Be the Spark That Starts the Next Saria’s Journey

When Saria was in 4th grade, “computer science” wasn’t something Baltimore kids were expected to learn. That year, a Code in the Schools instructor walked into her classroom and introduced her to the power of code — not as something distant, but as a creative tool she could command.

That spark set her on a pathway that Code in the Schools helped build — from curiosity to confidence to career. She nurtured that spark by participating in the Girls in CS Summit, a cornerstone event that inspires young students to explore technology.

By high school, guided by a teacher who also served as a Code in the Schools professional learning facilitator, Saria was developing her own app, winning the Congressional App Challenge, and showing that Baltimore’s young people are innovators, not just consumers, of technology.

Saria entered college with a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, but internship opportunities were still hard to find. Her journey came full circle through Code in the Schools’ CodeWorks+ internship program, where she joined a Baltimore-based tech company, contributing code that will soon be part of a product launching next year.

Saria isn’t an exception. She’s the future of Baltimore’s tech workforce — if we invest now.

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Building Bridges to Baltimore’s Future

At Code in the Schools, we’re building bridges from classrooms to careers — empowering Baltimore City youth to gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive in the 21st-century economy.

Your support fuels that journey. Every gift helps a student move from curiosity to confidence, from learning about technology to leading with it. Together, we can Be the Bridge that connects talent to opportunity and potential to impact.

Hear what our community is saying about us!

For the Giving Season this year we are highlighting not only our impact, but also those that Code in the Schools programming has impacted. Check out the highlights below from our students, parents, and alumni to hear their thoughts on Code in the Schools.

  • "I'm so grateful for programs like Code in the Schools because I would never have gotten introduced or fallen in love with the industry like I do now."

    Kamora Adejo, Wellesley College Student, Summer ‘24 CodeWorks Alum

  • "Although both their parents are artists, our boys are passionate about math and science. We listened to what they wanted, and they were never happier than when they came home from here."

    Gary Huck,CodeWorks & Prodigy Parent

  • "When I started Prodigy, I was kinda interested in computers, but it wasn't such a big focus, but now that I've taken it, I would like to incorporate it into a career in Marine Biology."

    Nathaniel King, 9th Grade, Bard High School Early College, Prodigy Program & CodeWorks Alum

  • "Code in the Schools is a place where kids can really be themselves. They get to explore their creativity, show off their projects, and try new things—all with teachers who truly care and make learning feel exciting and fun."

    David Gatewood, Instructor and Code in the Schools Alum