Learning Skills and Discovering Passions

All Los Altos School District (LASD) students in Kindergarten through 8th grade are learning Computer Science.
Check out the grade level examples below.

"A robust K-12 CS education available to all students will help them successfully navigate complex problems and contribute meaningfully to society." - The Mercury News, November 13, 2019

KINDERGARTEN:
Using Bee-Bots, students learn problem-solving skills, collaboration, and persistence.
Some students design and build a Bee-Bot town and then program Bee-Bot to travel through the town.

GRADES 1-2: Students work together to use Scratch Jr code to create digital collages and stories.

GRADE 3: Students learn to code with Scratch and apply their skills in a science project.

GRADE 4: Students use Pro-bots to draw geometric shapes, learning math by using code.

GRADE 5:
Students use Scratch code and MakeyMakey to make a science or social studies project interactive.
They also code the micro:bit to control LEDs and motors.

GRADE 6: Students create stories, art, animations, and games.

GRADE 6: Students use text-based programming to create art and animations.

GRADE 6: Students build and program circuits with Arduino microcontrollers.

GRADES 7 & 8:

Science Class: Students code simulations and meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Math Class: Students code using ProBot and Geometry.

“You should try coding! It's really fun, but I'm not promising that it's easy. It’s really useful and it teaches you patience.”  - LASD Student

GRADES 7 & 8:

Junior High Computer Science Electives

Students learn to code in Python, understand data, the internet, and more.
Students code apps, games, and more. (HTML, JavaScript, Micro:bit, and more).

Computer Science for All 
Every LASD student has access to computer science, including groups that are not often well represented, such as girls, English language learners, and special education students.

LASD is a leader for Computer Science implementation
LASD Computer Science teacher, Sheena Vaidyanathan, was honored with a Santa Clara County Office of Education Teacher of the Year award for demonstrating excellence in the classroom. She also received the 2019 Texas Instruments Innovations in Teaching Award for her excellence as a public school STEM teacher. Our students have outstanding teachers!

LASD is considered a role model for other schools and is invited to county and national level events to share expertise on CS implementation. Recently, Danish educators from University College Copenhagen and VIA University College came to LASD to learn about the district’s Computer Science program so they can implement Computer Science programs in schools and universities nationwide.

Learn more about Computer Science instruction at LASD.