Austin Coding Academy

If you want to know what it's like to be a developer this environment can prepare you. If you just want "new skills" you may not be satisfied with this format.

Personally, I wanted some new skills but wanted an environment to gain the "full stack" experience.... Read More Admittedly and in full disclosure I took this class twice. The second time was so rewarding to finally "get it". Note: It is not necessary to take this class twice and that is where I will focus my review.

This is a "part-time" class but you must expect to put in a lot of work to be successful. I did not prepare myself skill wise nor time wise to be successful the first time. If you know up front that you have to really put in time, effort and that this is not a "completion" type of class you will be very successful.

To better prepare for my second attempt, I attended several JavaScript workshops to brush up on my fundamentals. It's so important to understand JavaScript fundamental concepts especially Objects; how to access and loop them. While you will be taught these concepts knowledge of them is a huge advantage. If you take 211 before 311 you should be ok. Otherwise, just make sure you are solid on JS fundamentals and Objects. Not taking 211 makes 311 more difficult but not impossible. If you are wanting to become a full stack developer take all 3 classes and trust the process.

The prices is super affordable by comparison to others camps. The job assistance is outstanding. The TAs & Instructors are genuine, knowledgeable and there to help you be successful.

I started 311 after attending another part-time "boot camp" in town. I was weary about attending another school that would teach me the same things so I jumped into 311. What a mistake! I was not prepared and we covered my 8 week boot camp in the first... Read More 2 weeks. Fortunately ACA allowed me to move to 211 which was more appropriate for my skill level.

211 is loaded with small and doable projects. While we covered the expected JavaScript concepts we actually learned deeper trade skills like node, npm, git & app testing. With so many "online" options it's easy to plop down $25/mo on a subscription and watch videos. However, without peer review, instructor feedback, knowledge transfer of industry best practices and deadlines the online route may prove difficult; it was difficult for me.

As for ACA & 211 be prepared to work. The class is "part-time" but the workload is real. You get what you put into the course. If you only do 1/2 the work that's what you will learn, incomplete skills. However, if you put in the time and effort you are equally met by the instructors and TA who are great! The TAs who are selected from prior student classes, they know what it's like to be in your shoes and know the pitfalls of the course/projects. With there assistance the learning curve is shortened.

I don't have many Cons other than expectations. The class times are very convenient and this is "part-time". However, you must plan for plenty of time to work on your projects which I don't think was very clear when I started. If the class is "easy", push yourself. If the class is "hard", it's supposed to be and trust the process. If it's impossible talk to you TA and Instructor!!! Everyone wants you to succeed, it's not a facade. If you just want to watch videos go the online route. However, if you really want to know what it's like to be employed as a JavaScript developer ACA can prepare you.

ACA was a great option for me, as it was (still is?) the only program in Austin that allowed me to continue working while I started learning about Web Development. I came into the program with almost no programming experience and left with the foundation... Read More I needed to begin seeking out a position as a React developer. The instructors and program coordinators here work their butts off helping students through every step of the way - even after you graduate, they give you the opportunity to gain some experience as a Teaching Assistant, or intern with a company partner they've sourced. I had a great experience at ACA, and would recommend it to anyone interested in breaking into the industry.

ACA has been an absolutely great experience. The teachers, TA's and administration are all excellent and I have loved every minute of it. They really take the time to not only teach you the skills needed to become a js developer, but also focus on what... Read More it takes to find and get a job.

Absolutely worth every penny!!!

ACA was everything I was hoping for, the staff always made themselves available for help and consistently checked in on each students progress. If the coursework seemed overwhelming they made sure to assist us and if we were eager to learn more outside... Read More the curriculum they made extra material available, too. While taking many online programming courses I encountered issues that would have been easily resolved with the kind of support ACA offered. I am very satisfied with my experience and will recommend ACA to anyone that is interested in learning to code.

When I began my journey with the Austin Coding Academy , I had some previous experience with software development from university, but nothing covering web development. I was looking for a school that fit my schedule and budget where I could learn more... Read More modern web development frameworks. After touring what was close to every coding school in the Austin Area, the ACA emerged the clear best fit for me. I could continue to work full time and attend classes at night. Course work was exactly what I was looking for, the teachers and TA's will cater the lessons to the individual, so whether you learn fast and can handle more of a challenge , or take your time, the curriculum isn't going anywhere without you.

The facilities are worth noting here as well. Located in the Omni in downtown Austin, you will be in center of it all while you attend class. Students will also have access to the kitchen where food and snacks are stocked and kept fresh.

Current students and alumni are encouraged to stay connected and attend meet up events hosted by tech companies in Austin, compete in hack-a-thon events and just be apart of the Austin tech community. Information will go out every week about new events taking place or possibly new developments in the programming world. (I.E new frameworks or updates to existing tech)

All in all I recommend the ACA for anyone and everyone who is interested in learning to code. Whether you're looking for a career change or you noticed how much of the world around you is built by programmers and thought to yourself ' I want to know more about this' , or maybe you have an idea for a new app!, the ACA is a great place to start.

I was completely overwhelmed by the number of options I had when I was shopping for a code school. When I expressed my frustration to a good friend of mine who is also in Tech, without hesitation, she replied, 'That's easy - Austin Coding Academy. I know... Read More them well, and you should definitely talk to them.'

After banging my head against the proverbial wall with online courses and having nowhere to to turn when I was stuck (which inevitably happens), I was pretty sure that I wanted an in person learning experience. BUT, since I'm a grown up and all, quitting my job to do an immersive program was not an option. So for starters, let me help you narrow your search - Austin Coding Academy is the ONLY in person, part time coding school in Austin.

Aside from that, even if you DO decide to pursue the online program, here are a few things to consider:

1) Austin Coding Academy's curriculum is the product of intense collaboration between seasoned developers AS WELL as seasoned, professional adult educators

2) Austin Coding Academy's instructors are all currently working in the industry (and a number of them are successful products of the ACA program) - they know their stuff and they know it as it's happening TODAY.

3) The community both inside and outside of the classroom cannot be overstated. Because we are all stretching our minds on an INTENSE schedule, TOGETHER - we have come to support each other, HELP each other, challenge each other, and yes in some cases, we drink together .... the community is a BIG part of the learning experience and is reflected in ACA's roots - born and bred right here in ATX.

I'm just over half way through the program and I'm already being approached by recruiters. ACA lives inside the Capital Factory - right in the middle of the Tech scene in Austin - with plenty of visibility. Whether you are considering C# or JavaScript, the instructors, the curriculum, the structure, and the community have to be experienced in person. So come down to Capital Factory for an evening and kick it with us. See how we learn. See how we grow. See how we are doing it TOGETHER.

Coding isn't for everyone but ACA is for every that wants to code. This rigorous program teaches you from the floor up of HTML markup through styling with CSS , programming with Javascript and dynamically rendered website with the latest libraries and... Read More frameworks. Seriously, you can keep a full time job through this course but you're going to want to quit it soon and find a programming job.

I started the program in October because I found myself lost in self-teaching on the web and upon graduation I am am working with libraries and techniques senior devs tell me they have just started learning. The teachers at ACA are amazingly knowledgeable, approachable, demanding and cutting-edge with their classes. I am thoroughly happy with my education and am only sad to say its over and now it comes down to my work.

If you are thinking about programming, just go for it and don't hesitate with ACA. Their entire staff is constantly available, provide office hours and are constantly evolving their curriculum. ACA is where its at!!