High School Computer Science Foundations Curriculum
Expand access to career-connected computer science through a flexible, semester-long course that builds foundational skills in programming, data, cybersecurity, AI, and app development.
Give Students the Computer Science Skills Every Career Demands
PLTW’s Computer Science Foundations course builds digital literacy and computational thinking skills that matter. The semester-long course (80 hours) is designed to provide accessible entry points for all students, helping them see the role computer science will play in their education, profession, and life.
Build Competencies for Modern Careers
This introductory computer science curriculum engages students in computational thinking and hands-on problem solving, teaching them how to:
- Design functional apps
- Create and test solutions
- Develop secure systems
- Analyze large datasets
- Simulate real-world scenarios
- Use AI and emerging technologies
Expand Career Pathways and Job Options
The CTE-aligned computer science curriculum explores a diverse group of industry professionals, showing the variety of journeys that lead to careers, such as:
Software engineer
Digital forensics investigator
Information security consultant
Risk security and privacy consultant
Improve Durable Skills and Real-World Employability
This workforce-ready CS curriculum applies the “why” through project-based learning, keeping students engaged as they build essential knowledge and universal skills, including:
- Teamwork
- Collaboration
- Documentation
- Ethical reasoning
- Safe cyber and AI practices
- Presentation and communication
A Flexible Way to Expand High School Computer Science
Teachers don't need a CS or IT degree.
Our curriculum-aligned training turns classroom educators into confident and competent facilitators of career-connected computer science.
Curriculum is ready to teach.
Each hands-on, structured lesson includes instructional materials, supplemental resources, and clear standards connections.
Schools can implement what fits.
Add Computer Science Foundations as a standalone course, paired with the Principles of AI course, as part of a full PLTW Computer Science program.
We're proven in every state and school type.
Public, private, charter, and micro schools in any U.S. state or territory can implement the course.
