This course introduces students to advanced concepts and skills in web design. Students will learn techniques for designing an effective website, the similarities and differences between HTML and XHTML, and the importance of web page validation. They will explore the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), the box model, and advanced techniques for page layout, and learn how to style and incorporate tables, images, multimedia, and forms. Students will also be given an introduction to client-side web page scripting, will complete numerous assignments requiring application of advanced techniques, and will develop a fully functional website as a course project. At the end of the course students will submit a comprehensive final examination.

Course length: Typically 3 months

Required Materials: A textbook purchase is required for this course.

Prerequisites: Qualifying math or verbal score, and completion of Intro to Web Design or equivalent (placement test available)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer security as the first step towards learning how to protect computers from hackers. The course begins by explaining the very basic concepts of computer security and provides substantial technical details to keep students interested and involved. It includes hands-on labs and graded and non-graded assignments for each unit that provide an opportunity to practice what the students learn. It also includes a few security games to make learning more exciting and interactive. The course will be summed up with a final project and a final exam. Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.) before enrolling in the course.

Course Length: Typically 3 months

Required Materials: There are no required materials for this course.

Prerequisites: Qualifying math score and basic knowledge of computer systems

This course introduces students to the basic features of the Java programming language.

Students will learn about Java primitive and non-primitive data types, control flow constructs, built-in class libraries, and Java applets. They will also explore object-oriented programming concepts such as classes, objects, method overloading and encapsulation. Typical assignments and projects include using built-in and programmer-defined classes, performing basic input and output operations, writing applets that incorporate sound and images, and solving programming problems like Morse code translation and simulation. At the end of the course, students submit a comprehensive final examination. Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.) before enrolling in the course.

Course Length: Typically 3 months

Required Materials: Students must purchase a textbook and will need a Java language compiler.

Prerequisites: Qualifying math score

This course introduces students to basic web design using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). Although students should be comfortable with computers, file management, and navigating an internet website using a web browser (such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari), the course does not require any prior knowledge of HTML or web design. The course will show students the process of creating web pages by writing HTML code, planning and designing effective web pages, and enhancing web pages with the use of graphics, images, and multimedia. Ultimately, students will combine all of these elements to create their own functional website. Students do not need to purchase any software in order to successfully complete this class. Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.).

Course length: Typically 3 months

Required Materials: A textbook purchase is required for this course.

Prerequisite: Qualifying math or verbal score; students are strongly encouraged to take a free, online computer literacy placement test before enrolling in this course.

JavaScript introduces students to the basics of JavaScript, one of today's leading web development languages. The course requires knowledge of HTML and CSS and is an ideal transition from HTML into more advanced web technologies and Web 2.0 tools. As students explore the fundamentals of JavaScript, they gain an understanding of how to implement interactivity, special effects, and enhanced functionality in web development. The course features current web-standards compliance techniques for the web and covers the most up-to-date practices in JavaScript. For students new to programming, the course is even more enriching as it covers basic computer programming concepts and introduces the concepts of variables, operators, arrays, conditional statements, loops and functions--all an indispensable part of higher level languages like C, C++, and Java. Students do not need to purchase any software in order to successfully complete this class. Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.).

Course Length: Typically 3 months

Required Materials: A textbook purchase is required for this course.

Prerequisites: Qualifying math or verbal score and completion of Advanced Web Design or equivalent; students are strongly encouraged to take a free online placement test before enrolling in this course.

In this course, students enter the world of computer science by learning how to create animations, computer games, and interactive projects. Using Scratch, a graphical programming language developed at MIT, students learn fundamental programming concepts such as variables, loops, conditional statements, and event handling. As they teach a mischievous cat to dance, explore a maze, or play games, students learn how to use math and computer code to think creatively. The course will show students how to make and import objects, create audio recordings, and use them to develop interactive projects. At the end of the course, students create their own computer game and share it with their CTYOnline instructor and classmates. No previous programming skills are required, but students should be comfortable using a computer and browser, and managing files. Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut & paste, email attachments, etc.).

Course length: Typically 3 months

Required Materials: There are no required materials for this course.

Prerequisite: Qualifying math score; students are strongly encouraged to take a free, online, computer literacy placement test before enrolling in this course.

AP Computer Science A covers topics typically found in a first year college level computer science course and provides a solid preparation for the AP Computer Science A examination. The course emphasis is on procedural abstraction, data abstraction, object oriented design and programming methodology, using the Java programming language and algorithms and data structures. Major course topics include the concepts of computer science, program control constructs, use of arrays and strings, class methods, object oriented design and programming concepts, creating and modifying classes, understanding existing designs and code, the use of sorting and searching algorithms, recursion, and the use of standard Java class libraries. Highly qualified instructors guide students through online lectures, readings, forum discussions, design and programming exercises and project assignments, and other resources. Student knowledge is assessed through homework assignments, projects, and exams.

This course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. This course is only offered during the 30-week academic session.

Course Length: Academic year session (30 weeks long) requires an average of 6-8 hours per week, with breaks for holidays.

Required Materials: A textbook purchase is required for this course.

Prerequisite: Qualifying math score, completion of Algebra I and high school introductory computer science course

This intermediate chess course is for players who already know something about how to move the pieces and the general rules of the game. The course takes students through two refresher sessions to bring them up to speed, then in a measured way substantially expands their insight into the game, evolving pattern recognition skills plus an array of tactical abilities. The course can be taken for one or two semesters of eighteen lessons each, using texts, DVDs and chess software course materials, and is mentored by strong chess-playing coaches. This course is appropriate for any age level with sufficient reading ability. The following materials are included with this course:
Oak Meadow Chess Syllabus
Manual of Chess: Chess School Tactics for Champions
Two chess DVDs: Learning How to Make a Plan; Opening Traps and Pitfalls
Chess School 1A
Chess School 1B