Four things to know about the highly acclaimed computer science curriculum at The Altamont School

Sponsored

Since The Altamont School’s computer science (CS) curriculum was introduced three years ago, there has been an explosion of interest and growth. Nearly a third of the school’s student body takes a CS class.

Starts in the 5th Grade

The school’s CS curriculum is unique in that it starts in 5th grade with substantive content and builds to college-level classes in upper school.

“We focus on problem-solving skills and computation-thinking practices in every computer science class,” said Ryan James, Altamont’s CS teacher. “Teaching students how to code is not enough, as some of the technology will be obsolete before they graduate from college.”

Students start off with block-based programming languages (Scratch and Snap!) before moving into traditional text-based ones (Python and Java).

“Research shows that students better understand what they are doing and building when it is presented to them as a block in their younger years,” said James.

Upper school curriculum

Upper school students build websites with HTML and Javascript, create databases with SQL, create their own Linux operating systems, and, in the case of an upper school Computer Systems class, actually build a desktop computer from scratch.

“Our goal is to help students develop the skills they need for the jobs that they will go on to create; jobs that don’t even exist yet. Our desire is to have alumni who are a step above their peers,” said James.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that computer and IT jobs will grow 13 percent in the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Preparing students for the future

Altamont is preparing its students to be ready. Along with expanded curricular offerings, the school also launched a 1-to-1 laptop program that enables teachers to deliver more personalized content to students, boosts students’ technology skills, and empowers students to do more complex, creative and collaborative work. By the 2022-23 school year, all Altamont students will be rolled into the 1-to-1 laptop program.

Faculty and student honors

James was just announced as the recipient of the Dr. Albert Lilly Memorial Educator Award for Excellence and Commitment to Alabama K-12 Computer Science by the non-profit National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). He will be presented the award at a ceremony this April.

Several Altamont students also won NCWIT awards. Senior Amrita Lakhanpal received a NCWIT National Honorable Mention and Northern Alabama Winner Award for Aspirations in Computing. She was one of only 400 NHM recipients nationally, and one of only 3 NHM recipients in the state of Alabama.

Senior Mary Allen Murray received a NCWIT Northern Alabama Rising Star award and junior Maya Leonard was named NCWIT Northern Alabama Honorable Mention. Students are selected for these awards based on their aptitude and interest in IT and computing, solid leadership ability, academic history and plans for post-secondary education.

Learn More

The Altamont School is a private school serving students from 5th to 12th grades located on the crest of Red Mountain, about five minutes from downtown Birmingham.

To learn more about The Altamont School computer science curriculum and other cutting edge educational programs at school, contact Thomas Goldsmith at tgoldsmith@altamontschool.org.

Sponsored by: