Programmed for Success

Nigel Denny and James Welsh have been friends since the sixth grade. They share many of the same interests, including a love for computer science. Last year, both friends decided it would be a transformative experience to take the skills they had learned in their computer science classes and build their very own app together. The friends began to brainstorm how an app designed for Country Day’s 9th-12th graders could improve the overall Upper School experience for future Buccaneers.

As students themselves, Nigel and James identified a problem they experienced daily: The need for a dedicated Country Day app that allows them and their classmates to navigate the sea of schedules, deadlines, homework assignments, bulletins, grades, clubs, and athletic events all in one central location. Both boys believed that if they built the right Country Day app, freshmen especially would feel less overwhelmed as they transitioned from Middle School. In turn, students would feel more included in their new environment and ultimately thrive even more as successful, active high schoolers at Country Day.

Computer Science teacher Rick Hackett serves as the duo’s faculty advisor, but he readily admits he has little advising to do, as the motivated teens have remained focused and committed for over a year.

To accomplish their goal, Nigel and James taught themselves the “Swift” computer language during weekends and vacations so that they could program their app. They also learned about computer security so that only those in the Country Day community could log onto their app. They determined what text and graphics they wanted to appear on their various screens, as well as how to troubleshoot when tech glitches inevitably arise. And they enlisted the help of their friends in different grades to act as beta-testers.

The Country Day app launched in early March, and Nigel and James are especially grateful to all those in the Country Day community who have offered their support on this endeavor—Mr. Hackett, Upper School administrators, and their peers in Entrepreneurial Studies, a new elective taught by Steve Wall, assistant dean of students.

Nigel and James both want to pursue the tech field and perhaps create a new business. James affirms as his friend happily nods, “The great thing about working with Nigel on this app was us realizing, ‘Yes, we WANT to pursue this in college!’”