Michigan Department of Education · Computer Science · 9–12

Michigan 9–12 Computer Science Standards & Skills Strand-by-strand reference for the Michigan K-12 Computer Science Standards (CSTA-aligned, adopted 2019), with curated free resources, AP CSP / AP CS A coverage, and Troy SD curriculum overlay.

About the Michigan CS Standards

Michigan adopted CSTA's K-12 Computer Science Standards in 2019. Standards are organized into five core concept strands, with HS work split into two levels. Identifier format is Level-Concept-Number (e.g., 3A-IC-25 = HS Level 3A, Impacts of Computing, standard 25).

Primary source: Michigan K-12 CS Standards (PDF)

HS CS Standards · Levels 3A & 3B

📊 MDE Standards Matrix
Domain / Strand MDE Standards (Level 3A) Skill / What students learn Free Resources Troy SD Curriculum AP Coverage
CS
Computing Systems

3A-CS-01 thru 3A-CS-03
  • Hardware/software design tradeoffs
  • Levels of abstraction
  • Troubleshooting strategies
 Platform-based (no textbook) — likely Code.org or CodeHS [unverified] AP CSP Big Idea 1 (Creative Development); AP CSA covers system design via Java OOP.
NI
Networks & the Internet

3A-NI-04 thru 3A-NI-08
  • Network protocols & data transmission
  • Cybersecurity threats & defenses
  • Cryptography basics
 Cybersecurity course; LTU Early College CS/CyberSec partnership AP CSP Big Idea 4 (Computer Systems & Networks).
DA
Data & Analysis

3A-DA-09 thru 3A-DA-12
  • Data collection, storage, transformation
  • Modeling & simulations
  • Data visualization & interpretation
 Introduction to Data Science (after Geometry) AP CSP Big Idea 2 (Data); AP CSA covers data structures (arrays, ArrayLists, 2D arrays).
AP
Algorithms & Programming

3A-AP-13 thru 3A-AP-24
  • Algorithm design (sequencing, selection, iteration)
  • Variables, data types, control flow
  • Functions, parameters, scope
  • Iteration & recursion
  • Testing & debugging
 AP Computer Science A (Java); AP Computer Science Principles (language-agnostic) This is the bulk of both AP CS courses. AP CSA = Java; AP CSP = block-based or any language.
IC
Impacts of Computing

3A-IC-25 thru 3A-IC-30
  • Computing's beneficial & harmful effects
  • Personal data security & privacy
  • Equity, access, accessibility
  • Intellectual property & licensing
 Embedded across all CS courses AP CSP Big Idea 5 (Impact of Computing) — explicit AP requirement; AP CSA does not directly cover.

AP Computer Science exams · Troy HS / Athens HS

Two AP CS exams + Cybersecurity elective. All available to students after Algebra 1. Both Troy HS and Athens HS host AP CS programs (THS has an apcs.troyhigh.com domain suggesting an active program).

AP Exam Typical Grade Prerequisite Content overview At Troy?
AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) 9–12 None (Algebra 1 recommended) Big Ideas: Creative Development, Data, Algorithms & Programming, Computer Systems & Networks, Impact of Computing. Language-agnostic — schools can use Python, JavaScript, Snap!, App Inventor, etc. ✓ Yes
AP Computer Science A (CSA) 10–12 Algebra 1 (CSP optional) Java programming: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), classes & inheritance, ArrayLists, 2D arrays, recursion, sorting, data abstraction. Equivalent to first-semester college CS. ✓ Yes

Note: 2025-26 saw minor revisions to AP CSA (Java) — verify exam content with course instructor. Cybersecurity at Troy is offered as an elective (after Algebra 1) and Troy SD has a Lawrence Tech University Early College partnership for advanced CS / Cybersecurity.

Troy SD test-out for Computer Science