For parents

From Scratch Programming Class is a free programming class for kids and teens (ages 9 and up). The full curriculum is about 150 hours of class time, which takes roughly one to two years depending on how often the class meets.

This page is what you need to know if your child is enrolled or considering it.

What your child will learn

Programming, the way real programmers actually think about it. The class moves through five big topics over the course of the curriculum:

1. Scratch (Phase 1) — visual, drag-and-drop programming. Builds the thinking habits before any typing is required. About 8-10 weeks. Kids leave with a working game they designed.

2. Python (Phases 2-4) — a real programming language used in industry. Students write, run, and debug their own programs. About 6-9 months. Kids leave able to write small useful tools.

3. Desktop apps (Phase 5) — building programs with windows, buttons, and forms — the kind of software you click on and use. About 6-8 weeks. Kids leave with their own desktop application.

4. 2D games (Phase 6) — real game programming, with sprites, movement, collisions, sound, and the works. About 3-4 months. Kids leave with a game they can show off.

5. Web pages and applications (Phases 7-8) — building things that work in a browser, including small web apps with their own URLs. About 6-7 months. Kids leave with a real, functional, hosted web project.

The full design rationale lives in the curriculum decisions document in the project’s source repository. It explains why we chose each topic, in what order, and what we’re optimizing for.

What your child will also learn

Programming teaches a lot of things that aren’t programming. The ones we lean into:

• Breaking big problems into small ones. This is the most transferable skill in the curriculum. It applies to math, writing, fixing things, planning a trip — anything.
• Comfort with not knowing. Programmers face unknowns constantly. Kids who learn to think “I don’t know how to do this yet — let me figure out where to start” instead of “I can’t do this” carry that habit into everything else.
• Reading and following precise instructions. Computers are brutally literal. Working with them improves your ability to read carefully and write clearly.
• Asking for help well. The class teaches students to describe what they tried before they ask. That’s the same habit that makes a good employee, a good student, and a good collaborator.

Costs and equipment

The class itself is free. Free to enroll, free for life — students who finish the full curriculum can come back at any time, even years later, with questions or to keep working on projects.

Every student does need a computer to work on, and the class keeps that cost low and flexible. The typical options:

• Free donated laptop. When community members have donated working laptops, your family can take one at no cost. Limited availability — first come, first served.
• Refurbished mini desktop (starting around $150-$160). A small refurbished desktop computer, about the size of a hardback book (a Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q or similar). Plenty of power for everything in the curriculum at the entry price; you can spec up from there if you’d like more headroom. You’ll need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse — ones you already have at home, or ones the class can sometimes help you find through donated peripherals.
• Refurbished laptop (~$200-$300). A refurbished business- class laptop, usually a ThinkPad. Self-contained — no extra monitor or keyboard needed. Good pick if your family doesn’t have a spare monitor lying around, or if you want your child to be able to take it anywhere.
• Higher-end option. If you’d prefer a newer or more powerful computer for your child, talk to Mr. Eric directly. He can help you pick something that works for the curriculum without overspending.
• Not sure? The signup form has a “let’s discuss” option. Pick that and Mr. Eric will walk you through what fits your family.

Whichever option you pick, the machine arrives ready to use. Mr. Eric pre-installs Scratch, Python, the Python editor (Thonny), and every other tool the class uses. Your child doesn’t have to install anything to start.

Once your child has their computer, it’s theirs forever. Even if your child stops attending, the machine stays with your family.

If equipment cost is a real concern at any tier, please let Mr. Eric know. The class exists to teach kids who want to learn — families shouldn’t be excluded based on what they can afford. There’s flexibility on the equipment side, and donated equipment exists specifically for families for whom the standard tier isn’t comfortable.

Can you donate equipment?

The donated-laptop tier above only works because other families in the community give equipment. If you have a working computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals you no longer use — please consider donating to the class. What you donate goes straight to other kids in the class, especially the ones whose families need the help.

What’s most useful:

• Working laptops that can run Linux Mint (basically anything from the last 8-10 years). The class re-images them and uses them as student machines.
• Monitors — any size, working condition. Paired with the refurbished mini desktops.
• USB keyboards and mice. Standard models, nothing fancy.
• Power adapters and chargers, especially if you have spares for laptop or desktop equipment.

The signup form includes a “want to donate?” question. Or you can mention it to Mr. Eric directly any time — even if your child isn’t enrolled, donated equipment is welcome and goes to a kid who needs it.

When and where

Local logistics — meeting day, meeting time, venue — vary by class. Check with your local instructor for specifics.

Sessions usually run 90 minutes to 2 hours, once a week. Some classes meet twice a week and finish the full curriculum faster.

What you can do as a parent

The class doesn’t ask anything specific of you. But if you’re inclined, the things that help most are:

• Be curious about what your child is building. Ask to see it. Let them demo. Their explanations to you reinforce their learning.
• Don’t compare them to other students. The class is mixed- age and mixed-skill on purpose. Every kid moves at their own pace.
• Encourage them to keep working at home if they want to. Personal projects are where the real learning happens. They don’t have to — but if they want to, encourage it.
• Don’t worry if they say “it’s hard.” It’s supposed to be hard. Hard is where learning happens. The class is built to give them the tools to push through hard.

Questions

For questions about your local class (logistics, scheduling, the teacher), contact the class directly.

For questions about the curriculum content (what’s being taught, how, why), the curriculum decisions document covers most of it.

For anything else, the introduction and the for-students page explain how the class and this book work.