WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester’s very own Henderson High School has earned a notable distinction that places it at the forefront of gender equality within the field of computer science. The school has been awarded the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award, a recognition that celebrates high female representation in one of the most in-demand academic disciplines.
This accolade reflects the school’s commitment to expanding access for female students in Advanced Placement (AP) computer science courses. Henderson is among 225 schools nationwide that have been recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A for the 2022-23 academic year.
Joan Hohwald, a Computer Science teacher at Henderson, expressed her excitement over the recognition. “At Henderson, we are thrilled that more of our female students are choosing to study computer science,” she said. Hohwald, who is also the district’s only female Computer Science teacher at present, is a fervent advocate for inclusivity in the field.
The AP Computer Science A course is instrumental in equipping students with the skills necessary to design and implement computer programs to solve contemporary problems. Since its inception in 1988, the course has seen an increase in female participation by 69% since 2017, bringing the total number of female participants to 24,147.
Foram Shah, a student at Henderson, spoke highly of her experience learning from Hohwald. “Her clarity, experience, and deep knowledge inspire confidence in my own abilities,” Shah said.
Achieving gender parity in computer science is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, the industry boasts some of the highest-paying jobs, with the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations standing at $100,530 as of May 2021. Secondly, diversity drives innovation, creativity, and representation, all of which are essential for the evolution of the field.
However, despite these compelling reasons, women currently represent a mere 24% of the five million people in computing occupations. At the high school level, female students account for only 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants and 26% of AP Computer Science A participants.
Henderson High School’s achievement in this area is therefore significant, as it serves as an inspiration and model for other U.S. high schools. The College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award is a testament to Henderson’s commitment to inclusive education, setting an example for other institutions in Chester County and beyond.
While there is still much work to be done to achieve gender parity in computer science, the recognition of Henderson High School’s efforts is a positive step forward. As more female students are encouraged to explore computer science, the hope is that they will go on to become the innovators and problem solvers of the future, ultimately reshaping the landscape of the industry.
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