Teaching AP® Computer Science Principles
With the CodeHS online AP® Computer Science Principles Professional Development course, we'll train teachers at your school to teach an excellent AP® CSP in JavaScript or Python course. No programming experience is required. Teachers will gain the skills, pedagogical knowledge, resources, and confidence to lead a great AP® CSP classroom with CodeHS.
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No programming experience required
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Flexible self-paced timeframe
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In-course support & help resources
Course Overview
Here is an outline of the modules:
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Welcome
Get an overview of the AP® CS Principles professional development course. Learn about key principles and ideas for teaching the course, discuss access and equity in the field of Computer Science, and set goals and expectations for how to make the most out of this course. |
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What is AP CS Principles?
Learn about the new AP® Computer Science Principles course, specific details about the new AP® examination, and get an overview of the CodeHS AP® CSP curriculum |
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How CodeHS Works
In this short module you will gain an understanding of what CodeHS is bringing to your classroom and learn how to use the CodeHS website effectively. |
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Tools and Resources for CS Principles
AP® CS Principles is a brand new course, and we have developed several helpful tools and resources to help you teach this course. In this module, you’ll practice using these new tools and resources. |
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Teaching a Blended Coding Class
Learn what leading a blended classroom with both online and offline activities looks like and learn helpful ideas and best practices for incorporating online learning into a traditional classroom. |
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Programming Bootcamp
Dive in and learn the basics of programming by working through a condensed version of the programming modules in the AP® CSP course. |
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Teaching Programming Concepts
In this module we’ll cover programming concept by concept and learn about ways to teach in the classroom, common mistakes made by students, and how to grade these types of problems. |
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Basics of Debugging
Debugging is locating and fixing errors in programs, and is one of the most important skills for your own programming as well as grading others’ code. In this module we’ll identify common errors in web development code, and teach you effective debugging strategies that you can model and share with your students. |
Course Format
Our professional development course is offered entirely online and is made up of a series of learning modules that cover both the basics of programming and the pedagogy of teaching programming in a blended classroom. Each module is made up of short video tutorials, programming exercises, open-ended responses, debugging problems, and grading practice.
The course is high-touch, with teachers receiving personalized feedback and support from our PD team after completing each activity. The course takes approximately 30-40 hours. Teachers can complete it on their own time, during summer, school professional development days, or school holidays.
College Board Endorsed
CodeHS is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). Using an Endorsed Provider affords schools access to resources including an AP CSP syllabus pre-approved by the College Board’s AP Course Audit, and officially recognized professional development that prepares teachers to teach AP CSP. This endorsement affirms only that components of CodeHS’s offerings are aligned to all the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment.
Teaching AP CSP FAQ
Is CodeHS AP professional development College Board recognized?
Yes. As a College Board–endorsed provider, CodeHS offers professional development recognized by the College Board for preparing teachers to teach AP Computer Science. Completing CodeHS PD helps satisfy College Board expectations for AP teacher preparation and pairs with our pre-approved syllabus for the AP Course Audit.
Can I teach AP CS with CodeHS if I have no programming experience?
Yes. CodeHS AP professional development is designed for teachers with no prior programming experience. The fully online course takes about 30–40 hours and builds the programming skills, pedagogy, and confidence to lead an AP classroom, with personalized feedback from the CodeHS PD team after each activity.
What is the AP CSP pass rate for CodeHS classrooms?
On the 2025 AP CSP exam, CodeHS teachers who responded to our survey reported a 67% passing rate, with 37% of their students scoring a 4 or 5 — compared with a 62% national pass rate and 31% scoring 4 or 5. CodeHS provides daily practice, review courses, and Create Performance Task support to help students prepare.
AP exam pass rates are self-reported by CodeHS teachers who responded to our 2025 AP exam survey, compared with College Board national rates. See the full 2025 AP results.
