A first computer science course with college credit on the line — no experience required.
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems — including the internet — work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
At MTHS the course is taught through the PLTW Computer Science curriculum, so the College Board framework comes to life in hands-on, project-based units. You’ll move quickly from computational-thinking concepts into real, text-based programming in Python — building apps, analyzing data sets, and learning how the internet actually moves information.
There are no prerequisites: AP CSP is designed specifically as a first computer science course, and it’s one of the most popular entry points into the pathway. The year culminates in the Create Performance Task — a program of your own design submitted to the College Board — plus the AP exam in May.
MTHS '27
“The PLTW curriculum for AP Computer Science Principles taught me all the necessary information for the AP exam. The hands-on format of PLTW not only teaches students these skills but gives them the opportunity to put these skills into practice. I would recommend this course to all students regardless of if they are going into the Computer Science field because of its comprehensive first look into how computers and the internet works.”
MTHS '26 · Purdue '30
“AP Computer Science Principles was my first real exposure to coding. Coming from a weak background of coding, AP CSP provided the support needed for me to jump straight into real coding while still understanding everything I am doing. Moreover, AP CSP gave me the confidence to try and learn different coding languages without feeling dumbfounded.”
MTHS '26 · Rutgers '30
“Going into AP CSP, I had limited language in computer programming. However, after taking this class, I now have extensive knowledge on python. Through the PLTW lesson and projects, I felt confident going into the AP CSP exam, with me scoring a 4.”
Design and program an app of your own, then submit it to the College Board as part of your AP score.
AP ExamOne course, two nationally recognized credentials on your transcript.
AcademicGo from zero to writing real Python — the most-used language in data science and AI.
SkillA qualifying AP score can earn credit or placement at most colleges and universities.
Academic