The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts received Gold Medal recognition in the Arkansas Computer Science Gold Medal School Program sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science.
ASMSA is the first school to achieve the Computer Science Gold Medal designation since the program was established in the fall of 2020 by the Arkansas Department of Education. The program recognizes Arkansas high schools for outstanding work in implementing computer science and computing programs.
Ranks are based on information submitted to and reviewed by the Office of Computer Science. As part of the ranking rubric, schools obtaining a minimum number of points may receive a bronze, silver or gold ranking, with gold being the highest level and requiring high performance in a majority of the criteria. In addition to ASMSA, seven other high schools across the state earned either a Silver or Bronze Medal for the 2022-23 cycle.
“ASMSA’s community of learning is thrilled to be the first school in the state to receive a Gold Medal,” said ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice. “As Arkansas schools have embraced the possibilities afforded through robust computer science education, it has been important that ASMSA not only continues to innovate within our residential experience but also bring along educators and districts across Arkansas through our statewide outreach initiatives.”
ASMSA offers a wide range of computer science courses and out-of-school enrichment programs that are not typically available at other Arkansas high schools. Since ASMSA’s opening in 1993, all students have been required to take a computer programming course while also having the opportunity to explore courses in game creation, modern manufacturing, artificial intelligence and robotics, web applications and other college-level computer programming courses.
ASMSA students have consistently finished highly ranked in various computer science competitions, including the Governor’s All-State Coding Competition, the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot cybersecurity competition, the Congressional App Challenge and various robotics competitions, including BEST Robotics state and regional competitions.
Lori Kagebein, director of ASMSA’s STEM Pathways educator development program, said the award recognizes the school’s efforts in supporting and implementing computer science in the areas of course work, enrollment and accessibility as well as outreach and promotion.
“As ASMSA enters its 30th year of providing educational opportunities for academically and artistically motivated students as well as serving as a center for teacher education through programs such as Coding Arkansas’ Future, we strive to serve as a model for Arkansas schools and continue our commitment to prepare and empower computer science educators throughout the state,” Kagebein said.
The Coding Arkansas’ Future initiative — which is part of the STEM Pathways program — has provided opportunities for school districts across the state to meet the need for increased access to computer science coursework since its creation in 2015. The initiative has provided educators professional development sessions that prepare them to teach computer science in their own districts as well as seek state licensure. ASMSA instructors also conduct interactive sessions with educators and students throughout the school year. That program has previously been recognized by Code.org, the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools and Google for its excellence.
There were more than 2,900 computer science students statewide enrolled in Coding Arkansas’ Future cohorts for the 2022-23 academic year. That figure represented about one out of every eight students statewide who took a computer science course. More than 70 educators statewide participated last year cohort, which provided the educators with professional development opportunities as well as classroom assistance.