Paul VI earns College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

St. Paul VI Catholic High School 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, St. Paul VI Catholic High School is one of only 685 to accomplish this.

"We are honored by this recognition and are proud of our female students studying computer science for their achievements," said Dr. Tom Opfer, Principal. "We are blessed to have Mrs. Allison Granstedt as our teacher. Mrs. Granstedt has visionary leadership; she inspires and encourages all our students to study computer science. We're committed to continuing to provide our female students with access to AP Computer Science courses to help prepare a more diverse workforce in critical STEM jobs."

Schools receiving the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school's female population. 
 
Only 167 schools out of 18,000 earned the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for the AP Computer Science A course; St. Paul VI Catholic High School received this honor.

"By inviting many more young women to advanced computer science classrooms, St. Paul VI Catholic High School has taken a significant step toward preparing all students for the widest range of 21st-century opportunities," said Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president of the AP Program. "We hope this inspires many other high schools to engage more female students in AP Computer Science and prepare them to drive innovation."

AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today's society. AP computer science course participation increased 135% since 2016, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students. The number of female, rural, and underrepresented minority students taking AP computer science exams has more than doubled in that period.

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.
Back
St. Paul VI Catholic High School is a private Diocesan Catholic preparatory school for girls and boys in grades 9-12 in Chantilly, Virginia, seeking to help our students Grow in Grace and Wisdom. Our school is part of the Diocese of Arlington and offers rigorous academics, an inclusive community focused on spiritual and leadership formation, and a proud athletic tradition featuring nationally renowned programs competing in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association.

St. Paul VI Catholic High School is an accredited member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.