NextStep Education was born from a simple realization: the most valuable guidance often comes not from textbooks or counselors, but from students who just went through the same experience.
NextStep Education 诞生于一个简单的认知：最有价值的指导往往不是来自教科书或辅导员，而是来自刚刚经历过同样历程的学生。
When our founders moved to Irvine for high school, they were immediately overwhelmed. The school routines and systems were unfamiliar, and everyone else seemed to already know the rules.
当我们的创始人搬到尔湾读高中时，他们立刻感到不知所措。学校的日常安排和系统都很陌生，而其他人似乎已经熟悉了所有规则。
They figured it out through trial and error: talking to upperclassmen, sitting in on club meetings, and asking a lot of questions. Once they found their footing, they thought: what if we could save the next student from going through this alone?
他们摸索出了方法——通过反复试错，与高年级学生交流，参加社团会议并提出很多问题。一旦站稳了脚跟，他们就想：如果我们能让下一位学生不必独自经历这些呢？
NextStep Education launched with that mission: to give every new student the guidance we wish we had.
NextStep Education 带着这个使命成立：给每位新学生我们曾经希望拥有的指导。
Join Our Community → 加入我们的社区 →Founders recognize how disorienting it is for new students navigating Irvine's competitive high school environment and decide to build a peer-support network.
创始人意识到新学生在尔湾竞争激烈的高中环境中的迷茫与困惑，决定建立一个同伴支持网络。
The organization is established with a founding team of 7 students from Portola High School. Three core programs are defined: peer tutoring, volunteer opportunities, and academic Q&A.
组织由波托拉高中7名学生创始团队正式成立，确立三大核心项目：同伴辅导、义工机会和学术问答。
Official 501(c)(3) nonprofit registration documents submitted to the IRS.
正式 501(c)(3) 非盈利注册文件已提交至美国国税局（IRS）。
NextStep hosted its first community dinner, bringing together new students, families, and volunteers to connect and share experiences navigating Irvine's academic environment.
NextStep 举办第一次社区餐会，汇聚新生、家长与义工，共同交流在尔湾学术环境中的经历与心得。
NextStep Education is officially recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Donations are now tax-deductible.
NextStep Education 正式获得美国国税局 501(c)(3) 免税非盈利组织认定，捐款现可享受税前抵扣。
Expanding our programs, building our volunteer network, and preparing to serve incoming Irvine students for the 2026–27 school year.
扩大项目规模，建立义工网络，为服务2026-27学年的尔湾新生积极准备。
Every decision we make is guided by these principles.
我们做出的每一个决定都受这些原则的指引。
Quality academic guidance should never depend on how much money a family has. Everything we offer is completely free, forever.
优质的学业指导不应该取决于家庭的财富多寡。我们提供的所有服务永远完全免费。
We build genuine connections with no transactions involved. As a nonprofit, our goal is simply to make every new student feel like they belong in Irvine.
我们建立真诚的联系，不涉及任何交易。作为非盈利组织，我们的目标只是让每位新学生都真正感受到在尔湾的归属感。
We share real experiences, including our own mistakes and challenges, rather than a polished brochure version of high school life.
我们分享真实经历——包括我们自己的错误和挑战——而不是经过美化的高中生活宣传册版本。
We aim to build confident, independent students, not create dependency. We teach you to fish, not just hand it to you.
我们致力于培养自信独立的学生，而非让你依赖我们。我们教你如何钓鱼，而非直接把鱼递给你。
We take academic guidance seriously. Our volunteers are vetted, trained, and knowledgeable about the specific schools they serve.
我们认真对待学业指导。我们的义工经过审核、培训，并对所服务的具体学校有深入了解。
We're always learning and improving: as individuals, as an organization, and in how we serve our community.
我们始终在学习和进步——作为个人、作为组织，以及在服务社区的方式上。
High school students who turned their own experience into a resource for others.
将自身经历转化为他人资源的高中生们。
Portola High · Class of 2028
波托拉高中 · 2028届
Portola High · Class of 2028
波托拉高中 · 2028届
Portola High · Class of 2028
波托拉高中 · 2028届
Portola High · Class of 2028
波托拉高中 · 2028届
Portola High · Class of 2028
波托拉高中 · 2028届
Portola High · Class of 2028
波托拉高中 · 2028届
Portola High · Class of 2029
波托拉高中 · 2029届
All 7 founding members are currently students at Portola High School, with plans to expand across all Irvine high schools. 所有7位创始成员目前就读于波托拉高中，我们计划逐步扩展至尔湾所有高中。