Computer Science & Engineering Curriculum

Courses

  • Principles of Engineering

    Prerequisites: B+ in Algebra I/Geometry/Algebra II or B in Adv. Algebra I/Honors Geometry/Honors Algebra II; minimum 3.7 cumulative GPA or departmental approval; B+ in Biology recommended; Summer Chemistry, Chemistry, or Honors Chemistry required or concurrent enrollment in chemistry with advisor approval. This course is available to students in grades 10-12.
     
    Principles of Engineering is an introductory engineering course for students interested in exploring technical careers. This is a year-long course which is intended to develop students' ability to think and act like engineers by applying math and science concepts in creative ways to solve real-world problems. It focuses on applying STEM principles to hands-on projects that are often done in teams. The course will utilize the engineering design thinking process, exposing students to the full range of engineering problem solving, including problem definition and setting criteria for success, brainstorming and idea creation, device/equipment development, data acquisition and analysis, solution analysis and development of an implementation plan.  This class is approved by the College Board and fulfills a UC “D” lab science requirement.

  • AP Computer Science A (full year, online)

    Prerequisites: B or higher in Algebra II or Algebra II Honors;  A- or higher in Programming I or a B or higher in AP Computer Science Principles; department approval; math instructor approval; One Schoolhouse Online Course Application required.  May be subject to additional tuition fees. Offered to students in grades 10, 11, or 12.
    The AP® Computer Science A course introduces the key concepts of programming in Java. The analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills that students develop in this course transfer to programming in other languages as well. This course is designed with the idea that programming should be fun, engaging and intuitive. Students will learn to apply the main principles of object-oriented software design and programming using classes and objects, constructors, methods, instance and static variables, inheritance, class hierarchies and polymorphism. Students work creatively and collaboratively with their classmates to discuss ethical and social issues relating to the use of technology, and develop a solid foundation from which to launch into a wide range of computer science areas. This course prepares students for the AP® Computer Science A Exam in May. This class is approved by the College Board and fulfills a UC “C” mathematics requirement.

  • AP Computer Science Principles (full year)

    Prerequisites: None.  Programming I, Programming II, or other previous programming experience is recommended but not required. This course is available to students in grades 10, 11, or 12.  It is the perfect course for any student wanting to learn more about topics in computer science and to advance their programming skills.

    AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of the field and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world.  Students learn about digital information, the Internet, data, cybersecurity, current topics related to technology, and app design using Javascript. Students demonstrate their learning by creating a digital portfolio of an original application for submission to the College Board and are prepared for the AP® Computer Science Principles exam in May.  This class is approved by the College Board and fulfills a UC “D” lab science requirement.

  • Art of Programming

    Prerequisite:  Interest in programming, no experience necessary

    In this full year class, students will be introduced to some of the fundamental topics in the visual arts - shape, color/value, movement, balance, pattern - typically taught in a first year arts course. The media used to learn these visual art concepts will be Processing, a Java programming language. Using Processing, students will learn fundamental coding syntax, structures and algorithms. In the first semester, students will create visually interesting, dynamic and interactive digital art. In the second semester, students will apply their programming knowledge to a physical computing environment using Arduino microcontroller boards, where they will be able to develop interactive 3D sculptures and autonomous robots. As an integrated technical and arts course, it will simultaneously a) provide a strong coding foundation and b) apply the coding skills to design problems in the visual arts.  

    The course is highly recommended for students with limited or no previous programming experience. This course fulfills the Flintridge Sacred Heart Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

  • Engineering for Social Good: Honors Research Seminar

    Prerequisites: Completion of Principles of Engineering, a full year coding class or equivalent; A or A- in Sophomore & Junior science classes; application and departmental approval

    Honors Engineering for Social Good, Senior Research Project (SRP) Seminar (full year)
    Students in this project-based course will have the opportunity to utilize the Engineering Design Thinking process and apply it to a particular social justice problem. The ultimate goal of the course will be to present a prototype of an engineered solution (either a product or software app) to the selected problem. The first semester will focus on skills acquisition (prototype fabrication techniques, app development, engineering design process), topic exploration and selection, and literature reviews. The culmination of the first semester will be an original research proposal. In the second semester, students will utilize the learned skills to design and implement their original study, develop a prototype of their solution, and present their findings to the community.  This course fulfills the senior student’s Senior Research Project requirement. This course is UC approved and also fulfills a “D” lab science requirement.

  • Programming I

    Prerequisites: None
    Programming I: Introduction to Programming (1st Semester only)

    Available to students in grades 9-12. This course is an important part of our 4-year STEM plan.  Incoming students interested in technology, computer science, or engineering are encouraged to take this course in 9th grade.

    In this single semester class, students will learn about basic computer science concepts using the Java programming language.  Students will learn fundamental coding structures while creating visually interesting and interactive displays and games. The underlying coding will provide a foundation for all future coding and introduce students to thinking like a programmer. It is highly recommended for students with limited or no previous programming experience. This course is a Flintridge Sacred Heart elective.

  • Programming II

    Programming II: Physical Computing and Robotics (Semester class, 2nd Semester only)

    Prerequisites: B or higher in Programming I or Principles of Engineering or equivalent experience
    Available to students in grades 9-12. This course is the perfect companion to Programming I.  All students with a strong interest in technology, computer science, or engineering are encouraged to take this course in 9th grade.
    In this single semester class, students will transfer their knowledge of programming to a physical computing environment using Arduino microcontroller boards.  Students will collaborate to learn about electronics and apply their knowledge of programming to create projects and simple robots. This course is a Flintridge Sacred Heart elective.

  • Programming III

    Programming III: Advanced Programming Topics (Semester class)

    Prerequisites: B or higher in Programming II or AP Computer Science A
    Available to students in grades 10-12. This course is a good followup to the Programming I/II sequence. 
    In this single semester class, students will apply their programming knowledge to learn how to utilize a series of well known algorithms (e.g. search, sort and comparison). These algorithms will then be applied to larger projects based on student interest. This course is a Flintridge Sacred Heart elective.

  • Programming IV

    Programming IV: Advanced Programming Topics (Semester class)

    Prerequisites: B or higher in Programming III
    Available to students in grades 10-12. This course is a good followup to the Programming I/II sequence. 
    In this single semester class, students will select a project style (e.g. game, interactive phone app, machine learning, data analysis, etc.) and develop a programming project to explore and eventually demonstrate mastery. This course is a Flintridge Sacred Heart elective.
As a teen girl entering the tech world, I can tell you that [choosing a STEM career] is the best decision you will ever make.

—Hannah S.

Computer Science Awards

College Board Computer Science Female Diversity Award

College Board Female Diversity Computer Science Award

Flintridge Sacred Heart has earned the first College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP Computer Science courses. Out of more than 18,000 secondary schools worldwide that offer AP courses, Flintrige Sacred Heart is one of only 685 to accomplish this.

Providing female students with access to computer science courses contributes to gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and drives innovation, creativity, and competition. According to UNESCO’s Institute of Statistics data, less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women; in North America and Western Europe, it’s just 32%. Research shows women are more likely to pursue computer science if they’re given the opportunity to explore it in high school.

National Center for Women & Information Technology's Award for Aspirations in Computing

In 2020, twelve students and one teacher received recognition by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing awards program. 

Award Winners
Student recipients of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing awards program. 
Our award recipients include:
  • LA Regional Award Winner: Maddy Freeman
  • LA Regional Award Honorable Mention Winners: Natasha Mertens, Gabby Anich, Emily Sam, Emily Yuan, Leni Dai, and Emily Cupo
  • LA Regional Award Rising Star Winners: Madeline Gutierrez, Jojo Zhou, Beatriz Gimenez Cerezo, Michelle Zhou, Alyn Panggabean
  • California Los Angeles Affiliate Educator Award Winner: Jeannie Finley
As members of the Aspirations in Computing community, our students are able to join a network for technical women in computing and engineering who receive benefits such as private invitations to virtual and in-person meetups, visibility for technical achievements, computing outreach opportunities, hands-on activities for exploring computer science concepts, exclusive access to scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and more.

stem classes at fsha
Ms. Finley teaches students how to use the 3D printer

Teacher Jeannie Finley received an honorable mention California: LA & OC Metro 2018  Affiliate NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award. The award recognizes Ms. Finley for her demostrated commitment to encouraging you women's aspirations in computing.

8 Reasons to Explore a STEM Career According to a Teenage Girl

by Hannah Scott '17

As citizens of the digital age, our lives are increasingly dependent on technology— we cannot leave the house without our smartphones and if our WiFi connection is not strong enough, chaos ensues. However, the more we rely on our phones and computers, fewer people actually understand the principles that drive technology.

8 Reasons for a STEM Career
"As a teen girl entering the tech world, I can tell you that [choosing a STEM career] is the best decision you will ever make" —Hannah
My journey from an oblivious consumer to a producer of software was unexpected and unique. It all started when I signed up for Flintridge Sacred Heart’s Robotics I class. Inspired by the popular TV series Grey’s Anatomy, I was convinced that I would pursue medicine and become the next Dr. Christina Yang. Hoping to further my knowledge of the human anatomy, I signed up for sports medicine for my sophomore year. I needed to pick another semester-long elective to complete my schedule, so I decided on robotics because I had heard there was no homework.

Read on for Hannah's reasons why you should consider a STEM career!

Computer Science & Engineering Faculty

  • Photo of Jeannie Finley
    Jeannie Finley
    Computer Science & Engineering Department Chair
    626-685-8529
  • Photo of Ty Buxman
    Ty Buxman
    Dean of Research, Science & Engineering Teacher
    626-685-8378
  • Photo of Siera Kozakar
    Siera Kozakar
    Physics & Computer Science Faculty

Engineering at Flintridge Sacred Heart



FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART

440 St. Katherine Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
626-685-8300

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