diff --git a/src/routes/api/grade/+server.ts b/src/routes/api/grade/+server.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8071342
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/routes/api/grade/+server.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import type { RequestHandler } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+import type { RequestEvent } from '@sveltejs/kit';
+
+// TODO - don't just mock the grading logic
+export const POST: RequestHandler = async (event: RequestEvent) => {
+  const data = await event.request.formData();
+  const file = data.get('file');
+  const text = data.get('text');
+
+  // Simulation of grading and feedback
+  let feedback = '';
+  if (file) {
+    feedback = 'Received file: ' + (file as File).name + '. [AI feedback coming soon]';
+  } else if (typeof text === 'string' && text.trim().length > 0) {
+    feedback = 'Received text submission. [AI feedback coming soon]';
+  } else {
+    return new Response(JSON.stringify({ error: 'No valid input provided.' }), { status: 400 });
+  }
+
+  // Return mock feedback for now
+  return new Response(JSON.stringify({ success: true, feedback }), {
+    status: 200,
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }
+  });
+};
diff --git a/src/routes/upload/+page.svelte b/src/routes/upload/+page.svelte
index 8b609f8..3c661f9 100644
--- a/src/routes/upload/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/upload/+page.svelte
@@ -33,15 +33,33 @@ async function handleSubmit(event: Event) {
   successMsg = '';
   errorMsg = '';
 
-  // TODO - Actually do an upload, remove simulation of a successful upload
-  await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 800));
-  if (file || textInput.trim().length > 0) {
-    successMsg = 'Submission received! AI assessment coming soon.';
-  } else {
-    errorMsg = 'Please provide a file or enter text.';
+  const formData = new FormData();
+  if (file) {
+    formData.append('file', file);
+  } else if (textInput.trim().length > 0) {
+    formData.append('text', textInput.trim());
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch('/api/grade', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: formData
+    });
+    const result = await response.json();
+    if (response.ok && result.success) {
+      successMsg = result.feedback;
+      file = null;
+      textInput = '';
+    } else {
+      errorMsg = result.error || 'An error occurred.';
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    errorMsg = 'Network or server error.';
+  } finally {
+    submitting = false;
   }
-  submitting = false;
 }
+
 </script>
 
 <section class="max-w-xl mx-auto py-12">