Virginia Student Built Free College Prep Platform

A 16-year-old developer launched a resource to simplify admissions and testing for students.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stack of academic books and a drafting compass, representing a student-built educational platform. — Virginia student Shriyan Avadhanula launched Scholark, a free digital platform designed to provide peers with accessible college admissions data and AP exam preparation resources. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prefer using free student-built platforms over paid resources for your college preparation needs?

Shriyan Avadhanula, a 16-year-old student at Henrico High School in Virginia, launched the free college-prep platform Scholark in 2025. The digital tool provides students with resources for college admissions and AP exam preparation.

Why it matters

Avadhanula developed the platform to address frustrations regarding disorganized college admissions data and the high costs associated with existing test-preparation subscriptions.

The platform has reached 10,000 users since its 2025 launch. It was built by Avadhanula over two and a half to three years using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

The players

Shriyan Avadhanula

He is a 16-year-old student at Henrico High School who developed the Scholark platform.

College Board

It is a non-profit organization that manages standardized testing and college preparation materials used in schools across the United States.

The details

Avadhanula utilized artificial intelligence to generate practice questions modeled after College Board phrasing patterns, bypassing a $49.99 subscription fee required by other services. The platform also offers a GPA calculator and an admissions prediction tool to assist peers in navigating the college application process.

The platform launched in 2025.
This report was published on September 22, 2026.

Culture Shift

The emergence of free, student-built tools marks a shift against the traditional reliance on expensive, proprietary test-prep software. This trend reflects a broader move toward democratized educational access through AI-driven student innovation.

Students in Virginia can utilize the free platform to bypass costs typically associated with AP test preparation. This tool provides local families with a no-cost alternative for tracking GPA and college admissions metrics.

The takeaway

Students can successfully solve common academic hurdles by leveraging accessible coding languages and AI integration. Utilizing these tools allows families to avoid premium subscription fees while maintaining effective preparation for standardized exams.