Our School

In 1986, Hope Academy opened its doors to the children in the poverty-stricken Cossipore area of Kolkata, India. At Hope Academy, all students participate in a high-quality English-language school just like expensive schools available to the rich. Graduates of Hope Academy effectively compete with the more affluent children when entering the job market. Students at Hope Academy have the opportunity to break the downward spiral of poverty that they have been living in.

There are only two criteria for admission to Hope Academy: Poverty and Proximity. The families must be poor and the children must be able to walk to school.

Initially, enrollment was low. To support their families, parents needed to send their children to scavenge garbage, work in tea-stalls washing dishes, or beg in the streets! But the success of the first students attracted parents' attention. Currently, we support over 500 students with even more children on the entrance waiting list!

Because of your generosity, yesterday's hopeless street kids have become today's poised, well-mannered, English-speaking graduates that are full of hope, enthusiasm, and potential!