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Berkeley Heights, NJ

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Welcome to theCoderSchool
663 Springfield Ave #1,
One block from Domino's Pizza

(908)693-9392berkeleyheights@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.®

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Our Philosophy

Looking for coding lessons for kids in Berkeley Heights, NJ? 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

OUR CODER STORY

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

Camp Schedule By Week

Our summer camps are fun and educational experiences for children who love technology and gaming. From creating interactive games in Scratch, Python and robotics to building worlds in Minecraft and Roblox, our camps offer hands-on learning experiences that will inspire creativity and innovation. All summer camps are full-day camps that run Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 3:00PM.
Scroll table to see all 10 camps
Week Format Camp Ages Price
6/23-6/27 Full Day Robotics & Coding (Beginner) Campers will explore the basics of robotics and computer programming through engaging hands-on activities and collaborative projects. Beginner coders will start with an introduction to coding using Scratch, a user-friendly programming language that lets kids create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. All campers will then apply their coding knowledge in Scratch to work in small groups to build and program their own robots using kits that include sensors, motors, and custom add-on components. 7-10 7-10 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
6/23-6/27 Full Day Robotics & Coding (Intermediate) Campers will explore the basics of robotics and computer programming in Python through engaging hands-on activities and collaborative projects. They’ll explore game mechanics, logic, and algorithms while All campers will then apply their coding knowledge in Python to work in small groups to build and program their own robots using kits that include sensors, motors, and custom add-on components.working on fun games and simple apps that challenge their creativity and technical skills. 11-14 11-14 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
7/7-7/11 Full Day Roblox Obby Building Campers will gain a better appreciation for how Roblox games are built and what goes on behind the scenes to create a fun Roblox game. They’ll be introduced to Roblox Studio - a 2D/3D game design platform that is used to build all of their favorite Roblox games. Each day, campers will learn how to design and create various different elements of an “obby” (Roblox lingo for “Obstacle Course”) such as laser blocks, invisible blocks, speed boosts, jump boosts, and checkpoints to incorporate into their own custom obbys. At the end of the week, campers will have their own personal obbys that they can play on their own or with their friends. 7-12 7-12 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
7/14-7/18 Full Day Game Design & Minecraft (Beginner) This Game Design and Minecraft Modding Camp is the perfect blend of creativity and technology for the video game and Minecraft enthusiast. Beginner coders will start with an introduction to coding using Scratch, a kid-friendly programming language that’s fun, visual and easy to learn. Campers will explore concepts like sprites/objects, backgrounds, and sound effects while developing their own fun, interactive games. For the Minecraft portion of camp, students will apply their coding skills to create mods in Minecraft’s Education Edition using Microsoft’s MakeCode language (a block-based language, similar to scratch). They’ll work on projects that allow them to add new features, build unique environments, and collaborate with fellow campers. 7-10 7-10 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
7/14-7/18 Full Day Game Design & Minecraft (Intermediate) Middle schoolers and experienced younger coders will learn how to code in Python, a versatile programming language that’s widely used in the industry. Campers will dive into the basics of Python, explore game mechanics, and create games using Python’s various graphics libraries such as Turtle, PyGame and Pyxel. For the Minecraft portion of camp, students will apply their coding skills to create mods in Minecraft’s Education Edition using Python. They’ll work on projects that allow them to add new features, build unique environments, and collaborate with fellow campers. 11-14 11-14 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
7/28-8/1 Full Day Robotics & Coding (Beginner) Campers will explore the basics of robotics and computer programming through engaging hands-on activities and collaborative projects. Beginner coders will start with an introduction to coding using Scratch, a user-friendly programming language that lets kids create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. All campers will then apply their coding knowledge in Scratch to work in small groups to build and program their own robots using kits that include sensors, motors, and custom add-on components. 7-10 7-10 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
7/28-8/1 Full Day Robotics & Coding (Intermediate) Campers will explore the basics of robotics and computer programming in Python through engaging hands-on activities and collaborative projects. They’ll explore game mechanics, logic, and algorithms while All campers will then apply their coding knowledge in Python to work in small groups to build and program their own robots using kits that include sensors, motors, and custom add-on components.working on fun games and simple apps that challenge their creativity and technical skills. 11-14 11-14 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
8/4-8/8 Full Day Roblox Obby Building Campers will gain a better appreciation for how Roblox games are built and what goes on behind the scenes to create a fun Roblox game. They’ll be introduced to Roblox Studio - a 2D/3D game design platform that is used to build all of their favorite Roblox games. Each day, campers will learn how to design and create various different elements of an “obby” (Roblox lingo for “Obstacle Course”) such as laser blocks, invisible blocks, speed boosts, jump boosts, and checkpoints to incorporate into their own custom obbys. At the end of the week, campers will have their own personal obbys that they can play on their own or with their friends. 7-12 7-12 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
8/18-8/22 Full Day Game Design & Minecraft (Beginner) This Game Design and Minecraft Modding Camp is the perfect blend of creativity and technology for the video game and Minecraft enthusiast. Beginner coders will start with an introduction to coding using Scratch, a kid-friendly programming language that’s fun, visual and easy to learn. Campers will explore concepts like sprites/objects, backgrounds, and sound effects while developing their own fun, interactive games. For the Minecraft portion of camp, students will apply their coding skills to create mods in Minecraft’s Education Edition using Microsoft’s MakeCode language (a block-based language, similar to scratch). They’ll work on projects that allow them to add new features, build unique environments, and collaborate with fellow campers. 7-10 7-10 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)
8/18-8/22 Full Day Website Building & Creative Design Campers will get hands-on experience in web development, learning the basics of HTML, CSS and creative design. Each camper will be introduced to the skills needed to create a simple, functioning website and have the opportunity to express both their creative and technical skills. Since beautiful websites aren’t just about the code, campers will also learn graphic design principles using Canva. We’ll explore color schemes, layouts, and typography — key elements that make a website visually appealing. 11-14 11-14 $649 $549
(Use code: EARLY100)

Our Testimonials

  • "My son absolutely loves this coding school! The coaches are fabulous!"
    Lisa A.
  • "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.
  • "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.
  • "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.
  • "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.
  • "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.
  • "My daughter has been going to The Coder School for over five years and absolutely loves it!"
    Nathan W.

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

theCoderSchool Logo
663 Springfield Ave #1
One block from Domino's Pizza
(908)693-9392
berkeleyheights@thecoderschool.com
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

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Meet Our Owner

Francis Thai

Hello everyone! I'm Francis, the proud owner of theCoderSchool in Berkeley Heights, where I work alongside my wife, Carlissa, and our daughter, Autumn. Since 2016, we've called Berkeley Heights home and fallen in love with the town, its neighborhoods, and the incredible community that surrounds us.

Our journey here began in 2016 when we moved from NYC with Autumn, who was just 9 months old at the time. Since then, she's been actively involved in various activities like tennis, gymnastics, soccer, music, performing arts, dance, karate, swimming, and, of course, coding. We view coding as a stimulating and enjoyable activity that complements her physical pursuits – she instantly fell in love with it.

A bit about me – I've spent the past 15 years leading marketing teams in the tech startup world, with a recent focus on AI and gaming/esports. Introduced to coding at a young age, the principles of logic and problem-solving I gained from it have shaped my approach to school, my career, and life in general.

Much has changed since I was an 8-year-old learning to code. Today, programming languages like Scratch are not only more fun but also easier to learn. Platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are introducing kids to the exciting intersection of coding and creativity, serving as building blocks for their brilliant young minds. Lastly, AI is literally changing everything – what an exciting time to be in this space!

We're thrilled to offer local kids in our area an amazing opportunity through theCoderSchool – to learn to code, change the world, and, most importantly, have a ton of fun along the way. 🚀

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 berkeleyheights@thecoderschool.com!

    copyright 2014-2022, the Coder School San Francisco, LLC. All Rights, Alright? Don't forget our privacy policy. Find out who we are or like us on facebook.