A group of innovative student developers is taking a stand for student health and safety in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) with their new platform, Ripple. Led by Eric Huang of Poolesville High School and his fellow classmates Pranav Karthikeyan and Krish Putta from Poolesville, alongside Mehul Jasti from Clarksburg, the team is on a mission to address the maintenance issues that have long affected the daily lives of students throughout the district.
In recent years, students in Maryland’s largest school district (MCPS) have faced numerous challenges– from unannounced bathroom closures and a shortage of menstrual products to broken locks on school facilities. These issues, which were once seen as minor inconveniences, have now escalated into serious problems that disrupt learning, compromise safety, and leave students feeling unheard. Critics say the lack of two-way communication from policymakers has left a void in accountability, further aggravating the situation.
Recognizing the urgent need for change, these student developers turned to their expertise in software development and student advocacy to create Ripple– a secure, easy-to-use issue-reporting platform designed specifically for the school community. Ripple allows students, teachers, and administrators to quickly evaluate and report specific school issues. The platform displays all reports on a publicly accessible heatmap, fostering transparency and ensuring that problems can no longer be ignored.
For policymakers and school officials, Ripple offers a centralized hub for analyzing trends and managing issues more efficiently. Its built-in two-way communication features enable administrators to respond quickly and effectively, paving the way for real, tangible action and restored trust between the administration and the student body.
The project has already garnered significant attention, with the team being featured on FOX5 and WTOP. Their initiative has sparked productive conversations with the Montgomery County Board of Education, various department directors, and community stakeholders. Recently, the IT department approved Ripple for pilot testing in local schools, marking a landmark step toward potentially becoming one of the first student-led software contracts purchased by Montgomery County Public SchoolsEnterprising Students Develop ‘Ripple’ Platform to Tackle Issues in Montgomery County Schools.