Endorsed Providers of AP Computer Science A Curricula
College Board has endorsed innovative curricula that come with preapproved syllabi that can be adopted through the AP Course Audit, lesson plans, and other instructional supports, delivered by expert education organizations. These curricula include professional development to prepare teachers, whether experienced or new to computer science, to teach the AP Computer Science A course.
Adopting one of these out-of-the-box solutions can be a good choice for schools implementing AP CSA. If your school decides to use a curriculum from one of the endorsed providers below, your AP CSA teacher can attend a professional development event offered by that provider and get guidance targeted to that curriculum. Of course, your teachers can also choose to participate in an AP Summer Institute for AP CSA.
AIQ
AIQ offers the exemplar AP Computer Science A curriculum. This college-level curriculum is designed to provide each student with a strong foundation in object-oriented programming and great capacity to solve problems. Using the Java programming language, students will learn about programming fundamentals, data encapsulation, objects, classes, method constructs, standard programming algorithms, programming methodology, data structures, and syntax structures.
Visit AIQ: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: AIQ had designed and developed a professional learning program that’s enriched with plenty of resources, unit plans, and lesson plans for AP Computer Science Principles teachers. After attending the four-day professional development (PD) sessions, teachers will be able to steer the course and get their students involved in a spectacular learning experience. Throughout the PD, teachers will learn details about the AP CSP curriculum, how to plan and teach their lessons, as well as how to boost and assess students’ progress in a differentiated manner using the AIQ online platform. The PD sessions can be delivered in person, online instructor led, or online self-paced.
Cobi
Cobi's AP Computer Science A online curriculum consists of video lessons, auto-graded and open-ended projects, and hundreds of challenging and engaging exercises. The web-based coding environment allows students to run, save, and debug their programs on any device. Teachers have access to professional development and instructional resources.
Visit Cobi: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: Cobi offers rigorous professional development for AP CSA teachers. The 30-hour online workshop addresses the content and pedagogical challenges of teaching computer science by providing video instructions, discussing common student misconceptions, and modeling problem-solving techniques. Weekly check-ins, code reviews, and live support are available to teachers.
Code.org
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. This curriculum 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. The curriculum is designed to promote an equitable classroom environment for all students, with a focus on the experiences of young women and students from underrepresented groups in computing. Drawing from extensive feedback from our classrooms, as well as computer science education research, the curriculum includes many features designed to support and prioritize these students.
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.
CodeHS
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 online editor. 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.
Codio
Codio's AP Computer Science A (CSA) curriculum encourages students to construct knowledge through coding with a code editor accompanying every page. Our content presents the same vocabulary and concepts, but in a more approachable way — by stating things as plainly as possible, and, when appropriate, using images, tables, or lists. With an auto-graded question on almost every page, students regularly receive immediate, rich feedback including correctness (i.e., right or wrong) and an explanation with the complete solution. The curriculum and all the tools you and your students need are hosted in Codio’s online platform which can be accessed from any device and integrated into your LMS.
Visit Codio: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: Codio’s PD opportunity offers a chance to work through select lessons from the curriculum which model a variety of evidence-based pedagogy, as well as resources on how to adopt research-based practices that fit your classroom context. Additionally, we discuss the nuances of programming with Java, selecting topics in which common student misconceptions occur to empower teachers to better address these predictable stumbling blocks in student learning. Codio offers both an annual online hybrid PD in July and a fully asynchronous option for new and experienced AP CSA teachers.
CompuScholar
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 and ClassLink 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’s AP CSA Professional Learning 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, the 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
CSAwesome is a free online curriculum for the AP Computer Science A course. Students complete lessons in an interactive e-book 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 CSAwesome: AP Computer Science A Java Course for more details.
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.
Hello World
The Hello World AP CSA curriculum is an all-in-one, research-based, turn-key solution for new and experienced teachers who are preparing students to master the essentials of Java for the AP CSA exam. Teachers are set up to lead highly engaging, spiraled, and comprehensive learning experiences centered on a series of real-world application projects. Interwoven into our Java curriculum are instructional videos, FRQs, labs, auto-graded practice exams, a teacher dashboard, and more. This browser-based curriculum promotes autonomous student learning, creativity, student choice, and an interdisciplinary approach to programming.
Visit Hello World: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: All teachers are provided with an online, self-paced professional development course and have access to a yearlong professional learning community. Teachers will gain a thorough understanding of the AP CSA exam and be provided with a comprehensive set of tools to successfully implement the course. Teachers will have access to personalized support and feedback from the Hello World team.
*Hello World continues to support teachers who adopted its curriculum in 2023-24 but is currently not accepting new teachers.
NJCTL
NJCTL’s AP Computer Science A free curriculum teaches students how to use the text-based Java programming language to solve real world problems and provides everything you need to get students programming on the first day of class. These College Board-approved teaching materials include presentations with instructional videos, guided programming activities, and interactive embedded formative assessment; classwork-homework; labs; quizzes; tests; AP test prep; unit plans and an approved AP syllabus with a yearlong plan. These comprehensive resources and materials make planning easy and fast, and no additional textbooks are needed. Designed to support a social constructivist learning environment, NJCTL materials make learning engaging and accessible to every student. Materials are also fully editable, so that you can tailor them to meet any individual needs.
Visit NJCTL: AP Computer Science A to access classroom teaching materials.
Professional Learning: NJCTL’s unique approach to professional learning teaches you everything you need to know about the content of AP Computer Science A, and how to teach that content to students. Even with no prior programming experience, you can become an expert and help prepare your students for the AP Exam. You learn from the same College Board-aligned materials you’ll use with your students, making course planning easy and fast. NJCTL’s courses are online and asynchronous. You can learn anytime, anywhere, but timely instructor support is available throughout the course. This two-course series is eligible for eight graduate credits (four credits each).
Professional learning enrollment information can be found here for:
Rex K–12
Rex K–12’s AP CSA curriculum is an interactive, comprehensive solution that is designed to get students to be successful on the AP CSA Exam. Rex K–12 has taken great care in creating labs, projects, and assessments that increase the analytical and critical thinking skills of students. The signature of this course is that a former AP CSA teacher uses video-based instructions and animations to guide students through the major concepts. The curriculum is extremely flexible as teachers can customize it for a large classroom, direct instruction setting, or for students who prefer a more self-paced environment.
Visit Rex K-12: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: Rex K–12’s professional learning is taught by subject matter experts in their various fields and is designed to give teachers a solid foundation in their particular subjects. AP CSA is taught by a Java expert. Teachers will complete a series of trainings on the Rex K–12 Technology Learning Platform (the TLP), do a deep dive into the AP CSA curriculum, and receive instructional support and checkups throughout the year.
Project STEM
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.
Tynker
In Tynker’s exciting Java curriculum, students explore fundamental programming topics, design strategies, data structures and algorithms, and the ethical and social implications of computing. Hands-on activities like movement puzzles, canvas-drawing challenges, musical coding labs, and other compelling projects will inspire students to invent their own original applications and continue their computer science journey. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving using an object-oriented methodology. Students will learn the Java programming language, study data structures, analyze algorithms, complete several multi-day coding labs, and get a deep understanding of object-oriented programming.
Visit Tynker: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: Tynker offers a four-day virtual training workshop for teachers planning to teach CSA. Teachers will leave with a thorough understanding of the AP CSA course as they explore Java programming concepts, try hands-on coding labs, and understand the scoring rubrics. Valuable Tynker and College Board resources will be shared with all participants, including test resources, daily videos, classroom topic questions, teacher communities, and much more.
Project Lead the Way
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. Students should have successfully completed a first-year high school algebra course.
Visit Project Lead The Way AP Computer Science A 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 in-person core training, a blended model with a one-week on-site meeting followed by synchronous online meetings, or a fully online model throughout the school year.
UTeach
Developed by the UTeach Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, UTeach Computer Science A is a narrative-driven, project-based curriculum designed to increase student engagement and support all students’ success in a rigorous Java-based course. Comprehensive and classroom ready, the curriculum offers lesson plans, programming activities with starter code and sample solutions, presentation slides, handouts, AP-style unit assessments, and access to an online student textbook through the Canvas learning management system.
Visit UTeach Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: UTeach’s five-day in-person or six-week online professional development workshopprovides a deep dive into the content, pedagogical approaches, and instructional strategies of the UTeach Computer Science A curriculum. Basic familiarity with Java programming is required. The PD was developed by the UTeach Institute at The University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with A+ College Ready. After completing the workshop, teachers receive year-round, on-demand support.
WeTeach
WeTeach AP CSA is a Chrome lab compatible curriculum developed by a team of veteran CS teachers with over 100 years combined computer science teaching experience. Using a platform combination of Canvas, Vimeo, RISE, Google Forms, and Codio, this dynamic curriculum package delivers an exciting and effective experience for both teachers and students. Adhering strictly to the AP CSA Course and Exam Description, WeTeach AP CSA offers 10 units of fresh and engaging interactive RISE based E-Lessons (viewable on multiple platforms, including smartphones) with autograded labs in Codio, autograded assessments available in Google Forms, and videos safely delivered through Vimeo.
Visit WeTeach: AP Computer Science A for more details.
Professional Learning: The four-day, in-person WeTeach AP CSA Summer Institute is designed to teach the WeTeach AP CSA online curriculum and prepare teachers to help students be ready for the AP Computer Science A Exam. The curriculum is mostly web based, with online lessons and videos for both teachers and students, and includes labs using the Codio online programming platform.