Omaha Code School: Highlander

This summer 16 high school students from north Omaha will be selected to join the Omaha Code School: Highlander summer code camp. You should be one of them.

As an Omaha Code School: Highlander student, you'll get to spend 8 weeks learning to build websites, getting your feet wet with computer programming, and making something cool.

Applications are Closed
  • June 6 - Aug 5 (with the week of July 4-8 off)
  • Monday - Friday • 9am - 3pm
  • Location: AIM Institute (Downtown)
Doug and Marshaye working away on a project Group of students throwing peace signs April and Sean working on a project
Check out projects and pictures from our first summer camp!

Omaha Code School: Highlander is a partnership between Omaha Code School and 75 North providing a free summer camp for North Omaha area high school students (focusing on the 68111) to learn to code.

With support from

Please contact us for sponsorship details.

  • Is this class for me?

    Probably. Here's our criteria to apply:

    • You are in high school right now.
    • You are at or near grade level in reading and writing
    • You use computers for a variety of purposes (Instagram, email, homework, etc.)
  • But my grades...

    We're really not that concerned about your grades. If you've got a couple of letters of recommendation and can complete the application, that'll matter more to us than how you do in school.

  • Okay, but still, I'm worried it'll be too hard for me.

    It'll be hard, no doubt. But we're here to support you. You'll have plenty of time to ask questions in a safe environment. We want you to learn, we were beginners before and we know it can take a few passes to actually get something.

    Look, if you get into the program, that'll show that we have faith in you -- you can count on that.

  • What kinds of things will I learn?

    At a high level, you'll learn how to build websites. You'll learn how the web works. If we're getting into the nitty-gritty, you'll be learning things like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Wordpress. You'll learn how to use tools like Git and FTP. If time allows we'll even get into databases. If all this doesn't mean anything to you, don't worry -- it will.

  • Students will receive:
    • A laptop (to keep)
    • 2 meals/day (breakfast & lunch)
    • Instruction
    • Mentorship
    • Field trips to local startups and businesses
    • An attendance-based stipend
  • Students will be expected to:
    • Treat instructors, mentors and each other with respect
    • Attend every class
    • Try
    • Treat the classroom with respect
    • Bring a sense of curiosity
    • Ask for help
  • A typical week will include:
    • Yoga
    • Meditation
    • Classroom-style instruction
    • Group work
    • One-on-one mentoring
    • Board Games
    • A field trip to visit local startups and businesses like Flywheel and First National Bank
    • An arts excursion -- a chance to go to an art show, a play, etc.
  • A typical day's schedule:
    • 9-9:30 - Breakfast, settling in
    • 9:30-12 - Lecture
    • 12-1 - Lunch, clean up
    • 1-3 - Project work

Omaha Code School: Highlander is a chance for you to explore a future version of yourself, learning and working with technology. A version of you that can be and do anything. Take a chance on yourself. Apply to Omaha Code School: Highlander and show us what you can do.

Learning these skills isn't just important for your future; it's important for our country's future. If we want America to stay on the cutting edge, we need young Americans like you to master the tools and technology that will change the way we do just about everything. That's why I'm asking you to get involved.

Don't just buy a new videogame; make one. Don't just download the latest app; help design it. Don't just play on your phone; program it. No one's born a computer scientist, but with a little hard work and some math and science, just about anyone can become one.

— President Barack Obama
What last year's students are saying
  • Highlander has helped me by strengthening my teamwork, leadership, and social skills. It has also taught me some new skills that I didn't know before, such as website building and networking skills.
  • For you Highlander students next year, I would really take this opportunity seriously and learn as much as you possibly can in that time. It will give you a large step ahead of others your age in every career area, not just programming.
  • It has impacted nearly every aspect of my year so far. First off, it gave me a really solid foundation to learning more about programming, and it gave me the tools and ability to expand even more. It also taught me about collaboration with others, and how to work and agree on ideas as a whole. Presenting our projects was also a great experience, and helped me with social skills. Learning basics of programming also gives you a whole new mindset, you begin to look at things differently. Even if you don't go into programming as a career, it can help you problem solve in any over career.
  • OCSH not only taught me programming but it helped me gain skills and have experiences that many teenagers never have or will. By visiting the countless businesses and having people currently in the field come talk to us, I feel as if I gained a much better idea of what it takes to become successful. In addition, being surrounded by other like-minded individuals in the program made me push myself and want to become not only a better programmer, but also to give 110% in every aspect of my life.OCSH is not only a great experience, but it introduced me to something that I hope becomes my career someday in the near future.
Application Timeline
  1. Apply Applications due 4/29/16 Fill out our short, online application and submit 2 letters of recommendation from teachers or members of your community
  2. Interview Selected applicants will be invited to an informal interview with Omaha Code School
  3. Commit Enrollment closes 5/13/16 We will admit students on a rolling basis. We have a tight timeline, so when we call, be ready to commit!
Applications are Closed