1 · Project Understanding
What Everest is, why it exists, and who it serves.
Positioning — settled on the discovery call
This is not a homeschool platform. It is a remedial learning platform for children who learn differently — including diagnosed learning disorders (ADHD, processing-speed, dyslexia, language-processing/executive-function). Built by an Educational Psychologist. Homeschool is at most a tertiary audience, not the headline.
Everest is not a school and not a worksheet website. It is a structured, subscription-based learning system for children ages 7–12 (Standards 1–5) in Trinidad & Tobago, built for parents who guide their child's learning at home — with the core focus on children who learn differently (ADHD, dyslexia, executive-function and language-processing challenges), all oriented toward the national SEA exam (the Standard 5 exit exam).
The problem being solved
Parents feel the school system is rigid, exam-driven, and one-size-fits-all. Global sites (Twinkl, Teachers Pay Teachers, K5) target teachers and overwhelm parents with disconnected, non-interactive downloads — "you don't know how to go from one step to the next." Local competitor Pennacool focuses on practice drills, not teaching; the Homeschool Association of T&T has no structured program. Everest's gap: a parent-focused, curriculum-aligned teaching system that shows parents exactly what to teach, in what order — with human professionals available when needed.
Who it's for
| Audience | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary | Parents of children 7–12 who learn differently (ADHD, dyslexia, processing-speed / language-processing / executive-function) needing structured remediation & SEA prep |
| Secondary | Parents of typically-developing 7–12 y/o wanting structured maths, reading & writing support |
| Tertiary | Teachers & homeschool families wanting structured resources (tertiary only — not the positioning) |
Business model & growth
Five revenue streams: subscriptions (3 tiers, pricing TBD — indicative $15 / $20 / $35 USD/mo, see Payments), one-time purchases (worksheets/test papers), skill workshops, professional consultations & assessments (in-person educational assessment, speech therapy, remedial programs — service rates TBC with Everest; the prototype's TT$ figures are placeholders, not validated), and tactile kits / companion products. Payments processed in USD — processor choice is ours to make: Stripe (international) + WiPay (local TTD). Everest has 8 years serving T&T families (currently ~12 in-person students).
| Phase | Timeframe | Subscriber target |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Foundation | Year 1 | 200–500 |
| 2 · Expansion | Years 2–3 | 1,500–3,000 |
| 3 · Regional (Caribbean) | Years 3–5 | 5,000+ |
The five offerings
2 · The Platform — Core Requirements
Exactly what we must build — from the brief, the discovery call, and Krunal's 21-screen interactive prototype.
The mobile app is already prototyped — 21 screens
Krunal's interactive mobile-app prototype (iOS + Android look & feel) is the UX reference and defines the full v1 flow: Login → Plans → Select Child → Learning Check → Dashboard (streak) → Subjects (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies) → Lesson → Interactive/Tap Activity → Quiz → Result → Parent Dashboard (Insights & Alerts) → Custom Practice → Downloads → SEA Mock → Tactile Kit → Services → Community → Brain Break. Build to match it.
The heart of the product — the Learning Pathway
Every topic is a sequence of lessons, and every lesson follows the same fixed flow:
Concept Intro → Guided Examples → Worksheet (PDF) → Interactive Activity (H5P) → Application → Quiz → "Next Lesson". Admins group lessons into a navigable pathway. Reference example in the brief: a 10-lesson SEA Fractions pathway.
Public website pages
Home · About · Services · Learning Library · SEA Preparation · Reading & Writing Support · Support for Learning Differences · Speech Therapy · Educational Evaluations · Contact / Book Consultation.
User portal & parent dashboard
- User types: Students, and Parents (parent accounts optional at launch)
- Secure login · dashboard · access to purchased/assigned content · saved resources
- Parent dashboard with per-child progress tracking is a v1 CORE feature (the discovery call moved it out of Phase 2): "know exactly where the child is."
- Red-flag / struggle indicators (the prototype's "Insights & Alerts"): e.g. "scored below 60% on the last 3 reading-comprehension activities — may indicate a processing-speed challenge; consider an assessment," plus a strengths panel, a downloadable PDF report, and a "book an assessment" CTA into Everest's in-person services. Indicators for professional follow-up, not automated diagnosis.
- Multiple children per family — child profiles bundled by subscription tier (Essential = 1, Plus = up to 3), each with its own progress. (Evolves the brief's "separate subscription per child" into cleaner tiered profiles — see Payments.)
Learning Library
Organised & filterable by Subject · Grade · Skill · Difficulty · Learning need. Subjects: Mathematics · Reading & Comprehension · Writing · Grammar & Vocabulary · Executive Function · the Learning Pathway System (core feature).
Lesson page template
Every lesson: Title · Objective · plain-language explanation · step-by-step examples · visual supports · downloadable worksheet · embedded H5P activity · quiz · "Next Step" · and a differentiation branch ("if the student struggles…").
Interactive content MANDATORY — but ADHD-aware
- H5P-style (required): quizzes, drag-and-drop, interactive video, flashcards
- Genially (preferred): interactive lessons, game-based learning
- Must support iframe embeds directly in the lesson page
- Deliberately limited/calm: games & interactivity must be measured — over-stimulation is a real concern for the ADHD/processing-speed audience (from the call)
Differentiator features CALL & PROTOTYPE
- Parent custom-input generator ("Custom Spelling Test" in the prototype): a parent enters spelling / test-prep words and the system builds practice — Listen & Type · Scramble & Solve · Fill the Blank · Timed Test. A feature no competitor has.
- Gamified motivation: per-child learning streak ("7 days in a row"), lesson locking/unlocking, and completion celebrations — keeps kids returning.
- Brain Break — a calming reset activity, the prototype's answer to the ADHD over-stimulation concern (interactive but not busy).
- Multiple content types per lesson: short teaching video + step-by-step + drag-and-drop activity + quiz + downloadable worksheet — not PDF-only.
- Physical-kit tier: the Premium tier ships a monthly tactile kit (manipulatives, blocks, flash cards) that pairs with the digital lessons.
- Subjects: Mathematics + Language Arts at launch; Social Studies & Geography (T&T-specific) shown as "Coming soon," plus a T&T Knowledge Quiz engagement feature.
- MoE approval path: the platform should be "approvable as a parallel/alternative learning system" by the T&T Ministry of Education.
- Parent community — a moderated feed (Brianna posts awareness content, e.g. "5 Signs Your Child May Have a Processing-Speed Challenge"; parents share wins), plus links to Everest's in-person services.
Payments & access — 3-tier subscription PRICING TO BE DECIDED
The prototype proposes this commercial model — final pricing to be decided with you. Three monthly USD tiers (indicative), with a 7-day free trial on all plans, cancel anytime:
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $15/mo | All lessons, quizzes & activities · progress tracking + parent dashboard · custom spelling tests · 1 child profile |
| Plus Most popular | $20/mo | Everything in Essential + SEA Prep module + parent community + downloadable worksheets & videos + up to 3 child profiles + learning-disorder red-flag alerts |
| Premium | $35/mo | Everything in Plus + monthly tactile kit shipped + priority support + 10% off in-person assessments + free parent consultation |
Plus: one-time purchases (test papers, worksheets) · bundles · protected content (preview-then-paywall) · secure USD card processing via Stripe + WiPay. Note: red-flag alerts, SEA Prep and tactile kits are tier-gated — the entitlement model must support this. Pricing is not yet finalised — these tiers are indicative and to be decided with you (Amanda).
Admin / content management NON-NEGOTIABLE
What the client does not want
- A basic download-only website
- An overly complex backend
- Any dependency on a developer for simple updates
- A cluttered interface, or content with no structure/progression
3 · Assets & Curriculum Scope
What the client has already provided, and the teaching scope.
Assets already supplied
| Asset | What it is | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum maps (4 docs) | Full T&T syllabus, Standards 1–4 (Maths, Reading, Writing) | Highlighted = site lessons; non-highlighted = physical "boxes" sold separately |
| 7 teaching slide decks | Std 1–3 maths & grammar samples | Define the house style & lesson quality bar |
| ~40 exam papers | National Tests + SEA (2003–2025) | Source material to build worksheets |
| Testimonials | 8 parent audio clips + 1 video | Marketing / social proof |
Curriculum & pedagogy
- Standards 1–5, with the SEA (Std 4–5 exit exam) as the headline focus
- Subjects: Mathematics · English Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Grammar) · Creative Writing · Executive-function & underlying-skill activities · non-academic foundational skills. Built: Math + Language. Needed: Social Studies & Geography (T&T-specific).
- Signature method to preserve in every lesson: Concrete → Visual → Words → Sentences → Abstract, heavily scaffolded
- Marketing tone (empathy-led): "First character, then academics," "The problem is not the child."
4 · Technology Recommendation
The stack decision, judged against the client's non-negotiables.
The non-negotiable is admin edits content without a developer. On the call Brianna raised Moodle/WordPress/H5P; we recommended a custom, owned build for scale and ownership (the Clasma precedent — WordPress got too slow at scale and was migrated to custom). The client has chosen a fully custom platform — so the requirements that fight off-the-shelf tools (per-child entitlements, the parent custom-input generator, red-flag analytics, kit tiers) are built cleanly rather than bolted on.
Options compared
| Criterion | A · Custom app (React Native + Node) Chosen | B · WordPress + LMS | C · SaaS course platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admin edits content, no dev | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Interactive depth (ADHD-tuned) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Pathways / sequencing | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Dashboard / progress / red flags | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Parent custom-input generator | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★ |
| Commerce (per-child, kit tiers) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Local payment (WiPay) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Ownership / data control | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Scales to 5,000+ subs | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Build cost / speed | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Recommendation
Build v1 as a custom, mobile-first app: React Native (iOS + Android) + Node/Postgres + a web admin/CMS, with native interactive (H5P-style) embeds. Payments: WiPay (local TTD) + Stripe (international USD). The mobile app ships first; a parent web app follows in a later phase (per Krunal). This gives the client ownership and the bespoke features Brianna asked for, and scales to the Phase-3 target.
Validation gate: build the Fractions pathway end-to-end, then have the client add a second lesson themselves on a screen-share. If they can, the "no developer for updates" promise is proven.
5 · v1 Scope & Delivery Plan
Build one vertical slice deep, not ten features shallow.
Goal of v1: the smallest platform that proves the core promise — a parent lands, sees a structured SEA pathway, pays, and their child works through guided, interactive lessons. The reference slice is the SEA Fractions pathway (10 lessons). Nail that and the rest is content, not engineering.
Scope by priority (MoSCoW)
MUST ships in v1 SHOULD if budget allows COULD Phase 2 WON'T later
| Item | Priority |
|---|---|
| Public site + Learning Library (filter/search/"Start Here") | MUST |
| One complete learning pathway (Fractions) with the full lesson template + H5P | MUST |
| Secure login, dashboard, saved/assigned content | MUST |
| Parent dashboard + per-child progress tracking (call moved this to core) | MUST |
| Commerce: 3-tier subscription (pricing TBD; indicative $15/$20/$35, 7-day trial) + one-time + protected/preview + tier-gated features | MUST |
| Admin CMS — content edits with no developer | MUST |
| Parent custom-input generator · red-flag "Insights & Alerts" · community · gamification (streak/Brain Break/T&T quiz) — in base MVP | MUST |
| Parent-vs-child accounts (family, multiple children) | SHOULD |
| Consultation booking + payment (vs. enquiry form) | SHOULD |
| Genially · bundles · kit-tier & workshop commerce · Social Studies/Geography | COULD |
| Teacher dashboards · badges · mobile app · secondary curriculum | WON'T |
Delivery phases
| Phase | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0 · Discovery sign-off | Answer the "must-answer-five", lock stack, confirm branding/domain/hosting |
| 1 · Foundation | Platform stood up, themed, content model (taxonomy) configured |
| 2 · Reference pathway | Fractions pathway end-to-end — the go/no-go client demo |
| 3 · Commerce & accounts | Payments, memberships, protected content, per-child, family accounts |
| 4 · Public site & content load | Marketing pages, booking flow, agreed launch content set |
| 5 · Hardening & launch | Mobile/speed/security QA, Terms/Privacy, admin training, pilot, launch |
Definition of done for v1
A parent in Trinidad can find the SEA Fractions pathway → preview it → pay per child → log in → have their child complete all 10 guided lessons with worksheets, H5P activities & quizzes on a phone — and the Everest admin can add the next pathway without calling us.
6 · Client Discovery Questions
Close every gap before we lock scope and quote.
● blocks scope/quote ● shapes design ● good to know
Commercial & payments
- 1 Brief already sets USD card processing, "to be advised by you" → we recommend the processor. Open ask: do you also need local TTD (WiPay) alongside international cards?
- 2 Confirm the prototype's pricing tiers ($15 Essential / $20 Plus / $35 Premium, 7-day trial) with Amanda — plus prices for one-time items, bundles & workshops. (Prices are proposed in the prototype, not yet client-approved.)
- 3 Budget range for the initial build?
- 4 Confirm the free-preview vs. paywall split (mechanism already set in the brief).
Content (the #1 delivery risk)
- 6 They own "a large library" — but how much is in ready-to-load lesson form vs. still to be produced?
- 7 Who produces the content — Everest, or us converting slides/exams?
- 8 Send the specific highlighted list (meaning is known — highlighted = site lessons, non-highlighted = physical boxes; colour didn't survive extraction).
- 9 What's the launch content minimum (e.g. one full SEA pathway)?
Product scope
- 12 Parent accounts — brief already says "optional initially" — confirm only.
- 13 Parent dashboard + progress — the call made this v1 core. Confirm the per-child progress model + whether red-flag indicators are in for launch.
- 13b Content transformation — how much of the Math/Language library is lesson-ready vs. raw? (Sizes the AI-transformation line item Brianna asked for.) Also want Social Studies/Geography?
- 13c Marketing partnership — quote the growth/community track alongside the build? (Krunal committed to include it.)
- 14 Professional services — real booking + payment in v1, or an enquiry form?
- 14b MoE approval — any Ministry requirements to be "approvable as a parallel/alternative learning system"?
Branding, technical & compliance
- 17 Do you own a domain? Who controls DNS?
- 18 Existing logo, colours, fonts, brand guide — or do we design them?
- 21 Do you have H5P/Genially content, or do we build the activities?
- 25 Children's data + payments: any T&T data-protection rules, and do you have Terms/Privacy?
Timeline & success
- 28 Target launch date or fixed deadline (e.g. before a school/SEA season)?
- 29 Definition of success for v1 (e.g. first 200 subscribers, or a working pilot)?
The must-answer-first five
#3 Budget · #6 Content readiness · #7 Who produces content · #9 Launch content minimum · #28 Launch date. (Payment & parent-accounts dropped — the brief already answers them.) With these, we can lock v1 scope and give a real quote and timeline.
7 · Risks & Next Steps
What could derail delivery, and how we move forward.
Key risks
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Content readiness — a structured platform is only as good as the sequenced lessons loaded into it | Start content production in parallel from day one; define a launch minimum (one SEA subject) |
| Scope creep across the five offerings | v1 = Learning Platform + commerce; defer workshops & therapy scheduling |
| "No developer for updates" could fail silently | Verify with a hands-on admin walkthrough before sign-off |
| Local payment (WiPay) integration & USD settlement | Validate merchant eligibility & integration path early in Phase 1 |
Immediate next steps
- Walk the client through this brief and get the must-answer-five answered.
- Lock v1 scope: public site + Learning Library + one full SEA pathway + login + parent dashboard w/ progress + payments.
- Build the custom platform and the Fractions pathway as the reference (the demo is the design reference).
- Agree the AI-assisted content-transformation pipeline (converting slides/exam papers into interactive lessons) — the client asked for this as a costed line item.