New AP Cybersecurity Class Prepares Students For Success In Digital Economy

AP Cybersecurity, a new Advanced Placement course, equips students with hands-on technical skills, problem-solving strategies, and a strong foundation in digital safety and network security.

New AP Cybersecurity Class Prepares Students For Success In Digital Economy

As technology continues to shape how we learn, work, and communicate, cybersecurity knowledge is becoming an essential skill for success. Boston Public Schools (BPS) is helping students prepare for that future through AP Cybersecurity, a new Advanced Placement course offered at the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (EMK) and the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science.

Part of College Board's AP Career Kickstart initiative, AP Cybersecurity combines rigorous, college-level learning with practical skills that can open doors to higher education and future careers. Through hands-on, scenario-based activities, students explore digital safety, network security, and strategies for addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Students who earn a qualifying score on the AP exam are eligible to receive college credit and an employer-endorsed credential, giving them a head start as they explore postsecondary education and career options. They also develop transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, that can benefit them across industries.

At EMK, where many students prepare for careers in healthcare, cybersecurity has a direct connection to protecting patients and sensitive information.

“For these particular students who are going into the healthcare field, it’s really important in order for them to safeguard their future patients,” said AP Cybersecurity teacher Roger Rios.

Students recognize that cybersecurity knowledge benefits everyone, not just those pursuing technology careers.

“It’s important for everyone to know (cybersecurity) so that they could pass it on to family members because they could target anyone,” said AP Cybersecurity student Branyelis Ramirez.

Jamilson Mendes, an AP Cybersecurity student at the O’Bryant, agreed, noting that “almost everybody has access to technology and the risks that technology comes with (it).”

By sharing what they learn, students can help family members and community members recognize online threats and protect their personal information. The course empowers students to become informed digital citizens while exploring skills that may lead to future opportunities in technology, healthcare, business, and other fields.

AP Cybersecurity also reflects BPS’s commitment to expanding access to challenging coursework. According to the College Board’s 2026 AP Score Reports, 4,069 BPS students took 7,277 AP exams this year, with 64 percent earning qualifying scores of 3 or higher. Since 2022, the number of qualifying scores has increased increased from 50% to 65%.

Through AP Cybersecurity, BPS is connecting classroom learning to real-world needs, helping students build confidence, protect their communities, and prepare for success in college, careers, and an increasingly digital world.

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, BPS is also reinforcing digital safety districtwide through student password resets and mandatory cybersecurity training for staff and faculty.

Registration

We're excited to help you find the best educational options for your child! Our school district uses a home-based assignment plan to determine the schools available for your consideration.

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is still open. Registration for the 2027-2028 school year will begin in early January. Please visit apply.avela.org/boston to start the registration process.

You can also contact or visit a BPS Welcome Center and a registration specialist will assist you.

Registration Information Sessions

You can view a recording of a previous information session using the links below. Dates for Information sessions for families registering for the 2027-2028 school year will be posted shortly.

You can also reach out to a BPS Welcome Center with any questions about the registration process.

BPS schools also hold information session between November and January to give families a chance to learn more about the school, tour the building, and meet the school leader. Dates for those school-based information sessions will be posted shortly.

BPS Registration Process

We’re here to make registering for BPS as simple as possible! Just follow the six steps below, and your child will be enrolled in no time. We are happy to offer registration assistance in ten languages. For questions or interpretation assistance, please contact one of our four BPS Welcome Centers or call us at 617-635-9010.

Step 1: Review the school-age requirements for enrollment for 2026-2027

Step 2: Get a list of your eligible schools

BPS uses a home-based assignment plan to determine the schools available to your family. This plan uses your home address to create a personalized list of quality schools for which you are eligible. If a school does not appear on your list, you are not eligible to apply to that school. All 7-12 and 9-12 high schools are citywide options for all students. Learn more about the BPS assignment plan.

Explore the school options available for your child by using our School Choice Tool.

Click the link below for step-by-step instructions on how to navigate the School Choice Tool and find the list of eligible schools for your address. Checking School Eligibility Instructions

Special Admission Schools

Some of our schools require a separate application or run a special admissions process to be assigned. If your child is interested in attending one of these schools, you will need to complete the separate application AND rank the school as one of your school choices on your BPS registration form. Both steps must be done. The School Choice Tool and the registration form will indicate if a school requires a special admissions process.

The list of schools requiring a separate application for the 2026-2027 school year can be found at the Special Admission Schools.

This sheet contains the application deadline for each school as well as a link to that school's individual application.

Step 3: Learn more about your school options, how to register, and how the BPS assignment plan works

You can view a recording of a previous information session using the links below. Dates for Information sessions for families registering for the 2027-2028 school year will be posted shortly.

You can also reach out to a BPS Welcome Center with any questions about the registration process.

BPS schools also hold information session between November and January to give families a chance to learn more about the school, tour the building, and meet the school leader. Dates for those school-based information sessions will be posted shortly.

Find additional details at the School Information Sessions webpage.

Step 4: Gather your required documentation

To register your child for school, you must provide the following documentation.

Child’s original birth certificate, I-94 form, or passport (use of passport requires completion of BPS Parent Affidavit.)
Child’s up-to-date immunization record
Child's up-to-date physical exam record (within the last year)
Parent/Guardian’s photo identification
Two proofs of Boston residency from the list below. Items cannot be from the same bulleted category.

A Utility Bill (not water or cell phone) dated within the past 60 days
A Deed or Mortgage Payment dated within the past 60 days, or a Property Tax Bill dated within the last year
A W2 form dated within the year, or a Payroll Stub dated within the past 60 days
A Bank or Credit Card Statement dated within the past 60 days
A Letter from an Approved Government Agency** dated within the past 60 days. Approved Government Agencies: Department of Revenue (DOR), Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), Department of Youth Services (DYS) or Social Security. Some communications on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Letterhead may also apply.
A current lease, Section 8 Agreement, or BPS Landlord Affidavit dated within a year. Affidavits are available in: English | Kabuverdianu | 中文 | Kreyòl | Português | Español | tiếng Việt | Afsoomaali

Step 5: Register Online

Once you have researched your school options and have all your documents prepared, you can complete the registration form online.

You can register your child at: apply.avela.org/boston.

If you have any questions, you can contact or visit a BPS Welcome Center and a registration specialist will assist you.

Visiting a Welcome Center is not required to complete your child's registration.

Step 6: Complete your BPS Registration

Once you have submitted your online registration application, a registration specialist will review it and check all of your documents.

If any documents are missing or additional information is required, they will reach back out to you for clarification or to submit additional documents. You will also be able to adjust your school choices at this time.

If your child requires language testing or if they have an IEP that needs to be reviewed by the Office of Specialized Services, those steps will also take place after you have submitted your registration form.

Once your application is complete and has been reviewed by a registration specialist, you will receive an email confirmation.

Visiting a Welcome Center is no longer required to complete the registration process, but we are happy to provide assistance to anyone that needs it. You can:

Call 617-635-9010 to schedule an appointment; or
Visit any of our Welcome Centers to complete your application.

Visit our Welcome Centers webpage for additional information on all locations, including languages support.

We are happy to offer registration assistance in other languages. For interpretation assistance, please call the Welcome Center at 617-635-9010.

Support for Multilingual Learners

If your student speaks more than one language, they may need language testing. A registration specialist will help you schedule an appointment at the Newcomers Assessment Counseling Center (NACC). Language testing is conducted in person at the Bolling Building (2300 Washington Street, Roxbury). Once your student has completed their language assessment, you will be able to adjust your school selections.