Academics
Upper School | Grades 9—12
Curriculum

Select a Department

Computer Science

The Computer Science department at Sierra Canyon offers courses that teach industry standard software coupled with state-of-the-art, cutting edge technology and digital skills. With the understanding that Computer Science encapsulates many fields, students engage in courses ranging from simple engineering and video game creation to mobile application development and advanced software coding. Course offerings, lessons, topics and skills adapt with constantly changing technology. A student involved in Sierra Canyon’s Computer Science program prepare for practical application within their classes across disciplines as well as different opportunities in digital industries.

  • Intro to Computer Science

    In this course, students will have the opportunity to use today's technology and manipulate it to create their own products such as video games, apps, websites, and more. Students will get hands-on experience building computer programming and computational thinking skills through working with languages and tools like HTML 5 and CSS 3, Python, C#, JavaScript, and Java. No prior experience with coding is necessary, only interest and enthusiasm.

    A yearlong course
    Open to grades 8 + 9

  • Honors Computer Concepts

    This yearlong course will teach students to understand administrative tasks and network services specific to Microsoft Windows, UNIX and Linux. Students will also study hardware installation under different operating systems, configuration of network services, including network security and troubleshooting. They will also perform network administration including backups, drive mapping, partition and process management, monitoring resources, analyzing and optimizing network performance. Master command-line features of the Linux environment including file system navigation, file and user permissions, editors, command shells, and network use will also be explored. Students will finalize each semester by taking their CompTIA A+ and the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Datacenter certifications. 
     
    A yearlong course
    Open to grades 10 – 12; open to grade 9 with departmental approval
    Prerequisites:  AP Computer Science A or Principles

  • AP Computer Science Principles

    AP Computer Science Principles is a college level course that introduces the essential ideas of computer science and shows how computing and technology can influence the world. Students will be exposed to the essential ideas of computer science and the impact advances in computer science have on people and society. Students will cover the ethics of new technologies and how computer science influences other fields. While programming will be a part of the course the AP Computer Science Principles course does not have a dedicated programming language and teachers are free to choose a language that is most appropriate for the students in their classroom.
     
    The AP computer Science Principles course is the equivalent of a first semester college computing course. This course will allow students to develop computational thinking skills that are needed for success in multiple disciplines. Students will learn how to analyze large data sets and draw conclusions from trends. Students will work on thier communication and collaboration skills working both independently and in groups to solve problems.  
     
    A yearlong course
    Prerequisites: Departmental approval required
    Open to grades 9 - 12

  • AP Computer Science A

    AP Computer Science A is a college level course that introduces programming and programming concepts.  Students will gain a solid base understanding of the Java programming language, with an emphasis on Object Oriented programming.   The course introduces important programing concepts such as standard algorithms, JAVA class libraries, data collections, control structures and debugging techniques.  In addition, ethical and social implications of computer use are discussed. Students will gain coding and problem-solving experience in producing computer-based solutions to real problems through numerous practical programming labs.  

    A yearlong course
    Prerequisites: Algebra II; departmental approval required

  • Game Development *

    This course introduces students to the dynamic field of game design and development. This course teaches the techniques of creating video games from the ground up. Students learn to program, design, prototype and test their own projects while building their collaboration and problem-solving skills. By the end of the course, students will be able to design and utilize spreadsheets, implement a variety of industry-standard level design techniques, and create a variety of games using Python. Students will have a portfolio of custom games they have designed and built and be fully prepared to take the next step in a more advanced game development course.
     
    A one-semester course
    Open to grades 10-12
    No prerequisites required

  • Web Development*

    In this course, students explore basic web design using HTML and CSS to plan and create effective webpages, implement them by writing code, enhance them with the use of page-layout techniques, and produce a functional, multi-page website. By the end of this course students will be able to describe the structure and functionality of the world wide web, create dynamic web pages using a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, apply essential programming language concepts when creating HTML forms, select an appropriate web hosting service, and publish webpages for the world to see. Students will be able to develop a working model for creating your own personal or business websites in the future and be fully prepared to take the next step in a more advanced web development course.
     
    A one-semester course
    Open to grades 10-12

Faculty

Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311  | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.