Each year, select schools earn the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Recently, North Haven High School learned that it was one of 832 schools in the U.S. to receive the honor.
According to the College Board AP website, the Computer Science Female Diversity Award recognizes schools that are closing the gender gap and expanding young women’s access to computer science coursework in AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science.
Schools receiving this award have achieved either 50% or higher female exam-taker representation in one or both AP computer science courses, or have a percentage of female computer science exam-takers that meet or exceed that of the school’s female population.
Winners represent a broad range of institutions. These schools include private, public and charter schools, large and small student bodies, rural and urban populations, specialized high schools and generalized programs.
A total of 1,105 schools around the world are being recognized for their work toward equal gender representation during the 2021-2022 school year.
“We are very aware of the importance of computer science to our students and the marketplace,” said Dr. Russ Dallai, principal of North Haven High School. “We know this is a need and are happy to have these courses available. Mr. Hughes does a great job teaching these classes that Mr. Romanielli (Grades 6-12 math coordinator) supports.”
Joseph Romanelli said, this year, the district started a program where students do an hour of coding during a certain week. About 2,500 students in the district have participated.
“I feel like North Haven tries to keep a culture of open-mindedness and understands the importance of equal opportunity,” Romanelli said.
“I think that shows through all our teachers and all the departments.”
Romanelli said the district is seeing an upward trend in females showing an interest in computer science.
Dallai said that the high school has a wide range of courses for students to take, no matter what they decide to do after graduation: college, military or the workforce.
“What this award shows to us is that there is the opportunity for the students to be whoever they want and do whatever they want in the school,” the NHHS principal stated.
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