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Computing for All (CFA) Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Digital Skills Youth Academy (DSYA.)

Applicants must be Washington State Residents

Calendar of Start Dates 2025

Calendar Days/Times Starts Ends
Spring Tues/TH
4:00-6:45pm		 March 25, 2025 May 20, 2025
Summer M – Th
12:00-4:45pm 		July 1
(Off July 4th for holiday) 		August 14, 2025
Fall Tues/TH
4:00-6:45pm 		October 7 December 2
Winter Tues/TH
4:00-6:45pm 		January 13, 2026 March 10, 2026

If you are a Washington State resident who is between the ages of 17 and 24 and interested in interviewing for the next quarter, please fill out the application form below and indicate when you would like to enroll. By filling out this application form you are confirming that you are available to commit to the hours and dates indicated above.
Once you have filled out this application, we will contact you by email to set up an interview time to determine your placement level.

WELCOME!

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Computing for All (CFA) Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Digital Skills Youth Academy DSYA).
Please read all the information provided below and contact us with any questions you may have.

About the CFA Pre-Apprenticeship Program Our Software/Web Development program is broken down into six 45-hour levels of sequential, hands-on core coding skill-building. Students are required to complete each level’s “sprint” before moving on to the next level, and regular attendance is necessary for student success. We ask that you arrive promptly and stay actively responsive and engaged throughout to achieve the maximum possible benefit from this experience.

This internship is designed to help you prepare for either an IT Apprenticeship in a program like Apprenti, a two or four-year college IT career pathway, an IT tech internship with a local company, or an entry level tech job.
You will be meeting mentors from local tech companies who visit our virtual classroom or host field trips to their company. We encourage you to ask questions and be professional in your interactions with these mentors. Use these opportunities to network and begin laying the foundation for your future career in tech.

Level 1: Introduction to Computer Programming with Python This level introduces beginners to fundamental programming concepts using Python. Students complete 11 formal lessons and collaborate in teams to design and code an original Python game as their final project. At the end of the quarter, student teams present their projects to PAP students, teachers, CFA staff, and industry mentors. Applicants with prior experience in Python or introductory computer science courses may take a placement test to bypass Level 1.

Levels 2–4: Frontend Web Development Students develop proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, completing the frontend web development portion of the program by the end of Level 4. Each level consists of approximately 11 lessons, culminating in the creation of an original final project. At the end of each quarter, students present their final projects to PAP students, teachers, CFA staff, and industry mentors. Upon completing Level 4, students are encouraged to take the Microsoft MTA or an equivalent professional certification exam. Details about the exam, including how and where to take it, will be provided during Level 4. This industry-recognized certification is a valuable addition to any résumé.

Levels 5 & 6: Backend & Full Stack Web Development In Level 5, students learn backend development, coding server-side applications in Python and JavaScript while managing SQL and NoSQL databases (SQL and MongoDB). In Level 6, students transition to Full Stack development, working with the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js). At the end of each level, students complete a final project and formally present it, followed by a Q&A session. Those who feel ready may take the Microsoft JavaScript certification exam.

Last Mile Training: Industry-Led Full Stack Development Students who successfully complete Levels 1–6, including all assignments, quizzes, and projects, qualify for Last Mile Training. This Level includes a few short lessons to help students master technical interview questions in Computer Science. Throughout the quarter, students work in teams on a Full Stack capstone project, often guided by industry mentors, to enhance their portfolios. Last Mile Training equips students with the skills needed for internships with local employers.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

  • Participants who are self-motivated, punctual, enthusiastic, open-minded team players with a growth mindset.
  • Participants who work safely, think positively, follow agreements, and put forth their best effort.
  • Participants must attend all scheduled classes and activities. If for some unavoidable reason you are running late or must be absent on a scheduled day, you are required to contact the Pre-Apprenticeship Director and cc your instructor. We will arrange for you to make up the hours missed during office hours. If you think you will miss more than 3 scheduled classes, please do not apply for this program at this time as you probably won’t have time to make them up. Be sure to review the dates and times of the program to make sure that it works your schedule.

Digital Equity: Learning about the issues facing diverse groups of people can help us develop empathy and learn to tackle real-world problems by looking at them from multiple viewpoints. Learning how to think critically about the world is a key strategy to develop your agency and find your voice on your way to becoming a socially responsible participant in a democratic, civil society. When you discuss and select themes for your website that address issues that you care about, you can invite thoughtful, respectful conversation about topics you care about with your team members. We encourage critical thinking and problem-solving, both as software programmers and as individuals.

YOU SHOULD:

  • Be 16 - 24 years of age, and a high school junior/senior, college student, or if you are out of school, looking for CS job training.
  • Understand computer and Internet basics, have taken at least one high school math class, and demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, including verbal communication and commitment to work constructively with others.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND INTERVIEWS:

Please answer all questions on this form. Only applications completed in full will be reviewed. If you have any questions, please email the contact person on the application.(leslie@computingforall.org)

We would like to do a short phone interview to get to know you ahead of class. The interview will be your opportunity to shine and tell us anything we may not have learned from your application. Interviewers will ask you questions about yourself, your experience, and your interest in technology. You will want to arrive online or in person for class prepared, energized, and ready to start on time!

Are you under the age of 18?

You will need your parent or guardian's approval before submitting your application. Please have your parent or guardian read through the materials enclosed above before continuing with this application.

They will also need to be present with you at the agreement page at the end of this application form to give their approval.

Contact Information

Demographics

CFA/DSYA Programs

There are six levels of the pre-apprenticeship program. Levels 1-3 are front-end web development and levels 4-6 are back end full development. Completing all six levels will get you a certificate in full-stack web development. A seventh level of “Last Mile” training allows you to build a website with a small team with an industry professional as a mentor.

High School Information

Are in high school? What high school or GED program did you graduate from?

College Information

Accepted students will need to fill out the release forms below to be formally accepted into the program.

High School Information

College Information

Please provide information on where you are a student

Work / Volunteer Experience

Work / Volunteer Experience #1
Work / Volunteer Experience #2
Work / Volunteer Experience #3

Career Goals

Technology

Please rate your current abilities in the following categories.

This information is not used to determine your eligibility as part of the program, but helps us ascertain what skills you have yet to learn.

Please answer these questions honestly.

Specific Technology Skills

Please rate your current abilities in the following categories.

This information is not used to determine your eligibility as part of the program, but helps us create curriculum and measure performance over the course of the internship program.

Please answer these questions honestly.

Short Answer Questions

Please answer each of the questions below in at least one (1) paragraph and within 200 words or less.

Other Information

Program Consent

If you are under the age of 18, you will need your parent or guardian's approval before submitting your application. Your parent or guardian must be present with you when filling out the agreement on the next page and will need to enter their name and date to confirm they have read and understand the materials enclosed in this application form.

Computing for All Student Code of Conduct

While attending CFA during regular hours or CFA-sponsored activities, students are expected to follow these basic rules, procedures, and expectations:

  1. Join the Zoom class with a laptop or desktop, camera, and microphone, ready to work at the designated time that class begins.
    • If you do not have a working laptop, camera, or microphone or need a hotspot for internet connection, please let us know before the start of the course and we will try to get you set up with the necessary devices.
  2. Attendance and participation in class are an essential part of the work training process. If you know you are going to be late or absent, please text, email, or call either/or the administrator and your teacher to inform them what you will miss and when you plan to make up the absence. CFA is not just a class, but also a job development role. It is essential that you maintain professional communication and participate in your expected hours.
  3. Your priority is to learn. Avoid distractions that interfere with or are counter-intuitive to that mission.
  4. Always use work-appropriate language while maintaining friendly and courteous behavior.
  5. Be professional, polite, and respectful to everyone, including your peers, teachers, administrators, support staff, and visitors.
  6. Follow individual teacher instructions, rules, and expectations at all times.
  7. Do not become a distraction for others. Help to create a safe space where every student has the opportunity to maximize their potential. Critiques of student work should be constructive, encouraging, positive, and helpful.
  8. All students are free to express their own points of view and are protected from those who would inhibit that expression; however, they are not allowed to disrupt a class's topic and goals or use their freedom of expression to be aggressive towards or cause harm to another person (including, but not limited to: other students, instructors, administrators, guest speakers).
  9. Computing For All reserves the right to prevent program disruption by any student.
  10. Represent yourself in a manner that you will be proud of in years to come. Take advantage of the opportunities for hands-on tech experience and networking you will gain here. They will help you be successful throughout your life.
  11. Unresponsiveness will be assumed as absence from the class and will be reflected in your total hours, and may affect your pay if you are an SYEP student. Scheduled breaks and bio-breaks are acceptable for a reasonable amount of time, but you need to communicate with your instructor when you will be gone (with at the very least an away status reaction on Zoom).

Computing For All Use of AI Guidelines

While attending CFA, students are highly encouraged to not use AI for their coding. AI is understandably a modern day tool for developers, however at CFA our goal is to teach, and AI often inhibits the learning process and provides answers that are completely available as well through (1) our curriculum, (2) documentation, and (3) online research. With CFA’s curriculum in particular, AI is not needed at this point in your programming career. Copying AI answers directly as your own code for your assignments is strictly prohibited and is not appropriate behavior in a classroom or professional environment.

Media and Photo Release Form

Students Under 18 Release Form

Applicant Media and Photo Release Form

I, [PARENT / GUARDIAN], hereby grant permission to the Computing for All (CFA) Digital Skills Youth Academy (DSYA) Program employees and agents and assigns the right to record and/or use my [CHILD]'s likeness, image, name, voice and/or statement(s) and/or work(s), as recorded by any means and in any medium (including but not limited to our website and social media) existing now or developed in the future. CFA DSYA may utilize any and all photos, audio or video recordings created directly or indirectly in connection with the CFA DSYA program without further approval by or payment to me. I also grant permission to use, edit and/or modify the photos, recordings, in any manner, form or medium, for or in connection with the program and the charitable purpose of the program. I hereby waive any and all rights that I may have to inspect or approve the photos, recordings, or the use to which they may be applied, as long as they are used in the publicizing, showcasing, marketing and/or promotion of the CFA Digital Skills Youth Academy Program.

By entering your full name under the PARENT / GUARDIAN field below, your child's full name under the CHILD field below, and entering today's DATE, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions detailed above.

I, [APPLICANT], hereby grant permission to the Computing for All (CFA) Digital Skills Youth Academy (DSYA) Program employees and agents and assigns the right to record and/or use my likeness, image, name, voice and/or statement(s) and/or work(s), as recorded by any means and in any medium (including but not limited to our website and social media) existing now or developed in the future. CFA DSYA may utilize any and all photos, audio or video recordings created directly or indirectly in connection with the CFA DSYA program without further approval by or payment to me. I also grant permission to use, edit and/or modify the photos, recordings, in any manner, form or medium, for or in connection with the program and the charitable purpose of the program. I hereby waive any and all rights that I may have to inspect or approve the photos, recordings, or the use to which they may be applied, as long as they are used in the publicizing, showcasing, marketing and/or promotion of the CFA Digital Skills Youth Academy Program.

By entering your full name under the APPLICANT field below and entering today's DATE, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions detailed above.

By entering your name below you are stating that you have read all enclosed materials concerning the DSYA Program and that all statements you have made in the application are true to the best of your knowledge. If accepted, you will be committed to attending classes and meeting all program requirements.

Digital Signature

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