Photo courtesy of Jimmy Tran.

The first Code Ninjas location in Dallas is open in Preston Hollow.

Code Ninjas, a global company that teaches kids to code through building video games, offers programs for students ages 4-14. It’s meant to offer an enjoyable learning experience for students who only get a “taste” of coding in school.

“Really, we want to help build future leaders through technology…Our core motto is ‘kids have fun, parents see results,'” says Jimmy Tran, the Preston Forest Village franchise owner.

Jimmy Tran.

Here’s how it works. Parents sign up their kids for a monthly membership. Then once or twice a week, they drop off their kids at the dojo for a session that usually lasts between one and two hours. There’s no need to bring any materials or supplies; Code Ninjas provides computers, tablets, drones and robotics kits.

The Code Ninjas Jr program is designed for kids up to about age 7, and Code Ninjas Create is meant for students up to age 14. Each student progresses through nine levels, starting out as a white belt and working up to a black belt. Whenever students complete a belt, which Tran says typically takes at least a month, there’s a ceremony to recognize them.

Students don’t need to be able to read to enroll in the Jr course. They’ll learn problem solving and coding through hands-on activities, storytelling and programs including ScratchJr.

In the Create program, students will learn the JavaScript, Lua and C# languages, and at the end, they’ll create a game they can release on the Apple App Store.

Code Ninjas also offers weeklong summer camps that focus on specific topics, like music programming.

Students work at their own pace, and they have senseis to help them complete the curriculum. At the Preston Forest location, many of the senseis are students from Ursuline Academy and the Episcopal School of Dallas.

“We really want to be a positive, local fixture in the Preston Hollow community,” says Tran, whose three children are enrolled in Code Ninjas. 

The grand opening is set for April 10, but Code Ninjas is already enrolling students. Sign up for a course here, or schedule a 30-minute tour and complimentary game session for your child.

Code Ninjas is located at 11661 Preston Road, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75230.