Hutchison Earns College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
The College Board recognized Hutchison for our commitment to expanding girls' access to AP Computer Science courses, empowering students with essential coding, problem-solving, and analytical skills to pursue future opportunities in STEM fields.
Hutchison is one of a select group of schools worldwide to be recognized by the College Board for work toward equal gender representation and expansion of girls' access to AP Computer Science courses during the 2023-2024 school year.
Girls in Dr. Matt Braby’s AP Computer Science Principles class explore a range of topics, from binary numbers and how the internet works to data analysis, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. The course also introduces foundational coding aspects that are applicable in various computer programming languages.
Dr. Braby encourages students to think about computer science in their everyday lives and prepares them for future studies in the field. Research shows women are more likely to pursue computer science if they are given the opportunity to explore it in high school. Way before Hutchison girls get to upper school, faculty and staff introduce them to coding and computer science in lower school and middle school through various activities, from the Design Lab to participating in Computer Science Education Week to our 7th grade STEM Explorations class.
Our goal is to inspire our girls to pursue STEM careers and provide the resources and skills for them to break into often male-dominated industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women represent only 26% of the 6.5 million people employed in computer and mathematical operations. More importantly, our girls benefit from early experiences with computer science by developing resiliency and problem-solving skills.
Little Hive teachers Ms. Hollingsworth and Ms. Aguilar followed our youngest girls’ interest in the weather to expand their scientific knowledge and various skills, from creativity to storytelling to fine motor skills.
For her senior myExperience project, Haley Floyd ’25 combined her love of animals with a deep concern for the mental health of young women. Haley launched Pause for Paws, an initiative that brought therapy dogs to campus to offer comfort and connection. She received a 10<20 Youth Impact Award from “Memphis Parent” magazine for her work.
In these student-led R.E.A.L. discussions, our fourth graders sharpen their conversation skills while learning to support their ideas with evidence and think critically.
Through years of theatre, dance, music, and leadership in the arts, Chloe Simpson ’25 found confidence, community, and her voice. From the stage to the classroom, she embraced every opportunity to grow as a performer, student, and civic thinker.
Maggie’s interest in environmental science and forestry has grown through hands-on learning, inspiring mentors, and community involvement. After 15 years at Hutchison, she’s ready to turn her curiosity and love for learning into real-world impact.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Mallory Mullis '18, Manager of Leadership Programs at the Dallas Regional Chamber.
Hutchison world language students participated in the 2025 U of M Language Fair, sponsored by The University of Memphis Department of World Languages and Literatures. Demonstrating their knowledge of Spanish and Chinese, Hutchison had nine upper school girls win awards at the fair.
Yes, egg prices are high, according to our fifth graders’ research! Their Mean Monday activity tracking grocery store prices was highlighted on WREG News Channel 3.
Carpe diem! Demonstrating their enthusiasm for Latin and Roman culture, Hutchison had several students win awards at the Tennessee Junior Classical League Convention.
Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—these are the five steps of design thinking that our lower school girls live by in the Design Lab with academic technology specialist Jennifer Stover.