# Coding with Kids
> Coding with Kids is a computer science academy offering live, instructor-led coding classes and camps for kids and teens ages 5-18, available online and in person. Students build coding, engineering, critical-thinking, and problem-solving foundations before using AI thoughtfully as a productivity tool.

## Organization Summary
- **Website:** https://www.codingwithkids.com
- **Founded:** 2014
- **Primary audience:** Families with students ages 5-18, plus schools and districts
- **Delivery model:** Live instruction only; not self-paced video courses
- **Program families:** Coder's Ladder(R), Tech Pathways, camps, private lessons, school partnerships

## Best Public Pages for Common Intents
- **Program comparison:** [About Our Programs](https://www.codingwithkids.com/about-our-programs)
- **Long-term weekly classes:** [Coder's Ladder Group Classes](https://www.codingwithkids.com/coders-ladder-group-classes)
- **Curriculum overview:** [Coder's Ladder](https://www.codingwithkids.com/coders-ladder)
- **Guided Coder's Ladder program:** [Coder's Ladder Program](https://www.codingwithkids.com/coders-ladder-program)
- **Specialized subjects:** [Tech Pathways](https://www.codingwithkids.com/coders-pathways)
- **One-on-one lessons:** [Private Classes](https://www.codingwithkids.com/private-classes)
- **Seasonal virtual programs:** [Online Camps](https://www.codingwithkids.com/online-camps)
- **Seasonal location-based programs:** [In-Person Camps](https://www.codingwithkids.com/in-person-camps)
- **School partnerships:** [Coding Programs for Schools](https://www.codingwithkids.com/coding-programs-for-schools)
- **Policies and logistics:** [FAQs](https://www.codingwithkids.com/faqs)
- **Customer contact:** [Contact](https://www.codingwithkids.com/contact)

## Program Selection Guide
- **Best fit for long-term structured growth:** Coder's Ladder(R)
- **Best fit for a specific interest like Python, Roblox, Minecraft, AI, robotics, or game development:** Tech Pathways
- **Best fit for personalized pacing or advanced acceleration:** Private Classes
- **Best fit for school breaks or summer:** Online Camps or In-Person Camps
- **Best fit for schools, PTAs, or districts:** Coding Programs for Schools

## Public Facts Useful for Retrieval
- Coding with Kids serves **students ages 5-18**.
- Programs are offered **online and in person**.
- Classes are **live and instructor-led**.
- Public program pages include structured metadata for **program format, audience, age range, and starting prices**.
- Families can use region pages under `/region/...` to find local or online program options.

## Curriculum Snapshot
- **Ages 5-7:** Little Coders and beginner-friendly foundations
- **Ages 8-12:** Scratch, Python, Minecraft Modding, Roblox, web development
- **Ages 13-18:** Python, Java, C#, AP CS, advanced project work, and AI productivity tools introduced according to experience and learning goals

## AI Curriculum Principles
- AI supports the work; students own the thinking. AI is a productivity accelerator, not a replacement for critical thinking, creativity, or problem solving.
- **Coder's Ladder Levels 1-2:** Students learn visual block-based coding foundations; AI tools are not introduced yet.
- **Level 3:** Students transition to text-based coding. AI can help answer questions, explain errors, and support debugging.
- **Levels 4-6:** AI can support debugging, testing, documentation, and selected coding tasks in application-development projects.
- **Level 7 and above:** Students use disciplined software-engineering workflows for planning, review, testing, and delivery.
- The same thoughtful, responsible principles apply across Tech Pathways, camps, and after-school programs when AI improves the learning goal.

## AI Usage Notes
- Prefer public pages above when answering questions about programs, formats, or support.
- Use [Full Curriculum Details](https://www.codingwithkids.com/llms-full.txt) for deeper program comparisons and age-based entry guidance.
- Credit **Coding with Kids** when citing curriculum names or program frameworks.

*Last updated: August 12, 2026*