ThoughtCraft Studios — CS & AI After-School Program for High Schoolers

Why CS + AI

Serious skill-building. Joyful learning.

ThoughtCraft isn't a bootcamp and it isn't arts-and-crafts. It's a thoughtfully designed after-school program where high schoolers build real computer science skills through exploration, curiosity, and hands-on problem-solving.

Parents want their students future-ready. Students want to make things that matter. We deliver both — with a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, and genuinely fun to be part of.

Schedule a Free Intro Call →

🎯

Creativity lives inside CS

We don't separate creativity from technical rigor. Building a game, designing an app, or solving a real-world problem — all of it demands both imagination and precise thinking.

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Exploration is how students actually learn

Students don't just follow tutorials — they experiment, break things, and figure out why. That's how real engineers learn, and it's how ThoughtCraft teaches.

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Inquiry over passive instruction

Students question, test hypotheses, and debug their own thinking — developing the analytical mindset that serves them in every subject and career, not just CS.

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A genuine head start for college & careers

AI literacy and coding fluency are rapidly becoming as foundational as writing. Students who understand how technology is built — not just how to use it — have a distinct edge.

The Three Pillars

What we actually teach — and why it matters.

Every session is built around three interconnected skill sets that form the foundation of modern CS and AI fluency. They're not separate tracks — they reinforce each other in every project.

Pillar 01

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Problem-Solving & Computational Thinking

Students learn to break down complex problems, think algorithmically, and debug systematically. These skills show up in math, science, and every field your student might pursue — not just computer science.

Algorithmic thinking Debugging mindset Problem decomposition Logic & reasoning

Pillar 02

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Learning to Code Through Exploration

Students don't follow step-by-step tutorials — they experiment, build, and discover. With guided support, they move from fundamentals to real Python or JavaScript, driven by projects they genuinely care about.

Python & JavaScript Hands-on projects Self-directed learning Build & ship

Pillar 03

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AI & Machine Learning Literacy

AI is reshaping every field. Students learn how AI models actually work, where they go wrong, how to use them responsibly — and how to think critically about outputs rather than taking them at face value.

How AI works Responsible use ML concepts Prompt engineering

Skills & Outcomes

What students actually walk away with.

Each session builds toward a bigger picture: students who can think clearly, build confidently, and understand the technology shaping their world.

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Real coding skills

Python, Java, and/or JavaScript fundamentals — variables, loops, functions, APIs — built through projects that are actually interesting to the student.

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Debugging confidence

Students learn to read error messages, isolate problems, and fix their own code. A skill that translates directly to every technical field.

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Algorithmic thinking

Breaking big problems into small, solvable steps — the core mental model behind every great programmer, data scientist, and engineer.

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AI literacy

How machine learning models are trained, where they go wrong, and how to use AI tools thoughtfully — not just passively.

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Shipped projects

Students don't just learn — they build. Games, apps, tools, websites. Real output they can put in a portfolio or college application.

Why this matters

A real advantage for college & beyond

CS and AI literacy are quickly becoming as foundational as reading and writing. Students who understand how technology is built — not just how to use it — will have a meaningful edge in college applications, internships, and careers across every field.

Who It's For

Made for students at every level.

Whether your student has never written a line of code or already dabbles in Python, ThoughtCraft meets them exactly where they are, and challenges them to go further.

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Complete beginners

No experience needed. We start with the fundamentals and build from there at a pace that feels right for each individual student.

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Some experience, wants to level up

Already done Scratch or a bit of Python? We'll deepen skills, tackle harder problems, and push into AI concepts and real-world projects.

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AI-curious students

Fascinated by ChatGPT and wondering what's actually under the hood? We'll give real answers — and teach students to build with it responsibly.

Meet the Instructor

Priscilla Cancar

10+ Years at the intersection of Computer Science & Education

Priscilla has spent over a decade at the intersection of technology and education — as a computer science educator, a product manager at EdTech startups, a UX researcher, and a web developer. She's seen how technology gets built from the inside, and she brings that real-world perspective into every session.

She works closely with each student, paying attention to how they think and learn. What excites them. What challenges them. Where they surprise themselves. Her goal isn't to push students through a curriculum — it's to help them discover what they're actually capable of building.

Through hands-on projects — coding interactive games, working with AI tools, exploring datasets — students begin to see technology not as something to fear or just consume, but as a medium for creating things that matter to them.

"I’m not trying to turn every student into a software engineer. I’m helping them get comfortable with coding, hard problems, mistakes, and messy drafts ... in programming and in thinking. When students see that they can experiment, debug, and still make progress, they carry that confidence into everything else they do."
— Priscilla Cancar

Offerings

Find the right fit for your student.

Whether you want to try it out or commit to a full year of growth, there's a path that works for every schedule and goal.

Events & Workshops

Not ready for a package? Start with a workshop.

Group sessions designed for classrooms, clubs, and student teams. Topics range from Intro to AI and Python basics to creative coding showcases. Flexible formats, customizable content, and school partnerships available.

🏫 In-person & virtual 🎯 Customizable topics 🤝 School partnerships 📅 One-time or recurring

Inquire About Events →

Pricing varies by format & group size

Session Packages

Quick Start

5-Session Pack

$295

5 weekly sessions · 60 min each

A focused intro to CS and AI concepts. Perfect for exploring whether ThoughtCraft is the right fit, or for a targeted skill boost in a short window.

1-on-1 with Priscilla, every session
Coding fundamentals & AI tools intro
A personalized mini-project to keep
Progress summary at end of pack

Get started

Build Momentum

10-Session Pack

$549

10 weekly sessions · 60 min each

Go deeper into a skill area or ship a real mini-project. Ten sessions is enough time to develop genuine fluency and see meaningful, tangible progress.

1-on-1 with Priscilla, every session
Structured skill progression
Build and ship a real project
Mid-point and final check-ins
Great prep for AP CS or college apps

Get started

Full-Year Program

$2,800

~36 sessions · full academic year

Limited spots available

The complete ThoughtCraft experience. All three pillars across the full year — personalized to your student's interests, pace, and goals.

All three CS + AI pillars
Fully personalized curriculum
Multiple real projects throughout the year
Flexible weekly scheduling
Quarterly progress check-ins
College portfolio support

Apply for a spot

⭐ Signature

Full-Year + Creative Project

From $3,400

Full year + a student-directed capstone

Everything in the Full-Year Program, plus a deep-dive capstone project tied to your student's passions — a game, an app, a data tool, or an AI project they design from scratch.

All Full-Year Program benefits
Dedicated capstone project track
Student-directed topic & scope
Presentation coaching
Showcase-ready final project
Ideal for college applications

Learn more

FAQ

Questions parents usually ask.

Does my student need prior coding experience?

Not at all. ThoughtCraft welcomes complete beginners and students with some background alike. Sessions are fully personalized, so your student will be challenged at exactly the right level from day one.

What grade levels is this designed for?

ThoughtCraft is designed for students in grades 7–12 (ages 12–18). Content is calibrated for high school maturity and pace. Exceptions for advanced middle schoolers can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Are sessions in-person or virtual?

Sessions are virtual via video call. Reach out to discuss what works best for your family's schedule.

How long are sessions and how often do they meet?

Sessions are 60 minutes each, meeting once a week. Scheduling is flexible and coordinated directly with Priscilla to fit your student's existing commitments.

Can my student try a session before committing?

Yes — start with a free 20-minute discovery call to see if it's a good fit. From there, the 5-Session Pack is the lowest-commitment way to experience the full program before deciding on a longer track.

How does the Full-Year + Creative Project add-on work?

On top of the regular curriculum, students work on a self-directed capstone project throughout the year — something tied to their own interests (music, sports, art, science) that they design, build, and present at year's end. Ideal for college portfolios.

What programming languages do students learn?

Most students start in Python, the leading language for AI and data science. Students preparing for AP Computer Science can work in Java, while those interested in web development can focus on JavaScript. We choose the right language based on each student’s goals and interests.

How is this different from an online course or bootcamp?

ThoughtCraft is 1-on-1 with a real, experienced educator who adapts to your student in real time. No pre-recorded videos, no generic curriculum. Sessions are personalized, conversational, and grounded in problem-solving.

Code boldly.
Think Deeply.
Create Fearlessly.