Founded in 2023. Still planned, written and taught by students.
Why we started
Challenger Coding started in the summer of 2023 as a weekly Scratch class for younger students in Sammamish. It is still taught entirely by high schoolers.
There are now 6 courses — Scratch, Python and Java, each with a second level — running 6–8 weeks, and the Python and Java tracks end with a project students build themselves. All of it is on this site, free, with no account needed.
- Founded
- Summer 2023, by Jaden Tang and Aadi Saraf
- Where
- Sammamish, WA
- Students
- 3,000+ taught since 2023
- Courses
- 6, across Scratch, Python and Java
- Length
- 6–8 weekly lessons each
- Cost
- Free. All 46 lessons readable without an account.
- Run by
- Four students, named below
Co-founder, 2023
Jaden Tang
Jaden and Aadi Saraf started Challenger Coding in the summer of 2023, after looking for coding lessons aimed at younger learners and finding almost nothing written for them. Jaden started coding in third grade, with Scratch.
He has since learned several languages, earned the Microsoft Intro to Java Programming certification, scored a 5 on the AP Computer Science A exam, and worked on AI research.
With extensive tutoring experience, Jaden is dedicated to breaking down barriers of educational access. Outside Challenger Coding he plays soccer and piano.
Who runs it now
Aadi Saraf
Leads Challenger Coding's curriculum, strategic expansion, and partnerships, helping grow our impact while maintaining a high-quality learning experience.
Pranav Prasanna Venkatesh
Supports leadership across every program and helps coordinate our instructional initiatives.
Jeswanth Battula
Manages outreach and communications, building partnerships with schools, families, and sponsors.
Miheer Pandya
Maintains the website and the digital platforms that deliver our lessons and resources.