From Binary to Building: Inside AP Computer Science Principles

14 November 2026SJ S, Ellis ‘28

AP Computer Science Principles is often viewed as an intimidating entry point into the world of coding and tech, but a few months into the term, our class does not feel overwhelmed; we feel ready. That confidence is entirely thanks to the engaging, thoughtfully structured foundation designed by our teacher, Mr Graeme Campbell. So far this year, our classroom has been a collaborative tech lab where we have tackled the core building blocks of modern computing head-on.

Brentwood offers 20 AP courses. These are extremely beneficial because they help students build academic skills, strengthen college applications, earn college credit, and save time and money in higher education. AP Computer Science Principles is extremely beneficial for students looking to go into STEM fields.

We started the year mastering Digital Information, which required us to decode binary numbers and explore how images, text and audio are compressed and represented by computers. We then moved on to The Internet, a fascinating unit that peeled back the curtain on how data packets travel across global networks using protocols. Most recently, Mr Campbell guided us through an Intro to App Design, where we transitioned from theory to creation by designing user interfaces and programming event-driven applications.

“AP Computer Science Principles is a broad-based course covering many aspects of computing and computer science. It covers current topics like AI and the Internet, but also considers how computers work and how we get them to actually perform tasks. It’s a great course for students interested in computing in general and doesn’t require any previous experience or knowledge,” said Mr Campbell.

By the time we finished building our first basic functional apps, concepts that once seemed like magic felt like second nature, and the class walked away feeling incredibly proud and capable. “Mr Campbell breaks down complex topics so well that building an app felt completely natural,” said Humzah H, Whittall ‘28.

With the foundational units behind us, the energy in the classroom has shifted from learning the basics to creative problem solving. As we dive deeper into programming and prepare for the AP Create Performance Task later this year, Mr Campbell encourages us to bring our own ideas to the screen, allowing us to brainstorm apps that solve real-world problems to entertain our peers. Kaan D, Privett ‘27 notes, “Designing our own apps lets us explore what we actually love about coding.”

Ultimately, this course has already done so much more than just prepare us for an AP exam in May; it has helped everyone sharpen their logical thinking and foster a genuine appreciation for how technology shapes our world. We owe a huge amount of gratitude to Mr Campbell, whose tireless dedication, approachable teaching style, and unwavering belief in our potential have set us up for success. Thank you for an amazing start to the year.

SJ S, Ellis ‘28

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