The CodeHS road trip rolled through Florida, visiting a variety of schools to inspire students, connect with teachers, and explore the role of computer science education in shaping future innovators.
Stop 1: Beachside High School (St. Johns, FL)
The CodeHS team kicked off our Florida journey at Beachside High School, where we joined Jennifer Graham’s classroom for three interactive class periods, engaging with 120 students in total. Beachside’s IT Academy draws students passionate about programming and tech careers, creating an energizing environment for our visit. We started with an interactive Kahoot game and shared our journey in computer science, including stories about CodeHS and van life adventures, which students found fascinating. We then led a Python graphics coding challenge where students replicated the iconic pink van—complete with CodeHS pink van stickers as prizes. The activity sparked creativity and enthusiasm, with students sharing how much they enjoy learning on CodeHS.
Stop 2: Bartram Trail High School (St. Johns, FL)
Next, we visited Charles Moseley’s classroom at Bartram Trail High School. This school features a career academy model, where computer science is part of the Information Technology Academy. Students apply to these academies, creating a focused learning community. Again, we kicked off the visit with a Kahoot game and a presentation about our journey and CodeHS. We then toured the classroom, seeing students’ projects in progress—many were building their own web pages in our Web Design course. Students shared their positive experiences with CodeHS, emphasizing its impact on their learning. The visit highlighted the strong connection between career-focused education and computer science.
Stop 3: Baker County High School (Baker County, FL)
Our third stop took us to Baker County High School, a rural school with a high-performing computer science program. Students showcased their ambitious projects, including a full-scale human robot they were building and programming—a testament to their creativity and technical skills. We had great conversations about coding and the van, and the students’ curiosity made the visit particularly memorable.
Stop 4: Saint Edward’s School (South Beach, FL)
We started the new year with a visit to Saint Edward’s School, a pre-K–12 private school and a long-time pro customer of CodeHS. We connected with a diverse range of students: Senior AP students, 3rd graders learning Scratch, and middle schoolers participating in an Hour of Code session. Despite being the first day back from winter break, the energy was high, and the teachers were thrilled to host us. This visit was a fantastic way to kick off 2025.
Stop 5: The Village School of Naples (North Naples, FL)
In Naples, we visited The Village School, another pre-K–12 private school. The computer science class consisted of a small group of high school boys who engaged in a lively discussion about AI in the workplace. While some students admitted they joined the class for AP credit, we encouraged them to explore coding further, sparking curiosity about its potential. After the session, they gave us surfing recommendations—a perfect way to unwind before the next day of visits.
Stop 6: Dunbar High School (Fort Myers, FL)
Dunbar High School was a full day of excitement, with visits to three teachers and six classes. Belinda Bell, a Pro teacher, shared her incredible van life experiences with her husband over lunch—a fun exchange of tips and stories. Another teacher, Mr. P, facilitated engaging discussions on AI, degrees, certifications, and the motivations behind learning to code. Dunbar is a tech leader in its county, offering a wide range of courses from game design and web design to cybersecurity and software engineering. The students’ curiosity and energy made this visit unforgettable.
Stop 7: Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy (Lakewood Ranch, FL)
Our final stop in Florida was at Lakewood Ranch Prep, where I spoke to two classes of freshmen enrolled in the Picasso Web Design course. The students were attentive, respectful, and curious—especially about AI. Their questions highlighted widespread misconceptions fueled by social media, reinforcing the need for more education on AI in schools. This visit was a fitting conclusion to our time in Florida, and I’ll definitely miss the warm weather.
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Want CodeHS to visit your school?
We're well into the road trip and excited to visit even more schools along the way! You can still request a visit for the CodeHS team to make a stop at your school on the road trip. If you’re interested, request a visit here codehs.com/roadtrip.
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