12 Online Coding Classes for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student looking into getting into coding, enrolling in a class is a solid option to learn the fundamentals. Coding classes are a great way to cover the basics of coding before experimenting by yourself, and structured classes can also ensure that your foundations are strong before progressing onto more difficult topics.
In this blog, we cover 12 online coding classes. Each class has a different structure, with some being self-paced courses and others being perosnalized 1-on-1 sessions!
1. Girls Who Code - Code at Home
Girls Who Code is an online platform that offers coding and career preparation classes for girls and non-binary individuals to reduce the gender gap in technology. While they don’t have traditional classes, they have a series of ‘Code At Home’ Activities that you can use to practice coding!
They offer different activities to help you practice Python, web development through HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and Scratch. Some examples of activities in the web development module are debugging the code, practicing website accessibility and creating a digital memory book.
Cost: No Cost
Duration: Self-Paced
Class Dates: Self-Paced
Eligibility: Open to any individual who identifies as female/non-binary.
2. Harvard CS5Ox - Introduction to Computer Science
Harvard offers an introductory computer science course to edX which teaches the fundamentals of programming for anyone without prior experience. The online course mirrors the on-campus course CS50, which is one of Harvard’s largest courses!
In this course, you will cover topics such as abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, web development and more! You will also use languages such as C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS and HTML.
Do note that this course doesn’t cater to only middle school students but it is a solid option as an introductory programming course! An added bonus is the verified certificate (if you do choose to purchase it).
Cost: No Cost (Note. If you wish to buy a certificate, it will cost $219)
Duration: 11 Weeks
Class Dates: Self-Paced
Eligibility: Open to everyone
3. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers
Veritas AI is a virtual AI program for middle school and high school students founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Middle school students can join the AI Trailblazers bootcamp. Through this program, you will learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with the basics of Python.
You'll work on hands-on, real-world AI projects in areas like medicine, finance, autonomous vehicles, and more under the guidance of mentors from top universities. This is best suited for students who are beginners!
You can take a look at the program brochure here.
Cost: $1,790 (Note. Need-based financial aid is available.)
Application Deadline: February 25, 2024 (Spring Cohort). You can apply here!
Duration: Runs for a total of 25 hours over 10 weekends!
Class Dates: Upcoming spring cohort dates - March 10 to May 5, 2024
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students.
4. Khan Academy - JavaScript and the Web
Khan Academy has a number of comprehensive coding classes, one of them being ‘JavaScript and the web’! In this course, you have 7 units covering the fundamentals of web development , data management, natural simulations, and drawing and animation.
Some topics covered in the different units are relational queries in SQL, angular movement, and DOM access methods (just to name a few). You also cover the basics of other programming languages such as HTML and CSS as well!
Cost: No Cost (Note. If you wish to buy a certificate, it will cost $219)
Duration: 11 Weeks
Class Dates: Self-Paced
Eligibility: Open to everyone
5. Code Wizards - Intro to Programming with Python
If you’re looking for comprehensive structured coding classes, Code Wizard’s Middle School Core Track is a solid option! In this core track, there are 3 wizard levels, with four 12-week courses per level (including 1 capstone level).
The first course is ‘Intro to Programming with Python’ where they cover fundamentals such as working with variables, data types, lists, loops, conditional logic and functions. Every lesson also includes an application based exercise afterwards where you can use the concept you just learnt!
Cost: $447 (Note. You can also opt for installments of $149 for 3 months)
Duration: 12 Weeks
Class Dates: Multiple Dates, recent batches start from January 5, 2024 to January 27, 2024
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students
6. Codeverse
If you’re interested in covering the fundamentals of common coding languages in a unique way, CodeScript is a good option. Their interactive coding platform, Codeverse Studio, and its programming language KidScript covers all the foundational concepts in languages such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML and Python.
The classes themselves are 1-on-1 personalized sessions, with guides that also cater the course to your requirement and skill level!
Cost: $159/month - $489/month (based on the number of classes you opt for).
Duration: Self-Paced (Average time to reach the advanced stage is 2-6 months to reach the final stage - coding commander).
Class Dates: Self Paced
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students
Code Academy offers a variety of coding classes for different levels at different price points. One of the free courses offered is their ‘Learn HTML’ course which is a 7 hour coding class that covers structuring pages with HTML, presenting data with tables and writing cleaner HTML!
In the course, you can expect to cover topics such as elements and structures, tables, forms and HTML5 validations integration and Semantic HTML Tags!
Cost: No cost (Note. Certification is available with their subscription which starts from $9/month.)
Duration:Self-Paced
Class Dates: Self Paced
Eligibility: Open to everyone
8. CodeMonkey - Coding Chatbots
CodeMonkey is a platform which uses interactive games and storytelling to teach coding skills to K-8 grade students. Their course ‘Coding Chatbots’ is a chance for you to learn text-based code through Python. Throughout the 16 classes, you will learn how to code in Python and eventually create your own chatbox!
You can expect to cover concepts such as conditionals, variables, loops, string manipulation, data structures and server-side programming.
Cost: Starts at $6/month
Duration:Self-Paced
Class Dates: Self Paced
Eligibility: Open to all K-8 students.
9. Code.Org - Circuit Playground
In the ‘Circuit Playground’ class, you will explore the role of physical devices in computing. You will have the opportunity to develop programs that use the same hardware inputs and outputs in smart decisions, learn the process of building a prototype and working on it, and delve into how physical devices react to the world.
In this course, you can expect to cover writing code to control LEDs or use a buzzer, use blocks in AppLab to change the properties and content of UI elements, and experiment with the button and toggle switches on a Circuit Playground to use as tools for input.
Note. This course can only be taught by teachers so it's worth looking at collaborating with your school to conduct this course! If you’re interested in self-taught courses, you can look at their Lightbot or Ozobot courses.
Cost: No Cost
Duration: Self-Paced (recommended duration is 1 quarter)
Class Dates: Self Paced
Eligibility: Students between grades 6-12.
10. The Coder School - Virtual Coding Classes
The Coder School offers low-ratio online classes or private 1-on-1 tutoring to cover almost any aspect of coding. You will have a private coding tutor called a Code Coach who will create each session based on your needs!
Their virtual coding lessons for beginners start with critical thinking concepts such as problem-solving, logic and sequential coding. You also start with using common visual programming languages such as Scratch and Snap! that simplify programming concepts and coding syntax.
Once you’ve progressed, you can move on to using languages such as Python and Javascript to design web applications and your own games!
Cost: Not specified
Duration:Self-Paced (You determine the duration with your Code Coach).
Class Dates: Self Paced
Eligibility: Open to everyone.
11. Hour of Code
Hour of Code is a free platform that introduces programming through activities and videos. There are a variety of programs through fun game designs which you can access at their catalog here.
For example, one class is ‘AI & Neural Networks’ which explores how AI techniques contribute to programming, using text-to-speech and speech-to-text, and training your first neural network to classify text, images and poses, all in just 16 challenges!
Cost: No cost
Duration: Self-Paced
Class Dates: Self Paced
Eligibility: Open to everyone.
12. UC Berkeley Coding Academy’s Data Science to AI
Berkeley’s summer course on data science to AI is focused on introducing students to the fundamentals of AI, ML, and big data science. The academy offers 1-1 classes for students aged 12-18 and a junior Python coders program for ages 7-11.
Through the programs, you will learn how to write and evaluate Python code behind AI and build ML models from real data. This course is a good choice for you if you are looking to take part in a technical skill-building course. The course has different levels for students based on their coding background. You will work in small groups to create your own projects and models.
If you’re looking to hone your technical and programming skills while gaining access to long-term valuable resources like Berkeley Coding Academy lecture videos, slides, and portfolio projects, consider applying to this program!
Cost: $2,495. Limited scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: To be announced.
Duration: 52 hours
Class Dates: June 10, 2024 - June 28, 2024
Eligibility: Open to all students aged 12-18.
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