A team of students at Northshore School District have launched their own free online tutoring program, in an effort to support parents and teachers trying to balance the online school year of 2020.

Nile currently offers free online English and math tutoring classes for second to fifth graders in the Northshore School District area.

As students also dealing with the struggle of online learning in a pandemic, founders Inglemoor High School freshman Anirudh Rajesh and Skyview Middle School eighth grader Srisha Prasanna hope to expand it throughout the region eventually, to more grade levels and providing mental health support as well like virtual yoga and hobby sharing.

In the future, Rajesh said they even want to help their teachers with errands, technology and other needs.

“It’s not like we’re trying to teach something, we just want to help others. So we’re open to ideas if (students) have suggestions,” Rajesh said.

The program launched Oct. 19, with four other volunteers and tutors from sixth to ninth grade, and has already seen a few signups. Rajesh and Prasanna said they now that their website is launched, each tutor will devote about four hours a week to Nile. Rajesh and Prasanna are neighbors and have been close family friends for most of their lives, and they’ve done volunteer work in the past.

“We have a lot of school homework, but we’re good at managing how we time it,” Prasanna said.

Both the founders are devoting a lot of energy and time outside of their own busy school lives to put together Nile, but they said they launched it to help support teachers, parents and students in this difficult time.

“Tough times will pass, as long as you keep working hard, preparing for the future and knowing what you need to do. Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Rajesh said. “Asking for help is actually a strength, but most people are scared to do that.”

More information and signups are available at Nile4U.org