FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified’s Dorothy Grant and Chaparral elementary schools have begun the process of becoming Code to the Future schools, which offer immersive computer science curriculum for students in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade.

When the schools implement the new curriculum in the 2018-19 school year, they will become the first Code to the Future schools in the Inland Empire.

Code to the Future – the nation’s leading creator of immersive computer science curricula – will engage Chaparral and Grant students in technology- and coding-based lessons integrated into daily instruction and core subjects.

“Our students have already breezed through the coding opportunities they’ve had so far and I am excited to see what they can accomplish with the more rigorous curriculum Code the Future will provide,” Chaparral Principal Dr. Andrea McClain said. “This new program will change our children’s lives.”

As part of the District’s ongoing efforts to provide college- and career-prep opportunities, Grant and Chaparral have already begun to expand science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) instruction.

Grant provides six-week STEAM lessons, held three times a year to challenge high-achieving students with curriculum above their grade level.

“Keeping school hands-on and engaging is pivotal to student success and Code to the Future promises to deliver curriculum that does just that,” Grant Elementary Principal Anne-Marie Cabrales said. “By the end of fifth grade, all students should be literate in coding using JavaScript, essentially making them bilingual, or trilingual if they’re English learners. That is an exciting idea and we cannot wait to see it come to life.”
Code to the Future will collaborate with teachers to mesh coding, computational thinking and use of algorithms into lessons. The group will also provide the schools with coaching support and materials to assist in teaching computer science concepts.

The Code to the Future lessons also will introduce students to concepts they will explore more deeply at career academies in development for Fontana Unified’s comprehensive high schools.

“Fontana Unified is committed to creating lifelong learners who are equipped for success beyond our schools,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “We are thrilled to provide our elementary students with additional opportunities for lasting personal and professional success through Code to the Future’s computer science immersion program.”