Python Levels 1–2
From Python foundations to applied programming with files, data, APIs and automation.
- Grades
- Grades 9–10
- Length
- 8–12 weeks per level
- Group size
- 25–30 students with 1–2 participating educators
- Where it runs
- School-day enrichment, After-school, Weekend academy, Summer camp, Library / community center
Skills students build
Before joining
Level 1: none. Level 2: Python Level 1 or equivalent experience.
How progress is checked
- Pre/post coding challenge for the level
- Completed labs and checkpoints
- Mini-project showcase (Level 1) and data/automation project with README (Level 2)
What students learn, step by step
Every lesson ends with something students make, explain or show.
| Unit | Topic | What students learn | What students produce |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 · 1 | Programming mindset | How programs run, input and output, variables | First working programs |
| L1 · 2 | Making decisions | Conditions and comparisons | A decision app |
| L1 · 3 | Repeating work | Loops | A quiz or calculator with loops |
| L1 · 4 | Functions | Reusable code blocks | Refactored program using functions |
| L1 · 5 | Collections | Lists and dictionaries | A study helper that stores data |
| L1 · 6 | Debug & showcase | Finding and fixing errors, presenting | Mini-project showcase |
| L2 · 1 | Working with files | Reading and writing files | File-based program |
| L2 · 2 | CSV and JSON data | Structured data formats | CSV data analyzer |
| L2 · 3 | Modules | Organizing code, using libraries | Multi-file program |
| L2 · 4 | Exceptions | Handling errors gracefully | Robust input handling |
| L2 · 5 | API concepts | How programs talk to services | API concept exercise |
| L2 · 6 | Automation project | Automating a real task | Data/automation project with README |
What students build
- Study helper, calculator or decision app (Level 1)
- CSV data analyzer or file-automation utility (Level 2)
How we keep it safe
- School-approved tools, repositories, accounts and classroom processes
- Projects avoid personal, sensitive or school-confidential data
- If AI coding assistants are allowed, students disclose use and explain their code
- No scripts that target live systems or create harmful automation
The build cycle students repeat every unit
Students learn through repeated build cycles — the same habits schools and employers value.
- 1
Plan
Break the problem into steps.
- 2
Code
Write the first working version.
- 3
Debug
Find and fix errors calmly.
- 4
Test
Check it works for different inputs.
- 5
Improve
Make it cleaner, clearer or faster.
- 6
Present
Demo it and explain how it works.
More Coding tracks
Students can move up to the next grade band in later years.
Coding Explorers
A beginner-friendly start: computational thinking, Python basics, debugging and a first real project.
Python Level 3 & Portfolio
Advanced Python — object-oriented programming, testing and architecture — ending in a portfolio capstone.
Ask about Python Levels 1–2
About: Coding Pathway (Python) — Python Levels 1–2 (Grades 9–10)