The School Project

The school project directly addresses formal education with two clear aims:

1. To demonstrate that it is possible for children from low-income communities to achieve high levels given an excellent education.

2. To create a scalable school model within the government system that drives wider systemic reform in education.

The Akanksha Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a mission to build the largest network of innovative schools that empowers children to maximise their potential and that influences systemic reform.

For over 28 years, Akanksha has educated children from low-income communities across Mumbai and Pune - first, through our after-school centers, and since 2007, through the Akanksha Schools.

The Akanksha School model works within and beyond classrooms to maximize the potential of our children. We believe that a holistic education for all children includes excellence in core academic skills, the development of socio-emotional and 21st century skills and values, active partnership with parents and integration with the community. 

Our school model is designed to set up strong teams and structures to see meaningful progress on the following three outcomes of education for our children:

Student Achievement

Akanksha schools use innovative pedagogy and curriculum to ensure all learners master core academic skills.

Youth Development

Through effective pedagogy and an array of co- and extracurricular programs, Akanksha schools seek to equip students with the character and socio-emotional skills that help them to be responsible and compassionate citizens of their communities, country and world.

Community Engagement

Akanksha schools create constructive partnerships between students, parents, schools, and community to ensure children are in a supportive and nurturing environment at school and at home.

Implementing this model in all our schools, we are continuously evaluating and evolving the model based on its effectiveness. As we see its impact in our schools, we aim to extend the model to other schools and organizations to fuel change at a systemic level.