EL MONTE – Arroyo High School has earned the first College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in its AP Computer Science Principles course. Out of more than 18,000 secondary schools worldwide that offer AP courses, the El Monte Union high school is one of only 685 to reach this achievement.

Arroyo was recognized for either reaching 50 percent or higher female representation in the AP course or having a percentage of the female examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population.

“We are extremely proud of this honor, which speaks volumes of our District’s commitment to provide all students, particularly females, access to science, technology, engineering and science (STEM) education,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “By engaging more female students in computer science, we are setting them on a path toward successful futures in high-paying, in-demand careers and fields.”

The course introduces students in grades 10 through 12 to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world.

Overall, AP Computer Science course participation increased 135 percent worldwide since 2016, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students.

The number of female, rural and underrepresented minority students taking AP Computer Science exams has also more than doubled in that period.

“I want to thank our amazing faculty for engaging our students in the rigorous STEM courses we offer and commend our innovative and talented female students for tackling the challenge with ease,” Principal Angelita Gonzales said. “They are true leaders of the future.”

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031419_EMUHSD_DIVERSITY: Arroyo High School was recognized with the first College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in its AP Computer Science Principles course for 2018.