Recurse Center
Recurse Center, formerly known as Hacker School, is a New York-based educational retreat for programmers that offers a self-directed learning environment free of charge, supported by an integrated recruiting agency.
Company History
Recurse Center, founded in 2011, was formerly known as Hacker School. The company rebranded to Recurse Center and has since focused on providing a self-directed, educational retreat for programmers. Despite the name change, the core mission of fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for learning and growth in programming has remained a priority.
Services
Recurse Center offers a unique, self-directed educational retreat for programmers, both in New York, NY, and remotely. The retreat is free for all participants, who can work on projects of their choice without deadlines or grades. Participants have access to an integrated recruiting agency that helps keep the retreat free by connecting graduates with job opportunities. The organization also provides lifelong career support and job placement services for its alumni.
Alumni Network
Recurse Center boasts an alumni community of over 2,500 programmers worldwide. The community benefits from lifelong career support, job placement services, and personal recruiting services. The alumni network also participates in an annual reunion event called Never Graduate Week, fostering ongoing connections and collaboration among former participants.
Community and Culture
Recurse Center emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration. Participants adhere to a set of social rules designed to foster a supportive and productive environment. The retreat focuses on mutual learning among participants and sharing knowledge through programming projects. All software developed during the retreat is open source, promoting transparency and communal progress.
Inclusivity and Support
Recurse Center is committed to supporting underrepresented groups in tech. It has provided over $1.7 million in living expense grants to participants from these communities. This commitment ensures that the retreat remains accessible to a diverse group of programmers. The center’s inclusive approach helps build a varied and vibrant community, enhancing the learning experience for all participants.