You can use Visual C++ Express in lab, (it's free for download), Code::Blocks in lab, or GNU c++ on the Linux host, djcpp for Windows (free download) or any ISO Standard C++ compiler.  The program must be written in ISO Standard C++ as taught, not Microsoft CLI.

You may not use a Macintosh.  The Mac is a dead issue, and was never a serious source of employment for the programming profession.  This class is about finding work.

In the past, several students just simply HAD to use their Macintosh to try to do the class assignments.  They all flunked after struggling to get xcode or Code Warrior to work.

The Mac is not a source of work for programmers in the way that Windows and mainframes are.  It tries to do the impossible: to make the ignorant as productive as the expert.  Windows is a kludge, but at least it runs on cheap hardware, is adequately documented, and there is a healthy market for it.  (More so for Unix.)

To get full benefit from the Linux opportunity read the link in this block on: software development under Linux.