ACSL Prep Course
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 algorithms—a 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 🥇 Medalist - Gold Patrick Mar 🥉 Medalist - Bronze Seonghyun Park 🏆 Finalist 34/34 DB Prep Students | 2026 Achievements 🥇 Gold Ben Park 🥈 Silver Hojin ShinAiden Chang 🥉 Bronze 15/15 DB Prep Students | 2026 Achievements 🏆 Finalist Dohyun Kim Ben Park (2 DB Prep Teams qualified out of 6 U.S. Teams) |
2025 Achievements 🥇 Medalist - Gold Jasmine Wu 🥉 Medalist - Bronze Soohyuk Choe 🏆 Finalist 30/30 DB Prep Student | 2025 Achievements 🥉 Bronze 7/8 DB Prep Students | 2025 Achievements 🎖️ Honorable Mention Dohyun KimHojin Shin 🏆 Finalist 5 DB Prep Students qualified |
About ACSL
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) organizes rigorous computer science and programming contests for students ranging from elementary to high school. The competition journey is structured around four regular-season contests, where cumulative scores determine eligibility for the prestigious ACSL Finals.
2026 Season Timeline
- Contest #1: Closed January 11, 2026
- Contest #2: Closed March 1, 2026
- Contest #3: Closed April 12, 2026
- Contest #4: Closed May 17, 2026
- 2026 ACSL Finals: May 23, 2026
Divisions (5)
Elementary, Classroom, Junior, Intermediate, Senior
* Elementary/Classroom: Theory assessment only.
* Junior/Intermediate/Senior: Integrated theory and practical programming assessments.
Course Description
ACSL organizes computer science and programming contests for elementary, middle, and high school students, and is on the approved activities list of the NASSP.
This course provides a unique and exciting educational opportunity for computer enthusiasts, offering a path to improve algorithmic problem solving, data analytics, and general programming skills.
ACSL helps enhance math and logic skills while introducing students to computer topics rarely covered in standard school curriculums. It also serves as an excellent credential for college applications.
Course Designed For
Students in Grades 10-12 aiming to compete in the Intermediate or Senior Division.
Students in Grades 6-9 aiming to compete in the Junior Division.
Students in Grades 3-6 aiming to compete in the Elementary or Classroom Division.
Beginners to competitive programming, as ACSL is widely considered one of the most accessible competitions to start with, requiring no prior coding experience to begin learning.
Requirements
For the Senior Division, successful completion of the "Intermediate Python" course is required.
Requirements vary significantly depending on the target division (from Elementary to Senior). Please contact us directly for a consultation regarding specific prerequisites and personalized placement.
What You Will Learn
Course Details
Short Answer Practice
Solve 30-minute, 5-question short answer tests covering recursive functions and number systems.
72-Hour Programming Task
Complete a take-home programming challenge based on Contest #1 theoretical concepts.