RECO Spark
Project-based courses for students in Grades 8–9.
Where students learn to think clearly, work collaboratively, and ask better questions — through reading, discussion, and guided group projects.
2 months | 10 live hours | Group sessions and 1-on-1 mentoring
Overview and Purpose
In Grades 8 and 9, students need to build strong foundations in research, writing, and social awareness.
Here’s how RECO Spark helps students kickstart their profile-building journeys with skills, purpose, and confidence.
What’s included
[Format details with graphics]
Spark courses are offered once per quarter. Each course is designed to help students build a unique project
a quarterly theme — from how cities work to how stories shape identity. Every student reads and thinks independently, then contributes to a collective outcome.
SPARK develops several foundational academic skills. Each course emphasizes one hero skill — the core focus of that track.
Upcoming Course
[Brief description, especially mentioning the project]
-
-
Item description
-
Item description
-
Item description
-
Item description
-
Item description
[Note on The Hive and Spark +]
Meet Your Instructor
Anirudh V. Raghavan is pursuing his PhD in Sociology and Anthropology at Ashoka University. His work draws from diverse fields including economics, finance, and public health.
Published in The Economic and Political Weekly and The Wire Science, Anirudh also writes haikus and poems, which have appeared in various literary magazines. He is deeply passionate about teaching.
What could your project be?
We help you weave together your favourite subjects, extracurriculars, hobbies, and social causes into topics that are as unique as you.
Take a look at how some of our alums have done this!
Featured Projects
Karthik combined misinformation, literature, and technology to write on online hate speech in the Rohingya crisis.
Riya combined science, education, and innovation to critique current approaches to STEAM education and propose new solutions.
Paarth combined psychology, economics, business, and technology to analyze new startups improving AI-based learning.
Confused about what your topic could be? Book a consultation with our founder to discuss how you can bring your interests together into an authentic and compelling topic!
2026 Spark Courses: At a Glance
Assessing Opinions
Jan-March 2026
-
-
Item description
-
-
Item description
-
-
Item description
-
-
Item description
-
-
Item description
-
-
Item description
Making Strong Arguments
April-June 2026
Designing For Social Good
June-August 2026
Testimonials
-
![]()
“Most students go to college without purpose. RECO is doing important work in helping students make the most of their time in college."
Anuja Kohli Mariwala, Education Consultant
-
![]()
“The approachability and friendliness of the team made my experience extremely enjoyable. I’ve connected with my mentors even post the program.”
Aarush Kamdar, Grade 11, Don Bosco International School, Mumbai
-
![]()
“I appreciated how flexible they were, prioritizing each student and their specific needs and not burdening them with additional work.”
Fuad Agha, Grade 12, Reva Independent PU, Bangalore
FAQs
-
Our programme helps students strengthen their profiles, develop a wide range of intellectual and socioemotional skills, and develop a sense of purpose to guide their lives and academic choices.
You should apply for Finding Your Academic Purpose if you want to build your profile while challenging yourself, forming deep intellectual bonds, and using your education to make the world a better place.
-
Participants will explore a real-world issue you are passionate about through research, self-reflection, and writing workshops. Participants will also have access to 9+ hours of recorded Zoom sessions led by experts on 1) the skills of interpreting texts, graphs, and evidence, and 2) case studies on economic inequality, diversity and discrimination, and environmental change.
-
No, the program is designed for students interested in addressing complex real-world problems, which often require insights from multiple disciplines—humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and more. If you’re passionate about making a difference in areas like healthcare, government, inclusivity, education, human rights, or any other societal issue, this program could be a great fit for you.
-
You will walk away with original writing ready to become a publishable op-ed, research paper, blog, or script. Your writing will also address key questions that admissions officers often ask and will help you stand out in your applications.
-
Yes, upon successful completion of Finding Your Academic Purpose, you will receive a certificate that recognizes the rigorous application process and curriculum. Exceptional students will also receive a letter of recommendation, speaking to their contributions.
-
Individual mentors are professionals from various industries chosen for their ability to challenge students' critical thinking on any topic they wish to explore, create an inclusive environment, and offer insightful feedback to enhance students' written and oral communication skills. Admitted students are matched with mentors based on their specific areas of interest.
-
We believe the best conversations happen in small groups, so each program admits up to only sixteen students. Peer-based learning will take place in pairs/groups curated based on students’ level of academic experience.
-
The program helps students develop a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, root cause analysis, writing, public speaking, presentation, listening, collaboration, self-awareness, and confidence.
About the Programme
Logistics and More
-
Finding Your Academic Purpose is conducted entirely through live Zoom interactions. Most sessions will be scheduled based on the availability of the students, ensuring maximum flexibility.
Please see the curriculum for more details.
-
This changes depending on the week. However, it ranges from 2-4 hours of total work, including live discussions and individual work.
-
Finding Your Academic Purpose is a carefully designed programme with each session building onto the next. Thus, we highly recommend that you attend all sessions.
If you miss a session, you will receive a one-page summary of the material covered. We will try our best to record all sessions too.
-
Finding Your Academic Purpose is tailored meant for students in Grades 8-11 from any city, regardless of the board exam they are pursuing (CBSE, ISC, IBDP, A/AS-Levels, or others).
While the program is especially valuable for those planning to apply to liberal arts and sciences colleges in India or abroad, it’s also highly beneficial for students with different post-high school plans. All students are encouraged to apply.
-
To apply, please submit a written application using the APPLY button in the menu of the website. Selected candidates will be offered an interview, and then admitted if they excel.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will learn if you are moving on to the next stage, and the higher your chances of admission.
-
No, we do not offer traditional college counseling services which include guaranteeing admissions, building college lists, or editing college essays. Our focus is on helping students reflect on their personal interests and academic goals and articulate them confidently and in detail.
While we're not college counselors, our programs are highly recommended by many college counselors because they help students develop critical various skills and a deeper understanding of college expectations. This, in turn, makes students stronger college applicants.
-
If you withdraw from the program after it has started, no refund will be issued. However, if you withdraw before the start date and a waitlisted student takes your place before the programme begins, you will receive a 75% refund on the programme fee.
How To Join
Start with a free 20-minute consultation with our founder, Paritosh Kanoria, to get all your questions answered.