A San Diego, non-profit, public benefit, 501c(3) institution Wintriss Technical Schools (WTS) is unique in its mission of motivating the next generation of technical leaders through community outreach, education and mentoring by software professionals, preparing them to fill critical shortages of computer programmers expected within the next ten years. To maintain the U.S. position of scientific leadership, the children of today will need to know how to write, as well as use, the complex software of tomorrow. WTS trains its students in writing computer programs using the popular JAVA language and object-oriented programming techniques in a fun-filled environment. Our goal is to introduce kids to advanced computer programming concepts at an early age that will prepare them to successfully compete for college and for well-paying jobs. WTS is the first organization of its type to teach Java to children in grade schools and middle schools. Our objective is to prove this concept and expand the teaching of Object Oriented programming broadly. The private school utilizes volunteer Java professionals as teachers and relies on individual donations for its programs. No student is turned away because of financial hardship. Since founding in 2006, over two hundred San Diego children have attended WTS or are continuing students. Both parents and children have overwhelmingly expressed excitement about the program and students look forward eagerly to the fun-filled classes writing computer games, a much welcomed change from playing computer games. As of 2013, fifteen students have passed the Computer Science Advanced Placement Examination (CS AP Exam) which is given in Java…one in the seventh grade and one in the eighth grade. One student recently passed the Oracle professional certification exam in the eleventh grade.
