Code Coaching®

Code Coaching® is our core philosophy, and what our school is all about! We believe that every student is different, and that kids should learn in the way that works best for each child. How? Our Code Coaches® - they're the magic sauce! Unlike some coding schools, we don't just leave the kids in front of a computer, expecting the software to teach them how to code. Nor do we force all kids to go through the same curriculum or projects, regardless of their skills and interests. Instead, our Code Coaches® customize their lessons for each child, and focus on a 2 on 1 mentee-mentor relationship with our kids so our students can get the focused attention they need.

Code Coaching® works for kids of all ages and skill levels, from novice to advanced. From game development to web apps, Python to Java, or even niche technologies like AI and beyond, our Coaches can help your kids achieve their goals.

Sessions run one or two hours a week (your choice), at the same time every week on a schedule that works for both you and our assigned Coach. Check out our video for more info!

Coding Lessons for Kids in San Mateo, CA

Coding takes practice, and we believe getting kids to code consistently throughout the year is the only way they'll really learn to code. theCoderSchool has a staff of hundreds of Code Coaches all around the country, so we know a thing or two about mentoring students in computer science. That's why our after-school coding classes for kids revolve around this relationship, providing a long-term mentor in a Code Coach to teach kids to code, from someone who's an expert coder themselves. Conveniently located near top schools like Nueva, Crystal Springs and Baywood and just off Highway 92, theCoderSchool San Mateo lives in the heart of the San Francisco Penninsula. Offering the best in kids coding education in the high tech capital of the world, our San Mateo location has been open and operating since 2015, a lifetime in the world of kids coding education. Come by and see what our experience and expert staff brings.

Programs at theCoderSchool

Code Coaching®

Our core program for all levels.
Find out more here.

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 most. While Code Coaching is our premium program, we also offer a more traditional Code Class for those looking for either software-driven or static-curriculum teaching in a larger ratio. And during summer and holiday breaks, we offer Coding Camps. When available, programs are offered in both in-person and virtual formats. Contact us 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®. 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!

Apps We Build

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!

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

Summer Camps 2023!!!

Fire Sale Promo

Enter promotional code FIRE50, to get a $50 discount on camp purchase. Valid until the end of June (06/30)

Let's get ready for a super fun summer! Our camps are run in our school from 9 am to 3 pm Monday- Friday in a collaborative environment where the kids work together, code together, and have a fun summer together! Every Friday, we do a fun pizza party on us and demo day so that the kids can show off their projects.

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

Week	Format	Camp	Ages	Price
06/12-06/16	9am-3pm	Game Development We'll be using cool drag n' drop languages like Scratch or Snap to create us some cool new and classic games! Aimed at our newbie and novice coders (if you're looking to sign up for two Gaming camps, pls contact us first!). Ages 8-10+	Ages 8-10+	~~$599~~ $549
06/19-06/23	9am-3pm	Python Startup We don't have a pet snake for our schools, so we'll settle for introducing you to Python, one of the most popular coding languages today. Start slowly or code fast, this camp is for our intermediate coders – no Python experience necessary! Ages 10+	Ages 10+	~~$599~~ $549
06/26-06/30	9am-3pm	WebRox Everything's about the web these days, and that's why Web Rocks! Code with all the base web technologies like HTML/CSS and Javascript, learn how the internet and file transfers work, and get your pages uploaded to our servers for public viewing! Novice or intermediate coders. Ages 10+	Ages 10+	~~$599~~ $549
07/10-07/14	9am-3pm	Minecraft Edu! Minecraft has taken the world over by surprise since it debuted in 2009. This camp combines the fun of Minecraft with teaching kids to code at the same time. Playing Minecraft is fun, but building, creating, and modifying your Minecraft agents and worlds through coding is a skill that can help our younger generation in any field they choose to pursue. Tell your Minecraft fan to get their Creepers and Magma Cubes ready for this camp! Ages 8-10+	Ages 8-10+	~~$599~~ $549
07/17-07/21	9am-3pm	Python Startup We don't have a pet snake for our schools, so we'll settle for introducing you to Python, one of the most popular coding languages today. Start slowly or code fast, this camp is for our intermediate coders – no Python experience necessary! Ages 10+	Ages 10+	~~$599~~ $549
07/24-07/28	9am-3pm	WebRox Everything's about the web these days, and that's why Web Rocks! Code with all the base web technologies like HTML/CSS and Javascript, learn how the internet and file transfers work, and get your pages uploaded to our servers for public viewing! Novice or intermediate coders. Ages 10+	Ages 10+	~~$599~~ $549
07/31-08/04	9am-3pm	Python Startup We don't have a pet snake for our schools, so we'll settle for introducing you to Python, one of the most popular coding languages today. Start slowly or code fast, this camp is for our intermediate coders – no Python experience necessary! Ages 10+	Ages 10+	~~$599~~ $549
08/07-08/11	9am-3pm	Game Development We'll be using cool drag n' drop languages like Scratch or Snap to create us some cool new and classic games! Aimed at our newbie and novice coders (if you're looking to sign up for two Gaming camps, pls contact us first!). Ages 8-10+	Ages 8-10+	~~$599~~ $549

Our Testimonials

"My son has been taking coding lessons here since first grade and we love it. At first he was in a class, but he likes to work on his own projects, so we switched him to one-on-one lessons. He has learned an amazing amount of coding very quickly. I like the instructors he has had and I've found them to be responsive and easy to work with when I need to make schedule changes. Learning coding has helped him build confidence and independence, and I'd recommend it for any age."
Lucy Y., San Mateo
"My son has been going to the Coder School San Mateo for three years and has been enjoying it. The project-based approach seems to work for him and keeps him interested in coding...We appreciate the fact that each time right after the session, we will receive a message from the coach with details about the lesson and areas of improvement my son should focus on. Messages like that are very helpful for us. We feel lucky that my son has a coach who is not only knowledgeable in coding but genuinely cares about the well-being of his students."
Kokil C., San Mateo
"Both of my daughters have been taking classes at The Coder School for the past two years. They truly enjoy creating their own games and learning from Olga and Deanna. They have been particularly patient and helpful as we have been sheltered in place!"
Carla H., San Mateo
"The Coder school has been such a great experience for my 9 yr old son- he started from Scratch and now doing Python and enjoys both. The staff at the San Mateo location has been super helpful in terms of flexibility and accommodating personal needs. I've noticed teachers on Zoom giving him personal attention to make sure he understands and finishes his project. Recommend without any reservation."
Flavia D., San Mateo
"My son is really enjoying his class. He’s get personalize attention and sees the benefit of the program through completion of projects. In a short time, he’s already completed several games."
Maricar P., San Mateo
"Extremely helpful staff. We love the intimate coaching. My son is learning a lot (scratch, python) and looks forward to each week we are there. Well run and I'd highly recommend."
Kristina K., San Mateo
"My son has been learning at San Mateo Coder school for a few years. They did in person group classes for 2 years and then took 1 year off. He is now doing remote codine 2:1 with his best friend once a week. He really likes the remote class and the semi- private custom class. We have been with Coder school since it opened in San Mateo and we love the services. Olga is excellent and fast with communication. The school hires really good teachers. And it has grown and adapted to the COVID changes well. I highly recommend it."
Emily F., San Mateo
"Olga is a great manager, very nice, friendly, and accommodating. My son works with Deanna who is a perfect fit for him. His interest lies in hardware and electronics and it just took off with Deanna more so than any of the other coders he worked with. She could help merge his hardware interests with coding and now he really looks forward to his sessions. He also loves participating in the coder fairs where he can display his creative projects."
Steve T., San Mateo

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

Meet Our General Manager

Hey there everyone! My name is John and I am the General Manager of theCoderSchool in San Mateo. I hail from an educational background with experience in tutoring and instructing others from a variety of age ranges. Originally, with a Mathematics background, I achieved a B.S. in Computer Science with a Minor in Mathematics. I seek to inspire, empower and motivate those who seek knowledge. Initially, I was not a strong programmer or knowledgeable in computer science, so I personally understand how frustrating it is to begin a journey into Software Engineering. Eventually with enough hard work and determination, I am now able to make web applications capable of being launched into production and tell you some of the niddy-gritty details of certain data structures and algorithms, even some of the math behind them. So I make it my personal mission to assist others in their quest to become full-fledged programmers. Even hopefully; future Computer Scientist and Software Engineers. Feel free to contact me with any questions or just to chat at john.sanjose@thecoderschool.com.

Meet Our Senior Coordinator

Hey everyone! My name is Cinthia and I’m the Senior Coordinator at theCoderSchool San Mateo. A little about me- I speak English and Spanish fluently and attended CSM as well as a program here in San Mateo towards an AS degree to become an MRI tech. I grew up in Silicon Valley in the 2000’s so obviously technology had a huge impact on everyone’s lives- I was lucky enough to know how to edit my Myspace profile at the age of 7 with some basic copying & pasting which I later found out was a form of coding. I look forward to working with your children and hope to contribute to their success especially now that the pandemic has shown us how important technology and coding is and how it will impact your children’s futures. Feel free to contact me with any questions at cinthia@thecoderschool.com.

Meet Our Technical Director

Hi there! My name is Harry Clemente, and I am the Technical Director and a Code Coach for theCoderSchool San Mateo. I am passionate about fostering growth and empowering others! I have a B.S. in Business Management from San Francisco State University. I have worked as an instructor in the autonomous car industry, and as a martial arts coach at my academy. During the pandemic, I took a leap of faith, and completed a Software Engineering Immersive at Hack Reactor. In just 4 months I went from understanding basic data structures and algorithms to building full stack mobile and web applications. My mission here is to provide a healthy environment for kids to build engineering skills and develop applications that are interest-focused. Coding can be fun, and when we have fun doing it, we can’t help but get good at it! I’d love to answer any questions at harry@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!

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.

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!

Does coding require reading?

It definitely requires a little bit of reading and comprehension. Even coding with blocks requires some reading, albeit not as much. More importantly when kids move on to typed languages like Python or Javascript - they have to know how to type! If they can't type, coding typed languages is more than frustrating, often causing kids to quit.

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

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 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®.

Got a question? Email us at sanmateo@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.

San Mateo, CA

San Mateo, CA

Watch our video on Who We Are

Code Coaching®

Coding Lessons for Kids in San Mateo, CA

Programs at theCoderSchool

Code Coaching®

theCoderSchool System

What Kids Learn

Find Out What
Kids Learn

Tracking Progress

See Sample
Student Portal

Apps We Build

Summer Camps 2023!!!

Fire Sale Promo

Our Testimonials

Our Upcoming Events

theCoderSchool @ Cipriani

School Info

Our Schools

Meet Our General Manager

Meet Our Senior Coordinator

Meet Our Technical Director

Meet Our Code Coaches® Too!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can coding help kids?

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

What is the best age to start coding?

What are the benefits of kids learning to code?

Can a 6 year old do coding?

How do kids learn to code?

Does coding require reading?

Where is the best place to learn coding for kids?

San Mateo, CA

San Mateo, CA

Watch our video on Who We Are

Code Coaching®

Coding Lessons for Kids in San Mateo, CA

Programs at theCoderSchool

Code Coaching®

theCoderSchool System

What Kids Learn

Find Out WhatKids Learn

Tracking Progress

See SampleStudent Portal

Apps We Build

Summer Camps 2023!!!

Fire Sale Promo

Our Testimonials

Our Upcoming Events

theCoderSchool @ Cipriani

School Info

Our Schools

Meet Our General Manager

Meet Our Senior Coordinator

Meet Our Technical Director

Meet Our Code Coaches® Too!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can coding help kids?

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

What is the best age to start coding?

What are the benefits of kids learning to code?

Can a 6 year old do coding?

How do kids learn to code?

Does coding require reading?

Where is the best place to learn coding for kids?

Find Out What
Kids Learn

See Sample
Student Portal