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Code the Dream

At Code the Dream, we envision a world in which tech innovation comes from all of us and benefits all of us.

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CTD Learns: A Code School Created for You

Get job-ready in as little as 9 months with free, online classes that fit your schedule.

Fully Remote

Entirely Free

10-20 Hours per Week

6-18 Months

Two Code the Dream students review code together
“
Photo of -Luis
CTD’s classes have truly been life-changing. The knowledge and connections I’ve made as a student have opened doors previously closed to me and allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a web designer and developer.
-Luis
“
Photo of -Thane
I was ecstatic to join CTD. I’ve been teaching myself to code for a while and it feels like it finally paid off. I have had very few opportunities like this due to not finishing college–almost every internship requires that you be actively working on a degree. I’m very excited about the opportunities that I will have if I apply myself and do well in class.
-Thane

Typical Student Journey

Code the Dream offers free, intensive training in software development to people from diverse low-income backgrounds.

Journey Timeline
  • Apply for Classes
  • Apply
  • Request an application and then fill it out!
  • Submit Pre-Work
  • Find out if you like coding
  • Show us what you know: complete a coding assignment after a JavaScript drawing tutorial for Intro, or with your existing skills for Advanced
  • Intro Class
  • Learn the basics
  • Learn or strengthen your Javascript fundamentals.
  • Advanced Classes
  • Develop foundational mastery of a framework
  • Experienced students can bypass Intro. Choose Front End (React) or Back end (Rails or Node/Express).
  • Practicum
  • Build with a team
  • Develop an app with a small team of students; great for boosting your portfolio
  • Apply For An Apprenticeship
  • Apply to Code the Dream Labs
  • Graduates of our classes can apply to join our in-house dev shop. Application includes coding assessment. Spots are limited; Selection depends on space and funding available, in addition to skills.
  • Start Your Career
  • Get your first job in tech!
  • Get a great job in tech, and join the CTD Alumni Network.
  • Give Back
  • Pay it forward
  • Mentor and Donate to Code the Dream, giving others the same opportunity as you had!

Ready to Take the Next Step?

See our Courses
Apply Now
“
Photo of - Marice
I am so grateful to Code the Dream. I’ve had impostor syndrome all my life and thought I would never be able to fulfill my dreams of becoming a programmer. CTD has given me a second chance and it’s been so rewarding to learn a new and challenging skill in such a supportive environment.
– Marice

The Flipped Classroom Model

Code the Dream “flips” the traditional classroom model by having students engage with videos, articles, and assignments at home before getting hands-on practice in live group sessions. The goal of a flipped classroom is to make better use of class time by shifting passive learning outside of class and active learning into live sessions. This allows for all the flexibility students need – they can pause and rewatch videos, work ahead when they want, and find 1:1 mentor support if they need help.

Our Mentors

“
All the mentors are wonderful. Each one provides us with a different perspective, and they shine light on how we can improve our code. One-on-one sessions are especially beneficial for the specific skills we need.
– Amirhossein O.
Two Code the Dream staff review code on their laptops

Working Together

Some of the best learning happens in collaboration. CTD students work with mentors who help guide them through our classes. Our mentors are professional software developers who are knowledgeable and experienced in the tech sector, and they are passionate about teaching new programmers. 

Each week, students attend a 1:1 session with a mentor for individual support and a one-hour live group session with several other students to get collaborative practice.

“
Photo of - Rojina
Attending the mentor sessions and having one-on-one meetings with the mentors were some of the most valuable aspects of my CTD class experience. The organization has a great culture and everyone has a growth mindset. The mentors were extremely helpful and had solutions to the students’ concerns or problems. I appreciate the teamwork and culture that CTD fosters, and I believe it is vital for individuals from BIPOC and diverse backgrounds to become software developers, as this promotes inclusion and equality in the industry.
– Rojina

CTD Student Workload

Code the Dream understands the challenges of preparing for a new career while managing life and family.  CTD classes require 10-20 hours a week of coursework, including self-study, live sessions, and coding. Successful students manage their week by planning ahead to allow for several hours of uninterrupted focus time.

A Week in the Life of a CTD Student

Our program is flexible regarding when you attend live sessions and when you set up your own 1:1 appointments. Here’s one possible example of how a CTD student’s week might look. 

  • Wednesday, the first day of the CTD week: A new lesson is shared via Slack. Sign up for at least two live sessions this week; One or two one-hour-long sessions are offered each day covering the same material, so you can attend whichever fits your schedule. Review lesson materials and plan your week. Begin reflecting on the mindset questions in your homework.
  • Thursday: Begin reading and watching all class materials and video content on your own, coding as you go. Attend a live mentor session to help get your bearings on the course material.  Prepare questions in advance of the session.
  • Friday: Reach out on Slack to see if any other students want to work together this week. Finish reviewing all class videos and articles and begin coding your assignment.
  • Saturday: Continue to work on your coding assignment. Set up a 1:1 mentor appointment to get any questions answered. Finish your mindset questions.
  • Sunday: Attend another live mentor session to help with any coding assignment struggles. Reach out to other students to work together.
  • Monday: Meet 1:1 with a mentor if you have set up an appointment. Review any class material on your own as you complete your coding assignment. Double check it to make sure everything is working correctly.
  • Tuesday: Submit your coding assignment and your mindset assignment and get ready for the next lesson!

Frequently Asked Questions

Code the Dream offers a pathway to careers in technology for people 18+ who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue tech jobs.  Everyone, regardless of background, is welcome to apply, but we strongly encourage people under-represented in the tech industry to apply, including:

  • Individuals from low-income backgrounds
  • people of color
  • undocumented people and those with DACA status
  • immigrants and refugees
  • people from rural communities
  • women

Please note that classes are held in English, though students may organize study sessions in other commonly spoken languages like Spanish and Russian.

Code the Dream classes are completely free for students. (Yes, FREE!)

Our program is very resource-intensive and expensive to operate. We are constantly fundraising to make this program possible, and we depend on grants from foundations and donations from individuals to ensure we can keep our classes free.

Once you get a job, we will ask you to consider making an ongoing donation to Code the Dream to help make the same opportunity possible for other students.

Many coding bootcamps cost $10,000-$20,000. Others don’t charge you up front, but require a portion of your paycheck for many years after that. We do not require salary contributions, but we do hope you will remember Code the Dream once you land that high-paying tech job later! That’s the only way this program can continue.

All of Code the Dream’s classes are fully online. Our classes include self-study as well as live sessions. Class communication is through Slack.

Students receive all class materials via the class website for each weekly lesson, and are expected to watch videos and read articles on their own. 

Twice weekly, students join live group mentor sessions led by volunteer mentors. These sessions are offered every day at different times that are centered around that week’s lesson, so you can choose which group sessions are best for your schedule. Many are scheduled in the evenings, Eastern Time, but there are other options as well. In addition, students are expected to set up 1:1 mentor sessions that are scheduled at your convenience.

All classes are 18 weeks. At the end of each Advanced class, students join an 8-10 week Practicum, in which a small group of students create and deploy an app.

On average, most students spend 15-20 hours per week on the coursework. Students are required to attend two online mentor sessions each week. These are either small-group sessions or one-on-one sessions led by a volunteer experienced software developer.

Coding is not easy. It is frustrating and takes a lot of practice, as well as self-motivation to seek out help for the many challenges that will inevitably come. Our most successful students commit to the full 15-20 hours per week of work and take advantage of the additional resources CTD provides.

Starting from the beginning, students can complete the program in just under a year (4 ½ months of Intro class, 4 ½ months of Advanced class, 2 ½ months of Practicum, plus short breaks in between). The time is shorter if you are starting in an Advanced class, or longer if you repeat classes or take multiple Advanced classes.

  1. Request an application at codethedream.org/apply
  2. Complete the application.
  3. Complete the pre-work, including an extensive coding tutorial for Intro classes and submitting a coding assignment as part of your application. The coding tutorial is appropriate for complete beginners, but could take more than 20 hours to complete, simulating the weekly time you will need for CTD class work.

If you complete the pre-work satisfactorily (the rubric is very clear in the pre-work instructions), you have a very good chance of being accepted.

A pre-work assignment is required for both the Intro and the Advanced classes. If you know what an API is and you are somewhat familiar working with APIs, you should attempt the Advanced pre-work. If the assignment is too difficult for you, no problem, you can still submit the Intro pre-work. If you submit the Advanced pre-work and it’s clear you have some experience but you don’t quite qualify for the Advanced classes, we will automatically consider you for the Intro class. 

You cannot take both Intro and Advanced classes at the same time. If you qualify for the Advanced classes, you do not need to take the Intro class unless you want to strengthen your fundamentals (always good too!).

It is possible to take React.js and Node.js/Express at the same time, if you have almost 40 hours to devote to CTD classes, since they are both Javascript-based frameworks. However, we do not recommend taking Ruby on Rails and React at the same time.

If you successfully complete your final project in Intro, then yes, you are guaranteed a spot in the Advanced class. Similarly, if you successfully complete the Advanced project, you will automatically go into the Practicum.

Currently, all alumni receive a Job Seeker’s Toolkit and access to the CTD Alumni Network for additional events and networking opportunities. In the second half of 2024, we are excited to expand our career development support to students who complete the practicum. Code the Dream Apprentices receive six months of career development support during their apprenticeship.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

See our Courses
Apply Now

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