Apple has been expanding its coding classes for kids and even hinting at bringing the program to schools, and now the company is making good on its talk, expanding its Everyone Can Code initiative to nearly 500,000 kids in Chicago’s public schools according to a press release. “At Apple we believe coding is an essential skill, so we’ve designed Everyone Can Code to give everyone the power to learn, write and teach coding,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. Starting this spring, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago will expand Everyone Can Code curriculum and materials to reach students citywide, helping students build skills around coding and app development.
The schools will also offer Swift Coding Clubs as an after-school program, and 1871, One Summer Chicago and other Chicago-based businesses are offering internships to high school and college students who have completed the Everyone Can Code curriculum. “Coding is not just a critical skill in today’s economy, it is another outlet for students to expand their horizons and explore their creativity,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Everyone Can Code is an incredible opportunity for young people across Chicago to learn the language of the future, sharpen their minds and develop the skill sets needed to compete and win in the 21st century.”