Barrington High students up to code

A year after it brought innovation to the classroom with how students learn about business and entrepreneurship, Barrington High School is doing it again, this time with a focus on computer programming.

About 125 students are taking part in the school's first coding class, a rare course opportunity for students their age, according to Barrington Unit School District 220.

Throughout the school year the teens will learn how to make their own mobile apps using Apple's iOS programming and other tools similar to what is used in professional development shops.

Morgan Delack, a 220 spokeswoman, said officials hope students from the new coding class will work with students in the school's Business Incubator program, because they often need to create apps.

The new coding course is a collaboration between the district, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and Mobile Makers Academy, a Chicago company that hosts iOS "Bootcamp" courses. Over the summer Mobile Makers taught some teachers from District 214 and Barrington High to code using a program made specifically for this collaboration.