Community Corner
4th Connecticut Location Opening, Coding For Kids Ages 7-18
The Coder School Expands to Branford, CT, Offering Kids Hands-On Coding Education.
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Branford, CT – theCoderSchool, a growing after-school coding program for kids ages 7 to 18, is officially opening its fourth Connecticut location in Branford on Sunday April 13th from 1 to 3 pm. Known for its project-based learning approach and small instructor-to-student ratios, theCoderSchool aims to provide young learners with a strong foundation in coding through engaging lessons and summer camps.
Founded in 2014, theCoderSchool has grown from a single location in Palo Alto, California, to a thriving nationwide franchise dedicated to teaching kids how to code. The concept was developed by Hansel Lynn, the company’s CEO and founder, a seasoned coder and developer. His inspiration came from a personal experience—when his 10-year-old daughter expressed an interest in learning to code, he recognized the need for a structured, engaging program tailored for young learners. This idea soon evolved into theCoderSchool, a unique after-school enrichment program that blends project-based learning with personalized instruction.
This newest Branford location joins theCoderSchool CT’s existing branches in Farmington, Glastonbury, and Cheshire. The Connecticut franchise is led by Vaishali Shah, CEO, and her husband, Senior Advisor and Co-owner Chirayu Shah, who also works full-time at the Walt Disney Company while helping oversee operations. Their management team includes Director Lynn Park, a seasoned developer with eight years of experience in the tech industry, and General Manager Kyra Singh, who has been with the company for four years and holds a bachelors in Computer Science. Coordinator Hailey Strauss is working on her Masters in Web and Application development.
At theCoderSchool, students attend weekly one-hour lessons in a 2:1 student-to-instructor format, ensuring personalized attention and hands-on learning. Weekly classes are also offered with small ratios. The curriculum covers a wide range of programming languages, including block coding, Minecraft coding, Python, Java, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Roblox (Lua), and Unity (C#).
Shah's children, Devam (10) and Aneri (9), are also students at theCoderSchool. They began with block coding and have since progressed to Python."I constantly seek their feedback on our platforms and programs to ensure they are fun, engaging, and easy to follow," says Shah. "This year, we introduced a new AI platform that teaches students how data is stored in AI using cars. Before offering it to our students, I tested it with both of my kids to ensure its effectiveness."
TheCoderSchool CT has built a reputation for long-term student success, with many students progressing through multiple programming languages over several years. The program also supports students in their academic and career aspirations by providing recommendation letters for top colleges. One standout success story is Jingjin Shi, a former student from the Farmington location who studied at theCoderSchool for four years, volunteered as a summer camp instructor, and later earned admission to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After completing her first year, Jingjin returned to teach summer classes, crediting the Python projects she learned at theCoderSchool for helping her succeed in her coursework at MIT.
Vaishali Shah is committed to selecting highly qualified instructors for theCoderSchool CT through a rigorous three-part vetting process that evaluates technical proficiency, communication abilities, and social skills. Multiple team members participate in this evaluation to ensure the highest standards. Additionally, theCoderSchool CT is recognized as an official internship site for the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University, Central Connecticut State University, and Eastern Connecticut State University. Computer Science students from these institutions can gain hands-on experience while earning academic credit, creating a mutually beneficial opportunity for both students and theCoderSchool.
With its expansion into Branford, theCoderSchool continues to inspire the next generation of coders, equipping students with valuable technical skills that will serve them in future academic and professional pursuits.
For more information about theCoderSchool’s programs and grand opening, please fill out the lead form on their website. Visit: https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/branford/.
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