labs@atheron:~/industries/education$ enrol --students --families --courses

Education software

Apps that students and families actually open.

Your families want one place to look. Your students want help when they are stuck. Employers want to know a certificate is real. We build the apps, tutors and credential systems that do that, and we handle student data the way schools are required to.

Start a project See the example projects

// what you are up against

The problems we hear most.

Five apps for one school

Timetables, homework, absences, fees and messages each live in a different system, and families miss what matters because they stopped checking.

Stuck at night, nobody to ask

Students get stuck on coursework outside class hours, and the help they find online gives them the answer without teaching them anything.

Certificates nobody can check

Employers and other institutions phone or email the registrar about every credential, and a forged PDF is hard to tell from a real one.

Cohorts scattered across chat

Online programmes run office hours, reminders and peer help across chat tools by hand, and students drift away between sessions.

// example projects

Systems we could build for you.

Each one is hypothetical, labelled as such, and priced live from our rate card. Open any of them in the estimator and make it yours.

Example projectWeb appMobile app

Student and family school app

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

An independent school sends families to separate systems for timetables, homework, absences, fees and messages, and important notices are missed.

// What we would build

One iOS and Android app and family site, connected to the school's student information system and learning platform, for timetables, assignments, absences, fees and messages, in the languages families speak at home.

// What is in it

Timetables, assignments and grades from your existing systems
Absence reporting by families, straight to the office
Fees, trips and forms paid and signed in the app
Messages from teachers and the school, with read receipts
Notices in English, French and the other languages families use
Separate views for students, parents and staff

// Stack

React Native
Next.js
PostgreSQL
Student information system interface
Stripe
AWS (Canada region)

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$131,000 to US$201,000, delivered within 28 weeksCAD 186,700 to 285,600
Hosting: ≈ US$492 a monthCAD 700 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Design approved: 6.9 to 12.4 weeks
Core features: 1.9 to 2.9 weeks
Full build: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
First build on devices: 3.4 to 5.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 to 0.9 weeks
Store submission: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

App store review: 1 week
LMS test access from your IT team: 1 to 4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 37,340 to 57,120
Discovery 9.2%: CAD 17,176.40 to 26,275.20
Design approved 9.2%: CAD 17,176.40 to 26,275.20
Core features 7.6%: CAD 14,189.20 to 21,705.60
Full build 5%: CAD 9,335 to 14,280
First build on devices 20.1%: CAD 37,526.70 to 57,405.60
Testing and fixes 2.5%: CAD 4,667.50 to 7,140.00
Store submission 6.7%: CAD 12,508.90 to 19,135.20
Launch 9.7%: CAD 18,109.90 to 27,703.20
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 18,670 to 28,560

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appAIOpen-source model

Course tutor on a private model

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A college's first-year students get stuck on coursework at night, and general chatbots hand them answers that skip the learning and ignore the course.

// What we would build

A tutor that works from the course's own materials, asks guiding questions rather than giving answers away, and shows instructors where students struggle. It runs on an open-source model in the college's own cloud account in Canada, so student conversations stay with the institution.

// What is in it

Grounded in the course's own readings, slides and problem sets
Guides students step by step instead of handing over answers
Instructors set the rules per course and per assessment
Reports on the topics students ask about most
An evaluation set built with instructors, run before every change

// Stack

Llama or Qwen (open-source)
vLLM
PostgreSQL with pgvector
Learning platform interface (LTI)
AWS (Canada region)

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$111,000 to US$169,000, delivered within 22 weeksCAD 157,700 to 241,100
Hosting: ≈ US$6,710 a monthCAD 9,550 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

AI route: Open-source model
Model running cost: ≈ US$6,530 a monthCAD 9,300 a month

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Specification and evaluation plan: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 4.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Working pilot: 3.9 to 6.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Production: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

LMS test access from your IT team: 1 to 4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 31,480 to 48,160
Discovery 1.8%: CAD 2,833.20 to 4,334.40
Specification and evaluation plan 10.5%: CAD 16,527 to 25,284
Design approved 1.8%: CAD 2,833.20 to 4,334.40
Core features 5.6%: CAD 8,814.40 to 13,484.80
Full build 3.7%: CAD 5,823.80 to 8,909.60
Working pilot 31.7%: CAD 49,895.80 to 76,333.60
Testing and fixes 1.8%: CAD 2,833.20 to 4,334.40
Launch 1.8%: CAD 2,833.20 to 4,334.40
Production 11.3%: CAD 17,786.20 to 27,210.40
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 15,740 to 24,080
GPU time for training and testing, at cost: CAD 300. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appWeb3

Verifiable college credentials

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A college issues certificates as PDFs, and employers call the registrar to check them while forged copies circulate unnoticed.

// What we would build

Certificates and micro-credentials issued as signed verifiable credentials, with a fingerprint of each anchored on a public chain through a small smart contract, so anyone can check one in seconds even if the college's systems change. A verification page on the college's own database does most of this; the chain adds proof that outlives it.

// What is in it

Credentials issued from the registrar's system, signed by the college
A fingerprint of each anchored on a public chain, with no personal data on it
A public verification page for employers and other institutions
Revocation recorded the same way, so a withdrawn credential shows
Learners keep credentials in a digital wallet or as a link

// Stack

W3C Verifiable Credentials
Open Badges 3.0
Solidity
Next.js
AWS

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$65,800 to US$101,000, delivered within 20 weeksCAD 93,700 to 143,300
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Specification: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 4.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Contracts and tests: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 weeks
Testnet deployment: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Mainnet: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

An outside audit of the contracts, if you want one: 2 to 4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 18,740 to 28,660
Discovery 4.2%: CAD 3,935.40 to 6,018.60
Specification 5.3%: CAD 4,966.10 to 7,594.90
Design approved 4.2%: CAD 3,935.40 to 6,018.60
Core features 12.6%: CAD 11,806.20 to 18,055.80
Full build 8.4%: CAD 7,870.80 to 12,037.20
Contracts and tests 16%: CAD 14,992 to 22,928
Testing and fixes 4.2%: CAD 3,935.40 to 6,018.60
Testnet deployment 5.3%: CAD 4,966.10 to 7,594.90
Launch 4.2%: CAD 3,935.40 to 6,018.60
Mainnet 5.6%: CAD 5,247.20 to 8,024.80
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 9,370 to 14,330

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appBot with a web dashboard

Cohort bot for an online programme

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

An online training provider runs each cohort in Discord, and staff post reminders, run office hours queues and check who is falling behind by hand.

// What we would build

A Discord bot connected to the learning platform that posts deadlines, runs the office hours queue, groups peers for study, and flags students who have gone quiet to their mentor, with a small dashboard for staff.

// What is in it

Deadlines and live session reminders posted per cohort
An office hours queue students join with one command
Study groups formed by timezone and progress
Students who have gone quiet flagged to their mentor
A dashboard for programme staff

// Stack

Node.js
discord.js
PostgreSQL
Learning platform interface
Next.js
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$38,800 to US$59,300, delivered within 15 weeksCAD 55,200 to 84,400
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Commands agreed: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 3.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Working in a test server: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 30%: CAD 16,560 to 25,320
Discovery 5%: CAD 2,760 to 4,220
Commands agreed 3.5%: CAD 1,932 to 2,954
Design approved 5%: CAD 2,760 to 4,220
Core features 15.2%: CAD 8,390.40 to 12,828.80
Full build 10.1%: CAD 5,575.20 to 8,524.40
Working in a test server 7.1%: CAD 3,919.20 to 5,992.40
Testing and fixes 5%: CAD 2,760 to 4,220
Launch 9.1%: CAD 5,023.20 to 7,680.40
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 5,520 to 8,440

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appAIFrontier model

School messages in families' languages

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A school district's families speak dozens of languages at home, and notices, forms and report card comments go out in English, so many parents miss what matters.

// What we would build

A family communication portal in English, French and the district's most spoken home languages, with translated templates reviewed by native speakers, an assistant that answers common questions from school policies, and every message sent in the language each family chose.

// What is in it

Notices and forms in each family's chosen language
Templates reviewed by native speakers, right to left where needed
An assistant that answers from district policies
Replies from families translated back for staff

// Stack

Next.js
PostgreSQL
Crowdin
Claude API
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$95,300 to US$146,000, delivered within 21 weeksCAD 135,700 to 207,500
Hosting: ≈ US$218 a monthCAD 310 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

AI route: Frontier model
Model running cost: ≈ US$42 a monthCAD 60 a month

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Specification and evaluation plan: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 3.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Working pilot: 3.9 to 6.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Production: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

LMS test access from your IT team: 1 to 4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 27,140 to 41,500
Discovery 2%: CAD 2,714 to 4,150
Specification and evaluation plan 10.2%: CAD 13,841.40 to 21,165.00
Design approved 2%: CAD 2,714 to 4,150
Core features 6.2%: CAD 8,413.40 to 12,865.00
Full build 4.1%: CAD 5,563.70 to 8,507.50
Working pilot 30.7%: CAD 41,659.90 to 63,702.50
Testing and fixes 2%: CAD 2,714 to 4,150
Launch 2%: CAD 2,714 to 4,150
Production 10.8%: CAD 14,655.60 to 22,410.00
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 13,570 to 20,750

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appMobile app

Student portal, redesigned for phones

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A college's student portal grew one menu at a time over a decade; students cannot find their timetable, fees or grades on a phone, and the help desk hears about it daily.

// What we would build

A redesign built on research with students: a home screen with what each student needs this week, plain labels, a layout that works on any phone and with a screen reader, and a design system your web team can extend.

// What is in it

Interviews and tests with your own students
Timetable, fees and grades one tap from home
Built to WCAG 2.1 AA and tested with screen readers
A design system and components for your web team

// Stack

Figma
Next.js
React Native
PostgreSQL
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$104,000 to US$159,000, delivered within 27 weeksCAD 148,200 to 226,700
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 3.5 to 4 weeks
Design approved: 8 to 14 weeks
Core features: 1.5 to 3 weeks
Full build: 1 to 2 weeks
First build on devices: 3 to 5 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.5 to 1 weeks
Store submission: 1 to 2 weeks
Launch: 1 to 2 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

App store review: 1 week
LMS test access from your IT team: 1 to 4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 29,640 to 45,340
Discovery 9.2%: CAD 13,634.40 to 20,856.40
Design approved 9.2%: CAD 13,634.40 to 20,856.40
Core features 7.6%: CAD 11,263.20 to 17,229.20
Full build 5%: CAD 7,410 to 11,335
First build on devices 20.1%: CAD 29,788.20 to 45,566.70
Testing and fixes 2.5%: CAD 3,705.00 to 5,667.50
Store submission 6.7%: CAD 9,929.40 to 15,188.90
Launch 9.7%: CAD 14,375.40 to 21,989.90
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 14,820 to 22,670

Start from this example

// by service

Go deeper on one kind of work.

Pages for the services we have the most to say about in this industry.

~/apps

Student and family app

One iOS and Android app for students and families: timetables, assignments, absences, fees and messages from your existing school systems, in the languages families speak.

~/ai

AI course tutors

Course tutors grounded in your own materials that guide students instead of giving answers away, on open-source models in your own cloud account so student conversations stay with you.

~/web3

Verifiable credentials

Certificates and micro-credentials issued as signed verifiable credentials with a fingerprint anchored on a public chain, so employers can check one in seconds and forged copies fail.

~/bots

Online course bots

Cohort bots for online programmes: deadlines and session reminders, an office hours queue, study groups by timezone, and quiet students flagged to their mentor.

// questions

What buyers in this industry ask us.

Do you work with public school districts too?

Yes. Public bodies often have their own procurement and privacy requirements, and we work within them.

Can everything be hosted in Canada?

Yes. Apps, data and models can all stay in a Canadian region.

How do payments work?

A deposit to start, then payments at agreed milestones, with 10% held until 30 days after launch. The deposit is a smaller share on larger projects.

Who owns the code and the models?

You do, once the work is paid for.

// other industries

Nearby industries.

~/government

Government and public sector

Provincial and federal service portals, inspector apps, plain-language services assistants and verifiable licences and permits.

See the examples

~/nonprofit

Nonprofit

Donor and volunteer apps, grant writing assistants, impact reporting portals and crypto donation pages.

See the examples

~/media

Media and entertainment

Subscriber apps, assistants that search your archive, rights and royalty ledgers, and community bots for Discord and Telegram.

See the examples

All industries

// where we work

Find your market.

We work from Kelowna with clients across Canada, the United States and further afield. Each market page covers working hours, hosting, the privacy law that applies, and prices in your currency.

Every market

// next

Not quite your project?

Tell us what you have in mind. We will come back to you with a range and the questions that would narrow it. Or book a call and talk it through.

Start a project Book a call