American Computer Science League
Where young minds code, create and compete!
American Computer Science League
Where young minds code, create and compete!
Empowering Young Minds Through Logic, Coding, and Competition!
Our ACSL Team is led by a married couple of passionate educators — Mildred John, a veteran Physics teacher with 20+ years of classroom experience, and Arul John, a NASA principal software engineer.
Together, they have helped dozens of students qualify for ACSL Finals every year through structured lessons, engaging activities, and personalized guidance.
Why Choose our Team?
In 2019, when our daughter was just in 3rd grade, her ACSL coach stepped down before the season even began. At that moment, we had two choices — wait another year and hope for a new coach, or step forward ourselves.
We chose to step up.
What began as a commitment to help one child’s team continue has grown into a passion for empowering young minds through computer science and problem-solving. Since that first year, we’ve registered, coached, and hosted ACSL teams every single year, across all ACSL Divisions — nurturing students from their very first competition to advanced programming success.
Our journey began out of necessity, but it continues out of purpose: to ensure that every student has the guidance, structure, and encouragement to discover their full potential in computing.
When you entrust your child to us, you’re not just joining a team — you’re joining a community built on commitment, care, and proven experience.
ACSL Junior Division (Gr 4-9)
Level up with deeper algorithmic thinking and Python programming.
ACSL Junior is designed for grades 4 through 9. This division includes the core ACSL topics —Number Systems, Prefix/Infix/Postfix, Boolean Algebra, and Graph Theory —and additional subjects for each topic. This constitutes the Short Problems.
ACSL Junior also includes a Programming Problem for every topic. Programming problems can be worked on using Python, C++, or Java. In our club, we will teach Python from the ACSL Programming Problem perspective. The Python topics include core Python.
The Short Problems content for the Junior Division will primarily be based on the coaches' published books and printed materials for the additional subjects, with a focus on maximizing scores in the ACSL Contests. This makes it easier for students and parents to follow the lessons.
ACSL Senior Division (Gr 9-12)
Designed for students ready to master advanced computer-science concepts and programming challenges.
Is your child looking to join a team of like-minded students competing at the ACSL Senior level this year? You still have time to join. This is a self-paced program with individualized support available throughout the year. There is also a weekly face-to-face office hours session where students can meet with the coaches for questions and to get help. Slots are limited, and the deadline is fast approaching.
The ACSL Senior Division is geared to junior and senior high school students with prior experience in computer programming, either Python, C++, or Java, and especially those taking AP Computer Science. Prior participation in ACSL Intermediate or Junior Division is strongly preferred; however, it is not a requirement.
The ACSL Contest consists of a 30-minute, 5-question test each month, conducted in our Loudoun location, and a 72-hour take-home programming problem.
Robotics, Coding, Engineering & Literacy
Robotics
Applied Math
Coding
Innovation & Invention
Literacy
Engineering
Robotics
Applied Math
Coding
Innovation
Literacy
Engineering
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
- Benjamin Franklin
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