South Tampa, FL

1730 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629
In Carriage Trade Plaza
Map • (813)422-5566 • southtampa@thecoderschool.com

(or go straight to our camps)

Hey super-parent! We're happy you're looking for options to get your kids learning to code. It's SUCH an amazing skill to learn and will help your kids in more ways than you can imagine! We're super excited to be bringing Silicon Valley's #1 kids coding program to the area to help your kids get going, so read on and let's get our kids coding!

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 our form and we'll be in touch shortly to tell you more!

Code Coaching®

Name: theCoderSchool
Address: 1730 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL, 33629, US
Telephone: (813)422-5566
Price range: $$$

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 South Tampa, FL

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.

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 55 locations around the country, teaching over 6,000 students every week with the brainpower of 800+ expert Code Coaches®. We're proud of the impact theCoderSchool has had on communities everywhere since our brand was founded 7 and a half years ago, 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

Find Out 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 our students' learning options as they grow and a sampling of some of the topics we teach. Find more details about what kids are learning by checking out our Coder Tree®.

Tracking Progress

See Sample
Student Portal

Our suite of proprietary tools* chart weekly progress by tracking concepts and apps, and longer term progress by identifying skills to build their individual Coder Tree®. Get an idea of our progress tools by clicking through a Sample Student's Student Portal to see for yourself.

* Used by participating locations, check your location for availability

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 our recent winners, or ask about our App Gallery to see more apps!

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

Parent Testimonials

"My 9-year-old daughter started taking coding lessons before the pandemic. She has been able to continue weekly lessons virtually without missing a beat. She loves working with [the coach] and has had lots of fun while working hard on creating a game." - Kim H.

"To give you an idea of how much he is liking it ...he told me this morning that the whole online camp day felt like only an hour yesterday because it was so much fun."
- Hisham R.

"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.

"My son was really getting into things! It was neat to see him and his reactions as the coaches helped him along. The coaches are great at working with students virtually." - Lyndsey M.

"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.

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

Meet our General Manager

Hi, my name is Autumn Koutsos. I’m an avid runner and triathlete! I am excited to be the General Manager of The Coder School New Tampa, South Tampa and Carrollwood. I am a third generation Floridian and I grew up in the area and I am happy to call Tampa my home!

I am a huge animal lover! I have two greyhounds named Wolf and Colton. I also foster greyhounds for a local rescue and dog sit on occasion!

I have a passion for education and love to see children use creativity, critical thinking and problem solving to change the world as we know it! I truly believe that teaching children to code using their own ideas and passions allows them unlock a new level of confidence and a new found love for learning! If you'd like to learn more about what we do or how you can get started, feel free to reach me at autumn@thecoderschool.com with any questions.

Meet Our Owner

Hi, my name is Lesly Ramirez-Olavarria. I'm a proud mom of 5, and I am the Owner of theCoderSchools in the Tampa Area! I was born and raised in Peru until the age of 12 and lived in New York until three years ago. We have made Tampa our home, and we could not be any happier to be bringing you Silicon Valley's #1 Coding School.

I was introduced to coding early in my IT career by my now loving husband. I went from being a passive participant in the digital world to an active player in the field of technology, and I loved every minute of it!

We are so excited to be part of the tech-education movement that teaches kids to code in a fun and exciting way. If you'd like to learn more about what we do or how you can get started, feel free to reach me at lesly@thecoderschool.com with any questions.

Meet the Owner and Senior Advisor

Hi, my name is Michael Olavarria. I'm a proud father and a Senior Advisor for The Coder School New Tampa and South Tampa! Full disclosure: I am a geek. I love computers. I love everything about them. I spend hours coding, debugging, and discussing coding practices with other coders. When I am not coding, I teach coding and write about computers as part of my professional career.

My passion grows as I see students who learn to program early in life gain a deeper and more complete understanding of the logic and advanced thinking behind coding. Like learning a language early in life, learning and practicing this type of thinking early in development influences a child's brain as it is still developing. This is why early learners have experienced such boundless success in this field (think Gates, Zuckerberg, Jobs,…the list goes on and on). If you'd like to learn more about what we do or how you can get started, feel free to reach me at molavarria@thecoderschool.com with any questions.

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.

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

Media Contact:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973

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 southtampa@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.

South Tampa, FL

South Tampa, FL

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Code Coaching®

Coding Lessons for Kids in South Tampa, FL

Programs at theCoderSchool

Code Coaching®

theCoderSchool System