Classes for Kids

There are quite a few options out there for kids to learn to code - but we think our approach is a little different.

  • We believe that kids are ready to learn practical and real skills so we start them off with building a webpage on the first day.
  • We use cloud editors and online tools so that the kids can work from our classroom or at home and still be able to access their work easily.

Find out more below!

Interested in Summer Camp?

Need an activity for your teen?  Get them out of the house and doing something productive this summer.

Here are the basics:

  • Where:  Edmund Burke School at 4101 Connecticut Ave NW
  • When: Weeks of July 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th
  • Time:  10am to 2pm - allowing for plenty of time for sleeping in and hanging out with friends, at the pool or perfecting gaming skills.
  • Size:  5-10 students
  • What: Laptops & snacks provided.
  • Who:  Offered to rising 7th graders and up.  Even college students.
  • Why: Come learn some new skills and keep the brain sharp

If you or your child is interested - take our survey to let us know what classes and dates are the most appealing.

 

Interested in Online Classes Now?

Coronavirus has your kids home from school?  Perfect time to pick up a new school.  All of our courses are online and we can provide digital feedback to your child as they work.

Homeschoolers

We are a great option for you as we have more flexibility to teach during the school day.  We can conduct classes at our site or come to you in the NW DC area.  Get a small group together and contact us.

Our Classes

What We Do

We teach classes to kids beginning with fifth grade going through high school.   We suggest starting with the Learn to Build a Website class but kids can also start with Python which is a more advanced programming language.   We also offer more advanced classes in Web Site Building, Django (which is a framework for Python) and Introduction to App Development.

How to Build a Website

The path consists of learning how to create a website from "scratch".  We'll cover these topics:

  • Basic HTML:  allows you to create the structure and content of your web pages using this template language
  • CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): allows you to style the pages by specifying colors, fonts, layouts and more.
  • JavaScript:  allows you to add interactivity (buttons, animation and more) to your site with the most popular programming language for web sites.
  • Advanced HTML:  allows you to create user forms and to process the information submitted using PHP
  • jQuery: jQuery is a JavaScript library that makes it easier to use JavaScript on your website - especially to do more advanced features like animation and events.

Python

Python is a widely used high-level programming langaguage that emphasizes code readability while still support object oriented and other advanced programming paradigms.  If that doesn't make sense - it's a real programming language that is easy for kids to grasp and doesn't have a lot of tricky syntax.

We break Python up into three courses:

  • Unit 1:  Intro to Python - we cover the basic syntax of Python including input/output, conditionals, loops, functions and the various constructs for containing information - lists, tuples and dictionaries
  • Unit 2: Programming in Python -  we add new concepts like modules and functions but we really focus on learning how to write a more complex program from the design phase through testing with a focus on games.
  • Unit 3:  Python and Objects- we continue to build on Unit 2 by learning how to create programs but using an object-oriented approach.

Databases & SQL

Creating websites that can access and update a database is a key requirement for websites.  How else do you think Amazon, Facebook, and even this website work?  They all have databases where they store the information.

This course covers:

  • Unit 1:  Getting Started - learn the basic concepts of database as well as how to use phpMyAdmin to create and maintain a database on the web.
  • Unit 2: SQL - learn the basics of SQL (Structured Query Language) which allows you to pull data, update data, add data or delete data from a database.
  • Unit 3:  PHP - reviewing the basics of PHP and how to create & process HTML forms
  • Unit 4: Put it Together -create a webpage that displays the information and allows the user to add, change or delete it.

WordPress

What is WordPress?

  • Close to 75% of the websites create today are done using the WordPress Content Management tool.
  • Learning this tool will allow kids to create complex website without the steeper learning curve of programming.
  • But, don't discount it because of that - WordPress can be complex enough and it is a valuable skill to have!

Django

Django (pronounced du-jang-oh) is a framework that is written in Python and is used to create web applications or websites.  The tagline on the Django website is “The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines.”

Our Django course has the following units:

  • Unit 1:  Getting Started - learning the basics of creating projects and apps in Django.  This includes learning about virtual environments as well creating URL definitions, Views and Templates.
  • Unit 2: Designing & Building a Basic App - we take what we learned in Unit 1 and the students come up with their own basic app.  They design it and build it learning new skills as needed.

App Development

We have recently added on the first step in this path - learning how to develop apps for mobile devices.

  • Intro to App Building: using skills already learned in How To Build a Website - learn how to build a mobile app using HTML, CSS and JavaScript while adding in the new skills of jQuery Mobile and PhoneGap.
  • More App Building: Focus on how to use the API in PhoneGap to access mobile capabilities such as geolocation, camera and more.

Pricing

1 Session

$275 for 10 classes
  • Weekly 45 minute classes
  • Neccessary tools to create websites and programs
  • Homework assignments and online help

Summer Camp

$500 one week of camp
  • Beginner & Intermediate Camps
  • Class from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm