Ursuline Academy of Dallas has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students in their communities. 

During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions earned an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either reach 50% or higher female representation in AP computer science courses or have the percentage of female AP computer science exam takers meet or exceed that of the school’s female population. Ursuline Academy of Dallas was one of only 69 to be recognized for improving female representation in both AP computer science courses. 

Our program continues to produce students who pursue computer science degrees and careers,” said Computer Science Department Chair Eve Juarez. “Many of our alumnae work in the industry at companies like Microsoft, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Google. Several have returned to share their experiences with current students, serving as role models and demonstrating how exposure and encouragement can shape a student’s future in computer science.”

“Taking AP Computer Science A was a life-changing decision for me, altering my approach to learning and vision for the future,” said Macy Soderberg ‘25. “Every single day in AP CSA, I was challenged to think critically, embrace challenges, and collaborate with my peers. We learned more than the rules of coding, we learned how to apply technology to solve real-world problems and create change. The encouragement I received from my CS teacher flows beyond the classroom, empowering me to learn, question, compete, and excel in all aspects of my life. Ursuline Computer Science has changed how I view the world and my place in it.”

AP CSA students were recently given the opportunity to design their own lab to practice conditional statements. Lexi Obi ’26 was created a spring break travel guide where users could input their desired weather conditions, budget, number of people traveling with them and more. This information was used to calculate a personalized trip for the user. Lexi particularly loved this project “because I was able to combine the skills I learned so far with my love for digital design,” she said.

AP Computer Science Principles, which first launched in the 2016-17 school year, continues to grow. In 2024:

• 175,261 students took the AP CSP Exam—almost 4 times the number of exam takers in the course’s first year.
• 60,259 female students took the AP CSP Exam, approximately 4 1/2 times the number who tested in 2017.

AP Computer Science A, which first debuted in 1988, also continues to see increases in the number of exam takers. In 2024:

• 98,136 students took the AP CSA exam—over a 60% increase in participation since 2017.
• 25,811 female students—an 81% increase in female participation since 2017.

Overall, AP computer science course participation has increased 161% since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students.

Providing young women with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.

According to a Google study, 54% of female computer science majors took AP CSA in high school. College Board research about AP CSP also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.

These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender equity in AP computer science classrooms. Overall, female students remain underrepresented in AP computer science classes. They account for just 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants and 26% of AP Computer Science A participants. The 1,153 schools that receive one of this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Awards serve as inspiration and are models for all U.S. high schools.