Westover Students Excel in AP Computer Science

11/07/2007

Students who are in Westover School's WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) program performed exceptionally well on the 2007 Advanced Placement Computer Science "A" exam. Westover's WISE program won a 2006 Leading Edge Award in curriculum innovation from the National Association of Independent Schools, an award that recognizes academic programs that are innovative and successful.

Westover School students were among 3 of only 7 girls in Connecticut who earned a 5, the highest possible grade, on the 2007 Advanced Placement Computer Science "A" exam. The other six Westover students who took the exam all received a grade of at least "3" or higher, a grade which qualifies for college credit at most colleges.


Of the 39 girls in Connecticut to take the 2007 AP Computer Science "A" exam, 9 were Westover students.  Nationally, 15 percent of girls taking the exam received 5's, while 33 percent of Westover girls who took the test received 5's. Of all girls taking the test nationally, 47 percent received a 3 or higher, while 100 percent of Westover girls who took the test received a 3 or higher.


Begun in 1992 in collaboration with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, the WISE program aims to empower girls to succeed in the traditionally male-dominated fields of computer science and engineering. Students in good standing in the program are guaranteed admission to Rensselaer. Students in the WISE program engage in hands-on engineering problem-solving projects, study JavaScript to prepare for the AP computer science exam, and create an independent research project.


The program was co-founded by Ann Pollina, head of Westover School, who continues to teach a class in Calculus, and is co-directed by Kate Seyboth and Ian Jamieson.


"Women are still underrepresented in careers in science, especially in engineering," Mrs. Pollina said. "The time to change that is now, and high school is the perfect place to start."

Mrs. Pollina speaks throughout the country on ways to encourage girls in math and science. "I hope that programs like the Westover WISE program could be models for schools and organizations interested in making a difference in the participation of women in the workforce in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology," she said.

Westover School is an independent, college-preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9 through 12, located at 1237 Whittemore Road (Rt. 188) on The Green in Middlebury, CT.


Online: www.westoverschool.org


Contact: Joan Anthony, (203) 577-4565