Navigate

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Inspiration

When I first moved to the U.S. in 10th grade, I realized how confusing the education system could be. Everything felt unfamiliar: credits, GPA, endorsements, and even the types of classes available. I saw how overwhelming it was not only for me but also for other new students and even my friends who grew up here. That’s what inspired me to create Navigate: a simple guide to make the system understandable for everyone.

What it does

Navigate is an app that helps students understand and plan their high school journey. It covers course selection, graduation requirements, GPA calculation, college prep, and even includes a glossary for tricky terms. Students can explore the differences between standard, honors, AP, and IB classes, track their progress toward graduation, calculate both weighted and unweighted GPAs, and access resources for extracurriculars, volunteering, internships, resume-building, and test prep.

How I built it

I started by mapping out the biggest challenges students face when navigating high school, especially as new arrivals. From there, I researched requirements and resources specific to Texas and beyond. Using that information, I designed a step by step guide with clear explanations, examples, and interactive features like GPA calculators and progress trackers. I focused on keeping everything student friendly and easy to understand.

Challenges I ran into

The hardest part was breaking down complex information into simple, clear explanations without oversimplifying. I also had to figure out how to organize a huge amount of information in a way that felt easy to follow instead of overwhelming. Balancing detail with simplicity took a lot of iteration.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

I’m proud that Navigate makes the education system feel less intimidating. It doesn’t just give information, it guides students in making real choices about their future. I’m also proud that it’s built from a student perspective, so it reflects what students actually need instead of what adults think they need.

What I learnt

I learned how important it is to design with empathy. When I thought about my own situation, and those of other students, I understood what kind of support and clarity really matters. I also gained a lot of insight into both the U.S. education system and how to communicate complex topics in a simple way.