Top 10 Premier Schools in Bengaluru

The city of Bangalore is popularly known as an education hub for students as some of the top 10 schools in India are found here. The city has grown into a major IT and education hub as of 2019. Bengaluru is an ideal city to live in considering that it has cosmopolitan culture, wonderful weather round the year and is a famous work destination of the country. Bengaluru is a preferred city by students across India for a wide range of national, international, and professional education. Being a city which is blessed with a rich cultural heritage, it is also a city worth travelling to. Statistically, Bengaluru has approximately 65% of the population are migrants from various states of India which means it has good cultural diversity.

Bengaluru is home to many national-level institutions in every discipline including law, social science, linguistics, management, technology, health, and education. This clearly explains why students from all over India travel to this city for different educational courses and degrees. Let’s check out top schools in Bengaluru which provide the best education in India:

1.      The Valley School:
An ICSE school based on the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti. Apart from academic excellence, students learn a way of life which is intelligent, smart and fulfilling in every sense. With provision for extra-curricular activities like football, fine arts, music, sculpture-making, etc.

2.      Stonehill International School:
For a school that follows the Cambridge curriculum, it is one of the few good schools that crop up in your search when you Google ‘international school close to me’ in Bengaluru. Every student’s overall development is taken care of in this 34-acre big area equipped with world-class facilities. The list of facilities includes gymnasium, playgrounds, libraries, music room, laboratories, and art studio.

3.      Bethany High School:
Located in Koramangala, this school follows ISC as well as ICSE curriculum. Being one of the top schools in Bengaluru, this convent school promotes activities like drama, choir, outdoor and indoor sports, literary activities, and much more.

4.      Army Public School:
Being one of the top schools in Bengaluru, it has a big campus equipped with many modern facilities like science laboratories, math lab, AV room, music room,  auditorium, playground, etc. This school focuses on nurturing students into responsible future citizens.

5.      National Academy for Learning (NAFL):
NAFL has CBSE, ICSE, and IGCSE curriculums on offer for grades up to 10^th. Students have the freedom to choose subjects like art and design, literature, psychology, and geography apart from STEM topics. Sports and extra-curricular activities are given equal importance with facilities for martial arts, music, dance, aerobics, yoga, educational tours, and more.

Bengaluru is home to many of the top 10 schools in India and it is quite evident by learning about the type of schools that are available in this city. With so many top quality co-ed schools in Bengaluru, it easily qualifies this city as the educational hub of India. As a result, students in search of a good school for primary or further education often end up taking admission in a Bengaluru-based school.

Mumbai The Place to Find Best of Schooling

Mumbai is home to several national, international schools and special needs schools. Parents in Mumbai who are in search of the best education for their kids can easily get confused as there are hundreds of schools to choose from. Instead of becoming anxious over the arduous task of zeroing onto the best school for your child in Mumbai, check out these top schools in Mumbai:

1.      Apeejay School:
Located in Navi Mumbai, this school was incorporated in 1986 and has high academic standards which are backed up by excellent performances by students. This school has an equal focus on providing quality education and facilities for extra-curricular activities.

2.      R.N. Podar School:
Here’s a CBSE School established in 1998 is popularly known as the best school in Mumbai. This school is truly tech-driven in its approach and has state-of-the-art infrastructure which makes learning fun for students. In addition, students can also enroll for the pilot CBSE-i program. The list of facilities includes a library, science laboratories, IT-enabled classrooms, computer labs, playground, activity rooms, etc.

3.      The Somaiya School:
Established in 2012, the huge campus and modern infrastructure of this school make learning an easy exercise. Being a part of the Somaiya Vidyavihar institutions, it focuses heavily on sports including table tennis, badminton, martial arts, basketball, athletics, yoga, dance, drama, field trips, and many more.

4.      NES International School:
Here’s an IGCSE School which is affiliated by the Cambridge University’s CIE. Regarded as one of the top 5 schools in Mumbai to offer international curriculum, this school has lots of extra-curricular activities including horse riding and golf too.

This is precisely why Mumbai is a good city in India to find some of the best schools in India. If you are a parent in Mumbai, start your hunt for the ideal school with the above-mentioned ones. Rest assured, students from these school grow up to be responsible citizens who are ready for the global challenges that await them in the future.

Top 3 International Schools are truly International in India

As parents of a new-born baby, you must be aware of one of the best international schools in India. India is a good destination to find top-rated international schools in the world. Education in India is famous for both its quality as well as quantity since there are schools in every single town and city. For those parents who are clueless about the top international schools in India, here are 5 international schools in India that you should aim for:

1.      Oakridge International School in Hyderabad:
Apart from being one of the largest schools in Hyderabad, it is also one of the largest international schools in India. Equipped with well-trained teaching staff who are experts at the International Baccalaureate curriculum, students are exposed to quality international-level education. This schools also has world-class facilities which are not the case in other international schools due to lack of space in cities. This school offers 3 types of curricula namely IB, CBSE, and IGCSE board curriculum.

2.      The British International School in Chennai:
Founded in 2005, this school has interestingly integrated the traditional schooling aspects with the IGCSE board curriculum to provide the best of education in the state-of-the-art facilities. This school has evidently improved its education quality over the years. It has a huge campus area and a large library full of books from various genres.

3.      Podar ORT International School in Mumbai:
With IB and IGCSE boards, this co-ed school is one of the best international schools in Mumbai. Apart from Podar ORT International School, RN Podar school is also one of the many schools from the Podar Education Network. In fact, RN Podar school is the best CBSE in Mumbai.

In conclusion, these are the 3 International schools in India which are truly international in every aspect. If you are an Indian parent looking for the best international school for your child, aim for one of these schools.

CBSE Boards in India – The Introduction

Many parents aspire to secure admission in the best CBSE school in India to ensure their children get top quality skill-based education. CBSE board is a medium of education completely administered by the Central government. CBSE schools are good to provide children with the right foundation.

India is home to hundreds of CBSE schools spread across many cities. Each one of them can provide a high-class and all-round education to children. Check out some of the good CBSE schools in India:

1.      National Public School, Bangalore:
Founded by the famous educationalist Dr. K. P. Goplakrishna, this CBSE school provides academic excellence. In fact, this school is renowned for delivering students who go on to study in IIMs and IITs. It has a big playground and fully equipped hi-tech labs.

2.      Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata:
A school focused on instilling values including compassion, humility, honesty, discipline, love, etc., in their students. It’s a place where students receive a good education and all-round development.

3.      Lotus Valley International School, Noida:
A school which uniquely aims to develop students’ latent talents. In addition to every student’s spiritual, aesthetic, ethical, and mental growth, the school also helps students with an indomitable spirit.

4.      Vasant Valley School, Pune:
Established in 1990, this school has managed to create an ambience that makes enjoy the process of learning. Students at Vasant Valley school learn by collating information, experimentation, and making conclusions of their own under the vigilant eyes of the skilled teaching staff.

5.      R.N. Podar School, Mumbai:
One of the few schools in India which offers CBSE-i curriculum too. The primary goal of this CBSE school is to make every student responsible, independent, and a global citizen. Apart from R.N. Podar school, the Podar group of schools also includes Podar International School which has International Baccalaureate (IB) and IGCSE curriculums. It is one of the best international schools in India.

In conclusion, as a parent, your search for the best CBSE school in India may take you longer than you think. So, start your CBSE school hunt for your kid well in advance to ensure that you find the right school.

Top 5 Perks of Studying at an International School

Majority of parents are keen to get their kids admitted to the best of international schools in Mumbai. In the 21^st century, kids need to be educated, nurtured, and prepared for the competitive future that awaits them. And internationals schools are an ideal place for kids to match global competitiveness levels.

Here are 5 perks which every student enjoys at an international school:

1.      New cultures:

Their international curriculum is used and accepted around the world. Children at international schools learn about a variety of cultures and people. In addition, they are taught how to work with people from different backgrounds.

2.      Extra-curricular activities:
When kids participate in many extra-curricular activities, it helps them find and develop new skills like public speaking, coding, running, and many others. As children learn new skills, their overall confidence increases. Also, they learn how to focus better and be cooperative with others.

3.      More career opportunities:
As of 2019, there are many businesses which are operating at a global level. It means that many workplaces will be filled with people from diverse cultures. Students at international schools have the experience of interacting with students from different backgrounds. Students also get to learn more than one language at international languages which helps them when employers are looking for multilinguistic employees.

4.      Personality:
Children at international schools attain emotional maturity sooner. They even have the mental toughness of living on their own which fosters the sense of independence in them. In short, children who master the challenges of international schools often have better confidence levels and maturity.

If you are a parent, go ahead and admit your kid in the best school in Worli or Lokhandwala or any other area in Mumbai. As these 5 perks await your child at one of the many international schools in Mumbai.

5 Essential Facilities in Every School

If you are a parent and trying hard to get your kid admitted into one of the best schools in Maharashtra, then look out for specific facilities in a school before taking the decisive call. Be it a top-notch private or a government school, these essential must always exist in a school.

Hygienic toilets:
This one should clearly top the list of one of the most important facilities in a school. Every parent must confirm whether their kid will have access to clean and well-maintained toilets before securing admission in that school. If it’s a co-ed school, make sure there are separate toilets for girls which are at a distance from the boy’s toilets.

Playground:
A school without a playground means less scope for any kind of physical activity for kids. Dedicated facilities for various sports are a must in every school to ensure kids are exposed to a good sports environment. It is essential for schools to have at least one facility for an outdoor sport. Being a cricket-frenzy nation, kids can enjoy the sport of cricket if their school has a ground big enough for it.

Laboratory:
Your kid’s school must have up-to-date laboratory facilities including chemistry labs, computer labs, physics labs, etc. One of the best schools in Worli or any other area of Mumbai has well-equipped laboratories for kids.

Open Air Theatre:
With an open-air theatre, schools can use it for morning prayers, assemblies, auditorium, annual cultural activities and so much more. Hence, parents need to check their kid’s school has a proper open-air theatre prior to taking admission.

Classrooms:
Finally, classrooms which have quality chairs and tables for kids. Parents must check out if their kid’s school has comfortable chairs and tables because kids sit on it for at least 6 hours for a minimum quota of 5 days a week.

These are the essential facilities that parents must cross-verify in a school before admitting their kids in it.

ICSE Or CBSE? Which Is the Best School for Your Child?

As parents, kid’s schooling decisions are one of the most complex and important decisions to make. Parents have a hard time choosing the school and its syllabus. Some look for top CBSE schools in India while some consider international schools. Apart from the central board and the international curriculum, there are state board schools too. It goes without saying that the scope of curriculum varies from board to board. But to select the right one for your child, it is necessary to understand their aptitude, ambitions and abilities. Your child is always going to find grass greener on the other side and find other boards better than whatever he/she is studying.

To make this decision easier, a study of the pros and cons of both the boards would help. CBSE syllabus is more structured, precise and compact. It is in sync with all the competitive exams like NEET, JEE, AIEEE, AIPMT. So, after the higher secondary exams, students are equipped to appear for these competitive exams which are widely accepted in almost all the colleges in the country. The ICSE syllabus is very vast and has more emphasis on the English language and practical study. Thus, preparing students for exams like TOEFL. The detailed study makes up to a lot of matter for an average student to learn. ICSE certification is internationally recognized, and therefore accepted by foreign universities.

The teaching methodology of each of them is different but to keep up with the changing times, multiple changes have been brought. The major changes involve two-way experimentation teaching and not one-way teaching. It is said that the ICSE syllabus is more about the English language and literature and offers the luxury of unconventional subjects, while CBSE is more about the theory and information. The biggest game-changer in making this decision is the accessibility. Education industry giants have CBSE schools across the nation and there are many other local players as well. The school is run by teachers and it is therefore important to know about the teachers teaching at your child’s school. It is one of the benefits of choosing one of the big leagues. While there has been a major rise in International schools in Mumbai and other metropolitan cities, not all the teachers in these schools are equipped with the tactic and knowledge of teaching the ICSE syllabus. Also, when it comes to moving schools, students can easily find CBSE schools in any other cities as compared to the ICSE recognized schools.

To conclude, it would be safe to say that your child’s ambition and aptitude will make the decision of which board to pick, and a survey around will help you pick the school.

5 Top Quality Schools in Maharashtra

The citizens of Mumbai are lucky for having one of the best schools in Maharashtra in proximity. However, if you are in search of a good school in Maharashtra, this list of top 5 schools in Maharashtra will ease your school hunt. The 5 schools in the list below are in no order and each one of them has high academic standards, top-notch facilities, good infrastructure, and much more.

1.      Jamnabai Narsee School:
Located in the western suburbs of Mumbai, it is a premium school which boasts of international standard facilities and teaching staff. The end goal of this school is to nurture students into well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the global competition.

2.      R.N. Podar School:
Known as one of the leading institutions of India, R.N. Podar is a co-ed and private school driven by progressive learning methodologies. This school ensures that students are well-prepared for the many challenges of the 21^st century. It is affiliated to the CBSE board and has a library, IT-enabled classrooms, activity rooms, huge playground for multiple sports, and much more.

3.      Bombay Scottish School:
Founded way back in 1847, Bombay Scottish School has many years of experience in imparting high-quality education. Rated as one of the best schools in Mumbai, it is known for providing a holistic learning environment.

4.      Fravashi International Academy:
This school was awarded as the 2^nd Best School in Maharashtra in 2014. It encourages an integrated approach to learning which develops knowledge, sports, and other aspects of every student’s interests. The range of facilities includes well-equipped classrooms, a sports complex, music, healing centre, and many more.

5.      Dhirubhai Ambani School:
Established in 2003, it is a premier school with a mission to provide a learning environment that promotes all-round development in children. Apart from being authorised by the IB to provide the IB diploma program, it is affiliated with CIE, CISCE, IGSCE, and ICSE.

In conclusion, these are one of the best schools in Maharashtra which provide top quality education in good infrastructure.

Curriculums Offered by International Schools in Mumbai

International schools have seen a widespread and rapid acceptance amongst Indian parents and students due to the many unique benefits they offer. International curriculums like the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) have revolutionised the Indian education landscape by offering young minds so much more than what was traditionally being offered by the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the local state boards.

The IB believes in shaping its students into global citizens who are both strong leaders as well as impactful team players. With its 4 programmes – the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, the Diploma Programme and the Career-related Programme - targeted at various age groups, the IB focuses on preparing its students for the rigors of university life and early career years. Students can choose what they want to study in addition to the basics like English and Mathematics.

The IGCSE is affiliated to the globally reputed University of Cambridge, and hence, students who attend schools offering this curriculum are assured of a certain quality of education. The IGCSE, like the IB, allows its students to go beyond the traditional subjects and explore their interests. In fact, it is considered the most flexible education board in the country as it offers a choice of up to 70 subjects!

When international schools were first set up in India a few decades ago, many believed that they were for the children of the rich and famous only. However, this turned out to be a misconception, and today, international schools are getting applications from children from various backgrounds. After all, the quality of education and facilities provided in these schools is unparalleled.

If you’re interested in enrolling your child in one of the many world-class IGCSE or IB schools Mumbai boasts of, you can start your search online by going through websites and forums offering information and opinions on the best international schools in the city as well as in other places across the country. Once you’ve made a shortlist of your top choices, you can research them further by speaking to parents of children who currently study there. Many schools also offer you the chance to visit their campus to get a first-hand understanding of what’s on offer.

Top 5 Schools for All-round Education in Maharashtra

As a parent, you can easily get lost in the search for one of the best schools in Maharashtra. Since Maharashtra is home to many quality schools which provide comprehensive education, it is quite difficult to determine which ones are the best of all schools. With more than 300 schools from different boards including CBSE, ICSE, SSC, ISC, and others, Maharashtra clearly has a lot of options on offer.

Instead of trying to find the best school in Maharashtra for your child, look for a school which provides an all-round development in terms of education, extra-curricular, personality development, and more. Here are 10 best schools in Maharashtra that every parent must consider for their child.

1.      Bombay Scottish School
A Christian school based in Mumbai, its mission is to nurture young minds for a competitive future full of challenges. Despite an average strength of 3300 students, Bombay Scottish School is able to fulfil even the complex requirements of students with trained staff. In extra-curricular, they have debates, dramatics, football, cricket, creative writing, basketball, and much more. In addition, it is rated as one of the best ranking schools in India.

2.      Orchid International School
With an aim to render quality education to students by giving them local and global perspectives, Orchid International School aims to genuinely contribute to the field of education. Being located in the hilly and scenic terrain of Anjaneri Hills, this school has one of the best weather conditions and is one of the best schools in Maharashtra.

3.      R.N. Podar School
Established in 1998, it is a co-ed school created by the Anandilal Ganesh Podar Society and is the best school in Mumbai. It has an average student strength of 2700 and is affiliated with the CBSE board. With large school premises and many sports facilities on offer, this school is ideal for students who wish to pursue sports in future.

4.      Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School
Located in the city of Thane, this school is pleasantly situated amidst green surroundings. A premier institution which offers from KG to 12^th standard. Apart from quality education, it emphasises on art, music, sports, dance, public speaking, and tailoring. Additionally, this school also gives importance to ethics and values.

5.      Delhi Public School
It was established in 2003 and has been committed to excellence through progressive approach ever since. By focusing on the holistic development of students, it not only quality education but also gives equal importance to aspects beyond studies like sports, arts, and much more. Also, Delhi Public School is one of the most renowned K-12 institutions in western India.

There are many other top-rated schools in Worli, Colaba, Juhu and other areas of Maharashtra which deserve a spot in this list of top 5 schools in Maharashtra. However, these schools rank higher due to their credibility, years of experience, and comprehensive education. As far parents in Maharashtra are concerned, they can kick-start their search for the perfect school in which their children will receive the education facility.

4 Good IB Schools in Mumbai

Every parent aspires to get his or her child admitted to one of the best IB schools in Mumbai. IB schools are basically International Baccalaureate is an education programme offered by few schools in Mumbai. IB programme offers a continuum of international education which encourages personal as well as academic achievement. In order to teach IB programme, schools must get the requisite authorisation.

Academic days are certainly the most crucial days of a child’s life as it nurtures them for the competitive and challenging future. IB schools are a good alternative as they prepare children for career options across the globe. Here is a list of 4 IB schools in Mumbai that parents must consider before finalising a school for their children.

1.      Dhirubhai Ambani International School:
One of the most renowned schools in India, this school was established in 2003. Being a K-12 co-educational International Day school, it has a 1:7 teacher-school ratio which is quite beneficial for children. This school is a member of multiple international organisations which adds to its credibility.

2.      R.N. Podar School:
Established in 1998, R.N. Podar is a co-ed school with a mission to help students become responsible, independent, and a global citizen. This school has high class teaching staff which adopts effective and unique teaching methodologies.

3.      Orchids The International School:
This school is preferred by many parents for its state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern learning-cum-teaching methods. By far the best school in Worli, Orchids The International School provides quality education to its students with well-qualified teaching staff.

4.      American School of Bombay:
Established for 35 years now, the American School of Bombay is a co-educational day boarding school with classes from Pre-K to 12^th standard. With an impressive teacher-student ratio of 1:5, teachers are better able to manage the class and students, in turn, will have a better success rate. The unique aspect of their teaching staff is that they come from diverse backgrounds. Basically, students are exposed to a culturally diverse range of teachers at this school.

There are many more premium quality schools including SVKM IB School, Aditya Birla World Academy, which deserve a mention in the list above. However, for parents who have just begun their search for the perfect IB school for their kids, these IB schools in Mumbai are ideal to start with.

Understanding the IGCSE in detail

One of the biggest questions today facing Indian parents looking to enrol their child into school is which curriculum is the right one for their offspring. While the choice was limited to the state board, Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) earlier, the scenario has changed significantly with the introduction of international schools in the country. These international schools offer international curriculums like the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate for Secondary Education (IGCSE), which have become very popular amongst Indian parents, especially those who understand the importance of holistic education. Read on to know more about why IGCSE schools are seeing such a large number of applications every year.

The IGCSE, which was developed by the Cambridge International Examination in 1988, is offered by over 10,000 schools across 160 countries globally, making it one of the most popular education English-based curriculums worldwide. It is also one of the most flexible curriculums as it allows its students to choose from over 70 different subjects, thereby allowing them to pursue their areas of interest. While the core curriculum consists of a first and second language, Maths, and atleast one subject of Science, the student can choose what to study alongside these, with the freedom to choose from diverse areas, ranging from Social Sciences to Arts and Technology.

Many parents make international schools in Mumbai offering the IGCSE curriculum their top preference as they are impressed by the board’s approach to learning. It not only focuses on developing the student’s understanding, skill and knowledge in the subject content, but also provides them with invaluable opportunities to apply this acquired knowledge and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations. It teaches its students to be inquisitive and culturally aware, and equips them to deal with the outcomes of change.

The IGCSE syllabus is designed to make global citizens out of today’s students, and hence the syllabus steers clear of any cultural bias. However, a certain level of local relevance is maintained for each region. Hence, international schools in India teaching the IGCSE syllabus will definitely have a certain amount of Indian context to the syllabus.

Many international schools in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and other parts of the country are offering the IGCSE curriculum. If you’re interested in enrolling your child in an IGCSE school, you can start off by doing some secondary research online to know more about the various IGCSE schools in your area. Post that, you can ask around in your social and professional circles to get first-hand accounts from parents whose children are currently studying at these schools or have recently graduated from these reputed institutes. A personal visit to your top schools will give you a good insight into the school’s offerings. Do check factors like experience of support staff, safety, hygiene and accreditation before finalising a school for your child. Following this process will ensure that your child sets off on the best-quality academic experience with ease.

How International Schools In Mumbai Go Beyond The Classroom

Parents around the country are slowly but surely waking up to the effectiveness of international curriculums. This phenomenon has resulted in the rapid increase in the number of international schools in Tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, and Pune, as well as smaller cities in India.

One of the main aspects that gives international schools offering the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculums an edge over curriculums like the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) and local state boards is the learning that students get outside the classroom that supplements their formal learning experience.

International schools stress on practical learning and hence, offer their students an array of opportunities to learn from real-world situations. Be it through science or language labs, or hands-on projects, the young minds get to put their classroom learnings to good use on multiple occasions during the academic year. Many schools also offer theatre, dance and other forms of visual and performing arts that have been known to boost holistic growth. Sports like basketball, cricket and football encourage leadership and team spirit, and hence these are taught by many schools. In fact, in Mumbai, where school playgrounds are a rarity, schools often tie up with local clubs to provide their students a space to learn and master these sports.

Soft skills are the need of the hour in the professional world, and international schools are catering to this need by helping their students hone their personality strengths and overcome their weaknesses. When it comes to technical skills, those are offered aplenty too. For example, skills like coding, which were earlier reserved for undergraduates, are now being commonly seen in even secondary school students.

If you look at the list of top 10 schools in any Indian city today, you’ll realise that many of them are international schools, and now you know one of the main reasons behind this!

What are Top Schools in India Looking for in Applicants?

With the advent of every admission season, you’ll find a whole batch of new parents scurrying around in the hunt for the right school for their child. The school admission process has now become quite an intensive one, thanks to the high level of competition for seats at the top schools in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and other cities. Many parents even hire experts to train their child to ace the interview sessions! If you’re a parent looking at enrolling your child in school this year, before you immerse yourself in the rigour of the admissions process, take a moment to understand exactly what schools today are looking for. That way, both you and your child can be better prepared when meeting the school representatives.

Schools across the country today are focusing increasingly on holistic development as compared to a couple of decades ago, when the focus was only on academic excellence. They’re looking for children who have the potential to excel in the classroom as well as outside. They want young individuals who can be thinkers as well as doers, and whose thoughts and actions both are motivated by empathy, respect, understanding and compassion for others.

Social skills are a key parameter that schools judge applicants on. Students who are able to mingle better with their peers are definitely preferred over those who tend to be loners. This is usually observed during play sessions conducted during the interview process, wherein the young children are put in a room together by themselves with some play materials and the school’s teachers and behavioural experts examine them.

Attitude and aptitude both are tested by schools during the application process, and a child who shows potential and the willingness to learn is the ideal candidate for leading schools across India.

Keep these factors in mind while applying to the top 10 schools in India or even schools lower down in the list, and your child is sure to have a better shot at success.

Understanding the CBSE in detail

Many institutes and experts in the field of education release annual lists of top schools across curriculums, including top 10 CBSE schools, top 10 ICSE schools and top 10 IB schools across the country. As a parent, it can get quite confusing to choose from amongst the various education boards in the country. If you’ve been doing some research in this field, you would have come across many parents who staunchly advocate enrolling your child in one of the top CBSE schools in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or other cities in India. Let’s take a closer look at the CBSE and understand the reasons behind its popularity amongst Indian parents looking to enrol their child in school.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was first established as the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Rajputana in the year 1929 with the aim of effectively imparting education to the children of central government employees who had transferable jobs. The CBSE, in its current form, has grown to become one of the most widely available education curriculums in the country that is available in almost 20,000 schools across India as well as in schools in 25 other countries around the world. Controlled and managed by the Union Government of India, the CBSE is recognised by all leading global institutes of higher education.

The CBSE prides itself on its inclusive nature. Firstly, it allows for its medium of instruction to be either Hindi or English. Also, the top 10 CBSE schools as well as those further down the list offer many merit-based and need-based scholarships. This results in students from various strata of society attending CBSE schools.

The CBSE focuses on providing a stress-free holistic learning environment for its students. The curriculum is well-structured and relevant, providing students with up-to-date information on various topics. The CBSE curriculum, while ensuring that the young minds get their basics right across subjects, lays great emphasis on Maths and Science. In Class 12, students get to choose from a wide variety of subjects, thereby allowing them to follow their passions and delve deeper into areas that interest them.

If your child is looking to pursue engineering or medicine as a career in the future, then education experts recommend that you enrol him/her in a CBSE school. The syllabus and grading mechanisms of top entrance exams for engineering and medical colleges across India like IIT-JEE and AIPMT is similar to that used for CBSE, and hence CBSE students have a higher success rate when it comes to doing well in these nation-wide examinations.

Whether you’re looking for CBSE schools in Pune or any other city in India, you will see that you have many reputed names to choose from. When selecting a school for your child, consider factors like faculty, infrastructure and technology, teaching methods, academic results, and co-curricular and extracurricular activities offered. Given the easy accessibility of information today thanks to the internet, you can start by doing some online research on your shortlisted schools, and you can follow this up with interactions with parents whose children are currently studying in or have recently graduated from the schools that you’re interested in enrolling your child in.

Aspects To Consider When Choosing The Right School For Your Child

It’s that time of the year again - Admission season is right around the corner, and parents around the country are immersed in the intensive process of selecting and applying to schools for their children. Given the increasing awareness of the importance of the academic experience in shaping a child’s future, there is added pressure on every parent to pick the right school for their child.

There are many factors to consider when shortlisting schools for your child to apply to. While many people want to secure an admit for their child to the best school in India, it’s important to note down the factors that are important to you, and make a decision based on these considerations. You should look at aspects like curriculum, quality of teaching and support staff, infrastructure and technology used on campus to aid and supplement your child’s learning experience, academic results of the school in board exams over the years, and co-curricular and extracurricular activities offered. You could also look at other things like location of the school. This is especially important if you live in a city that faces a significant problem of vehicular density and traffic congestion. After all, you don’t want your little one spending hours and hours commuting to and from school every single day.

While you should definitely do thorough research on your shortlisted options, you should also take some time to understand the potential, ability and interests of your child. This will go a long way in helping you find the right school for him/her. For example, if your child is interested in pursuing a career in medicine or engineering, you should apply to the best CBSE school in Mumbai as CBSE lays great emphasis on Maths and Science, and the CBSE syllabus and grading mechanisms are similar to those used for nation-wide engineering and medical entrance exams like IIT-JEE and AIPMT.

So, take a moment to breathe amidst the chaos of application season, and rationally understand which school is the best fit for your child rather than just following the herd or applying to every school in sight.

What Factors Are Considered While Deciding the No 1 School in India?

With admission season coming up, parents around the country are frantically searching for the right school for their offspring. With the countless number of schools offering a variety of curriculums, such as ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE and IB, supplemented by an array of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, choosing a school for your child to embark on their academic journey can be quite a daunting process. To make it easier, less stressful and less time-consuming, every year, many education experts and organizations in this field compile lists of top schools across curriculums in different cities. Let’s take a look at the factors that impact this decision.

-          Quality of Teaching and Support Staff

The first and foremost factor is the classroom experience offered by the school. This is decided by not only the experience and expertise of the teachers, but also the teaching mechanisms and technology used. Support staff members are also assessed to gauge if they are up to the challenge of managing children in various kinds of situations.

-          Campus and Infrastructure

Schools are allotted points based on the quality of their infrastructure. If you peruse the list of top schools in India, you’ll realise that many of the reputed schools offer state-of-the art laboratories, tech-enabled learning devices in the classrooms, world-class sports facilities and the like. These enhance a student’s academic experience and ensure that he/she develops both conceptual knowledge as well as soft skills.

-          Learning environment

In stark contrast to the earlier approach where academic excellence was everything, both schools and parents today are stressing on holistic learning and overall development of the child. A school should offer a stress-free environment where a student can pursue their interests and express their views and opinions. Practical learning opportunities are invaluable in making children enjoy the process of learning.

While these factors are taken into consideration while deciding the best school in India, when you’re deciding the best school for your child, you must also consider factors like their aptitude and interests.

Why Many of the Best Schools in India are IB Schools

Until the early 2000s, the top schools in India were either ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) schools or CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) ones. But today, with the emergence of international schools in India offering IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and IB (International Baccalaureate), the education landscape in India has changed drastically. Many of the best schools in Maharashtra as well as other states in the country these days offer the IB curriculum. Let’s take a closer look at this global curriculum to understand the reason behind this trend.

The IB offers 4 programmes:

-          Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 12

-          Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16

-          Diploma Programme for ages 16 to 19

-          Career-related Programme for ages 16 to 19

In all these programmes, the IB focus on creating global citizens by teaching its students to be reflective, principled, caring, knowledgeable, open-minded and balanced. It encourages its students to expand their horizons and develop holistically to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk-takers. It helps students prepare for the rigor of university and early career years by teaching them valuable research, communication and presentation skills. The IB allows its students to choose what they want to study, apart from the mandatory language, Maths and Science subjects.

Over 4,000 schools employing over 7,000 educators teach the IB curriculum to over a million students around the world. If you’re looking to enrol your child in one of India’s highly reputed IB schools, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities in India offer you many options to choose from. When shortlisting schools for your child, make sure you look at factors like faculty and staff, infrastructure and technology, co-curricular and extracurricular activities offered, and brand image of the school.

International Curriculums Offered by Schools in India

The ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) were the only two curriculum options available to Indian students apart from the local state boards until a couple of decades ago. But things have changed drastically in the education sector today. International schools in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and other parts of the country are offering the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and the IB (International Baccalaureate). Let’s take a closer look at each of these programs.

-          IGCSE

The IGCSE is conducted by Cambridge International, which is part of the University of Cambridge. The IGCSE exams are conducted in Grade 10, post which students can either move to another board or appear for AS and A levels that are conducted by Cambridge International at Grade 12. At the IGCSE level, students have the option of choosing from over 70 subjects, thereby getting the benefits of studying one of the most flexible curriculums in the country. Students are taught to develop their natural curiosity and build a passion for lifelong learning. The IGCSE lays great emphasis on students mastering the intricacies of the English language as well as a foreign language.

-          IB

The IB is a not-for-profit educational organization headquartered in Switzerland that offers top-notch education through eminent institutes around the world. It has four programs: the Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 12, the Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16, and the Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme for ages 16-19. The IB focuses on teaching its students to be knowledgeable, caring, open-minded, principled, balanced and reflective, and empowering them to be effective inquirers, communicators, thinkers, and risk-takers.

If you’re looking to enrol your child in an international school offering one of these curriculums, you can start off by doing a quick Google search for ‘international school close to me’. Once you have a basic understanding of the options available, you can do more thorough research by speaking to experts in the field and parents of students currently studying in these schools.

Are International Schools Just a Fad or Are They Here to Stay?

When the first international schools were set up in India, while experts in the field of education welcomed them with open arms, most parents dismissed them as a trend and something that wasn’t suitable for the Indian ecosystem. But these international schools have proven the naysayers wrong by becoming the most popular option for parents looking to enrol their children in school nowadays. In fact, realising the many benefits, many parents are even moving their children to international schools in the middle of their academic journey!

International schools in Mumbai and other parts of the country primarily offer two international curriculums – the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The IB offers 4 different programs:

-          Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 12

-          Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16

-          Diploma Programme for ages 16 to 19

-          Career-related Programme for ages 16 to 19

The IGCSE is affiliated to the Cambridge Board, which is part of the University of Cambridge.

Both the IB and the IGCSE offer their students the chance to study a variety of subjects apart from the regular English, Science and Maths, thereby allowing them to follow their passions. In fact, the IGCSE is the most flexible curriculum in India as it allows students to choose from over 70 subjects! Both these international curriculums also encourage their students to explore beyond the classroom by proving them practical learning opportunities. Teachers in international schools are trained to help students become better leaders and team players, as well as inspire them to develop qualities such as curiosity, empathy, compassion and inquisitiveness that will help them in years to come. Such schools focus on creating citizens of the world who will go on to make a global impact rather than just creating smart minds who will score well in their exams.

In the first few years of their existence, international schools in India did find it hard to be accepted as many weren’t aware of their way of learning and its benefits. However, today, these schools are the top choice for parents. When it comes to admissions to Indian universities for students from international schools, that is no longer a problem as these universities now recognize international curriculums and have created standardized scores to ensure fairness to all applicants.

So, yes, international schools are definitely here to stay and in fact, are growing in number in various cities across India due to the rising popularity of the international curriculums like the IB and the IGCSE amongst Indian parents.

Why Are International Schools The Top Favourite Today?

When enrolling your child in school, one of the first decisions you need to make is about which curriculum you want your child to study. While the previous generations didn’t have much of a choice as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the local state boards were all there were, today, many schools in India also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculums. These international schools are seeing a rapid rise in popularity amongst Indian parents, with many even switching their children to these boards in the middle of their academic journeys. When it comes to the list of best international schools, India is slowly but surely making its mark.

International schools in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru are the top choices for most parents these days. Here’s why:

-          Comprehensive Curriculum

While the ICSE does offer students the option to choose which subjects they want to study, curriculums like the IGCSE and IB take it a step futher – The IGCSE allows students to choose from upto 70 subjects! The IB is a great example of a grounded curriculum as in Grades 11 and 12, students have to study English, Maths and atleast one other language, but are free to choose the other subjects as well as the level of depth at which they want to study all these subjects, i.e. to a limited extent (Standard Level) or to a deeper extent (Higher Level)

-          Global and Out-Of-The Box Approach

International schools in Mumbai and other parts of the country teach young minds to be citizens of the world by taking a global approach to learning. Children are introduced to different cultures and are taught the importance of cultural sensitivity, a highly valued trait in today’s globalised world. Students are also encouraged to be both leaders and team players, as well as curious, inquisitive, passionate and empathetic. Teachers in international schools not just teach the students what’s in the curriculum, but also inspire them to think differently and approach things from different angles. This helps lay a strong foundation for your child’s success later on in life.

-          Mobility

If your job requires you to move countries frequently, then you should definitely enrol your child in an international school as this will ensure that they can seamlessly continue their education in a school providing the same curriculum in any other country in the world. This ensures that there are no breaks or hiccups in your child’s learning.

-          Good Preparation for Further Study and Work

An international curriculum is more effective at preparing a young student for the rigors of university as well as the early stages of their career. For example, the Extended Essay component of the IB helps students gain valuable skills in conducting research and presenting the same effectively.

If you’re looking for the best international schools, India has many well-reputed names in different cities across the country. International schools have proven themselves, and are definitely here to stay.