Middle school classes that build real momentum before high school.
Get ahead before high school. Thinking Feet offers middle school coding and computer science, competition math, high school math started early, public speaking and leadership, English and early SAT prep, and private classes. Small live classes, taught online, open to students anywhere.
Coding & Computer Science for Middle Schoolers
Build a real coding portfolio before high school. Beginners start with game development in our Tech Leadership track, students with experience move into Java, algorithms and data science, and PATHS/CS is our new three-year journey for grades 6–8. Placement is by experience, not grade.
Game Development
JavaScript, Python, Roblox + Lua. Grades 6–8
Algorithms
Java, USACO, full stack web. Grades 6–9
Data Science & AI/ML
Python, pandas, machine learning. Grades 7–10
Phase 1: Game Development
Students build interactive games with collision detection, scoring, levels and timers, then finish with an independent project. Completing this phase opens the door to becoming a student teacher.
Tech Leadership detailsPhase 2: Java & Algorithms
Object-oriented programming, recursion, data structures and algorithms, paced comfortably for middle schoolers with prior coding experience.
Java and algorithms detailsPhase 3: Data Science & AI/ML
Pandas, NumPy and matplotlib, then supervised learning, neural networks and computer vision, leading toward original AI/ML research.
AI and ML detailsCompetitive Programming & USACO
Preparation for the USA Computing Olympiad, starting in Bronze and moving up through Silver, Gold and Platinum based on contest results. For students with significant experience. A free assessment is required for placement.
USACO detailsPATHS/CS: a three-year Computer Science journey
Our new program takes students from block-based coding to a finished, internship-ready capstone by the end of 8th grade. The current focus of PATHS is Computer Science.
- Grade 6: Python data and charts, version control and the scientific method
- Grade 7: web development, databases and SQL, deployment and code review
- Grade 8: object-oriented programming and algorithms, AI and ML foundations, and a capstone portfolio piece
Middle School Math: Competition & High School Math
Two routes through math, both placed by a free assessment rather than by grade. Some students chase the harder problem, and some are ready to start the high school sequence early.
Comp Math L2
MathCounts and AMC 8 preparation
Comp Math L3
MathCounts, AMC 8 (advanced) and AMC 10
Comp Math L4
MathCounts State, AMC 10, Purple Comet
Comp Math L5
AMC 10, AMC 12 and AIME strategies. Significant experience required
Advanced & Competition Math
Strategy over memorization. Students build a creative problem-solving mindset, join free Saturday contest practice sessions by their third week, and get weekly review sheets for parents.
Competition Math detailsHigh School Math, Early
Math 1, Math 2, Math 3 and Pre-Calculus in small weekly group classes. Many students use them to prepare for Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) or to reach higher math sooner.
High School Math detailsMath Contests
Learn how the major contests work, which ones fit each grade, and how to sign up. Thinking Feet hosts AMC contest sittings on site, including AMC 8 and AMC 10/12.
Contest sign-upMiddle School Public Speaking & Leadership
Students speak every session. Improv games and planned speeches build confidence, poise and clear communication, and students who want to go further can add our leadership and communication portfolio.
Public Speaking
One program that blends improv games with planned speeches, with personal feedback from teachers and peers. Each unit ends with a showcase speech. Students work through:
- Humorous and storytelling speeches
- Debate and research
- Personal narrative
- Persuasive and informative speaking
- Impromptu speaking
Leadership & Communication
Students learn to read carefully, judge whether an argument holds up, and defend their thinking in front of people who disagree. The year is four quarters, each ending in a piece of work and a public defense:
- A proposal, an opinion piece, a plan of action and a final project
- Weekly one-page briefing on a real article, plus live seminars and the Hot Seat
- Clear rules for using AI and defending the result
Middle School English, Writing & Early SAT
Start test prep early without losing the creative side. Students build reading, grammar and writing skills for the PSAT, add SAT Math strategies as rising 8th graders, and arrive in high school ready for formal SAT prep.
PSAT + Creative Writing
ELA Level 4: reading, grammar and writing
Early SAT Math
16–20 week SAT Math strategy program
SAT Prep
Year-long SAT Prep, then SAT Prep with Ace2College
Level 4: PSAT + Creative Writing
Evidence-based reading, weekly grammar and vocabulary competitions, and creative writing, so students prepare for the PSAT while staying excited about language.
PSAT + Creative Writing detailsEarly SAT Math
SAT problem solving in algebra, arithmetic, geometry, statistics and trigonometry, taught through unique problems and concepts rather than formula memorization.
SAT Math detailsWriting Lab
A flexible online workshop with weekly assignments and detailed feedback. Units cover descriptive writing, storytelling, personal narrative, argument and poetry, each ending in a portfolio piece.
Writing Lab detailsPrivate Classes for Middle Schoolers
One-on-one instruction, scheduled around your student's calendar. Families choose private classes for two main reasons: to move ahead faster, or to get real help with what their student is doing in school.
Get ahead faster
For students who already have the fundamentals and want to move beyond grade-level expectations: start high school math early, prepare for math contests, or build coding projects at their own pace.
Private Class detailsHelp with school
For students who need stronger support with what they are working on in class. A tutor builds understanding, confidence and motivation, working through the concepts that are holding them back.
Private Class detailsBuilt for students who want more than school offers
Placed by ability
A free assessment puts each student where they'll be challenged, not bored or lost.
Small live classes
Instructors know where each student is stuck before they say so.
Harder than school
Our material is pitched above grade level, so the stretch is the point.
No long contracts
Billed in 4-week blocks, with a two-week money-back guarantee for new students.
Middle school programs: common questions
Does Thinking Feet offer classes for middle school students?
Yes. Thinking Feet offers middle school classes in coding and computer science (PATHS/CS, the Tech Leadership track and USACO preparation), competition math, high school math started early, public speaking, leadership and communication, PSAT and creative writing, early SAT Math, the Writing Lab, and private classes.
Where are Thinking Feet's middle school classes held?
Classes are taught live online in small groups, so students anywhere can join.
What coding classes are best for middle schoolers?
Beginners start with Phase 1 of our Tech Leadership track, which covers game development in JavaScript, Python and Roblox. Students with coding experience move into Java, then data science and AI and machine learning. PATHS/CS is our new three-year grades 6 to 8 program, and USACO preparation is available for students with significant Java experience.
What is PATHS/CS?
PATHS/CS is our new three-year Computer Science program for grades 6 to 8. Grade 6 covers Python data and charts, version control and the scientific method. Grade 7 covers web development, databases, deployment and code review. Grade 8 covers object-oriented programming, algorithms, AI and machine learning foundations and a capstone project. The next cohort starts in January 2027.
Which math competitions should my middle schooler try?
MathCounts and AMC 8 are the classic middle school contests, and strong students can also try AMC 10. Competition Math levels 2 to 5 prepare students for these along with Purple Comet, the Charlotte Tri Mathlon, the Duke Math Meet and other math meets. Thinking Feet also hosts AMC contest sittings on site. Level 5 is for students with significant experience, and a free assessment is required for placement.
Can my middle schooler take high school math early?
Yes. Math 1 and Math 2 can start as early as 6th grade, and Math 3 and Pre-Calculus from 7th grade, placed by assessment. Many students use these classes to prepare for Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) or to reach higher math sooner.
When can my middle schooler start PSAT and SAT prep?
Our PSAT and Creative Writing class is open to students in grade 7 and up, and our SAT Math program welcomes rising 8th graders. Both build skills early, so students are ready for formal SAT prep in high school.
What are private classes for?
Private classes are one-on-one and cover coding, advanced and competition math, public speaking and English. Families use them to help a student get ahead faster, or to get extra support with what the student is working on in school.
Does my student need experience before joining?
Not for many programs, including Phase 1 coding. Advanced programs such as Competition Math Level 5 and USACO are for students with significant experience, and a free assessment is required for placement.
How do I choose the right class?
Start with our free placement assessment or book a call. We'll recommend the right level and tell you honestly whether we're a good fit. New students also get a 2-week money-back guarantee.
Not sure where your student fits?
Tell us about your middle schooler's interests and goals and we'll recommend a starting point.
Free placement assessment · 2-week money-back guarantee
Call (980) 292-1441 · Text (980) 272-1639 · learn@thinking-feet.com
Thinking Feet is based in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC, and teaches middle school students live online everywhere.