Mahesh (right): education innovations champion

– Paromita Sengupta (Bengaluru)

Founder-Director and Managing Trustee of HLC International School, Chennai (estb.1995), Naveen Mahesh is also Co-founder of Beyond 8 (estb.2019), a globally accredited high school learning centre for class IX-XII students.

Currently, Beyond 8 — affiliated with Cambridge (UK) and NIOS school-leaving examination boards — comprises two learning centres in Chennai and Bengaluru. Thus far, 100 learners have graduated from Beyond 8 and been admitted into reputed foreign universities (Rutgers, Purdue, Texas (USA), University College London and University for Creative Arts (UK)).

Newspeg. On January 13, the Chennai centre of Beyond 8 hosted an experiential learning program at Pallavaram Shandy, a 120-year-old marketplace, a hub of farmers and rural communities. “This programme is quite distinct from conventional classroom learning. Learners observe how demand and supply influence pricing; learn to negotiate and communicate with vendors; how to adapt in dynamic situations, and study consumer behaviour in a bustling environment,” says Mahesh.

History. A mechanical engineering alum of Bangalore University with advanced learning program certifications from Harvard Business School (HBS) and IIM-Ahmedabad, and HBS’ Leadership Consortium Social Scholar, Mahesh’s professional career began in New York within the Wall Street ecosystem where he worked for seven years before returning to India in 2005 to follow his true calling in education. He took charge of Headstart Learning Centre, then a primary school run by his mother in a modest building and transformed it into the full-fledged K-12 HLC International School. Currently, the co-ed day HLC has an aggregate enrolment of 400 students mentored by 60 teachers.

Having worked with start-ups early in his career, Naveen has consistently championed education innovation by integrating mentoring, internships, and accredited learning for ambitious teenagers. Over 15 years, experimental learning models have gradually evolved into a redesigned K-12 education model. His work — ranging from inclusive classrooms at HLC International School to Nalanda Way Foundation programmes benefiting 10 million government school children — has led to HLC International School being certified as Ashoka Foundation’s first Ashoka Changemaker School in India. The Ashoka Foundation (estb.1980) — a global non-profit headquartered in Virginia (USA) with its India office in Bengaluru — identifies and supports the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.

Direct talk. “I entered education as a learner seeking answers to fundamental questions: How do children truly learn? What stimulates curiosity? Why do some learners feel invisible in conventional education systems? These reflections inspired me to explore inclusion, project-based learning, community engagement, and flexible educational pathways. Over the years, HLC International has transformed into a K-12 institution recognised for inclusion, learner agency, and social innovation. Simultaneously, Beyond 8 was the outcome of my belief that adolescence demands different educational design that balances autonomy with mentorship, rigour with flexibility, self-reflection, internships, and meaningful choices. The name symbolises progression beyond grade VIII, beyond standardised schooling, and beyond narrow definitions of success centred solely on marks and examinations,” says Mahesh.

Future plans. Mahesh wants to establish Beyond 8 as a model for personalised high school education in India. The program’s focus on strengthening mentorship systems, learner dashboards, college guidance pathways, internship opportunities, and reflective learning practices for high school children has been tried, tested, and has provided excellent results. Moreover, he welcomes AI (Artificial Intelligence) as an opportunity rather than threat.

“As a member of the Founding Fifty for Responsible AI in Learning (RAIL), I believe AI should complement human mentorship by enhancing children’s thinking, creativity, reflection and problem-solving capabilities. This requires stronger collaboration with universities, industry, social organisations, and experts to provide high school students with meaningful exposure before they make academic and career choices. Ultimately, we hope to redefine the high school years as a period of discovery, purpose and joy,” says Mahesh.

Power to you!