This is how CMU does it. First course: Python. Most people who already have a CS background (usually AP CS) and are ready to dive in skip it. People who aren't

This is how CMU does it. First course: Python. Most people who already have a CS background (usually AP CS) and are ready to dive in skip it. People who aren't sure take it and typically have a phenomenal experience. Final project is "make something using a Python graphics library and spend at least 20 hours on it". Then they have a little demo day where they show off the best of the projects. Second course: data structures and algorithms and C.