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Cerritos, CA

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Welcome to theCoderSchool

Cerritos, CA

5100 Orangethorpe Ave, La Palma, CA 90623
Next to McDonalds & Starbucks
Map(714)735-8393cerritos@thecoderschool.com
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(or go straight to our camps)

Premier Online & In Person Classes!

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For more availability, call or email us!

Whether your coder is brand new to Scratch or already building distributed Python programs, we can help him or her get to the next level. Unlike other programs, our talented coaches are trained to tailor the lessons to your kid’s interests with an individualized curriculum. This unique approach fosters a lifelong passion for building and technology. Our program will equip your child with critical skills (logic, breaking complex problems into manageable chunks, working with others towards an end goal) and confidence valuable in any future career.

Small student to coach ratio (2:1), customized project-base coding lessons engage students. We work with each coder in their area of interest and work at their own pace. Learn Scratch, Python, C++, Unity, Java, HTML, Javascript, CSS, Minecraft, Roblox, Raspberry Pi, AI, App dev and other technologies.

At theCoderSchool, we want to do more than just teach coding. We want aspiring coders to use their new found passion as a stepping stone to thinking outside the box, as a way to channel their ideas in a creative way and most importantly, to have fun. Interested? Fill out the form and we'll be in touch shortly to tell you more! Schedule a FREE class and see why our premier service and methodology outshines the rest!

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Watch our video on Who We Are

Who is theCoderSchool

Coding Lessons for Kids near Long Beach and Anaheim

We believe coding is an art and a science. Something best taught by an expert mentor sitting right next to our students. Personalized attention goes a long way when learning an advanced subject. That's why our after-school coding lessons for kids revolve around a mentoring relationship with a Code Coach who's not only an expert coder themselves, but an ongoing mentor for our students' tech ambitions even beyond app building.

Programs at theCoderSchool

Our coding school's flagship after-school program, Code Coaching®, combines a super-small 2:1 teaching ratio with individualized curriculum so kids are able to move at their own pace, doing things that interest them the most. While Code Coaching is our premium program, we also offer a Code Class for those looking for a more traditional curriculum-taught class in a larger ratio. Programs are typically in-person, but may be offered virtually as needed. Contact us using the form above to find out more and get a free trial today.

theCoderSchool System

We're part of a nationwide system of passionate owners in over 60 locations around the country, teaching over 6,500 students every week with the brainpower of 1000+ expert Code Coaches®. Headquartered and founded in Silicon Valley, we're proud of the impact theCoderSchool has had on communities everywhere since our brand was founded way back in August of 2014. In short, we know a thing or two about teaching kids to code - so let's get to it!

What Kids Learn

We believe that every student learns in his or her own way, not only in what they want to work on, but how fast and how much. Our Coder Tree® is a visualization of what kids are learning and a sampling of possibilities. We even have a suite of proprietary tools (see a sample Student Portal ) that chart our students' progress, concepts learned, and even activities beyond app-building.

The Coder Story

Every coding student has a unique journey, something we call a Coder Story. Our Coder Story structure helps guide kids along a roadmap of coding possibilities as they explore coding-related activities beyond building custom apps. For those striving to go to college as a Computer Science Major, an advanced Coder Story can help differentiate their application to college admissions boards.

Apps We Build

Congressional App Challenge

Each year, theCoderSchool partners with the Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide coding contest run by districts of the U.S. Congress. Take a look at some recent winners, or ask about our App Gallery to see more apps!

  • Interactive mental health website
    2022 Winner - Pleasanton CA
    Interactive mental health website
  • Scheduling software for busy high schoolers
    2022 Winner - Henderson NV
    Scheduling software for busy high schoolers
  • Website+game to educate on carbon footprint
    2022 Winner - Yorba Linda CA
    Website+game to educate on carbon footprint
  • Help health care workers with code blue
    2021 Winner - Sarasota FL
    Help health care workers with code blue
  • Chat room with built-in AI
    2021 Winner - Buffalo NY
    Chat room with built-in AI
  • Gem collection game in Python
    2021 Winner - Folsom CA
    Gem collection game in Python
  • Education resource for all communities
    2021 Winner - Syosset NY
    Education resource for all communities
  • Drone/AI social distance detection
    2020 Winner - Buffalo NY
    Drone/AI social distance detection
  • Teen job/volunteer matching
    2020 Winner - St Louis MO
    Teen job/volunteer matching
  • 3D Max Game in HTML
    2020 Winner - Folsom CA
    3D Max Game in HTML
  • Note taking for online learning
    2020 Winner - Las Vegas NV
    Note taking for online learning
  • Help make food decisions for health
    2020 Winner - Buffalo NY
    Help make food decisions for health
  • Distribute restaurant leftovers
    2020 Winner - Syosset NY
    Distribute restaurant leftovers

CODING CAMPS 2023

What better way to get your kids ENGAGED and EDUCATED during School Breaks?! Plus we have a very low student to teacher ratio, so your kids really learn to code and have fun too! Camps will include interactive breaks with STEM activities!

IMPORTANT: We are an approved vendor for iLEAD, Sage Oak, Granite Mtn, Heartland, INSPIRE, Blueridge, Compass, and Cabrillo Point Charter Schools. To use your home-school funds for one or more of these camps, please contact our school to reserve your spot(s), then submit the necessary paperwork so they can generate a Purchase Order.

Not sure what camp to sign up for? Call, text or email us! (714)735-8393 OR cerritos@thecoderschool.com

PLEASE NOTE: BEFORE/AFTER CARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE!

Camps will fill up fast so don't delay and BOOK TODAY!

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW ALL CAMPS!

(Looking for more details? You can also read more about our main camps.)

Week Format Camp Ages Price
12/22 DAY CAMP Happy Holidays Day Camp (12/22) Friday 4pm-7pm Help kick off the Holiday Season with us! Kids will build their own game in Scratch or Python, challenge each other in Coding Bingo, and participate in STEM activities! Aimed for beginners and Intermediate coders. Ages 7+ Ages 7+ $65
12/26-12/29 4-DAY WEEK CAMP Winter Specialty Camp 12/26-12/29 (4 Day) 9am-12pm - Mbot Robot Safari (Ages 7+) Welcome to the Robot Safari! Participants will code their mBots to become robotic safari guides, navigating through a virtual jungle filled with coding challenges. From avoiding virtual wild animals to solving programming puzzles, this theme combines coding and creativity in an exciting safari adventure. Ages 7+ Ages 7+ $325
(Take Your Robot Home!)
12/26-12/29 4-DAY WEEK CAMP Winter Camp 12/26-12/29 (4 Day) 12pm-3pm - Medieval Coding Quest (Ages 8+) Enter the magical world of coding knights and dragons! Campers will transform into coding wizards and create their own medieval stories, design enchanted castles, and code interactive quests where they'll conquer challenges and unlock hidden treasures. Ages 8+ Ages 8+ $249
1/2-1/5 4-DAY WEEK CAMP Winter Camp 1/2-1/5 (4 Day) 9am-12pm - Enchanted Forest Adventure (Ages 7+) Embark on a magical coding journey through an enchanted forest. Kids can animate fairies, program talking animals, and create their own mythical creatures using Scratch. The Enchanted Forest Coding Quest makes coding a whimsical and imaginative experience. Ages 7+ Ages 7+ $249
1/2-1/5 4-DAY WEEK CAMP Winter Specialty Camp 1/2-1/5 (4 Day) 12pm-3pm - Mbot Mars Explorer Robot Adventure (Ages 8+) Embark on an intergalactic coding journey where young engineers will program their mBot robots to navigate the challenging terrain of Mars. From avoiding obstacles to collecting samples, participants will learn coding skills while simulating a real-life space exploration mission. Ages 8+ Ages 8+ $325
(Take Your Robot Home!)
1/15 DAY CAMP MLK Holiday Day Camp - Pixel Art Party (1/15) Monday 12pm-3pm Unleash your inner artist and coder! Campers will delve into the world of pixel art, creating animated characters, designing custom sprites, and coding pixel art masterpieces. Get ready to bring your imagination to life with pixels and code. Ages 7+ Ages 7+ $65
2/12 DAY CAMP Lincoln Bday Holiday Day Camp - Underwater Odyssey: Dive Into Code (2/12) Monday 12pm-3pm Dive deep into the ocean of coding creativity! Campers will design underwater worlds, animate colorful sea creatures, and code interactive games set beneath the waves. Get ready for a coding adventure beneath the surface! Ages 7+ Ages 7+ $65
2/19 DAY CAMP President's Day Holiday Day Camp - Roblox Minecraft Mashup (2/19) Monday 12pm-3pm Merge the virtual worlds of Scratch, Roblox and Minecraft in this innovative coding camp. Campers will code their own Roblox/Minecraft-inspired games, characters, and stories, bringing the iconic blocky world to life through creative coding. Ages 7+ Ages 7+ $65

Our Testimonials

  • "The Coder School has been a great experience for me. Having the opportunity to work with Dipali and the rest of the staff has been one of the best experiences I've had. Everyone is respectful and full of energy with each student that walks in and I enjoy every moment of it. "
    AD, TCS Code Coach
  • "My son has been attending classes since November. He is now using terminology that is very sophisticated and thinking about his game design in ways I never would have imagined, coming from an 8-year-old. Even with classes moving online due to COVID-19, he has continued to grow his coding abilities. Great investment in your child!"
    SS, TCS Cerritos Parent
  • "When my son first wanted to do coding I was skeptical. We visited all of the coding schools around this coding school. We did the trials at each one. The Coder School was the most focused, kept kids on tasks, provided quiet work environment, and made my son feel comfortable. The staff is really friendly and willing to work with every schedule needed. My son is so excited for every session. We are grateful for this company."
    MF, TCS Cerritos Parent, Artesia, CA
  • "My son's remote coding session went well. He was able to log on without any issues. He was fully engaged during the instruction block and seemed excited to explain what he had learned when he was done. An overall success. Thank you for making the sessions available for the kids during this very strange time."
    MB, TCS Parent, Torrance, CA
  • "The Coder School Cerritos has patient, knowledgeable, friendly, and understanding coding instructors. Dipali is the friendliest managers you'll run into and she does an incredible job at hand-picking her coaches to work their magic to help your child discover their inner-love to code. My daughter is 10 yrs old, currently creating her second game. She loves her weekly class. You know the class is good when a 10 yr old looks forward to the class, starts with a smile and excitement and goes home with a huge sense of accomplishment; this is priceless to me as a father. "
    CV, TCS Parent, La Palma, CA
  • "We are very happy with the instruction as well as material that is being learned in the class. My son is enjoying coding while learning at the same time. It’s a win win!!! Also the owner of the school is very helpful and approachable for all of your questions and concerns!"
    LS, TCS Cerritos Parent
  • "My 7 and 9 year old boys share their excitement for their upcoming classes verbally with me each week — truly they say, “I’m so excited for coding class!” We started in quarantine, so it’s all taught over zoom (and they are typically zoomed out by distance learning), and yet they look forward to it greatly! Dipali was so communicative, open, and professional. We couldn’t be happier so far!"
    CJ, TCS Parent, Huntington Beach, CA
  • "The Coder School coding class has been the best out of school activity I could have ever chosen for my son. Having a child on the spectrum one can only imagine being hesitant of not only group but 1 on 1 as well, however, The Coder School has such an amazing staff who are not only caring, but patient as well. My son not only looks forward to his Friday classes, but asks when the next Coder camp will be. I recommend this program 100%, one of the absolutely best investments I've made for my son."
    NC, TCS Parent
  • "My boy has been enrolled since the grand opening. Thus far, Dipali and her staff have done an amazing job. My boy is learning C++. Highly recommend enrolling your child. "
    EJ, TCS Parent, Cerritos, CA
  • "A very well designed curriculum for either group setting or one-on-one coaching. Dipali has put together knowledgeable and motivated staff to get our kids thinking through coding concepts. Love that my son looks forward to his class every week."
    AC, TCS Cerritos Parent
  • "My daughter has been attending since December and she really liked the 2:1 coaching. All of the staff is very attentive and patient with students. "
    EM, TCS Parent, Cerritos, CA
  • "My son has been attending The Coder School Cerritos/LaPalma for some time now. He really likes learning about new programs and gets excited to create new games. The school not only teaches but also communicates the lessons and progress for each child. The staff is very attentive and approachable. I would recommend it to everyone."
    NV, TCS Cerritos Parent

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Our Upcoming Events

Valley Christian Elem School - Afterschool Coding Classes

Want your child to learn how to code? Come check out our beginner courses for newbie coders and experienced coders held afterschool at VALLEY CHRISTIAN ELEM SCHOOL. Easy, convenient, and your child will learn a valuable skillset. Each session will be different!Limited space! Book today!
Ages 7+

Cerritos Elementary - At School Coding Classes

Want to learn to Code? Or have you coded before? Come check out our AT School Session Code Class, an afterschool course for newbies and experienced coders held at CERRITOS ELEMENTARY! Each session will be different! Grades 1-3 on Tuesdays. Grades 4-6 on Wednesdays. Easy, convenient, and your child will learn a valuable skillset. Each session will be different!Limited space! Book today!
Grades 1-3 TUE
Grades 4-6 WED

St. Pancratius - At School Coding Classes

Want your child to learn how to code? Come check out our beginner courses for newbie coders and experienced coders held afterschool at ST. PANCRATIUS PARISH SCHOOL. Easy, convenient, and your child will learn a valuable skillset. Limited space! Book today! Each session will be different!
Ages 8+

Stowers Elementary - At School Coding Classes

Our@School program offers our introductory Code Class at Stowers campus to provide more coding opportunities for students. All classes use "Scratch" or Python, to teach the basic fundamentals of all computer programming languages. This includes functions, looping, conditional processing, variables, Cartesian coordinates and basic arithmetic operations, without needing to worry about the detailed syntax of a typed programming language. Each session will be different!

Grades 1-5

School Info

theCoderSchool Logo
5100 Orangethorpe Ave, La Palma, CA 90623
Next to McDonalds & Starbucks
(714)735-8393
cerritos@thecoderschool.com
Monday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Or Choose a Nearby Location
  • Irvine, CA
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  • Mission Viejo, CA
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Santa Monica, CA
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  • Corona, CA
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Our Schools

Meet Our Owner and Manager

Dipali Patel

Hello Fellow Parents! Welcome to The Coder School! I am so thrilled to bring the #1 Coding School in Silicon Valley to SoCal. My name is Dipali Patel and I am the Owner/General Manager for both the Cerritos/La Palma and Redondo Beach/Torrance locations. I am a graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Psychology. I have 2 tech savvy boys who remind me each day the value and importance of technology in our world today. My background is a mix of HR and Education. For 6 years, I was the owner of a Kumon Math and Reading center in which I helped many students maximize their true potential with their academics. Then I went on to do Tech Recruiting for startups across California. One consistent feedback I received from the software engineers, developers, and programmers I recruited was that they wished there was a coding school around when they were younger. This feedback led me to opening The Coder School. Coding helps foster creativity as well as builds logical thinking and problem-solving skills - all of which helps them prepare for the future, no matter occupation they choose to go in. I couldn’t be prouder of being the first coding school in a community my family and I call home. Feel free to contact me at dipali@thecoderschool.com

Meet Our Code Coaches® Too!

We've got plenty of Coaches, and tons of Comp Sci experience tucked inside! Who's the best Coach for you? I guess you'll have to come on in for a free trial to find out! Roll over a pic to see if we jotted down their background!
theCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool StafftheCoderSchool Staff

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!
  • Private+Semi-Private Coaching

    Virtual Learning

    Coding Classes

    Robotics

    Python

    Scratch

    Video Game Coding



    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? We're among 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®. Check out our Carrollwood, Westerville, and Folsom location or all locations.

    Got a question? Email us at cerritos@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.