Spring into STEM Careers at Code Ninjas® Alexandria
Developing the science, technology, engineering, and math leaders of tomorrow
Alexandria, VA — Code Ninjas® is located in a modest-looking storefront in a small strip mall on King Street in West Alexandria, wedged between Domino’s Pizza and a Potbelly Sandwich Shop—but oh my goodness—step inside. There’s so much going on, it merits one big whew.
Beyond the front lobby is a large room where the lights are dimmed, soothing music enchants, and row after row of laptop computers greet students from age 5 to 14 who learn coding by creating video games. The last third of the training area plays host to an array of colossal desktop computers, which is where the gaming XP League competes with teams across the nation and beyond.
Developing the next generation of problem solvers, creators, and leaders
“Code Ninjas is where we are developing the next generation of problem solvers, creators, and leaders,” says Owner and Executive Director David Ryan. “Your child will gain real skills, boost their confidence, and have a blast doing it. It’s not about becoming a computer programmer necessarily; it’s really about helping kids leverage technology and learn how everything is connected, which will make them better users of technology at any job, but especially in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers.”
With a current enrollment of about 100 students, the school is open seven days a week and offers a wide array of courses and academies, beginning with the “JR” program, which offers coding through play for kids ages 5-7 in a completely visual curriculum ideal for pre- and early-readers.
The center also offers a year-round coding program for kids ages 7-14 known as CREATE, where students create, play, and learn coding, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving at their own pace.
Running parallel to that are the Robotics and AI academies for kids ages 5-14. Robotics students build and program real robots and tinker with sensors, motors, and more from LEGO® robotics kits. In the latter, students learn how to use AI tools safely and creatively via interactive challenges that teach critical thinking and inspire curiosity.
Also running parallel are the Code Ninjas CAMPS for ages 5-14, where kids learn Minecraft, Roblox, and game-building, as well as robotics, physical computing, 3D design and print, video production, and more, whenever there is a break from school. Options include full-day, half-day, holiday, and summer camps, which run 10 weeks during summer break from June through August.
All Code Ninjas students get learning support from Code Senseis, or instructors, and advance from White Belt to Black Belt.
Classes are also available on weekends, but after 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays the center is set aside for birthday parties, where kids can build and explore Minecraft Makers, Roblox League, Nintendo Switch, XP Gaming, Arts & Crafts, and Trivia competitions.
Ryan opened the business in 2019 after 23 years in the Navy, which he loved—followed by a second career as a defense contractor, which just didn’t offer the challenge and excitement he yearned for. “One day my wife was poking at me, and she said ‘You know? You’re wasting your leadership, talents, and abilities. You need to do something more.’”
At the time Ryan still had kids in school, “and we were very passionate about childhood education, and coding was of specific interest to me, because I came from an engineering and technology background, so it seemed like the right fit for us.”
Creating their own games while learning to code
“Kids are surrounded by technology today, but I love how Code Ninjas gives kids the chance to actually create the games they want to play,” says Cassidy Olimpo, a K-8 technology teacher at Merritt Academy in Fairfax. “For coding you have to understand the logic behind it. I try to teach kids the basics of block coding, but a puzzle is not complete until you know how all the pieces fit together,” she adds. “Kids nowadays also love doing hands-on stuff with robotics, learning how things work, and so many things can grow out of this.”
Parents are also high on Code Ninjas programs. “We talked to some of the other parents and they all had good things to say, so we came in for a demo class,” says Peter Herman, whose 5th grade son Oscar, 10, is enrolled. “He loved it from the start and really wanted to get going, so we’ve been coming twice a week.” Oscar enjoys playing video games at home, he says, and though they try to keep a lid on it, his son really upped his chops in Roblox and Minecraft at Code Ninjas “so that he could connect with his cousin in New Jersey and now they can spend time together without having to drive four hours.”
Sophia Stidman, 17, speaks to the impressive skillset of the Senseis at Code Ninjas. Stidman is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, where she is president of the “Cyber Patriots,” a group of students training for a national cyber security competition. “I find that teaching here is very rewarding,” she says. “I’m very big into coding in general, and I’ve learned a lot while teaching here.” One example: it’s improved her skill in quickly finding and fixing bugs. Stidman will be studying electrical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines in the fall on an Air Force ROTC scholarship.
Sebastien Charpentier, 10, also enjoys his time at Code Ninjas. By day Sebastien is a student at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. “At first, I really didn’t know anybody, and it felt a bit awkward, but now I feel like I’m really learning and having fun at the same time. It’s kind of annoying when you’re in the first stages of a hard code,” he admits, “but when you get further in, it’s really fun.”
Sign up for a free introductory session—or Parent’s Night Out
With so much in play at Code Ninjas, what’s the best way to sort it all out and find the right program for your son or daughter? “Don’t overthink it,” counsels Ryan. “We’ve got two great options. The first is to book a free introductory session, and the second is Parent’s Night Out.” As for the latter, “It’s a chance to leave your kids in the hands of our Code Senseis for a great evening filled with STEM activities, pizza and snacks, movie time, prizes, and socializing with fellow ninjas. Either of these options will help you and your child determine the next step.”
