Students in each academy at BCA take a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course every year, in addition to their other core courses. For the class of 2030, the ATCS CTE sequence is anticipated to be:   

9th Grade: AP Computer Science

This course is aligned with the College Board’s AP Computer Science A curriculum and enhanced with additional topics in event-driven programming using Greenfoot. The course emphasizes problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and programming methodology using the Java programming language. Topics include object-oriented programming, program design, algorithm development and analysis, data abstraction, recursion, inheritance, and polymorphism.

Students will gain proficiency in writing readable, maintainable, and efficient code, while also developing skills in debugging, testing, and applying core computing concepts to real-world problem-solving.

10th Grade: Applied Computer Science

The Applied Computer Science course builds upon fundamental programming concepts and introduces students to intermediate topics in software development. The first half of the course focuses on the design and implementation of data structures such as arrays, ArrayLists, linked lists, stacks, queues, binary trees, heaps, and hash maps. Students gain experience in analyzing efficiency, solving problems, and understanding how data is stored and manipulated.

In the second half, the focus shifts to databases and web application development. Students learn relational database design with PostgreSQL/MySQL, front-end development using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React (including central state management), and back-end development with Node.js and Express. Key topics include building and consuming APIs, integrating databases, and applying authentication and authorization to secure applications.

By the end of the course, students will be able to design and implement data structures, analyze tradeoffs in program design, and apply database principles using SQL. They will build interactive full-stack web applications that integrate client-side and server-side technologies, demonstrate central state management, and implement secure authentication and authorization. Assessment is based on coding assignments, projects, labs, summative tests, and presentations that emphasize problem-solving, technical implementation, and the ability to apply computer science concepts to real-world applications.

11th Grade: Advanced Topics in Computer Science

Advanced Topics in Computer Science is a mathematically focused course that emphasizes the distinct nature of Computer Science through topics like set theory, combinatorics, and information theory, while immersing students in functional programming for a full year to build fluency in a new paradigm. The course weaves together ideas from many CS branches around the theme of information and data mapping, giving students who continue in the field a deeper appreciation of the discipline’s interconnected beauty.

12th Grade: Capstone

The goal of this course is to give you the real-world experience of developing a large project for a client with a small team. You will be introduced to Agile-style project management, and learn new technologies and techniques as needed. The various assignments throughout this course are designed to keep you on track and accountable for the duration of your project.