Online AP Comp Science vs. In-Person PLTW Computer Science Principles

My S21 goes to a small (800) public HS that doesn’t have in person AP Comp Sci courses. So his choice next year is online AP Comp Sci or in-person PLTW Comp Sci Principles.

He’s pre-engineering and wants to learn coding. He knows a lot about the tech world – hardware, computers, components, electronics, etc. from his robotics team and just general interest. He has not taught himself or taken coding classes so learning to code is his main interest.

Does anyone know the pros and cons of these two courses and the difference in their content? Is the PLTW Comp Sci Principles class going to be very broad? Too basic?

He’s never done an online course, but I’m thinking Comp Sci would be fairly well suited given the subject matter. He would have a period at school where he’d go to the computer lab to ‘do’ the class. This is not super unusual at his school. He’s a very good student so I am not worried about motivation in online environment. That said, generally students say in person classes are better experiences than online ones.

He’s leaning toward AP Comp Sci b/c that would give him 4 AP classes next year which he wants for college admissions purposes. He’s taking one this year and is planning to take 5 (!) his senior year so the overall difference is 9 vs. 10 AP classes on this transcript. We are traditional calendar - 9 or 10 is on the high end for his school so I’m not sure it makes a big difference. (There’s probably a single digit number of kids who will finish 11 or 12 APs.)

He thinks the PLTW comp sci course won’t look as good – esp. since w/o the AP comp sci he would have only completed 4 APs when applying to college.

Sorry this got long – bottom line is 1) from content perspective which is better and 2) does the AP moniker really matter?

Tks!

Is the online class AP CS A, or AP CS Principles?

The online course is AP Comp Sci A which I understand teaches Java.

(Though AP Comp Sci Principles is also avail online – but it’s very similar to the PLTW Computer Principles so no reason to take it. In fact, when you look up PLTW Computer Science Principles it says it matches up with the AP Principles framework. The PLTW does specifically mention Python as the programming language, if that matters. It is a broader course than programming though.)

Without prior coding experience, I would suggest CS Principles first. Plenty of kids do go straight to A, however. It depends on the school and on what kind of background he is seeking. Will your high school allow him to take the AP Computer Science Principles exam (or could he take it at another school nearby), since the PLTW Computer Principles “matches the framework”?

You are correct in that AP CSA is primarily java, and AP CSP has a lot of python, but DD coded in about five languages in AP CSP as it is designed to be an overview.

FLVS AP CSA looks better…

https://www.flvs.net/online-courses/advanced-placement

AP CSP is a bit of a joke to some kids.

Coursera has a number of free intro to programing classes, among others.

@squ1rrel and @damon30 – can you guys elaborate on your comments?

The FLVS course is probably the best AP Com Sci A course on the internet. Reviews have said it’s thorough and easy to get a 5 with the course, but it’s also not going to swamp you with homework. Most schools accept credit from FLVS. In my school, we use a different provider that uses the same exact material as FLVS—but it’s free. FLVS costs 800 dollars per course if you don’t live in Florida—my provider is free, but I’m not sure if it’s because I’m in state for the provider or what not.

Check it out: https://vlacs.org/competencies/ap-computer-science-a/

AP CSP isn’t a very rigorous class. For those who are seriously interested in STEM, it is quite a joke to some people. AP CSA is a lot more in-depth and rigorous.

@squ1rrel – the online AP CS- A course my S would take is through our state’s virtual HS too so perhaps it’s the same same as FLVS too. I will try to find out more about it.

This is very helpful – thanks!

PLTW classes you can get college credit for…
ALso colleges don’t expect you to take classes that are not offered.

Interesting point @bopper. I forget – do high school profiles that accompany transcripts list all the AP courses offered?

Of course, given the scarce amount of time they have to consider an applicant, I wonder how much admissions reviewers even look at that list. We live in an affluent district – so they might assume we have AP classes we don’t. The reason we don’t is the we’re the smallest HS in our district.

I think the Comp Sci A is the more challenging option – but a little more risky b/c it’s online course and harder. Not sure what he’ll decide.

Tks to all for weighing in!

Yes, the HS Profiles do show what AP classes are available.

All you can do is your best with what you have…if they wouldn’t look at the HS profile, would they look at what courses your son is taking?

Re: 5 AP’s senior year

I would counsel against too many APs Senior year, and this is why.

In the fall, you are in college application season. You may be taking the SAT again. You may want to visit some more colleges. You have to write college- specific essays (hopefully you already wrote your common app essay over the summer.). You have to fill out your Common App and get recommendations.
Also you may be in marching band or Sports or be a leader of a club. College Apps is like another timesucking EC on top of that.

Then in the spring, you may have senioritis. You are been accepted to college and are looking toward the finish line. You have to study for the AP tests…it will be difficult to study for too many at once.

Stanford U says:
“We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.”

“The College Board needs to say a similar thing about taking A.P. courses. We have data that taking up to five A.P. courses over the course of high school helps students complete college on time. But there is no evidence that excessively cramming your schedule with A.P. classes advances you. Let us say to students, ‘If you would like to take more than 5 A.P. courses because you love the class, do so, but not to get into college.’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/opinion/higher-education-double-major-extracurricular-activities.html

I hear you on the APs.

The good news is he’ll have a free period senior year. Also, one of his APs as a senior will be APES which is known to be pretty easy. Two will be AP Physics 1&2 which are hard but they are block period so that helps.

His hard senior APs will be AP Lit and AP Calc BC. We’ll see how he does with 3 or 4 next year…

Update on this: S21 turned in his form to take AP Comp Sci A as an online class which is offered through the state’s virtual high school.

There are 4 other friends doing the same thing. I hope it goes well!