original program and written responses, and by when?

Students must submit an original program that solves a problem, enables innovation, explores a personal interest, or expresses creativity, with algorithmic thinking emphasized. They must also include written explanations within specified word limits and submit completed programs and written responses by March 27, 2026 via email.

Sep 22, 2026

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