How Does it Work?
If you've been searching for a coding program that blends real-world tech skills with creativity, community, and genuine excitement—your quest ends here. At Gemstone Academy, we don't just teach coding; we invite kids and teens (ages 9–18) to explore, problem-solve, and thrive in an environment that encourages both independence and collaboration.
Here's a Quick Look:
- 6 Ranks, 1 Purpose: From Amethyst (Rank 1) to Diamond (Rank 6), each rank adds new challenges and milestones—ensuring steady progress toward true coding mastery.
- Small Group Dynamics: Our 5–6-person cohorts foster teamwork, spark innovation, and give every young learner the spotlight they need to grow.
- Hands-On Projects, Real Results: We tackle everything from personal websites to AI models, game prototypes, and data analytics engines—culminating in a professional-grade portfolio.
- Instant "Help!" Access: No one gets stuck for long. Our "Help!" button connects students with instructors and peers, so questions are answered quickly and encouragement is always there.
- Flexible Pace & Focus: Students can accelerate or linger on a topic as needed. They also choose a specialized "house" (Game Dev, AI/ML, Web/Mobile, etc.) to delve deeper into what excites them most.
- Building Confidence, Not Just Code: Through guided challenges, continuous feedback, and ample hands-on practice, we help your child master problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.
Our Six Gemstone Ranks & How They're Organized
Each rank generally takes about a year and follows a three-phase structure: Gemstone Project (2–3 months), Instructor-Specific Study (3–5 months), and a Capstone Project (3–4 months).
Don't worry about commitment! Whether you want your child to try out The Academy for a few lessons, or have them stay in the program for all 6 ranks, they will come out of Gemstone Academy with a portfolio of impressive, real-world projects, documented and saved on their personal GitHub accounts.
💎 Phase 1: Gemstone Project (2–3 Months)
Every student in the same rank begins with the same house-agnostic project. This ensures they develop foundational skills before specializing. (Examples: personal website, chipset emulator, AI model.)
🔍 Phase 2: Instructor-Specific Study (3–5 Months)
Once the Gemstone Project is complete, students focus on their chosen house. They work on advanced concepts and small projects relevant to their field (Game Dev, AI, Web, etc.).
🎓 Phase 3: Capstone Project (3–4 Months)
The final challenge of the rank! Students pitch, develop, and complete a full-fledged project, proving mastery. Approval from four instructors is required to "rank up" to the next level.
The Six Gemstone Ranks
Rank 1: Amethyst
Global Gemstone Project: Build a personal website.
House-Focused: Foundational skills in chosen house, leading to a Capstone (e.g., mini
AI, simple game, security tool).
Rank 2: Garnet
Global Gemstone Project: A small group Game Project.
House-Focused: Intermediate-level projects, including web apps, AI models, or
advanced game mechanics.
Rank 3: Topaz
Global Gemstone Project: A low-level chipset emulator.
House-Focused: Optimization, system architecture, and deeper integrations in chosen
field.
Rank 4: Sapphire
Global Gemstone Project: Image recognition AI model.
House-Focused: Advanced house-specific learning, real-world applications, and
automation.
Rank 5: Ruby
Global Gemstone Project: A pentest suite for cybersecurity.
House-Focused: Highly advanced AI, security, networking, or system automation.
Rank 6: Diamond
Global Gemstone Project: A data analytics engine.
House-Focused: Capstone-level project demonstrating industry-level skills and
independent innovation.
Our Houses (Focus Areas)
While every rank begins with the same Gemstone Project, the remaining phases in each rank (Instructor-Specific Study and Capstone) center on a house of your child's choice. Each house has unique projects, challenges, and mentors to fuel specialized learning.
Game Development
From Unity to Unreal Engine, students create playable prototypes and learn about graphics, physics, and AI-driven game mechanics.
Web & Mobile
Build responsive websites and mobile apps using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular frameworks. Perfect for aspiring web entrepreneurs.
AI/ML Development
Dive into machine learning and artificial intelligence. Train models, experiment with neural networks, and discover data-driven solutions.
Cybersecurity
Learn ethical hacking, vulnerability testing, and secure coding. Tackle real-world challenges to protect systems and networks.
Systems Programming
Explore low-level languages like C and Assembly. Understand operating systems, hardware interactions, and how computers truly work behind the scenes.
Data Science
Crunch large datasets, visualize trends, and build predictive models. Ideal for those passionate about analytics, finance, or research.
It Takes a Village
At Gemstone Academy, we organize learning in a way that nurtures meaningful relationships and ensures every student receives personalized support while still benefiting from a sense of community. Here's how it all fits together:
- Circuits: Each house (e.g., Game Dev, AI/ML) is built up of groups of six instructors—one dedicated to each rank (Amethyst through Diamond). Collectively, these six instructors form a circuit.
- Instructors: Each rank instructor within a circuit leads multiple small groups, typically 5–6 students in each. They hold weekly lessons, manage house-specific projects, and coordinate with the other instructors in the circuit to ensure smooth transitions as students move up in rank.
- Groups: Students are placed into groups of peers around the same rank and age range. This small, consistent group allows for collaboration, peer feedback, and friendship-building.
- Students: Every individual student has a direct line to their group's instructor and can also seek help from any instructor in the same circuit. If an instructor is unavailable, another rank instructor can step in and assist with questions or office hours.
This layered structure combines the best of both worlds: personal attention from a dedicated instructor and group, plus a broader support network of educators within the same house circuit.
Collaboration & Weekly Lessons
- Weekly Live Sessions: Small group calls via Zoom/Google Meet.
- Recorded Meetings: All sessions are recorded and shared with students and parents.
- Peer Support: Students brainstorm, debug, and share ideas, learning as a team.
- Holiday Accommodations: If a scheduled lesson falls on a national holiday, the instructor will provide an asynchronous lesson recording/plan that won't require a real-time online meeting.
We believe coding is best learned in a social setting—students inspire each other and build friendships around shared interests in technology and creativity.
"Help!" Button & Office Hours
- Instant Support: If your child is stuck, pressing the "Help!" button notifies instructors who can assist.
- Open Office Hours: Each instructor hosts at least one hour per week—any student in that circuit can drop by.
- Personalized Feedback: Instructors often respond with quick video tutorials or code snippets.
This ensures students never feel isolated or discouraged. Help is always just a click away, reinforcing our commitment to a supportive learning environment.
A Focus on Building Real Projects
From the very first rank, each student will have a growing collection of completed tasks and finished projects. By the time they reach Diamond:
- Personal Website & Portfolio: Display their journey, coding achievements, and final projects.
- Real GitHub Activity: Track their progress with commits, pull requests, and public repositories.
- Practical Experience: Present to college admissions or future employers—stand out with a tangible skill set!
Every rank's capstone and Gemstone Project add another impressive piece to their portfolio, reinforcing both creativity and technical depth.
Aside- What's the Time Commitment?
We understand that every family's schedule is different, so we've structured our program to be flexible, manageable, and engaging. Here's a breakdown of the time commitment parents can expect for their child.
💻 Weekly Group Lesson
1 Hour
A structured session with their instructor and small group
💡 Independent Study & Projects
2-5+ Hours Per Week
Flexible time to work on assigned projects
📱 Office Hours & Help System
As Needed
Additional help whenever students get stuck
A Program That Fits Any Schedule
We know students have school, extracurriculars, and family time. That's why our program is built with flexibility in mind:
📚 Self-Paced Learning
Students control their learning speed and can spend more time on areas that interest them.
🎥 Recorded Lessons
Missed a session? No worries! Every lesson is recorded for later viewing.
🚀 Engaging Projects
Learning isn't just homework—students build things they love, making time spent coding enjoyable.
Whether your child wants a light introduction to coding or an immersive experience, we make it easy to find the right balance.
How to Enroll: The Sign-Up & Interview Process
Joining Gemstone Academy is simple, yet personalized. We want to ensure every student is placed in the best learning environment suited to their interests, skill level, and goals. Here's how the process works:
1. Sign Up
After Creating an account, you'll be asked to fill out a quick online form, where you'll provide basic details about your child, including age, experience level, and interests. No prior coding experience is required!
2. The Student Interview
Once we receive your application, we'll schedule a 15–20 minute Zoom or phone interview with you and your child. This is a relaxed, friendly chat where we'll learn about their goals and determine the best house and starting point for them.
3. Placement & Getting Started
After the interview, we place students in the Amethyst rank (our starting level) unless they demonstrate exceptional experience. They'll be assigned a small group, placed into a circuit, and will be ready to begin their coding journey!
What Happens After Enrollment?
- You'll receive a welcome email with class schedules, group details, and onboarding resources.
- Your child will meet their instructor and peers during their first session.
- We ensure students are comfortable, engaged, and ready to build their first project!
If you're ready to get started, click below to begin the sign-up process!