ATCS

This program is ideal for students who have an interest in computers and programming. The Academy for Technology and Computer Science offers a curriculum that provides students with a strong foundation in the core concepts of computer science, experience in a broad variety of programming skills and paradigms, and a focus on the application of programming to practical challenges.

ATCS students develop a strong foundational understanding of programming, computer architecture, software engineering practices, data structures and algorithms, web development, theory of computation, and program analysis. Throughout their careers at BCA, students extend their skills in computing through projects and electives of their choice, including such offerings as processor design, computer security, game development, and artificial intelligence.

The specific programming languages and development tools in the curriculum change frequently, though they are not the heart of what our students learn. Our real focus is on important, fundamental ideas in the field of computer science, not just the latest trends in technology. Even though the tools we use are always changing, students can have confidence that the important ideas they learn in ATCS will never become outdated or obsolete.

• Ninth graders take AP Computer Science A. The year begins with a gentle introduction to a CS-approach to problem solving. By trimester two, the pace will increase, with a focus on learning all of the AP CS A topics, including arrays, 2d arrays, iteration, methods, objects, inheritance, and a bit of recursion.
• Tenth graders take Applied Computer Science. The course has two primary components. One part includes some common data structures and standard algorithms associated with those structures; including stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, heaps, and maps. The other part introduces students to relational database design and queries. Students build web applications connected to these databases.
• Eleventh graders take Advanced Topics in Computer Science, a focus on the mathematics and theoretical underpinnings of computer science. During this year, students primarily work in functional languages. Students also examine in depth how we can prove assertions about code while also exploring the fundamental capabilities (and limitations!) of computers.
• Twelfth graders pull together everything that they’ve learned by building a real-world product known as a Capstone. In the process, they research new technologies, learn industry-level methodologies for client and team collaboration, and finally present their complete product to industry professionals.

Because of their strong backgrounds in computer science, ATCS students have competed successfully in prominent competitions such as USA Computing Olympiad, American Computer Science League, Congressional App Challenge, Canadian Computing Competition, and picoCTF.

ATCS students are well prepared for any college computing major such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or Information Systems. Additionally, computers have worked their way into every facet of modern life. Even those students who decide not to pursue computer-related careers after high school still find that the technical skills they have acquired through the academy’s curriculum prove immensely useful in any number of other fields.

Academy Trip - I.T. Montreal, World AI Summit, April 2024
The most unique aspect of the AI summit was being able to network with people from across the globe. While school provides an environment with many driven people, we often do not get that connection to more experienced and varied backgrounds. For two days, we were given the opportunity to have our finger on the pulse of the artificial intelligence industry, ranging from start-ups to some of the largest companies in the world. We were not only able to learn how AI is being implemented in the real world through listening to speakers, but also hear personal stories from these professionals on how they got started in their career. I personally made so many LinkedIn connections with people I met at the conference, which will be valuable when I need advice regarding AI research, or even seeking internships.