theCoderSchool San Francisco - Richmond

theCoderSchool San Francisco - Richmond offers classes in 3D modeling, Python, Scratch game design, coding, AI lessons, digital design, and 3D graphics using Blender. Students can join the Digital Arts Studio to focus on digital design and learn the foundations of 3D graphics using Blender, progressing to more complex shapes and designs. Game design classes use MIT’s Scratch platform with drag-and-drop blocks and include computer science fundamentals like loops, conditionals, and variables, along with math concepts such as coordinate geometry, negative numbers, angles, and boolean logic.

• Ages: 8–13 years old
• Schedule: Each Art Class Series: 3D Modeling, Code Class Series: Python, and Code Class Series: Scratch Game Design runs for 12 weekly sessions from 3/8–5/31, with no classes on 4/5.
• Price: Each 12-week series (3D Modeling, Python, Scratch Game Design) is $399.

The Art Class Series: 3D Modeling is recommended for ages 10–13 and meets for 12 weekly sessions, with 3D Modeling 1 on Tuesdays at 3:30pm and 3D Modeling 2 on Tuesdays at 5:30pm. The Digital Arts Studio is a small-group class and does not require any coding.

The Code Class Series: Python is recommended for ages 10–13 and runs for 12 weekly sessions, with Python 1 offered on Sundays at 11:00am and Wednesdays at 5:30pm, Python 2 on Thursdays at 4:30pm, and Python 3 on Fridays at 4:30pm. Python classes are for students with no prior coding experience or who are just learning how to type, and use a Python platform to explore fundamental concepts, problem solving, logical thinking, Python syntax, function calls, Cartesian coordinates, and more.

The Code Class Series: Scratch Game Design is recommended for ages 8–10 and runs for 12 weekly sessions, with Scratch Game Design 1 offered on Sundays at 12:00pm, Wednesdays at 4:30pm, Thursdays at 5:30pm, and Fridays at 5:30pm, and Scratch Game Design 2 on Sundays at 10:00am. Scratch Game Design uses MIT’s Scratch platform with drag-and-drop blocks and focuses on game design and computer science fundamentals.

theCoderSchool is described as Silicon Valley’s first nationwide kids coding program and is part of a system of over 70 locations teaching over 7,000 students every week. Its flagship after-school program, Code Coaching, uses a 2:1 teaching ratio with an individualized curriculum, while coding camps use a ratio of around 6:1, and entry-level classes are offered in a larger ratio. The Digital Arts Studio program is for budding artists and creatives to focus on digital design using cutting-edge tools. The program also offers an after-school drop-off and virtual program for kids learning to code, @school classes, an AppStream product for newbie coders through an online weekly video format, and books authored with Simon Basher from Basher Books in a graphical style.

Classes are taught by experienced, expert Code Coaches, and the organization describes having the brainpower of 1000+ expert Code Coaches. Allen is listed as the contact for questions about the Art Class Series: 3D Modeling and the Code Class Series: Python and Scratch Game Design, and is also the hiring contact. theCoderSchool was founded in 2013 and is headquartered and founded in Silicon Valley since 2014.

The mission statement says that every kid is different, so the program uses custom projects built to suit each student, and that coding is about consistent problem solving and understanding technology fundamentals, including how the internet works and what makes up Artificial Intelligence. The program’s flagship after-school Code Coaching uses a super-small 2:1 teaching ratio, and coding camps stick to a low ratio of around 6:1.

theCoderSchool is a longtime partner of the Congressional App Challenge (CAC) and collaborates with CAC to run a national recognition program to identify top applications from CAC submissions. A student, Shreya Aghi, was named winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 11th District by Nancy Pelosi, and Shreya worked with Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) focusing on tobacco cessation among teenagers. The organization also runs a National Top App of the Month program selecting the best app out of hundreds submitted nationwide.

Parent testimonials describe customized curriculum and online learning experiences. One parent from New Jersey with 23 years in IT states that the customized curriculum stood out and recommends the program for learning STEM concepts via coding. A parent from California describes online classes as engaging and calls them a “quarantine lifesaver.” Another parent from Georgia notes that their child enjoyed online coding lessons and an online spring break camp and mentions that the child has fun creating games and working on them between sessions. A parent from Connecticut reports that their kids really loved the Scratch camp and looked forward to returning in late August.

Last updated May 13, 2026.