THE I CAN MINDSET EQUIPS CHILDREN TO BE AWARE OF THE WORLD AROUND THEM, ENABLED WITH THE SKILLS TO TAKE ACTION, AND EMPOWERED TO DESIGN A MORE DESIRABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE - TODAY!
Since 2001, Riverside has designed, implemented and shared a unique user centered curriculum that is providing schools with an alternative model which focuses on quality of learning AND student well being.
The I CAN approach uses the power of Design Thinking - inviting both children and adults to transform the world through the I CAN Mindset - the power to intentionally design a more compassionate, sustainable and empathetic world.
KNOW MORE
We have curated a set of videos that highlight the processes and practices we follow to intentionally build the I Can mindset in every child. You can also visit our YouTube channel for more inspiration!
The Riverside School has never strived to be the best school "IN" the world. Over the years, Riverside has consistently strived to be the best school "FOR" the world. It is towards this goal that Riverside launched initiatives to take the I CAN Mindset to children beyond its ecosystem. Today the impact of Riverside has reached a global stage.
aProCh, a community based initiative was born out of the need for making city spaces more accessible and open for children. To fulfill this vision of aProCh, various initiatives were designed and implemented to create “a Child friendly city” - a city which accords safety to the child.
Design for Change brings the Design Thinking framework of FEEL, IMAGINE, DO, and SHARE ™ (FIDS FOR KIDS) into classrooms. Applying this children as young as 6 years of age are solving day to day problems they face as individuals, as a family, or as a community.
Riverside Learning Center (RLC) takes its inspiration from The Riverside School, which has used the design thinking framework of Feel, Imagine, Do, and Share™ to design processes and practices that are timetabled to build a culture of empowerment.
Kiran Bir Sethi, along with a few team members, visited Vietnam from 2nd to 13th July 2025, as part of ongoing international collaboration and outreach efforts.
Kirti represented us at the Asia Pacific IPA Conference in Australia from 24th to 27th June 2025, where she delivered a presentation as part of the international education dialogue."
Kiran and Geet spent time with the incoming cohort of Teach for India fellows, spending time sharing about excellence and showing up with joy, presence, and holding on to hope.
Kirti Zala, Head of aProCh, was invited to speak on Doordarshan about the importance of play and children's well-being, as part of the celebrations for the UN-declared International Day of Play.Since its inception in 2007, aProCh has been instrumental in advocating for children's right to play through various impactful programs—making children visible, seen, and heard in the heart of the city.
Today marks a heartfelt milestone – 24 years since Riverside began in 2001. From a small idea inspired by my son’s school experience to empowering over 2 million children, Riverside has been a journey of purpose, love, and the unstoppable I CAN spirit.
Through Design for Change, aProCh, the Riverside Learning Center, and our school itself, we’ve created spaces where children lead with empathy, thrive with confidence, and believe in making a difference.
"Riverside school is outstanding in terms of its philosophy, facilities, faculty, its family and most importantly its students".
Dr Howard GardnerProfessor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard
"Riverside is an apt demonstration that you can design a school system which can achieve academic excellence and puts the needs and well being of each student at the heart of its education.A system which elevates Ethics, Empathy and sets them along with Excellence as critical components. "
Stavros YiannoukaCEO, Wise
" Whenever I hear of Riverside, the biggest message is of 'I CAN'. Thank you for giving me and people around the world this word"
Yaacov HechtCEO, Education Cities
" Your approach for fostering leadership and preparing children to shape a better future has impacted so many lives".
Wendy KoppFounder of Teach for America
"Riverside carries an important message which deserves to be told, shared and repeated, especially in China, where Cultural Value and Visual Success are different. Riverside brings awareness, duty and action towards society."
Jack HsuCEO, IVY Group
"Riverside is one of the best schools I have seen - both in India and abroad. It uses a lot of real-life applications in the work and projects that students do. At Riverside, learning is about fun, about understanding and "Making Learning Visible". Although there is no visible focus on assessment, they do consider assessment as important and use the outcomes for planning."
Sridhar RajgopalanCo-Founder and Chief Learning Officer, Education Initiatives
"It is heartening to be in a school where children know why they are there and why they are being asked to learn things that they are learning. The most important thing for a child to get from school is the habit of being curious and learning, and wanting to use that understanding to make the world a better place."
Dr. Mary Catherine BatesonReflective Guide, Writer and Cultural Anthropologist
