Jump Ahead of the USACO Curve.
Don't just learn to code: learn to compete. We pair ambitious students with elite SWE mentors to fast-track their algorithmic mastery. From advanced foundations to USACO Platinum, we provide the rigorous 1-on-1 coaching needed to secure a definitive edge for elite CS college admissions.
OUR MISSION
To educate the next generation of computer scientists
Our goal is to provide premier algorithmic programming coaching, and teach our students the study of algorithms and data structures. We focus on helping high school students prepare for the prestigious USA Computing Olympiad.
Learn With Us
Experience elite one on one mentorship from one of our award winning coaches. Get started today!
2 IOI Medalists & 1 EGOI Medalist
2 USACO Finalists
9 Platinum Contestants
Recursive Dragon USACO Promotions
Since July 2022
33
Bronze → Silver
14
Silver → Gold
4
Gold → Platinum
1
Platinum → Camp
Coaching Programs
Programs are priced by the student's current USACO division and the outcome we're targeting —
not by the hour.
Every program includes the full support system below. Students move to
the next program tier upon promotion.
COACHING PROGRAM
Bronze → Silver
Weekly 1-on-1 sessions
Full support program included
Starting at $1,200 / month
COACHING PROGRAM
Silver → Gold
Weekly 1-on-1 sessions
Full support program included
Starting at $1,500 / month
COACHING PROGRAM
Gold → Platinum
Weekly 1-on-1 sessions
Full support program included
Starting at $1,700 / month
COACHING PROGRAM
Platinum / Camp Track
Weekly 1-on-1 sessions
Full support program included
Starting at $1,900 / month
Every program includes:
Discord access with a 24-hour weekday response SLA (up to 5 substantive threads per week)
Mock contests on our custom automated grading engine, calibrated to your student's division and spaced across the term — each followed by a guided live upsolve
Next-session upsolve support on any problem the student is stuck on
Weekly executive report to the parent: what we covered, position against plan, score trajectory, and focus for the week ahead
Shared progress tracker for student, parent, and coach: score history, topic-by-topic mastery, and mock contest results
End-of-term written trajectory review and readiness assessment
Meet our Mentors
Our mentors come from a wide array of top universities around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Tell me more about the USA Computing Olympiad, and why I should participate?
The USACO is the most prestigious high school programming contest in the United States, and experience in it is highly valued by colleges and tech companies. Additionally, it's the ideal way to hone your mathematical reasoning and coding skills at the same time!
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How do we get started?
Start with a free consultation — a call between the coach and you, the parent. We'll discuss your student's current division, competition history, and goals, and determine which program is the right fit before any commitment is made.
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What is unique about Recursive Dragon?
Our team consists entirely of USACO Platinum contestants and USACO Finalists, with extensive teaching experience. Our goal as programming mentors is teach coding skills, and also stimulate our students intellectual vitality. We want to encourage them to explore the beautiful world of algorithms and mathematics.
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What resources does Recursive Dragon provide outside of class?
We strongly believe that learning never stops. Our students always have full access to their mentors, and can request help or clarifications in our official Discord server if they have questions about a homework problem or an aconcept covered in lecture.
Testimonials
Are you a Recursive Dragon student? Submit your testimonial here.
Rated 5/5
"Shiva and I worked through various Gold topics, as well as Platinum topics. He is a very patient and friendly person, and an amazing role model :) Moreover, he is great at explaining difficult problems with clear diagrams and examples, and is passionate about the topics that he teaches. I grew as a programmer, and better understood many advanced topics with his coaching!"
Charlotte (New York City, NY)
USACO Gold student
Rated 5/5
"Shiva was an excellent mentor to help me prepare for top tech interviews. His experience in competitive coding is unmatched. I would highly recommend him for any level of algorithmic preparation. He is highly compassionate and down to earth, and was a pleasure to work with."
Henry (Durham, NC)
Coding Interview student
Rated 5/5
"Recursive Dragon helped solidify my ability to create efficent algorithmns using Python, especially with prefix sums and dynamic programming. Eventually, Shiva helped me transition seamlessly from Usaco Bronze to Silver, where I've learned a lot of new concepts and solved a lot of cow problems."
Woojin (San Jose, CA)
USACO Bronze student