Why We Built Coder’s Clubhouse in Edina
Nov 25, 2025
5 minutes
As parents in Edina, Katie and I want what every parent in our community wants: to prepare our kids for the brightest possible future. We want them to grow up confident, capable, and ready for a world where technology is woven into every job, every classroom, and every opportunity.
But like many families in Edina, we kept running into the same uncomfortable truth: Minnesota is dead last in the nation for Computer Science education. And that means our kids — and yours — aren’t getting the foundational tech skills students in other states take for granted.
This isn’t just something we “felt.” It's backed by real data:
MPR News reports Minnesota “ranked last in the nation… only 28% of high schools offered computer science courses, compared to 57% nationwide.”
MnTech states that Minnesota is “50th out of 50 states” in foundational computer science course access.
The Star Tribune confirms that only 21% of Minnesota high schools offer any computer science courses at all — the lowest in the country.
As Edina parents, reading those numbers hit us hard. We looked at our own kids and realized: if we don’t take action, they won’t be prepared for the world they’re growing up into — and neither will many of their classmates, neighbors, cousins, and friends across our community.
That was the moment Coder’s Clubhouse started to take shape.
We Built Coder’s Clubhouse Because We Needed It — And We Knew Other Families Did Too
Before this became a business, it was a solution we were building for our own children.
We wanted a place where kids could learn real skills, not just “tech days.”
We wanted calm, structured classrooms with patient instructors who genuinely understand kids.
We wanted a supportive environment where Edina families would feel at home.
And because it mattered so deeply to us, we brought our professional backgrounds to the table:
Katie is a former teacher and tutor, with years of experience helping kids learn at their own pace and in the way that works best for them. She understands how to support neurodivergent learners, how to build confidence, and how to create classrooms where kids feel safe exploring new ideas.
I’m a veteran software engineer and cybersecurity expert, with over 20 years of experience at companies like Microsoft and multiple AI software companies. I’ve seen firsthand how critical coding, digital literacy, and computational thinking have become — not just for careers in tech, but for nearly every profession.
Coder’s Clubhouse was built with heart and expertise — a blend of education, engineering, and real-world experience that we felt our own kids deserved.
Filling the Gap Minnesota Schools Can’t Fill Yet
Because Minnesota schools still struggle to offer consistent, structured computer science pathways, Coder’s Clubhouse steps in to ensure our kids don’t fall behind.
Programs Designed for Every Child in Our Edina Community
We created multiple learning pathways so families can choose what fits their child best:
Path Program
The Path Program is the core learning journey at Coder’s Clubhouse — a long-term, structured pathway where kids build real coding and STEM skills step by step, level by level. Designed for ages 9 and up, Path is built around steady progress, clear milestones, and a sense of accomplishment that grows week after week.
Students begin with Scratch and Micro:bit and advance into HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, Flask, MySQL, and even AI tools. Each level lasts around six months, and students learn at their own pace with direct instructor support. Every session blends animated video lessons, hands-on coding, and a final activity where kids apply what they learned.
The quiet, sound-dampened labs help kids focus — especially neurodivergent learners. As they move through the levels, they earn XP, streaks, badges, medals, and certificates, giving them a fun, game-like sense of progress while building real technical confidence.
Makerspace Program
The Makerspace Program gives kids the chance to become hands-on inventors. Students explore 3D printing, robotics, soldering, electronics, engineering tools, crafting materials, and real-world building techniques in a guided, supportive environment. Kids rotate through curated projects that stretch their creativity and problem-solving skills — from designing custom 3D models to building circuits to experimenting with robotics kits.
Every project is built to grow confidence, patience, and resilience. Whether a child is artistic, analytical, or naturally curious, Makerspace gives them the chance to create something real with their own hands — something they can take home, talk about, and be proud of.
Grace Hopper Program
The Grace Hopper Program is a mentorship experience designed exclusively for high school students who are ready to go beyond classroom learning. Teens work with local businesses, instructors, and mentors to contribute to real-world coding and STEM projects — building confidence, gaining professional experience, and creating portfolio-quality work.
This program prepares students for college, internships, future careers, and leadership roles in tech. It’s designed to help older students stand out in college applications and develop skills they’ll use long after graduation.
Minnesota May Rank Last — But Our Kids Don’t Have To
Here’s the truth:
We built Coder’s Clubhouse for our kids. We’re sharing it because your kids deserve the same opportunities.
Edina families care deeply about education and community. Coder’s Clubhouse is our way of giving our neighborhood the future-focused learning environment Minnesota simply hasn’t provided yet.
If you’re ready to future-proof your child — and give them confidence that will carry them into high school, college, and beyond — we’d love to welcome your family.
👉 Explore programs at codersclubhouse.com
👉 Learn more about Grace Hopper at codersclubhouse.com/grace-hopper
Together, we can give our children the future Minnesota isn’t preparing them for yet — right here in Edina.
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