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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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.