Comp Sci High
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🎞️ Tell Your Story 🎞️
Winter 2026 Design Competition
Comp Sci High — Bronx, NY · Presented in collaboration with industry partners and utilizing design systems thinking, CSH students explore real- world case studies and problem solving, ensuring they are ready for the professional world. This iteration gave students a creative platform to express their lived experiences through film growing up in the Bronx — their struggles, triumphs, culture, and dreams.
A special thank you to the nearly FORTY volunteers that supported this project! Your time, effort, and mentorship made an impact on all our students.
Learn more about the process, celebrate our winners, and opportunities to support future design competitions!
What Is Design Competition?
A Week of Creative Brilliance
Design Competition - or "Design Comp"- is one of the most unique and celebrated traditions at Comp Sci High. It is not a class, it is not a project. It is a full-school creative sprint where every student harnesses the power of technology to produce original, impactful work.
How It Works
  • Students receive a design challenge rooted in community and identity
  • Teams organize roles aligned to in-demand jobs such as "project manager", "engineer", or "financial analyst"
  • Teams brainstorm, prototype, and build
  • Final designs are judged by industry professionals
  • Winners are celebrated school-wide and beyond
The History
Design Comp was born from a simple but powerful belief: that students learn best when they are creating something real, working with real teams and real professionals, on real deadlines, with real stakes. Every year, the entire school pauses its regular schedule and transforms into a design studio where students display their genius outside the classroom.
🏆 Congratulations to Our Winners!
After an incredible week of creativity, courage, and hard work, these outstanding short films were selected winners from our esteemed panel of judges. Their films moved judges, inspired classmates, and told stories only they could tell.
🥇 First Place
"I Hate the Bronx"
Director: Melanie H.
Cinematographer: Hassan D.
Editor: Daron W.
Storyteller: Tquan W.
🥈 Second Place
"The Politics of Hair"
Director: Yate D.
Cinematographer: Zahra N.
Editor: Oumou N.
Storyteller: Aissata T.
🥉 Third Place
"The Bronx Burden: Gigi"
Director: Analia P. & Sharleen P.
Cinematographer: Julian B.
Editor: Analia P. & Ousmane N.
Storyteller: Analyz V.
Grand Prizes & Recognition
Winning the Comp Sci High Design Competition is more than a moment — it's a launchpad. Here's what our champions earn:
School-Wide Celebration
Winners are announced and celebrated at a dedicated school ceremony - a moment of pride for them and their families.
Prizes & Recognition
Cash prizes, gift cards, and exclusive Comp Sci High winner swag to celebrate their achievement in style.
Professional Mentorship
Top winners receive an introduction to industry professionals and mentors who can help guide their future.
Film Festival Entry
The five highest scoring films will receive automatic submission and screening consideration at prestigious film festivals.
Harlem International Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
Lower East Side Film Festival
NY African Film Festival
Spectrum NY1 Highlights CSH
NY1 featured Comp Sci High's Design Competition, where students traded their usual classes for cameras and storytelling. In just 72 hours, teams produced original documentaries about real issues impacting their Bronx community.
The Challenge: "Tell Your Story"
Every student has a story worth telling. Every team planned, produced, and screened a 3-8 minute short film that communicated a clear, compelling docu-story grounded in authentic voice, lived experience, or a meaningful idea connected to community.
Authentic Voice
Students didn't just learn film tools — they used them to amplify their own perspectives and experiences in a world that needs to hear them.
Community Connection
Films reflect the vibrant, complex, and resilient spirit of the Bronx community — honoring where students come from.
Real-World Skills
From digital illustration to UX storytelling, students build career-ready skills while creating work that matters personally and socially.
"Audicity", produced by CSH Staff Member Taqee Bond, takes a behind the scenes look at what it takes to bring Design Competition to life.
About Comp Sci High
Comp Sci High is a Work-Based Learning, Computer Science high school located in the heart of the South Bronx, serving 495 students in grades 9–12 and 405 alumni navigating college, workforce training, and career pathways across the country. We opened our doors in 2018 with a bold mission: to equip students with the tools, support, and vision to achieve economic freedom. For us, that means the ability to reach the U.S. median income by age 25 through education, work experience, and post-secondary planning. We estimate that goal to be $97,256 for the Class of 2025.
Ways to Support Our Students
The magic you see in our winners didn't happen by accident — it takes a village of educators, professionals, and partners willing to go the extra mile. Here's how you can be part of the story and help the next generation of Bronx leaders thrive.
Make a Donation
Every dollar directly supports student programming, technology access, and career connected learning. No gift is too small — your generosity fuels our students' dreams.
Sponsor a Design Competition
Sponsoring a competition means real visibility while investing directly in the next wave of Bronx talent and tech leaders.
Volunteer Your Expertise
Share your journey, judge a competition, or mentor a student. Your experience could change a young person's life.

To learn more about partnership opportunities with Comp Sci High, please email our Development Associate, Albert Paez ([email protected])