Everyone knows about spelling bees, but did you know that there are coding contests for kids too?
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) is a computer science competition for everyone from elementary school to high school. These contests offer a range of difficulty levels, tailored to different age groups and expertise levels, ensuring that each participant finds a suitable challenge.
Each year’s contests are crafted to test students on a wide array of topics, including algorithmic strategies, computer number systems, and programming languages. This diverse problem set provides a wide ranging sample of the field of computer science. Many competitors use ACSL as the reason to learn more advanced material and may lead to a career in engineering.
Is your son or daughter a good fit for ACSL competitions? Let’s dig in.
What Makes the American Computer Science League Stand Out?
The ACSL distinguishes itself as not only the longest running coding contest, but also the one with divisions before high school. Many of the more recent entrants into competitive programming only cater to the most difficult Olympiad style problems.
ACSL emphasizes the practical application of programming skills and theoretical knowledge across all divisions. This is why it continues to be popular. In the previous year, approximately 8,000 students hailing from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia took part in ACSL’s regular season competitions.
The Rich History of ACSL
Since its inception in 1978, ACSL has grown to include multiple divisions, catering to students in grades ranging from elementary to high school. The introduction of the Classroom Division and the Intermediate Division has allowed for a more inclusive environment, where students can compete at a level that matches their understanding of computer science concepts. This structure also provides a pathway for advanced junior students, particularly those in grade 9 or taking AP Computer Science, to test and expand their knowledge in a competitive setting.
Participant’s Guide to ACSL Competitive Programming
Engaging in ACSL’s competitive programming is a journey of intellectual growth and skill enhancement. It offers a platform for students to apply their coding knowledge in a structured competitive environment, pushing them to achieve excellence.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Compete?
ACSL is open to a wide range of participants. In fact, even though American is in the name, there are teams all over the world that compete each year!
Often teams are set up by a school, homeschool group, or after-school learning provider. However, there is a rule that if your school has a team, that is the team you must compete with.
The Five Divisions of ACSL
ACSL features five divisions, each designed to cater to different skill levels and age groups. The Elementary Division introduces younger school students to the basics of computer science. The Classroom Division provides an opportunity for students to compete as a class. The Junior Division is aimed at middle school students, while the Intermediate and Senior Divisions challenge high school students with more advanced topics.
Elementary Division
The Elementary Division serves as an exciting entry point into the world of competitive programming. It caters to students in grades 3-5.
Every contest includes an online 30-minute session featuring a 5-question non-programming test, with each contest concentrating on a specific category of content.
Classroom Division
In the Classroom Division, school students compete collectively, fostering a team spirit and collaborative problem-solving approach within the classroom setting.
Each contest entails an online 50-minute session with a 10-question short-answer test. The problems featured are non-programming tasks — you don’t need coding experience to participate!
Junior Division
Targeted at middle school students, the Junior Division raises the complexity of problems, preparing participants for more advanced challenges ahead. The oldest you can be for the Junior Division is in 9th grade.
Each contest comprises an online 30-minute assessment featuring five short-answer questions, alongside an online programming challenge to be completed within a 72-hour timeframe.
Intermediate Division
The Intermediate Division is tailored for high school students. It presents a balanced mix of theoretical questions and programming tasks that require a deeper understanding of computer science principles.
Each contest entails a 30-minute online assessment comprising five short-answer questions, accompanied by an online programming challenge to be solved within a 72-hour window.
Senior Division
Designed for the most experienced high school students, the Senior Division features the most challenging problems, covering advanced topics in computer science and programming. It is recommended that the participating students took AP Computer Science A or are currently enrolled in it.
Each contest comprises a 30-minute online assessment featuring 5 short-answer questions, alongside an online programming task to solve within a 72-hour timeframe.
The Structure of ACSL Competitions: From Local to All-Star Levels
ACSL competitions start at the local level, allowing students to compete within their school or community team. Successful participants can then advance to the All-Star level, where they face off against the best team from across the world.
The Road to Victory: How to Prepare for ACSL
Success in ACSL is not unlike other activities: targeted practice will lead to improvement. With several ACSL divisions and resources to choose from, let’s dig into the right way for your son or daughter to prepare.
Where to Find Resources and Practice Problems
Finding practice problems for ACSL contests is crucial for success. The official ACSL website features a limited number of past problems, which are perfect for understanding the format and types of questions asked. They also sell more resources, including books and an online environment for coding.
Besides ACSL, students might also consider participating in the Liftoff Coders League. This is an alternative that offers an easier entry point into the world of competitive programming. It is similar to the programming problems of the Junior division of ACSL that can be solved online using Python.
Hiring a Coach or Tutor
For personalized mentorship, consider Breakout Mentors. We provide one-on-one tutoring to support students in excelling in ACSL and beyond. What sets us apart is our commitment to individualized attention. Your child will receive dedicated lessons with a mentor who tailors the sessions to her interests and learning pace.
Engaging a coach or tutor who is well-versed in ACSL can be a game-changer for students. A mentor can provide personalized guidance, strategies for tackling difficult problems, and insight into effective preparation methods. This tailored support can enhance a student’s confidence, skills, and overall performance in the contests, making it a valuable consideration for those aiming for top ranks.
Navigating the Logistics of Participation
Key Dates and Deadlines
ACSL isn’t the easiest contest to participate in. You have to find a team (see our ACSL beginners guide) and do it before the start of the season, which lasts the whole year! The competition season typically unfolds with Contest 1 in the fall, Contest 2 in winter, and Contest 3 in early spring, respectively. Registration for teams happens in the early fall. Depending upon the school or team, they may allow individuals to join their team late, but you should talk to the team leader about that.
Breaking Down the Costs: Is Participating in ACSL Worth It?
Each student participating in ACSL usually has to pay a fee. This can vary quite a bit depending upon the team you join and the format of the practices, if any.
It costs $150 to register a team, which might set the floor of $15 per student if split evenly. However, many teams also purchase study materials to use. Or rent a venue to practice. Or have an instructor to teach.
Participation in ACSL contests is definitely worth the fee. It is hard to evaluate the benefits of the study materials, venue, or instructor fees of a team though, since it is different in each situation. However in ACSL competition, students gain invaluable experience in problem-solving, making it a worthwhile investment for those serious about technology education.
Benefits of Joining
Participating in the ACSL yields numerous benefits that reach far beyond the competition itself. Here are some key advantages.
Recognition and Awards
ACSL gives recognition to both teams and individual competitors. It is a team event throughout the year, but then there is an All-Star level that is just based on how each individual performed. This recognition helps to enhance a student’s academic profile, including for college admissions.
Gateway to USACO Contests
USACO is the most prestigious competitive programming contest for high school students. Children who participate in ACSL in elementary or middle school are more likely to continue onto USACO contests in high school. Those same students are also well prepared to excel in the contests and be recognized for their achievements.
If you are considering which contest is right for you, we have an article ACSL vs USACO: Comparing the Contests for Young Coders.
College Preparation and Admissions
The ACSL and USACO are highly regarded by college admissions officers, indicating a keen interest in computer science and demonstrating strong academic prowess. High achievement in ACSL can improve admission chances to top engineering schools.
ACSL: A Great Way to Start Competitive Programming
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) is a great way to take a student’s coding to the next level. Whether or not they are motivated by the competition aspect, ACSL will provide interesting challenges and a team of similar students all learning it together.
Starting as early as grade 3, students from all over the world participate in ACSL contests. They can advance divisions as they are ready, inducing more coding in the junior, intermediate, and senior divisions. But don’t worry if you don’t start with the earliest divisions! We find middle schoolers learning Python are a great fit to jump right into the junior division of ACSL.
If you are wondering if ACSL or another coding focus is the right next step for your son or daughter, please contact our kids coding experts today.