Which Competition Prep Course is Right for You?
| ACSL | USACO | GENIUS Olympiad |
|---|---|---|
| The oldest programming competition challenging students globally, covering CS fundamentals to advanced algorithms. | The premier U.S. informatics olympiad featuring complex algorithmsβa definitive credential for top-tier university admissions. | An international competition focusing on global environmental issues, helping students build a standout STEM portfolio through original research. |
2026 Achievements π₯ Medalist - Gold Patrick Mar π₯ Medalist - Bronze Seonghyun Park π Finalist 34/34 DB Prep Students | 2026 Achievements π₯ Gold Ben Park π₯ Silver Hojin ShinAiden Chang π₯ Bronze 15/15 DB Prep Students | 2026 Achievements π Finalist Dohyun Kim Ben Park (2 DB Prep Teams qualified out of 6 U.S. Teams) |
2025 Achievements π₯ Medalist - Gold Jasmine Wu π₯ Medalist - Bronze Soohyuk Choe π Finalist 30/30 DB Prep Student | 2025 Achievements π₯ Bronze 7/8 DB Prep Students | 2025 Achievements ποΈ Honorable Mention Dohyun KimHojin Shin π Finalist 5 DB Prep Students qualified |
About USACO
The USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) is the premier algorithmic programming competition for high school students in the United States. It serves as a definitive credential for top-tier STEM university admissions and identifies the top computing talent in the nation. The competition follows a "ladder" style promotion system, challenging students to demonstrate mastery in advanced algorithms and data structures.
2026 Season Timeline
- First Contest: January 9 β January 12, 2026
- Second Contest: January 30 β February 2, 2026
- Third Contest: February 20 β February 23, 2026
- US Open Championship: March 28, 2026
Divisions (Ladder Style)
* All new participants must start in the Bronze division.
* Promotion to the next level requires a near-perfect or perfect score during a contest weekend.
Course Description
This 24-week USACO prep course is designed to prepare aspiring competitive programmers for the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) - Bronze Level and other competitive programming competitions.
Participants will gain a deep understanding of fundamental algorithms and data structures and build problem-solving skills essential for competitive programming.
Course Designed For
Grades 10-12 students who are new to USACO but eager to build a standout STEM portfolio.
Students looking to master algorithms, time complexity optimization, and real-world simulation programming.
Requirements
Students who have completed the "Introduction to Python" course from the academy or those who are currently taking or have finished the "AP Computer Science A" class.
Students should have a good understanding of C++, Java, or Python and be able to write simple programs using concepts such as arrays, maps/sets, conditionals, and loops.
New Students: Must pass the admission test administered by DB Prep Academy.
What You Will Learn
Course Details (Syllabus)
USACO Environment Config
Set up the local IDE and compiler, and successfully submit a basic I/O (Input/Output) program to the USACO training portal.
File I/O Template
Create a reusable code template in Java or Python specifically designed to handle standard USACO file reading (.in) and writing (.out).