Parent FAQ
Straight answers for parents.
The questions we hear most about our teen courses. If your question isn't here, the contact page is one click away.
Common Questions
What ages are the teen courses for?
30aKidz teen courses are for ages 12 to 18. Courses run in small groups over four weeks. Ages listed on each course are recommendations based on typical readiness. Parents make the final call on fit. Students as young as 10 may attend with parental and instructor approval.
What does a teen course look like?
Each teen course is four weekly sessions. The first three run one hour, and the last runs two hours for the presentation, showcase, and celebration. Five contact hours in total, ending with a real project your teen presents. Courses run in a recommended order, and families can start anywhere.
Do students need prior experience?
No. Courses are built for learners who are new to the subject, and each listing notes any recommended background. Small groups let the instructor meet every teen where they are.
Are the courses drop-off?
Yes. Teens arrive, focus, work in the group, and leave with a project or presentation to show for the session.
Where do courses meet?
Locations vary by term. We run courses at venues and community partner spaces along 30A. The specific address for your course is on the course info flyer and in your enrollment confirmation email, so you will always have it in writing before the first session.
Do teens bring their own laptop?
Yes, for any hands-on technology course. Bring a laptop that can run a modern browser and a basic Python install. We can advise families who need a minimum-spec recommendation.
How long are the courses?
Four weekly sessions. Sessions one through three are one hour each, and session four runs two hours so every teen has time to present their work and celebrate it. That is five contact hours per course.
How long is the whole program?
Three school years, four courses a year, and your teen can stop at any point with the badges they have earned. Year one earns Forged, year two earns Tempered and the physical patch, year three earns Mettle.
See the year and the ladderWhat if we miss a class?
We run each course twice in the same week, so if your teen misses one session they can attend the other that week. If they miss more than that, they can retake the course free the next time it runs.
Can my teen take more than one course?
Yes. Each teen course is its own session, and many families stack two in the same term. You can also roll from one term into the next.
Are programs a good fit for homeschool students?
Yes. 30aKidz is built with homeschool, hybrid, and alternative learners in mind. Small groups, substantive discussion, and real projects work especially well for self-directed families.
What if my teen is shy or unsure about the subject?
That's exactly who many of these courses are for. Small groups mean every teen gets heard, supported, and paced into the work. Prior comfort is not required.
Is 30aKidz an approved Step Up vendor? Can we use Step Up or PEP funds?
Approval is in progress. Our vendor approval for Florida's Step Up for Students ESA program is underway. Our teen courses are structured educational enrichment designed by an educator. We will confirm scholarship eligibility here once approval is final.
How do we sign up for a course?
Enrollment opens per term. For now, join the interest list and tell us which courses your teen wants. We email everyone on the list when the next term and schedule are announced, and we walk you through enrollment from there.
What if we need to cancel?
Withdraw before the first session and you get a full refund. Once a course starts tuition is final, though a student who misses one or two sessions can retake the course free the next time it runs.
Read the full policyDo I pay on your site or on MyScholarShop?
Once approval is final, you would pay through MyScholarShop using your scholarship funds, and no card payment would be needed on our site.
What if I want to pay out-of-pocket instead?
That works too. The Step Up scholarship is optional, and we will lay out both payment paths when your term opens.
What do you need from us to join the interest list?
Parent contact info, your student's first name and age, and the courses you are interested in. Preferred day and time are optional but they help us schedule.