The Critical Design and Gaming STEM Magnet (C:\DAGS)

Hello families!

I am Ms.Calloway, the Magnet Coordinator for the Critical Design and Gaming STEM Magnet. Welcome to Augustus F. Hawkins High School and C:/DAGS Magnet; Home of the Hawks. Our South Central Los Angeles community has a rich history and a strong legacy. Hawkins serves as a hub for our South LA community. Our Magnet program serves 200-230 students and Hawkins serves close to 1200 students and their families.

Hola famlias!

Soy la Sra. Calloway, Coordinadora del Programa Magnet de Diseño Crítico y Juegos STEM. Bienvenidos a la Escuela Secundaria Augustus F. Hawkins y al Magnet C:/DAGS, hogar de los Hawks. Nuestra comunidad del sur de Los Ángeles tiene una historia rica y un legado sólido. Hawkins sirve como un centro para nuestra comunidad del sur de Los Ángeles. Nuestro programa Magnet atiende a entre 200 y 230 estudiantes, y la escuela Hawkins brinda servicios a aproximadamente 1,200 estudiantes y a sus familias.

WHY CHOOSE THE CDAGS MAGNET?

We are the ONLY Gaming Magnet in the entire Los Angeles Unified School District!

The Critical Design and Gaming STEM Magnet (C:\DAGSM) offers a Software and System Development Pathway designed for students seeking strong fundamentals in computer science and game design. The pathway provides an opportunity for students to experience and prepare for different fields available in the computer science and video game design industries. Magnet schools provide rigorous, high quality, theme-based instruction designed to facilitate student learning and promote academic achievement.

The Software and Systems Development Pathway provides students with a well balanced software development and game design curriculum. Students learn major computer science fundamentals through an engaging video game design approach.

Students are exposed to industry standards and the opportunity to build a portfolio to showcase their projects.

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WHAT IS A MAGNET SCHOOL?

Magnet schools provide rigorous, high quality, theme-based instruction designed to facilitate student learning and promote academic achievement.

WHAT ARE THE COURSES OFFERED IN OUR MAGNET PROGRAM?

Generative Art and Design

Generative Art and Design covers fundamental topics such as color, shape/form, and light-typically taught in a traditional studio art course, but as the concepts related to Generative Art and Design.

Exploring Computer Science (ECS)

Designed to introduce students to the breadth of the field of computer science through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics. Rather than focusing the entire course on learning particular software tools or programming languages, the course is designed to focus on the conceptual ideas of computing and help students understand why certain tools or languages might be utilized to solve particular problems.

Computer Programming and Game Design

Computer Program and Game Design teaches students the concepts of computer programming, with an emphasis on game design, mathematics in game programming, and development. Students will learn how to program and design games using various programming languages and computer graphics programs.

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP)

Engages students in many hands-on activities to develop understanding of computer science through topics such as internet, data, privacy, programming, abstraction, and Algorithms. AP CSP is an introductory course to computer science making it accessible to all students. aligned to the AP CS Principles standards and assessment.

WHAT CAREERS DOES OUR MAGNET PREPARE YOU FOR?

Software Developer

Junior Programmer

Project Manager

Video Game Designer

Software Engineer

Information Systems Manager

Research and Development Scientist

Students in the pathway will have a chance to compete in Games for Change Students Challenge and eSports.

We are currently accepting applications from current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders for the 2025-2026 school year. Please complete this C:\DAGSM Interest Form and we will contact you.

FEATURED MAGNET EVENTS