Back to School Night 2025

Chris Jones, Jeff Elkner

Arlington Tech Governor’s STEM Academy: Empowering students to explore STEM pathways through rigorous college coursework and authentic learning opportunities.

Our Courses

Radical Transparency

You can find everything we do (including these slides) on our website:

https://ict.gctaa.net

CS Courses in APS

General themes:

  • Integrated Pathway
  • First two years: Full-stack web development
  • Final two years: Associates Degree - prepare for four-year CS program
  • Emphasis on:
    • Understanding how computers work: “it’s all just bits”
    • Use low-level tools that don’t hide details
    • Project-based learning, authentic customers

View the course sequence on apscs.org

Dual Enrollment

  • We’re both Adjuncts at Northern Virginia Community College (“NOVA”)

  • Our students:

    • Earn normal high school credits
    • Sit for industry certification tests
    • Earn 26 college credits
      • First two years: 6 credits each
      • Final two years: 7 credits each
    • Connect with resources and faculty at NOVA
    • Graduate high school with an A.S. in CS

A few specific things to know

  • No Retakes
  • No Late Work
  • Drop/Withdrawal Rules
  • Different accommodation rules

“Flipped” Classroom

  • You should learn the material on your own
  • Class time is not for lecturing, it’s for practicing
  • Reading assignments every day, reading quizzes at the beginning of every class

Let us know if you need help!

  • I try to talk one-on-one with every student every day
  • You get support from APS and NOVA
  • Office hours before school every day, and email works great!

Grading - Web Design

Your grade is almost entirely Summative!

  • 20%: We’ll have formative quizzes most days, and coding practice in class
  • 60%: Most of your grade will come from tests, projects
  • 20%: final exam
  • Final APS Grade for the year: 50% Semester 1, 50% Semester 2
  • Quarter grades: think of them like progress reports

Grading - Jeff’s Classes

Grading - Jeff’s Classes

  • First Quarter: Certification Exam. If you pass the exam, you get an A
  • Rest of the year:
    • Students will receive a weekly cumulative letter grade that will incorporate daily quizzes, tests, projects, and presentations. These weekly evaluations can be challenged by the student, but only during the week immediately following when the evaluation is given.
    • The average of the weekly evaluations will make up 70% of the final grade, with the course final exam making up 30%.

It Takes A Village

Requests

  • APS Seeking Guest Speakers: See flyer in room
  • We love old equipment - always accepting donations!
  • Feedback is a gift - please keep in touch

Questions / Discussion