After a standout debut last year, Fremd’s Coding Club is preparing for its second season in the American Computer Science League (ACSL), an international competition that tests students’ programming abilities and knowledge of computer science theory.

The competition is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade and is divided into multiple divisions based on experience and difficulty. Fremd competes in the Senior Division, the most advanced level of competition.

Last year was the club’s first time competing in ACSL, and they made a strong impression, according to Coding Club sponsor Shannon Denna. “The team did really well—we scored first in our state and fourth nationally, with two students who placed first in Illinois,” Denna said.

She credited the team’s early momentum to the students’ hard work and the leadership of team captain Avirag Hosakote. “[Avirag] was instrumental in getting it started, in advertising and recruiting the team, and in grading the work the students did,” Denna said.

The ACSL season consists of four online contests, each spaced approximately one month apart, beginning in November. Students complete each contest through HackerRank, a platform for competitive programming. Every contest includes two parts: a written section and a programming section.

In the written portion, students solve five math-based, multiple-choice questions within a 30-minute time frame. Topics include number systems, prefix/postfix/infix notation, and other computer science concepts. The programming portion gives students 72 hours to complete one coding challenge in C++, Java, or Python.

Students compete individually and as a team: each receives an individual score, and the team’s total is calculated from the top five scores on the 10-person team. Students who perform exceptionally qualify for a final individual round, which does not add to the team’s overall score. To continue building on last year’s success, Fremd Coding Club is expanding its preparation strategies.

“Last year, as the topics got more advanced, some of the students found it helpful to make notes and resources while they were learning them,” Denna said.

While many academic competitions rely on group practice and in-person meets, ACSL is unique with its flexibility and independence, which turned out to be a strength for Fremd’s students.

“A lot of the competitive activities that we have here [at Fremd] happen in a team setting, and then they go to a meet together. This [coding club] isn’t one of those things. Because of that, I could see some students losing interest, since it’s such an independent event,” Denna said.

This flexibility allows students who are too busy to commit to another activity to participate at their own time and still find enjoyment in it.

Team members also shared how their experiences participating in ACSL last year deepened their understanding of computer science concepts.

“It was really enriching because I think there’s a lot of topics that you don’t normally cover in computer science principles or computer science,” said junior Melissa Yin.

Teammate, junior Julian Rosadi shares a similar perspective.  “It was a positive experience overall because it uses a lot of aspects of computer science like algebra and digital electronics,” Rosadi said.

Building on what they learned from last year, both students expressed that their experiences helped strengthen their problem-solving skills and teamwork as the team prepares for this season.

When asked about their favorite memory from last season, both students mentioned enjoying the sense of community and the achievement that came with it.

Rosadi added that he enjoyed discussing various ACSL topics and problem strategies with the team.

Yin offers advice for students thinking about joining ACSL this year.

“I would say that it’s important to just try it out to see if you like it,” Yin said. “Even if you don’t make the official team, I think keeping up with any of the topics or questions that they’re doing would be really beneficial.”

With their momentum from last year, Fremd’s coders are ready to take on new challenges and continue making their mark..