Merton Studio

Levels

Structured levels for real progress.

Like martial arts, swim lessons, or golf instruction — Merton Studio uses a level framework so students always have a clear next goal and parents can see genuine progression over time.

Students are assessed when they join and reassessed as they progress. Levels are not grades — they are a shared map of where the student is and where they're headed.

Level 1

Explorer

Student can experiment with AI tools but needs help turning ideas into working projects.

Fits: Just getting started. Has tried AI tools but hasn't finished a real project.
Focus areas
  • Basic setup — laptop, tools, editor
  • Prompting fundamentals
  • Files, folders, and project structure
  • Running and reading code
  • Understanding error messages
  • Simple apps, games, or experiments
Outcome

Student builds a small working project with guidance and can describe how it works.

Next:Level 2 — Builder
Level 2

Builder

Student can make small changes and use AI tools with some structure.

Fits: Has finished something small. Ready to build something with more moving parts.
Focus areas
  • Client/server basics
  • Working with APIs
  • Components and reusable pieces
  • Simple data storage
  • Debugging with purpose
  • Version control basics (Git/GitHub)
Outcome

Student builds a complete app, tool, or game with a clear structure and can explain the main pieces.

Next:Level 3 — Engineer
Level 3

Engineer

Student understands how software systems fit together and can build with more independence.

Fits: Comfortable building. Ready to ship something real that works for other people.
Focus areas
  • Software architecture
  • Authentication and user accounts
  • Databases and data modeling
  • Deployment and hosting
  • GitHub workflows
  • Testing and debugging at scale
  • Security basics
Outcome

Student ships a deployed or portfolio-ready project and can describe system design decisions.

Next:Level 4 — Founder / Researcher
Level 4

Founder / Researcher

Student can turn an idea into a serious product, research project, or portfolio artifact.

Fits: Building confidently and looking to produce something that matters beyond the session.
Focus areas
  • Product design and scoping
  • Advanced AI workflows and prompting
  • Data and API projects
  • Public demos and showcases
  • Portfolio polish and write-ups
  • Competitions and academic opportunities
Outcome

Student creates a serious project that can be shown to others — on GitHub, in a portfolio, at a contest, or in an application.

Not sure which level fits?

The assessment places each student into the right starting level and recommends a first project path. No guessing required.

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