Modulo

Code.org

Recommended Ages

K-12th Grades

Code.org is a nonprofit platform created to expand access to computer science education for K–12 students, especially those historically underrepresented in tech. Its free curriculum includes Hour of Code activities, graded courses, and unplugged lessons that teach logic, problem-solving, and programming concepts using block-based and text-based languages. Parents like that lessons are carefully sequenced, visually appealing, and easy to run at home, even with no coding background. Because it’s web-based and supported by a large community, learners can progress from simple puzzles to building real apps and games. While some kids may eventually outgrow the more basic levels, as a no-cost entry point into coding, Code.org is hard to beat.

This is a great fit for kids roughly ages 5–18 who are curious about coding, families on a budget, and parents without a tech background who still want a structured, well‑designed CS curriculum.

Pros

Parents and teachers love that Code.org offers a completely free, secular K–12 computer science pathway with block‑based and text‑based courses, Hour of Code activities, and fun creative projects that kids often experience as “just playing games.” 

Cons

Limitations include that it’s entirely screen‑based, more advanced students may eventually outgrow the depth of the built‑in courses, and there’s no built‑in teacher grading—parents have to monitor progress dashboards and translate that into credits if needed.

Because all core courses are free, families rarely use ESA or charter funds directly for Code.org. Some programs may count time spent as part of a computer science or STEM requirement, but there is no tuition to reimburse.

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Code.org
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Skills

What kids will learn
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Coding
Coding
STEM
STEM

Code.org Mission

Code.org’s mission is to ensure that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, with a particular focus on increasing participation by girls and underrepresented minorities. Its free online courses and classroom resources aim to make coding as fundamental as reading and math, helping kids see themselves as creators of technology, not just consumers. 

Code.org Story

Code.org was founded in 2013 after Hadi Partovi and his twin brother Ali saw how few schools offered computer science and how limited access was for many communities. The nonprofit’s launch video, featuring tech leaders and celebrities, went viral and helped kick off the global Hour of Code campaign, which has since reached tens of millions of students. Today, Code.org partners with school districts, trains teachers, and offers a full K–12 CS pathway, while its playful coding puzzles remain a go-to starting point for homeschoolers and classrooms alike.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Code.org

Your child sits at a device dragging and dropping colorful code blocks to move characters through mazes, create simple games, or draw patterns. There’s a lot of experimentation, trial and error, and excitement when they finally get a puzzle to run. Older students progress to typing real code in JavaScript or other languages as they build apps and animations.

Code.org offers a free, structured K–12 computer science curriculum delivered through interactive online lessons. Families create student accounts and place children in the appropriate course (from early pre-reader puzzles to text-based programming), then let kids work through levels that teach coding concepts, digital citizenship, and problem-solving with built-in hints and automatic feedback.

Parents can be as hands-on or hands-off as they like. The platform is designed to guide students step by step, so adults primarily cheerlead, ask kids to explain their thinking, and help troubleshoot any technical hiccups. Some parents schedule a weekly “show and tell” where kids demo their projects.

For the youngest courses, no reading is required and simple mouse or touch control is enough; later courses expect comfortable reading and basic typing. A laptop, Chromebook, or tablet with reliable internet access is essential.

Code.org’s structured, visual lessons and drag‑and‑drop coding blocks are accessible to many learners, including dyslexic and ADHD kids, because they deemphasize text and focus on puzzles. Self‑paced modules let gifted or hyperfocused students race ahead while others repeat activities; adults can support autistic or anxious children by previewing animations and chunking tasks.

Generally 2e‑friendly: visual block coding, tiny steps, and self‑paced challenges let advanced thinkers move ahead quickly while still getting lots of scaffolding. Great for ADHD/autistic kids who like clear goals and instant feedback; just watch for over‑frustration on the harder puzzles and feel free to jump around.

The curriculum is free to use, so there is no traditional refund policy. If you decide it’s not a fit, simply stop using the platform or delete your account.

It’s not ideal for families avoiding screens, students seeking an intensive, university‑style CS track, or kids who strongly prefer unplugged, physical projects over on‑screen puzzles.

Alternatives and extensions include Scratch/ScratchJr, CodeCombat, CS Unplugged, paid platforms like Tynker, or local coding clubs and robotics teams for more hardware‑based experiences.

Code.org continually updates its courses, adds new units (like AI, data science, or cybersecurity), and runs annual Hour of Code events to introduce millions of students to computing each year.

Start with a short Hour of Code activity to gauge interest, then choose an age‑appropriate course and set a routine (for example, two 20‑minute sessions per week) with occasional “show and tell” where your child demos their projects to family or friends.

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Meet Hadi

Hadi Partovi is a tech entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Code.org after a successful career in the software industry, including roles at Microsoft and multiple startups. An immigrant from Iran who learned to code as a teen, he has been a vocal advocate for expanding computer science education so that kids from all backgrounds can access high-paying, creative tech careers. A fun fact: Hadi originally thought of Code.org as a short-term campaign, but the overwhelming response to the Hour of Code convinced him to turn it into a long-term nonprofit.