The College Board awarded Woodbridge High School with the Computer Science A Female Diversity Award. This award recognizes schools that have not only expanded girls' access in Advanced Placement (AP®) Computer Science courses but also achieved high female representation in AP Computer Science A (AP CSA). Woodbridge High was recognized in the AP CSA category.

AP CSA students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today's society.

"The course specifically provides an introduction to programming in Java, which is the most common language for an introductory programming course in college," said Rebecca Lenox, AP CSA instructor and algebra teacher at Woodbridge. "Like all of the AP courses, it helps develop the study skill set students will need in college."

According to the College Board, the number of female AP CSA exam-takers has grown steadily, up nearly 25% since 2017. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 79% since 2017, broadening science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career opportunities for more students.

"Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers, and tech leaders," said Stefanie Stanford, College Board chief of global policy and external relations. "Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future that they want."

Woodbridge has been growing the computer science program, especially over the past three years, as students and staff are continuing to recognize the relevance that these courses and skills learned in them have today.

"AP computer science in high school should be available as an opportunity to explore a college major that [both] has an expanding number of career opportunities and that plays an integral role in our society," said Lenox.