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Upper School
US Curriculum

Computer Science

In Hackley’s Upper School, all academic areas use technology, from guided research to subject-specific applications, to enhance the curriculum.
In addition, students are offered a variety of introductory, intermediate and advanced technology electives. At all levels, these courses emphasize coding and problem solving.

Computer Science Courses

List of 7 items.

  • Intro to Computer Science

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Open to all students. No previous experience with computer science is needed.

    This course delves into the basic principles of computer science. Students will explore fundamental programming concepts, learn how the Internet works, and delve into cybersecurity. We will explore a variety of coding environments that use both block and text-based programming and among these include Python and JavaScript. Emphasis will be placed on problem-solving and the need to structure and develop solutions in a logical manner. Other topics include: creativity and conceptualization, physical computing, analysis of algorithms, the influence computer science has on economic, social, and cultural innovation.

  • Programming, Simulations & Design

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Comp Science 710 or special permission of the department head.

    This course is a prerequisite for AP Computer Science 723.

    This course is recommended for students who are comfortable moving into syntax-based programming and have a basic understanding of loops, selection statements, variables and logical thought.The course will use visual programming, an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and the Java programming language to build on the concepts learned in the prerequisite Intro to Computer Science710 course. Students will use object oriented concepts to structure syntactically valid programming statements in a logical manner to develop games and simulations. Programming concepts include: objects, primitive data types, classes, inheritance, conditional statements, iteration and introduction to arrays. You will learn strategies to assist with planning, designing and implementing programs.

  • Design Thinking, Applied Programming and Fabrication

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Students will develop foundational fluency in computational thinking, design thinking, complex problem solving, prototyping, project management, communicating with clarity, working collaboratively, and in using the tools and materials in the Hackery, our makerspace. Skill-building projects will focus on 3D modeling and printing using software like Tinkercad, Beetleblocks, Adobe Fusion 360; 2D digital design using software like Adobe Illustrator; physical computing by programming microcontrollers, sensors, actuators and building simple robots; using hand tools and power tools, and sewing. The final project will introduce students to the principles and practices of Interaction, Product, and Human-centered Design, and students will create a physical and/or computational artifact to address a problem that is of interest to them. The course will also include ongoing discussions about the ethical and environmental impacts of one’s design decisions.

  • Machine Learning with Music and Art (Not offered 2021-22)


    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Computer Science 710 or special permission of the department head.

    This course is recommended for students who are comfortable moving into syntax-based programming and have a basic understanding of loops, selection statements, variables, and logical thought.

    Does building a new digital musical instrument that responds to your gestures sound like an interesting project? How about creating an interactive visual art installation that reacts to movement? If so, consider taking this course! Students in this course will learn about the fundamentals of machine learning and apply those skills to controlling sound, music, and visual imagery with human gestures and real time data. In this course, students will use the Processing programming environment, machine learning modeling software, output software to create sound, and input devices such as cameras, computer mice, hardware sensors, and game controllers to create their multimedia projects. The course focuses on learning the software, hardware, and algorithms used in machine learning environments and employing
    creativity and best practices in creating new real-time interactive systems in the arts.

  • Game Design and Programming

    Offered as both a major and a minor.
    • 6 meetings per seven-day cycle/3 credits
    • 3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits
    Prerequisite: Programming, Simulations, and Design 725

    This course is recommended for students who have an intermediate understanding of programming concepts. Correlations to topics learned in the prerequisite will be created while students develop a variety of interactive text and graphical games via hands-on projects. A variety of environments and languages will be utilized as new concepts are taught. Students must be able to navigate an API, debug code and construct syntactically valid programming statements. Understanding of control flow, variables, objects, functions, and inheritance are necessary. By class’s end, students will have programmed several of their own games and gained a thorough understanding of the basics of game design and development.

  • AP Computer Science

    6 meetings per seven-day cycle/3 credits

    Prerequisite: Programming, Simulations, and Design 725 and departmental recommendation. Special permission of the department head may be granted in lieu of prerequisites.

    This course is recommended for students who are can construct syntactically valid programming statements and understand flow of control, variables, methods, classes, IDE's and APIs.This rigorous course will prepare students for the AP Computer Science examination in the Java programming language. Fundamental skills are necessary in order to design and implement computer programs that are understandable, adaptable, reusable, and solve a problem. The goals of this course are comparable to those found in an introductory Computer Science course offered at a university. Topics include algorithm analysis and development, advanced data structures, program implementation, analysis, and computing in context.

  • Post-AP Mobile App Development

    (Minor course - 3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits)
    (Major course - 6 meetings per seven-day cycle/3 credits)

    Prerequisite: A grade of “B” or above in AP Computer Science 723 and departmental recommendation.

    This course is recommended for self-motivated students who can construct syntactically valid programming statements with an understanding of object-oriented programming concepts including encapsulation, abstraction, inheritance, interfaces, flow of control, method decomposition, and construction.

    This project-based course examines the principles of mobile application design and development. Students specify and clearly define a project which produces a quality mobile app pursued throughout the course. Course work will include project conception, design, implementation, and pilot testing through mobile phone applications on a predetermined platform (iOS/Android). Students are required to meet deadlines toward a proposed project.

Electronic Publishing Courses

List of 5 items.

  • Electronic Publishing I

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Open to all students.

    This course is a prerequisite for 732a. Electronic Publishing II: Dial and 732b. Electronic Publishing II: Hilltop

    This course combines the study of print and digital media with an emphasis on creating multimedia stories. As the course is designed to give structure to the creation and maintenance of student publications, students will explore all aspects of the journalistic process, including writing and presenting content using electronic publishing applications for print and online delivery. Students will learn the basics of journalistic writing, including composing interesting leads and nut grafs, and organizing facts using an inverted pyramid style. Students will also develop proficiency in the use of a variety of commercially available software packages for electronic publishing, video production, color printers, digital cameras, and scanners to layout and publish their work. The course will include extensive hands-on practice.

  • Electronic Publishing II: Dial

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Prerequisite: Electronic Publishing I or special permission of the department head

    Required of all members of Dial Staff.

    This course continues building on the skills learned in Electronic Publishing I. This is an advanced course which continues to explore all aspects of the journalistic process begun in Electronic Publishing I and is designed to give structure to the creation and maintenance of the student newspaper, the Dial, in both its print as well as digital formats. Students will enhance their skills in journalistic writing begun in Electronic Publishing I; however, the emphasis is on the elements of production including scheduling, assignments, design, layout and graphics. Students will use computers, a variety of commercially available software packages for desktop and web publishing and multimedia creation, color printers, digital cameras, and scanners to layout and publish their work. The course will center around hands-on practice. Requirements center around the timely completion and publication of the print and digital formats of the student newspaper.

  • Electronic Publishing II: Hilltop (Yearbook)

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits

    Prerequisite: Electronic Publishing I or special permission of the department head

    This course is designed for those who are interested in working on the yearbook. Having already learned Adobe InDesign and journalistic writing in Electronic Publishing I, students will apply their skills in copy editing, caption writing and design concept. Upon joining this course, each student will be assigned to be the editor for a specific section of the yearbook. Through the completion of the yearbook pages, students will build and strengthen their organization skills and learn how best to manage yearbook page deadlines. Some knowledge in Photoshop is helpful but not required.

  • Advanced Electronic Publishing II: Dial Editors

    5 meetings per seven-day cycle/3 credits

    Open to Dial Editors

    This course continues to build on the skills learned in Electronic Publishing II and to explore all
    53aspects of the journalistic process in the electronic-publishing track. The course focuses on the creation and maintenance of Hackley’s award-winning student newspaper, The Dial. In addition to practicing advanced skills in journalistic writing, layout, design, and graphics, students will develop the collaborative leadership roles needed to complete each issue in an efficient and timely manner. Students are responsible for all elements of production—scheduling, assignments, mentoring, design, layout, and graphics. For example, students will develop proficiency in using commercially available software packages for desktop and web publishing, color printers, digital cameras, and scanners.

  • The Vision: Multiple Views, Rich Media

    3 meetings per seven-day cycle/2 credits.

    Open to grades 10-12.

    Enrollment in the course is by application only. Enrollment will be limited to 12 students, including two editors-in-chief (who have already been selected), three managing editors (to be selected from current sophomores for a two-year commitment in junior year and senior year, when they will serve as editors-in-chief), two literary editors, two art editors, one web editor, and one media/sound editor. When applying, students should indicate for which role or roles they feel they are best suited.

    Past experience with InDesign or a similar graphics program is a plus, though not a requirement, and students should mention what relevant experience they have in their applications. This course will involve students creating a year-long presentation of Hackley creative writing and visual arts through print, web, and digital media.  

    Students will begin by soliciting, evaluating, and editing literature and artwork for inclusion in a new online literary and art magazine. They will help create and manage a basic online posting system on the Hackley website, and they will work as editors to support the online presence of these materials—both for internal and external audiences-with regular bi-weekly postings.

    Students will select the best of the art and literature gathered for online presentation and will include this work in the printed publication.

    Students will learn to use the InDesign graphics program to develop and manage visual layouts. They will design the printed publication and see it through all phases of editing, proofing, and print production. They will also have to work within a budget, which will necessitate creative decision making as they bring their vision (pun intended) into reality. And they will be required to support and meet frequent deadlines for various components and phases of the project, culminating with delivery in the spring of The Vision publication.

    In addition, The Vision will offer published students the opportunity to read their work (or have it read) for an audio CD that will accompany the printed magazine. Students working on the publication will help support the recording process and oversee the creation of the CD.

    Throughout the process of presenting both online and print versions of The Vision, students will learn to combine and manipulate different types of media such as text, audio, and graphics. They will employ microphones, scanners, and other input devices to gather information. While students will be enrolled based on the application for specific roles in the editorial structure, where they will hold primary responsibility, students will participate in and learn all aspects of the project.

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