School is one of only 69 institutions in the nation to earn the honor

NEWARK, N.J. – The Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology has received the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Female Diversity Award in recognition of the school’s significant percentage of female students enrolled in the AP Computer Science Principles and the AP Computer Science A courses during the 2023-2024 school year.
Only 1,153 schools in the country earned the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, however, only 69 schools earned the award in both AP computer science courses. The Newark Public Schools has been honored with that distinction at the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology.
The AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award is given to schools that have a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding the percentage of the school’s female population.
Tim Salerno, who is now the school’s technology coordinator, taught both courses at the school in 2023-2024. Lakeisha Stokes, who is now the school’s Department Chairperson of College, Career, and Technical Education, taught AP Computer Science Principles during the same year.
“I salute the young women who knew the challenge of these demanding AP courses they would meet and exceed. I thank their principal, teachers, and families for supporting them,” said Superintendent León. “All of you helped to bring this tremendous honor to the Newark Public Schools.”
“We are incredibly proud of everyone at the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology who earned this distinctive honor from the College Board,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “This recognition is a credit to the excellent work being done by our students and teachers at the high school, under the leadership of the outstanding administrative team. By breaking barriers and creating opportunities in computer science, our students are not only preparing for future careers but also helping to ensure a more diverse STEM workforce in the future.”
“If you challenge our young women, they will rise to meet that challenge,” said Dr. Liana Summey, the school’s principal. “To get the College Board’s recognition for our female enrollments in both AP computer science classes means that there are plenty of young women in Newark who are up for the challenge of taking these rigorous courses. I want to thank Ms. Stokes and Mr. Salerno for their efforts in teaching the courses and keeping an inclusive environment in their classrooms, and the District administrative team for their support.”
The Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology officially opened in 2021 with the mission of providing students with industry-standard skills and preparing them for critical skills in the emerging, ever-evolving fields of technology and computer science. The school will have its first graduating class in June.
Providing young women with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9 percent of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.
According to a Google study, 54 percent of female computer science majors took AP Computer Science A in high school. College Board research about AP Computer Science Principles also finds AP Computer Science Principles students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP Computer Science A, and that for most students, AP Computer Science Principles serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.
About Newark Public Schools
The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676. The District currently enrolls over 40,000 students in 64 schools. After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened ten new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.