FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are answers to commonly asked questions about our Place.

WHAT IS A GOOD AGE TO START CODING?

We think that it's never too early to learn once kids start reading! Before reading skills, there are useful apps like Scratch Jr that can introduce kids to coding concepts. Coding teaches critical thinking and problem-solving, which are valuable no matter your age.

Even if students do not pursue programming as a career in their future, the ability to create something out of nothing is fun and empowering. Similarly, it's never too late to start coding and anyone may wish they started earlier in life, but the important thing is just to start and get exposure!

HOW CAN I CODE AT HOME OR HELP MY CHILD CODE AT HOME?

We are happy to suggest homework. You can find additional projects online or in books.

The best way to help your child would be to ask them to show you their projects and to walk through and explain the code to you.

DO YOU OFFER FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPS?

We do not offer scholarships but can create a payment plan if needed. There is a small fee if choosing to pay in installments.

HOW IS MCP DIFFERENT FROM OTHER KIDS CODING SCHOOLS?

We curate the best resources to teach students to code. We believe in accessibility and encourage students to check out the numerous options for kids and adults learning to code, including online programs and software-based programs in your area. We use publicly available programs that students can access at home with the passwords we create at MCP.
We offer tutoring and private/semiprivate lessons to give students more attention. Our classes and camps are led by instructors and have a ratio of 5:1.
We differentiate education from entertainment. You may have heard the term edutainment. We prioritize student engagement and fun, but regularly assess what students are learning and the value that we add. We don't want to waste your time or money.
Our teachers are coders who have had training in developing their skills. They are college students, bootcamp grads, technology teachers or professional coders. We do not hire high school students.
We use full-sized monitors for studio classes instead of laptops. We do use touchscreen laptops in classes or camps when a specific install is required. At schools, equipment will vary.
We have a brick and mortar location and have partnered with local elementary schools or companies to offer our programs to groups of employees and their kids. You can find us at a few local schools too (not listed as Locations), but the majority of our students join virtual classes. We are a family business and our kids attend Austin public schools.

HOW CAN I TELL IF I AM MAKING PROGRESS?

We communicate with you or parents via notes left by their instructor after class. We also have short monthly assessments from our skill trees to reinforce learning as well as measure progress.

DO YOU TEACH ADULTS?

Yes we do! Adults are eligible to enroll in private or semiprivate coding lessons on topics such as Blender or Python or group classes for ages 18+, such as Chess. Please contact us with our Contact Form with a specific request! We would be happy to teach tech and empower adults!

HOW MUCH DOES MCP COST?

Pricing is monthly and varies by program and duration. We prefer students come in for a free trial to decide on the best option, but a trial is not required to join our programs. We do not charge equipment fees, but do have a registration fee.

For one hour a week, small group classes of no more than 4 kids are $159/mo to $199/mo.depending on topic and whether the class requires a software subscription. Semi-private lessons are $239/mo.and private lessons are $279/mo. All sessions are 55 minutes long and led by an instructor.

Frequency is always good for learning new skills. A second hour is 10% less than the first hour, Therefore, attending our programs for 2 hours each week starts at $250/mo for 2 hours of group instruction.

WHAT IS YOUR MAKEUP AND CANCELLATION POLICY?

Makeup‌ ‌sessions‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌issued‌ ‌only‌ ‌when‌ ‌an‌ ‌expected‌ ‌absence‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌created‌ ‌in‌ ‌iClassPro‌ ‌within‌ ‌the‌ ‌

24‌ ‌hour‌ ‌window‌ ‌previous‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌class‌ ‌or‌ ‌lesson.‌ ‌Makeup‌ ‌lessons‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌form‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌prerecorded‌ ‌video‌ ‌

covering‌ ‌the‌ ‌topics‌ ‌missed.‌ An alternate in-person option can be provided for a rescheduling and staffing fee of $30 per makeup session.

Tuition is monthly and 30 days advanced notice is required if holding or cancelling as this affects staffing and billing. Since we do not issue refunds, we kindly request you tell us by the 1st of the previous month if you are leaving so we can avoid billing you for the next month.

We do not issue refunds for workshops, missed sessions, or missed events. Credit can be applied to future sessions.

WHAT AGES DO YOU TEACH?

Our programs are designed for ages 7 and above, including adults. We start at age 7 because reading and typing skills are helpful in many of our programs. Before the age of 7, we recommend that you use apps like Scratch Jr to introduce kids to coding at home.

While we began only teaching children, our programs are not limited by age except for reading, dexterity and typing skills being a requirement for lower ages. Adults who want to learn Chess or Digital Arts or Game Development are certainly welcome to participate in lesson format.

HOW DO I KNOW WHERE TO START?

GIve us a call or come in and try our programs! Sign up for a free trial!