Computer Science Department
Technology shapes every part of modern life: from the smartphones in our pockets to the cloud systems powering global industries. Students today aren’t just using technology; they’re living in a world built on code, cybersecurity, automation, and artificial intelligence. Our department prepares them to understand that world and shape what comes next.
Our Mission
The Computer Science Department at John Hancock College Prep empowers students to become creative problem‑solvers, ethical technologists, and future‑ready innovators. We focus on three core goals:
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Equip all students with foundational and advanced skills in computer science, cybersecurity, and computational thinking.
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Prepare students to apply these skills to real‑world challenges in a secure, responsible, and inclusive way.
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Inspire students to pursue CS‑related college majors and careers across technology, engineering, cybersecurity, data, and emerging AI fields.
Our Courses
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Exploring Computer Science (ECS) — A hands‑on introduction to computing, problem‑solving, and digital citizenship. Required for graduation.
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AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) — A college‑level course covering programming, data, the internet, cybersecurity, and the impact of computing.
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AP Cybersecurity — A rigorous, modern cybersecurity course focused on networks, threats, defense strategies, ethical hacking, and secure systems design.
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Future Electives (Under Development)
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AI Engineering: the practice of designing, integrating, and operating AI-powered systems, including LLMs, agents, retrieval pipelines, and automation, in a way that is reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned with business goals.
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Why Take Computer Science Today?
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Technology drives 8 of the top 10 fastest‑growing careers in the U.S.
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Cybersecurity roles alone are projected to grow 32%+ over the next decade.
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AI, cloud computing, and data science are now required knowledge in many college majors.
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Computing fields will see over 1 million job openings in the coming years.
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Computer science careers consistently rank among the highest in salary, job satisfaction, and long‑term stability.
What Students Gain
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Real programming experience in languages used by industry
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Cybersecurity skills aligned with modern threats and defense strategies
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Problem‑solving and computational thinking applicable to any career
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Ethical understanding of technology’s impact on society
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A competitive edge for college applications, internships, and STEM pathways
ECS Intro Videos