Computer Science “A”

Sprint1

SDLC & Dev Tools

By the end of this onboarding sprint, students will be able to operate effectively within a modern software development environment and articulate how their work fits into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Students will set up and use core development tools (Linux, VSCode, GitHub), collaborate using industry-standard workflows, and iteratively build and document a personal portfolio site. Through hands-on practice with Markdown, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a Jekyll-based workflow, students will develop sustainable development habits—embracing iteration, version control, documentation, pair programming, and responsible AI usage—while prioritizing breadth of SDLC understanding over depth of implementation.

W1

Week 1

/1 Complete

Agile Methodology Intro

W2

Week 2

/1 Complete

Python/Flask Backend Infograph

Sprint2

Java / Spring Web Development

Students will master the Fundamentals of Java Programming using the Spring Framework. In this Sprint, students will become familiar with Java types, booleans, iteration, recursion, using, and writing objects. Student teaching labs will introduce AP-required aspects of Java while learning the Spring Framework. This will teach key Java concepts while using a JWT login system, a Rest Controller, Plain Old Java Objects (POJOs), Object Relational Model (ORM), and Java Persistence API (JPA).

W3

Week 3

/1 Complete

Fullstack Development (Student Thinking)

W4

Week 4

/1 Complete

Anatomy of a Spring Boot Project

W5

Week 5

/1 Complete

CSA MCQ Lessons

Sprint3

Team Project for N@tM

In this Sprint, students will continue to become familiar with Java development as they immerse themselves in Web Development using the Spring Framework. Coding will focus on RESTful APIs, receiving requests, working with data using SQLite, and responding to requests. Students will pick a Full Stack Web Development project, and work in teams to build it out, including all layers, and how to use ThymeLeaf to create an Admin UI. The goal is to have the project working and deployed on AWS by the end of this Sprint.

Sprint4

Integration, Fontend, MVC Layers, and FRQs

Trimester 2 begins with four weeks of Integration and FRQs. At the center of work is the College Board FRQs and Frontend/Backend and MVC layers. Consider a Mini-project that Integrates Trimister 1 work with another team, adds an FRQ, and performs Unit 10 Sorting and Analysis. For each peace, provide JavaScript Visualization; ThymeLeaf administration, Backend Java Sorting, Inheritance, and Polymorphic behavior. Also, teach the College Board FRQ topic to the class. Ideas spans at least two teams or eight students.

Sprint5

AP Java FRQ Topics & OCS Platform Enhancement

In this Sprint, students will master AP CSA Java requirements by teaching a selected topic to their peers and building or improving features on the Open Coding Society (OCS) platform. Required topics include Methods & Control Structures, Arrays, ArrayLists, Classes, 2D Arrays, Searching, and Sorting. Each student will deliver a lesson on their chosen topic, complete coding hacks from other groups' topics, and contribute to OCS features for student tracking and feedback. Teaching and platform work are integrated, with all students demonstrating mastery through both instruction and hands-on development.

Sprint6

Passion Project or OCS Enhancement & N@tM Feedback

In this Sprint, students may choose to continue enhancing the OCS platform or propose and prototype a new project based on their interests and skills. The focus is on creativity, design, and technical growth—whether through OCS development or a new passion project. Students should document their design process, make technical decisions, and present their work for peer and instructor feedback. Consider frontend design, database modeling, API plans, JWT designs, big data solutions, and future usefulness. Weekly live reviews and feedback will support project evolution.

Sprint7

Data Structures and Passion Project v1.0

A focus on Data Structures that relate to the AP exam. A key requirement is to make your own Algorithmic sorting video. The theme is to produce work that can help you pass the AP Exam and improve your Passion Project. Each student must cover key concepts from the Four AP FRQ types, contain a key Data Structure, and utilize Sorting.

Sprint8

AP Weeks, Study Sessions

Students will lead several study sessions (20-minute test, followed by review) the week before the exam. In any break in study, students will transition activities back to their final project.

W31

Week 31

/1 Complete

Graph Heuristics

Sprint9

Passion Project v2.0 and N@tM

Wrap up your preferred project and data structures. There will be an opportunity to contribute and be published to the Open Coding Society. If your project is selected, then you will receive a high 'A' on the final project.