Bridgeport High School earns AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 1,119 achieved either 50 percent or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting o exceeding that of the school’s female population during the 2019-2020 school year. That is nearly 37 percent more than the 818 schools recognized last year. In 2020, Bridgeport High School was one of 831 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science Principles.

“During an unprecedented year, Bridgeport High School female students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science,” said Principal Tamara Jackson. “We could not be more proud of Bridgeport High School female students for staking their claim as the next generation of STEM and computer science professionals. We can’t wait to see their passion for next generation technology lead to lifelong success.”

“Bridgeport High School’s students need the power to shape technology, not just cope with it,” said Stephanie Sanford, College Bard chief of global policy and external relations. “Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech leaders. Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future they want.”

The first year of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016-17 attracted more students than any other AP course debut and participation is on the rise. In 2020 more than 116,000 students took the AP CSP Exam – more than double the number of exam takers in the course’s first year, and a 21 percent increase over the previous year. In 2020, 39,570 women took the AP CSP exam, nearly three times the number who tested in 2017.