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Centennial, CO

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Welcome to theCoderSchool

20269 E Smoky Hill Rd unit l,

In Smoky Hill Town Center

(720)899-5667 • centennial@thecoderschool.com

Looking for the best place to learn to code? Look no further. From novice to advanced, we can teach students at any level. At theCoderSchool, we teach with a small ratio to allow our expert Code Coaches to get to know our students and teach them as individuals, using a custom project-building approach. Fill out our form to learn more! Learn to code. Change the World.®

Our Philosophy

Looking for coding lessons for kids near Denver? We're here to help. We believe every kid is different, so we teach them accordingly. Our expert coders teach our students in a super-small two to one ratio, allowing our Code Coaches to personalize projects built to suit each student. Kids are able to move at their own pace and engage in things that interest them most.

Our Programs

Our coding school's flagship after-school program, Code Coaching, combines a super-small 2:1 teaching ratio with individualized curriculum. Although Code Coaching works from novice to advanced coders, we also offer entry-level classes for those looking for a more traditional class in a larger ratio, as well as @school classes and our ever popular coding camps.

Our System

We're part of a nationwide system of over 65 locations around the country, teaching over 7,000 students every week with the brainpower of 1000+ expert Code Coaches®. Headquartered and founded in Silicon Valley since 2014, we're proud of the impact theCoderSchool has had on communities everywhere. Find out more about Who We Are in our brand video .

How Students Progress

OUR CODER TREE

See our visualization of what kids are learning and a sampling of possibilities.

Learn About
Our Coder Tree

What's YOUR
Coder Story?

OUR CODER STORY

Find our coding roadmap that goes beyond coding custom apps to building a story for college

Camp Schedule By Week

Let's get ready for Summer 2024 camps! Our camps are run in our school from 9am-3pm each day. Kids bring their own lunches and water bottles and we'll take care of the rest! During our camps, kids code throughout the day then demo their week's creations Friday afternoon for their parents. What better way to get your kids out of your hair during the breaks?! And guess what, we're offering our Early Bird Special of $100 OFF SUMMER CAMPS if you sign up SOON! And for a limited time, purchase 2 or more camps and get an additional camp for FREE! Just email us at centennial@thecoderschool.com and let us know which camp you want. 👀 Use the code CAMPSROCK100 at checkout!👀 Sign up now!

Scroll table to see all 9 camps

Week	Format	Camp	Ages	Price
6/3-6/7	Full Day In-Person	Minecraft Scratch Code World In this camp we’ll be using Minecraft Education Edition along with a Scratch-like block coding interface to build Minecraft structures with code! This camp is especially designed for younger kids who are new to coding or enjoy coding in Scratch. We know the kids love Minecraft so what better way to teach them to code than doing so on the platform they already know and play! During breaks we’ll let the kids play our Nintendo Switch to compete in Super Smash Bros. tournaments. The kids will have a blast in this camp! Windows or Mac PC required, no tablets. Ages 6-9	Ages 6-9	~~$499~~ $399 (Only 9 remaining slots!!)
6/10-6/14	Full Day In-Person	Crocs Jibbitz 3D Printing Camp Get ready to dive feet first into our Crocs Jibbitz 3D Printing Camp! Imagine your kids, decked out in Crocs, designing and 3D printing their own custom Jibbitz charms. It’s like giving their footwear a superpower, except the power is uber-cool personalization. We'll use Tinkercad Code Blocks for complete customization of your charm. Ages 6-10	Ages 6-10	~~$499~~ $399 (Only 8 remaining slots!!)
6/17-6/21	Full Day In-Person	Robots & Roblox with Oculus VR Our Robots & Roblox camp teaches kids about robotics and coding using the awesome mBot coding robot. Kids will assemble their own robot kit to take home and we'll code them using Scratch to create some entry-level artificial intelligence, and we'll have some robot competitions they'll love. At lunch each day, the kids will play their favorite Roblox games together and they can try our Oculus Quest 2 headsets to play some incredible games in Virtual Reality! Ages 7+	Ages 7+	~~$499~~ $399 (Only 7 remaining slots!!)
6/24-6/28	Full Day In-Person	ChatGPT-Powered Python Camp Embark on an exciting coding adventure with our ChatGPT-Powered Python Camp! Designed for beginners to intermediate learners, this engaging course will transform your child into a coding whiz. They'll learn Python fundamentals while creating interactive projects using ChatGPT, a cutting-edge AI language model. Watch as they build their own text-based games, homework helpers, and creative writing assistants, all fueled by the magic of artificial intelligence. As a parent, you'll love how this course nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in a fun, hands-on way! Ages 9+	Ages 9+	~~$499~~ $399
7/1-7/5	Full Day In-Person	Minecraft Scratch Code World In this camp we’ll be using Minecraft Education Edition along with a Scratch-like block coding interface to build Minecraft structures with code! This camp is especially designed for younger kids who are new to coding or enjoy coding in Scratch. We know the kids love Minecraft so what better way to teach them to code than doing so on the platform they already know and play! During breaks we’ll let the kids play our Nintendo Switch to compete in Super Smash Bros. tournaments. The kids will have a blast in this camp! Windows or Mac PC required, no tablets. Ages 6-9	Ages 6-9	~~$499~~ $399 (Only 8 remaining slots!!)
7/8-7/12	Full Day In-Person	Crocs Jibbitz 3D Printing Camp Get ready to dive feet first into our Crocs Jibbitz 3D Printing Camp! Imagine your kids, decked out in Crocs, designing and 3D printing their own custom Jibbitz charms. It’s like giving their footwear a superpower, except the power is uber-cool personalization. We'll use Tinkercad Code Blocks for complete customization of your charm. Ages 6-10	Ages 6-10	~~$499~~ $399 (Only 8 remaining slots!!)
7/15-7/19	Full Day In-Person	Robots & Roblox with Oculus VR Our Robots & Roblox camp teaches kids about robotics and coding using the awesome mBot coding robot. Kids will assemble their own robot kit to take home and we'll code them using Scratch to create some entry-level artificial intelligence, and we'll have some robot competitions they'll love. At lunch each day, the kids will play their favorite Roblox games together and they can try our Oculus Quest 2 headsets to play some incredible games in Virtual Reality! Ages 7+	Ages 7+	~~$499~~ $399
7/22-7/26	Full Day In-Person	ChatGPT-Powered Python Camp Embark on an exciting coding adventure with our ChatGPT-Powered Python Camp! Designed for beginners to intermediate learners, this engaging course will transform your child into a coding whiz. They'll learn Python fundamentals while creating interactive projects using ChatGPT, a cutting-edge AI language model. Watch as they build their own text-based games, homework helpers, and creative writing assistants, all fueled by the magic of artificial intelligence. As a parent, you'll love how this course nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in a fun, hands-on way! Ages 9+	Ages 9+	~~$499~~ $399
7/29-8/2	Full Day In-Person	Minecraft Scratch Code World In this camp we’ll be using Minecraft Education Edition along with a Scratch-like block coding interface to build Minecraft structures with code! This camp is especially designed for younger kids who are new to coding or enjoy coding in Scratch. We know the kids love Minecraft so what better way to teach them to code than doing so on the platform they already know and play! During breaks we’ll let the kids play our Nintendo Switch to compete in Super Smash Bros. tournaments. The kids will have a blast in this camp! Windows or Mac PC required, no tablets. Ages 6-9	Ages 6-9	~~$499~~ $399

Our Testimonials

"My daughter has been going to The Coder School for over five years and absolutely loves it!"
Nathan W.
"My son absolutely loves this coding school! The coaches are fabulous!"
Lisa A.
"My son loves to go here. He looks forward to it all week. They have great communication and make sure the kids are really engaged ."
Kaylon P.
"What you have brought [here] is simply amazing! Your coaches are fantastic and I couldn't ask for a better learning environment for my son to do his thing and expand his knowledge!"
Bonnie D.
"I was unsure at first but every time my daughter finishes a class she is excited and happy and looks forward to it every week! Nothing better than incorporating fun with education!"
Sabari P.
"Staff is great. They have managed to turn my son's technology obsession into a creative (instead of just observing you tube videos) outlet. Now instead of just watching videos or playing games...he is creating his games."
Russell H.
"Excellent staff, reasonable prices, and most important they make it fun for kids to learn coding. My son is always excited to go back and work on his game."
Mathew J.
"We love theCoderSchool! My 9 year old son started 1:1 lessons there 6 months ago (he is shy, so I thought 1:1 would be good for him to start with that). He LOVES it!"
Allison D.

Hey parents, love our school? Give us a review!

Apps We Build

Each year, theCoderSchool partners with the Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide coding contest run by districts of the U.S. Congress. Some of our students have won this prestigious prize, met their U.S. Congressperson, and even flown to DC for the winners event. Take a look at some recent CAC winners from theCoderSchool, or browse through our Live App Gallery to see custom apps our students are building!

School Info

20269 E Smoky Hill Rd unit l
In Smoky Hill Town Center
(720)899-5667
centennial@thecoderschool.com
Monday: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Meet the Owners

the Hutsons

Welcome to theCoderSchoolCentennial! We are Derek and Kayla Hutson and we are thrilled to bring tCS to Colorado! We've been here for about 7 years now. Derek works in IT providing ERP solutions to companies of all sizes and scales, serving as a frontline of communication between in-house developers and customers using the solutions. Kayla is a rockstar lab scientist who works in the Denver VA. Our daughter Ella was born here as a native 2 years ago, and her sister Nora is close behind her!

This time 5 years ago, Derek was still working as a personal trainer and had just made the decision to take a boot camp in software engineering to pursue a substantial career change. It paid off in a big way, and we wanted to find a way to help younger kids and teenagers start down the same path into tech for the same rewards! theCoderSchool provides this with an environment unlike anywhere else - personalized code coaching in a field that is exploding worldwide! Not only that, but we only hire world-class coaches that are also computer programmers. Your kiddos will be in great hands!

We're always looking for great Code Coaches. Shoot us an email with resumé to see if we're a fit!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can coding help kids?

Many folks might think learning to code is so kids can actually code an app. Honestly, that's not usually the case! Coding real-life apps is tough. Despite what the media says, your kid is not writing some million dollar app by themselves in a month. Instead, coding helps kid *solve problems*. Coding is all about debugging and logically thinking through the fix. Breaking a large problem into smaller parts, logical sequencing, these are all important problem solving skills for any kid (or adult!). A second benefit is confidence and passion in technology. There's plenty of time for kids to learn the latest real tech (which changes all the time), but the time to build passion for technology (and a foundational knowledge base) is when they're young!

What is the best coding language to learn as a beginner?

The truth is, Scratch is amazing for a beginner at ANY AGE. If someone is truly a beginner, a platform like Scratch can allow them to create and engage much more quickly. Older kids (say 11 and up) can soon move to a language like Python or Javascript. Just remember that it takes a LOT MORE work to get Python/Javascript to do the same thing as Scratch - so the kids will need some patience. No matter what anyone tells you please DO NOT start learning with Java or C++! Those languages are too advanced to start with, and we've seen it too often - kids will give up because it's so hard! Definition of backfiring!

What is the best age to start coding?

It depends - we think the best age is the age they want to do it! Listen, there's plenty of time to *really* learn to code - there's a reason Comp Sci is a really tough college degree. The important thing in the younger years is to bring out the desire and passion to learn more - that's why at theCoderSchool we customize our projects based on the student's interests and really focus on engagement before learning.

How do I get accepted into a college computer science program?

These days, top colleges are incredibly selective. Learning to code by itself probably won't help you stand out enough. Instead, consider building a unique Coder Story. Can we help? Sure can!

What are the benefits of kids learning to code?

Children of all ages can benefit from learning coding skills, and students who get hands-on experience with computer programming go on to excel in other subjects Coding helps students gain computer proficiency and build real-world problem-solving skills. Exploring technology is essential for computer literacy. Building fundamental coding skills encourages creativity, promotes teamwork, and enhances spatial intelligence and logical thinking skills. Kids of all ages can learn computer science. For teenagers, learning how to code leads to the development of transferable skills that can be applied in future careers or workplaces. If your student is interested in data science or machine learning, a self-paced course in computer programming can help pave their path.

As you and your family consider coding programs, it helps to keep in mind:

The age of the student (we can teach kids as young as six)

Their individual interests (such as Lego, Roblox, robotics, video game design, or artificial intelligence)

Any previous hands-on experience with coding (even exposure to mobile apps or playing with Minecraft counts)

Preferred learning style (we offer both flexible and structured curricula and support self-paced learning)

Social skills (some students learn best in one-on-one lessons, while others favor teamwork)

Whether the student wants to explore Minecraft modding in Minecraft camp, is interested in HTML, or wants to learn block-based coding like CSS, our interactive classes provide a great coding experience.

Can a 6 year old do coding?

Sure! Kids this young are just developing their sense of logic. While some advanced 6 year olds are ready to dive into learning Scratch, many are better off with fun learning apps like Kodable or Scratch Jr..

How do kids learn to code?

Same way adults do! The best way to learn something is to just DO it. It's not about all the theory and fancy words, it's about just doing it over and over again. If you're a parent with a college degree, think back. How much of that theoretical curriculum did you really use in your job? Or did you really learn your job by DOING your job? It's the same with kids, we'll mentor and guide them, but most importantly, we'll get them to code something custom that they want to code!

Where is the best place to learn coding for kids?

We're a little bit biased, but we think it's theCoderSchool! There's no better way to learn anything, including coding, than just doing it with a mentor to guide you. Online or in person, our Code Coaches will give you that low-ratio full attention that every kid deserves!

Read about Private+Semi-Private Coaching, Virtual Learning, Coding Classes, Robotics, Python, Scratch, or Video Game Coding
or check out our general blog or our student blogs

What is theCoderSchool? We are an after-school drop-off (and virtual) program for kids learning to code - a coding school! There's after-school kung fu. There's after-school music lessons, sports, art, tutoring, Chinese, you name it, it's out there. But coding classes for kids? Founded in 2013, we're the first of many, and the largest in Silicon Valley with more locations on the way around the country. The future will be ever more dependent on technology so let's get our young generation ready. Learn to Code, Change the World®.

Got a question? Email us at centennial@thecoderschool.com!

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