Endorsed Providers of AP Computer Science A Curricula

Code.org’s Computer Science A (CSA) curriculum is a full-year, rigorous curriculum that introduces students to software engineering and object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language. It covers a broad range of topics, including the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. To meet the diverse needs of classrooms and align with varying instructional approaches, Code.org offers two versions of the curriculum: an objects-first version that introduces students to classes and objects early in the course, and a version that follows the topic sequence outlined in the AP Computer Science A Course and Exam Description (CED). Both versions are designed to promote a welcoming classroom environment for all students, with a focus on the experiences of young women and other students who aren't typically seen in computing. 

Visit Code.org: AP Computer Science A for more details.

Professional Learning: Code.org offers a five-day, in-person local workshop in the summer, followed up by 24 hours of in-person or virtual support throughout the academic year, and "capstone" experience the following summer to support teachers during their first year and beyond.  Teachers have access to a robust teacher forum moderated by experienced teachers and facilitators. Generous scholarships or discounts are available across the country.

The CodeHS AP Computer Science A yearlong curriculum is designed to help students master the basics of Java and be prepared for the AP CSA Exam at the end of the school year. The online curriculum includes videos, quizzes, examples, and coding exercises in the CodeHS IDE. All learning materials and resources teachers and students need can be found in the course catalog.

Visit CodeHS: AP Computer Science A for more details.

Professional Learning: CodeHS offers online, self-paced professional development opportunities for new and experienced AP CSA teachers. Teachers practice the skills they need to teach Java concepts in-depth, debug programs, answer questions, and lead a blended classroom. On average the professional development takes 30 hours to complete. Teachers receive personalized support and feedback from the CodeHS PD team.

CompuScholar’s Java Programming curriculum covers all required topics for AP Computer Science A and contains additional content for post-exam study. This online curriculum comes with complete student and teacher material, including instructional videos, lessons, quizzes and tests, homework exercises, and hands-on projects.  All activities can be completed from any device in an online coding environment and are auto-graded to minimize teacher workload. You will also enjoy expert technical help and 1:1 mentoring. CompuScholar supports automatic rostering and SSO through Clever, ClassLink, and Google Classroom, and can integrate course material into a district LMS like Canvas or Schoology.

Visit CompuScholar: Java Programming AP Computer Science A for more details.  

Review the curriculum by registering at Getting Started.

Professional Learning: CompuScholar is perfect for busy teachers who need essential PD without an extended time commitment, scheduled class times, or travel. This online, self-paced, self-study opportunity can be completed in about 10 hours from any web browser, at a teacher’s convenience. The training covers the official AP CSA Course and Exam Description, skill requirements, exam format, scoring, teaching AP CSA with CompuScholar’s curriculum, completing the College Board’s Course Audit, and integrating the College Board’s AP Classroom resources into the student experience. All teachers receive yearlong support from CompuScholar’s team.

CSAwesome is a free online curriculum for the AP Computer Science A course. Students complete lessons in an interactive ebook that includes programming challenges and interactive self-check exercises. Teachers have access to a complete set of lesson plans with supplemental resources and a dashboard for tracking student progress. The goal of the curriculum is to help students transition from AP Computer Science Principles to AP CSA.

Visit the CSAwesome2 ebook in the Runestone Library to explore the curriculum.

Professional Learning: CSAwesome’s professional development is taught by experienced master teachers trained by the Mobile CSP and CSAwesome teams at the National Center for Computer Science Education and include support during the academic year from an active online community. Teachers complete 40–60 hours of professional development in a hybrid or online format. The 60-hour PD is recommended for teachers who are new to Java but have experience with AP Computer Science Principles or block programming.

Oracle Academy's global philanthropic educational program is open to academic institutions and their educators to help advance student technology education, skills, innovation, and inclusion. The yearlong Java for AP Computer Science A course is an extension of the Java Foundations course and includes content to cover the objectives outlined by College Board, preparing students for the AP Computer Science A Exam and the Oracle Java Certified Foundations exam. Students learn the basics of object-oriented Java concepts, terminology, syntax, and the steps to create basic Java programs and applications through hands-on, engaging activities. 

Learn more about Oracle Academy's Java Curriculum. 

Join Oracle Academy to access curriculum and instructional resources. Membership is free. 

Professional Learning: Oracle Academy offers free teaching and learning resources―including curriculum, software, labs, and much more―that help develop key knowledge, hands-on practice, and career-relevant skills. The full curriculum spans database, Java, and beyond. Oracle Academy helps educators understand their benefits and keep on top of technology with learning resources to enhance core knowledge and skills aligned to industry standards. Our offerings include office hours with principal instructors and knowledge builder events. 

Learn more about professional learning opportunities.  
 

Project STEM’s AP Computer Science A curriculum teaches fundamental programming topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and ethical and social implications of computing. The curriculum was developed by veteran computer science teachers for students and teachers with or without prior programming experience. All content is delivered on an interactive online platform with instructional videos, lesson slides, pre- and post-lesson exercises, auto-graded coding activities, extensive teacher resources, support, reporting and more.

Visit Project STEM: AP Computer Science A for more details.

Professional Learning: Project STEM’s Get Ready to Teach AP Computer Science A is a self-paced 40-hour online asynchronous professional development program developed and supported by veteran computer science educators. New and experienced AP CSA teachers complete a series of interactive lessons and activities that focus on Java programming concepts, curricular components, and strategies for successful course implementation.

Project Lead The Way’s AP Computer Science A curriculum engages students in exploring the big ideas of Java programming through a project- and problem-based learning curriculum. Students develop the transportable skills needed for success as a computer science professional. 

Visit PLTW Computer Science for more details.

Professional Learning: Project Lead The Way’s professional development for AP CSA is designed to create dynamic learning experiences for both experienced educators and those new to computer science education through powerful and flexible instructional support. Teachers have multiple training options including a robust two-week online training over the summer or an online training spread over the course of months during the school year.

Visit PLTW Computer Science A Core Training schedule for a full list of available trainings.

UTeach AP CSA is a rigorous, project-based curriculum developed by experts at The University of Texas at Austin where students deep-dive into programming concepts while collaborating to solve a series of real-world challenges. Each unit introduces unique interplanetary missions where students tackle hands-on problems as they “travel through space.”

Partner teachers receive comprehensive resources that include classroom-ready lesson plans, interactive student materials with built-in programming environments, customization features, auto-graded assessments, academic integrity features, learner behavior insights, embedded teacher guidance, timely support videos, on-demand coaching, and Codio accounts for all students.

Visit UTeach Computer Science A for more details.

Professional Learning: UTeach CS offers 55-hour AP CSA Bootcamps for educators without any previous Java experience and 30-hour AP CSA Workshops for educators who are already familiar with Java programming. This empowering professional development is designed to help both new and experienced teachers strengthen CS content knowledge, explore detailed lesson plans, master AP requirements, discover powerful platform tools, and practice effective instructional strategies.