Foxcroft School Earns Third Consecutive College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Industry: Education
The School was recently recognized as one of two schools in Virginia and only 56 in the world to achieve high female representation in both AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles.
Middleburg, VA (PRUnderground) February 10th, 2021
Foxcroft has been recognized as one of two schools in Virginia and only 56 in the world to earn the prestigious College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in both AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) courses during the 2019-20 academic year.
This is the third academic year in a row that the all-girls boarding school has received an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. The two prior Awards were for AP CSA during the 2018-19 academic year and AP CSP for the 2017-18 academic year. With an award-winning computer science program and a ground-breaking Innovation Lab, Foxcroft’s strong focus on STEM/STEAM initiatives and courses continue to bring top recognition to the School. This honor acknowledges the outstanding work that our faculty and School are doing to engage students in computer science.
“This recognition is a proud moment for Foxcroft,” said Head of School Cathy S. McGehee. “Our School is leading the way in STEM education for girls by encouraging our students in record numbers to participate in computer science. The technology field is one where women continue to be underrepresented and efforts such as ours can make a difference.”
Schools receiving the Award have either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population. Providing female students with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation.
“Today’s students need the power to shape technology, not just cope with it,” says Stefanie Sanford, College Board Chief of Global Policy and External Relations. “Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers, and tech leaders. Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future they want.”
Overall, female students remain underrepresented in computer science classes in American high schools, comprising just 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants. So there is a long way to go to achieve equal gender representation in the field of computer science. Currently, less than half of the nation’s high schools teach foundational computer science, a clear opportunity to be addressed by strong partnerships between policymakers, the tech industry, and educators.
About Foxcroft Boarding School
Founded in 1914, Foxcroft School is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 with a mission of helping every girl explore her unique voice and develop the skills, confidence, and courage to share it with the world. Foxcroft offers 75 courses, including 16 AP classes, and a STEM program that inspires girls to pursue studies in fields where women are underrepresented. Foxcroft fields athletic teams in 11 sports and has a nationally known riding program. For more information about the School please explore our website at www.foxcroft.org or call 540.687.5555.
