Real code.
Real projects.
I'm Marcos Hope,the founder of HopeCoders. We are a private coding & game dev tutors for all ages across the LA area. No classroom, no pressure: your student and us sit down somewhere comfortable and build something real, every session.
Libraries, cafes & community centers near you — or online.
Someone took a chance on me.
Hi, I'm Marcos Hope, the founder of HopeCoders. I was doing poorly in school when someone gave me a chance and taught me computer science. It changed the direction of my life, and HopeCoders is how I pass that chance on.
I meet students wherever they actually are: a kid who's never written a line of code, a teen who wants their Unity game on itch.io, or a student fighting through AP CS A. We work in public spaces your family already knows, like public libraries, community centers, cafes, or your own home, because comfortable students learn faster.
Safe hands. Real programmers.
Before anyone teaches your student, they're background checked, fingerprinted and drug tested.
Every coach is vetted.
- Background checked & fingerprinted
Every coach passes a fingerprint-based criminal background check before they teach a single session.
- Drug tested
Every coach is drug tested before they start working with students.
- Trained to keep kids safe
Coaches complete California's mandated-reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse, as state law requires of anyone working with kids.
- Places you can see into
Sessions happen in public spaces like libraries and community centers, at your home by arrangement, or online over Zoom. You're always welcome to sit in.
Real programmers, not script readers.
Our coaches write code themselves. Every one brings at least one of these:
- .workProfessional experience writing software
- .degreeA degree in computer science or a related field
- .certsIndustry certifications
- .schoolCurrently studying computer science
Want to know more about the coach who'd teach your student? Ask us and we'll share their education, teaching experience and work history before you book. Our safety policy.
Pick your language. Or try them all.
From a first Scratch project to shipping a Unity game, every path starts with a single session.
Three steps. That's it.
Sessions run 1–1.5 hours, in-person or over Zoom, whatever works for your family.
We find a spot near you
A public library, community center, cafe, or your own home by arrangement, anywhere in the LA area, somewhere your student already feels comfortable. Or skip the drive and meet online.
You pick your format
1-on-1 for full attention, or 2-on-1 with a friend or sibling. In-person or online, whatever fits your family's week.
We start building
Sessions run 1–1.5 hours, writing real code from day one. After every session you get a recap: what we built, and what's next.
Parents love us. Kids brag about us.
Don't take our word for it, here's what HopeCoders families say after a few sessions.
“My son went from playing video games all day to BUILDING one. He counts down the days to his next session.”
“Patient, encouraging, and actually fun. My daughter used to say coding was 'too hard', now she's teaching ME Python.”
“I was failing AP CS A. After two months of sessions I got an A on my final project and actually understand recursion now.”
“We tried the big online coding academies first. This is different, real attention, real projects, and my kid feels heard.”
“I trained an AI to recognize my drawings!! Coolest thing I've ever made and I want to show everyone.”
“The free intro call sold us. They listened to what our son wanted to build and had a plan by the end of the call.”
Simple, honest rates.
Buy sessions one at a time or save with a pack. No contracts, no surprises.
1-on-1 In-Person
Full attention, fastest progress.
- 4-pack$300 save $20
- 8-pack$600 save $40
- Session length1–1.5 hrs
2-on-1 In-Person
Bring a friend or sibling, learning together is twice the fun.
- 4-pack$240 save $40
- 8-pack$480 save $80
- Session length1–1.5 hrs
* No laptop? No problem, a device is provided if the student doesn't have one.
FAQ
Everything else, just ask, hopecoders.us@gmail.com or (562) 418-3912.
Perfect, that's most of my students. We start wherever they are: young kids usually begin with Scratch, older students with Python, and from the very first session they're building something real instead of watching slides.
Yes. Every coach passes a fingerprint-based criminal background check and a drug test before they work with any student, and completes California's mandated-reporter training on child safety. Sessions happen in public spaces, at your home by arrangement, or online, and you're always welcome to sit in.
An experienced programmer. Every coach has professional software experience, a degree in computer science or a related field, industry certifications, or is currently studying computer science. Ask us about your student's coach and we'll share their education, teaching experience and work history before you book. More about our coaches.
In welcoming spaces around the LA area: public libraries, community centers, coffee shops and cafes, or your own home by arrangement. We pick a spot near you together before the first session, and we always confirm the location ahead of each meeting. Online sessions happen over Zoom with screen sharing.
Yes, we do. Online sessions run over Zoom with screen sharing: 1-on-1 for $75 per session, or 2-on-1 for $65 per student.
Just give 24 hours notice and we'll reschedule, no charge. No-shows are charged 50% of the session fee, and arriving 15+ minutes late means the session still ends on time with the full fee. Full details on the policies page.
No, if your student doesn't have one, a device is provided for sessions at no extra cost. If they do have one, we'll use it so their projects live on their own machine.
You'll receive an invoice within 7 days of each session (or at the start of a 4- or 8-session package), and payment is due within 7 days of the invoice. Unused package sessions are refundable at the single-session rate minus a $10 admin fee with 48 hours notice.
Yes! 2-on-1 sessions are great for friends or siblings: $70 per student in person, $65 per student online. Both students work on the same track so nobody gets left behind.
All ages, every skill level. Kindergarteners drag-and-drop in Scratch; high schoolers ship Unity games, prep for AP CS A, or build college portfolios; adults pick up Python, finish a side project, or retrain for a new job. Sessions are tuned to the student, not a curriculum.
Ready to run your first program?
The next step takes five minutes: a free intro call. We'll talk about your student's goals, answer every question, and map out the perfect starting point. No commitment, no sales pitch, just a plan.
(562) 418-3912call us · we answer fast