Apple CEO Visits Summitt Elementary for Coding Demo
The visit highlights a three-year partnership between the tech giant and Region 13 to bring coding into Austin classrooms.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Language Learning
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Students at Summitt Elementary School spent the week demonstrating coding skills to Apple CEO John Ternus. The visit highlighted a longstanding local partnership between the tech giant and Region 13 that brings programming curriculum into Austin classrooms.
Why it matters
Apple has maintained a significant presence in Austin for over 30 years and now employs more than 10,000 residents locally. This ongoing collaboration with Region 13 serves as a primary example of how local tech firms integrate with the district's STEM education initiatives.
The partnership has reached 40,000 students since 2022, while 24 Summitt Elementary students participated in this recent three-week coding program. It remains unknown how the initiative will evolve as Apple maintains its workforce of over 10,000 in the city.
The players
John Ternus
He is the CEO of Apple who visited the Austin school and attended the iPhone Duo product launch.
Summitt Elementary School
This local campus serves as the primary site for the ongoing coding partnership with Apple and Region 13.
Region 13
This regional education service center has partnered with Apple since 2022 to provide coding programs for students.
The details
During the visit, 24 students showcased how they use iPads to program Sphero robots to navigate complex obstacle courses. Students further demonstrated their technical proficiency by designing custom coding challenges for their peers. The program, which spanned three weeks, is part of a broader educational collaboration that Region 13 has facilitated at Summitt Elementary for the past two years.
Timeline
Apple began its formal work with Region 13 in 2022.
Students participated in the coding program throughout October 2026.
CEO John Ternus visited Summitt Elementary on October 23, 2026.
The executive is expected to attend the Formula One race at Circuit of the Americas this weekend.
The Texas Context
This visit reflects the continued investment of major tech employers in local educational infrastructure that has defined Austin's growth over the last three decades. It follows the pattern established by the tech corridor's ongoing integration with regional STEM initiatives.
Local families may see expanded coding opportunities at their campuses as the Region 13 partnership continues into future school years. Residents should also expect increased traffic near Circuit of the Americas this weekend as visitors arrive for the Formula One race.
The takeaway
The intersection of Austin's massive tech workforce and local classroom learning remains a core component of the city's school experience. Families interested in similar STEM programming should monitor updates from their specific school district regarding partnership-led extracurriculars.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational initiatives in the Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KEYE.
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