City public elementary schools to teach students computer science
Source: Ben Chapman

Some of the youngest city school kids will be getting some high-tech lessons this fall.

A dozen elementary schools will launch new computer science classes starting in September, Mayor de Blasio said Wednesday.

The schools will teach computer science basics such as coding, robotics and programming, bringing the total number of elementary schools in the city’s Software Engineering Program to 23 schools in all five boroughs.

De Blasio called the program a cornerstone of his 10-year Computer Science for All plan to boost public schools offerings in science, technology, engineering and math – better known as STEM.



The mayor vowed to provide every city student with computer science classes by 2025 when he unveiled his $81 million Computer Science for All plan in September 2015. (kali9/Getty Images)

“Computer Science for All – particularly at the elementary school level – is an investment in our future,” de Blasio said. “We are ensuring that our kids have the skills they need to be the next generation of creators and leaders.”

The mayor vowed to provide every city student with computer science classes by 2025 when he unveiled his $81 million Computer Science for All plan in September 2015.

Other new programs that have been rolled out in the public schools under the plan include advanced placement classes in computer science for high schools and three-year software engineering course sequences for middle school kids.