APPOMATTOX Co., Va. (WSET) – A student-teacher duo in Appomattox believes that compatibility could make a difference in high school dropout rates. So much so, they developed a software idea around it.
Coach Jason Clark coaches football and teaches computer technology at Appomattox High School. Together with Nathan Simpson, a 15-year-old student, they developed an award winning software idea.
“True Dimension Education, it’s like the match.com for high school courses selection,” said Nathan. “So we can take a student’s past academic history and their learning style and put them in the best possible courses for the best engagement.”
The software matches students with teachers who have compatible learning and teaching styles. It’s based on an algorithm that compiles student data, and they hope the result will lead to a reduction in dropout rates.
“So very similar to match.com instead of finding dates it finds you teachers,” said Nathan.
It’s a plan that’s worked so well for these two; they’ve won national recognition from an entrepreneurial group, grant money, and interest from several school systems.
“The validation of other proven business leaders is just surreal,” said Nathan.
“I’m gonna make a prediction,” said Coach Clark. “He’ll make his first $500,000 before the age of 25. And by the time he’s 30, I’ll be asking him for a job.”
In addition to winning a national contest out of 6,000 entries Nathan’s idea has the attention of a local software investment company called Sharptop Software.