Course & Paths
Every LabCats student starts somewhere and builds from there. Here's how the courses connect — and where you fit in depending on your age, experience, and goals.
// Where do I start?
Not sure where to being?
You don't have to start at the beginning. Most younger students work through the full path over several years. Older students often jump in further along.
Brand New to Coding
Never written a line of code? Start with How to Build a Website. You'll build something real on day one.
Know Some Basics
Comfortable with HTML and CSS? Done some JavaScript? Jump into JavaScript Essentials or Basics of Web Apps.
High School with some coding experience
Some coding background from school or elsewhere? Many high schoolers go straight to Make Your Own Web App — it includes review material.
Website & Web App Path
HTML -> JavaScript -> MySQL -> PHP -> Full-Stack App
Python Path
Basics -> Data Science -> Web Apps
Flexible entry. Younger students typically start at Step 1 and work through over several years. Older students with some experience often jump straight to Step 3, 8, or even the Capstone.
1
HTML structure and CSS styling. Build your first real webpage on day one. The foundation for everything that follows.
2
Responsive layouts, HTML5 and CSS3 features, and a first taste of JavaScript interactivity. Part 2 of the website foundations.
3
The fundamentals of real programming — variables, functions, loops, conditionals — all in JavaScript.
4
Build graphical games for the web and mobile using HTML5 canvas and JavaScript. Satisfying, immediate results.
5
Move to the server side. PHP is one of the most practical languages you can learn — it scales from simple functions to powerful web apps.
6
Create databases with phpMyAdmin and MySQL. Master SQL queries and combine PHP and MySQL for interactive apps.
7
Combines PHP and MySQL at a new level of complexity — the bridge between learning to code and building real applications.
*
Design, build, and ship your own full-stack web application. Congressional App Challenge entry. The destination the whole path leads to — and a direct entry point for high schoolers with coding experience.
+
For students in Make Your Own Web App who need deeper support — local dev environment, Git, OOP, and advanced PHP best practices tailored to your specific app.
AI
For LabCats alumni and college students. Learn to build with Claude Code the right way — AI as a powerful tool, not a crutch. The natural next step after the capstone.
Stand-alone path. Can be taken independently or alongside the Web path. Great for students interested in data, science, or a different flavor of programming.
1
Learn Python while building a Choose Your Adventure game and a Guessing game. Variables, data types, conditionals, loops, and lists.
2
Python modules, functions, and program design. Build several games while learning how to structure more complex programs.
3
Data Science basics and Jupyter Notebooks. Learn how to analyse and visualise data — skills useful far beyond coding.
4
Learn to design and use objects in Python — a fundamental concept in almost every modern programming language.
5
Combine Python programming with real Data Science techniques and analysis. Work with real-world datasets.
6
Build web applications using a Python framework (Flask or Django). Brings together Python programming and web development.
Python courses run on demand — contact us if you're interested and we'll form a cohort.
🖥️ WordPress training is also available — covering Basics, Advanced topics, and custom PHP plugins. Not listed as a formal path since it's typically offered as part of a consulting engagement or on request. Get in touch if you're interested.
Find the right class for you?
Not sure which course fits? Drop us a line — we'll look at your student's age, experience, and goals and point you in the right direction.
