Code Nation

Code Nation equips students in under-resourced high schools with the skills, experiences, and connections that together create access to careers in technology. Our vision is for youth in low-income circumstances and from under-represented backgrounds in tech to have equitable access to a career in their local tech sector, where they can realize economic security and lend their unique perspective to building our future.

With a volunteer teaching corps that includes hundreds of professional web and software developers and a network of high school and company partners, Code Nation provides a multi-year coding education and career preparation program scaffolded to serve youth throughout high school with continued supports during college and into the early years of their careers.

Since our founding in 2012, Code Nation has supported over 6,000 young people in New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago to explore and prepare for careers in technology. Code Nation Fellowship alumni are 8x more likely than their peers to pursue a career in STEM. 67% are currently majoring or employed in a STEM field. More than 50% are currently studying Computer Science or already working in the tech industry.

Code Nation Chicago launched in 2019 is quickly expanding its local reach and impact, building critical bridges between the city’s tech sector and CPS high schools. We are on track to an ambitious goal of reaching 1,000+ students yearly across 25+ high schools by 2025, cultivating a robust pipeline for Chicago’s next generation of tech talent and leadership.