Local Residents Bring Code Ninjas to Irvine

Say the words, “video game” and your kids are bound to stop and listen. The local owners of a new Code Ninjas, a learning center that debuted on March 18 at 5321-B University Drive, know that video games aren’t only fun, but educational. Code Ninjas will serve the local area by teaching children computer coding and problem-solving skills while having fun building video games.

The Irvine location is owned and operated by local residents and siblings Jonathan and Josephine Cheung, as well as her husband, Arlington So. Jonathan moved to the U.S. mainland from Guam in 2005 and graduated from University of California Berkeley’s business school with consulting experience in technology. After graduation, he co-founded two tech start-up companies and sought to continue his passion by opening up a Code Ninjas, where he will be able to help shape not only the tech industry, but future generations as well. Alongside Josephine and Arlington, Jonathan realized Code Ninjas would be the best opportunity to make a positive impact on children in the Irvine community.

“I wish I had Code Ninjas growing up because it provides children vital skills to pursue their dreams and unlock their unlimited capacity to learn,” said Jonathan. “For younger students in Irvine, Code Ninjas will open the door to opportunities and ensure they are not intimidated by the words ‘STEM’ and ‘coding.’”

Donald Sun, who will be the center director for Code Ninjas Irvine, earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science and MBA from Cornell University. When Donald heard about Code Ninjas, he was inspired to be a mentor and sought to pass on his knowledge of STEM to the younger generations in Irvine’s community.

Code Ninjas Irvine is also a visionary sponsor for the Irvine Public Schools Foundation Orange County STEAM fest, a day students and families can explore exciting, hands-on activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

Irvine children ages 7-14 can visit the new Code Ninjas center to learn how to code in a fun, safe, and social learning environment where gaming is celebrated, and STEM is cool. Everything about Code Ninjas is built around fun, which keeps kids coming back. But the center also provides the results that parents are looking for, as their children gain coding and problem-solving skills they’ll need for the jobs of the future.

Code Ninjas accomplishes this with a robust, game-based curriculum made up of nine belts, just like martial arts. The curriculum is self-paced, but not self-taught; kids get immediate help and encouragement from Code Senseis and fellow students as they advance from white to black belt. The program keeps kids motivated with little wins along the way, and “Belt-Up” celebrations where they receive color-coded wristbands to mark their graduation to the next level. By the time a child finishes the program, they will publish an app in an app store.

Code Ninjas offers a variety of opportunities for children to get involved, including a flexible afternoon drop-in program, camps and Parents Night Out events on weekends. Code Ninjas Irvine will be open seven days a week.

Code Ninjas founder and CEO David Graham is a professional software developer who previously owned a successful chain of coding camps for adults. After numerous inquiries from parents, Graham realized there was an unmet demand to teach children coding skills. He launched the Code Ninjas brand in 2016.

“Parents want their children to learn the critical skills that they’ll need in the future, but it also has to be fun for kids. Code Ninjas has found that sweet spot where kids have fun and parents see results, and we’re truly excited to bring our unique concept to Irvine and surrounding communities,” said Graham.

For more information about the Irvine Code Ninjas location, please visit www.codeninjas.com/locations/ca-irvine or call 949-679-2633.