@1NJParent ,
Re 1, DS has never had difficulty signing up for a CS class. CS50 is the only CS class that I would count as “popular,” I.e., appealing to non-CS kids, and that was available. Ditto the more specialized courses, which are often available in UG and grad flavors. Some classes are only offered once a year, rather than each semester, but that just requires some planning.
Re 2, unless someone has taken a comparable introductory course, I’d be hesitant to skip one. Is there a particular course you’re wondering about? Algorithms and Data Structures, for example, might seem introductory, but it is rigorous and well worth taking.