How to Find the Best School for Your Child

A few decades ago, it was very easy to decide which school to send your child to. There were a few reputed legacy schools that each offered pretty much the same curriculum and facilities, and the student experience didn’t differ much from school to school. However, with increasing globalisation, we’ve seen a rise in the number of education boards in India. Also, many schools strive to be the No 1 school in India by providing unique facilities and diverse experiences to their students. Hence, for parents looking at enrolling their children in schools, the decision about which school is right for your child is more difficult to make these days.

But every cloud has a silver lining – While there are so many more choices available now, there is also so much more information available about educational institutes today. Here are 4 ways for you to find out more about the schools you’ve shortlisted for your offspring before you finalize one:

-          Online Research

If you’re looking for the best school in Pune or any other city in India for that matter, one of the first things you should do is look online. In today’s digital age, you will find a ton of information available on schools in your area. You should first peruse the school’s website carefully to understand more about it. You can follow this up by going through forums and social media groups to understand the opinions of other parents and experts about the school.

-          Personal Visit

Many schools today offer the option of a personal visit, wherein you can schedule a visit to the school to get a first-hand look at the campus and facilities, and interact personally with faculty and current students. If given a chance, you should definitely sign up for a tour of the school.

-          Consult Experts

While educational consultants earlier focused only on post-graduation applicants, today, with more and more people realising the impact early education has on a child’s future, there are many experts available who will be able to help you decide which school will be the right fit for your child. You can consult these experts through online forums or schedule a personal session with them to seek their advice.

-          Word of Mouth

Wondering which is the No 1 school in India? The best people to answer this question are those whose children are currently studying in the top schools across the country. Using your network and any parenting groups you may be a part of, both online and offline, reach out to those who have children who are either currently studying in the schools you’re shortlisted or who have recently graduated from these institutes to get their opinion.

The school your child goes to will play a major role in shaping his/her future. So, don’t take this decision lightly. Make the most of the information available, and ensure that you make an informed and well thought out decision.

Why is it So Important to Choose the Right School for Your Child?

Every year, parents around the country, be it bustling metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi or Chennai, or Tier 2 or even Tier 3 cities in India, put all their energy and efforts into finding the right school for their child. They spend immense amounts of time first researching all the available options, and then going through the admissions process for their shortlisted schools. While this process is a gruelling one, when your child gets into the right school, it’s all worth it. But what exactly makes a school ‘right’ for your child and why is it so important that your child gets an admit into such an institute?

When selecting a school for your child, first decide which curriculum would be the right fit for him/her. Schools in Worli and other parts of Mumbai that offer the same board are usually at par with each other when it comes to teaching standards, and hence, it’s important to first decide if you want your child to study under an international board like the IB or a reputed Indian one like the CBSE. Next, you should ask around about the school’s faculty, especially if your child needs extra attention in the classroom. Visit the school to see the infrastructure and facilities and get a first-hand understanding of the various co-curricular and extracurricular activities offered by the school. Are these in line with your child’s interests and his/her potential?

Choosing the right school for your child is the first step towards giving them the best academic experience and laying down a foundation for the rest of their life. In their most impressionable years, your child will be as influenced by his teachers and classmates as he will be by you and other family members. So, choose wisely. It’s not just about which school is the best, it’s also about which school is the best fit for your young child who’s about to set foot into a whole new world.

So, get ready to get your child into a school that will help them achieve their true potential. All you have to do to get started is open up a browser window on your favourite search engine and type a search phrase like ‘best school in Worli’ or ‘best school in Andheri’ to know more about all the prestigious schools in your area.

How to Find the Best School for Your Child

A few decades ago, it was very easy to decide which school to send your child to. There were a few reputed legacy schools that each offered pretty much the same curriculum and facilities, and the student experience didn’t differ much from school to school. However, with increasing globalisation, we’ve seen a rise in the number of education boards in India. Also, many schools strive to be the No 1 school in India by providing unique facilities and diverse experiences to their students. Hence, for parents looking at enrolling their children in schools, the decision about which school is right for your child is more difficult to make these days.

But every cloud has a silver lining – While there are so many more choices available now, there is also so much more information available about educational institutes today. Here are 4 ways for you to find out more about the schools you’ve shortlisted for your offspring before you finalize one:

-          Online Research

If you’re looking for the best school in Pune or any other city in India for that matter, one of the first things you should do is look online. In today’s digital age, you will find a ton of information available on schools in your area. You should first peruse the school’s website carefully to understand more about it. You can follow this up by going through forums and social media groups to understand the opinions of other parents and experts about the school.

-          Personal Visit

Many schools today offer the option of a personal visit, wherein you can schedule a visit to the school to get a first-hand look at the campus and facilities, and interact personally with faculty and current students. If given a chance, you should definitely sign up for a tour of the school.

-          Consult Experts

While educational consultants earlier focused only on post-graduation applicants, today, with more and more people realising the impact early education has on a child’s future, there are many experts available who will be able to help you decide which school will be the right fit for your child. You can consult these experts through online forums or schedule a personal session with them to seek their advice.

-          Word of Mouth

Wondering which is the No 1 school in India? The best people to answer this question are those whose children are currently studying in the top schools across the country. Using your network and any parenting groups you may be a part of, both online and offline, reach out to those who have children who are either currently studying in the schools you’re shortlisted or who have recently graduated from these institutes to get their opinion.

The school your child goes to will play a major role in shaping his/her future. So, don’t take this decision lightly. Make the most of the information available, and ensure that you make an informed and well thought out decision.

A Quick Guide to the International Baccalaureate

If you’ve been perusing the list of international schools in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai or any other city in India, you’ve definitely come across the term ‘IB’. While everyone knows that these two letters stand for International Baccalaureate and that it is one of the leading education boards in the world, how much do you really know about the IB?

The International Baccalaureate is an international not-for-profit educational foundation, which has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. While the IBO came into existence in 1968, it was first conceptualized in 1948 by Marie-Thérèse Maurette, who laid down the framework for the programme through her ‘Educational Techniques for Peace. Do They Exist?’

The IB offers the following four educational programmes:

1. IB Primary Years Programme – Ages 3 to 12

2. IB Middle Years Programme – Ages 11 to 16

3. IB Diploma Programme – Ages 16 to 19

4. IB Career-related Programme – Ages 16 to 19

While many of the best international schools India boasts of provide the first two programmes, the most common IB programme in India is the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB prides itself on providing its students with the best learning experience and ensures that its students see growth on both the academic and personal fronts. One of the most noteworthy aspects of the IB is that it encourages its learners to be many things – thinkers, communicators, inquirers, risk-takers, caring, principled, balanced, open minded, and reflective, among other things.

IB also inspires them to pursue their interests and delve deeper into their chosen fields while also ensuring that every IB student has their basics, such as Mathematics and English, right.

While the first IB school was established in India less than two decades ago, today, the IB is one of the most acclaimed education boards in the country. Indian parents are understanding the importance of holistic learning, and are choosing the IB for their child’s education as they believe that the curriculum will help their child progress on the path of well-rounded development. Yes, the IB is definitely one of the most popular choices for parents in India, as well as around the world, and it’s definitely here to stay!

How To Find Out If The School Is A Good Fit For Your Child

Any parent is bound to worry, “Am I sending my child to the best school in Worli (or wherever else you live)?” Well, it takes a lot of effort to understand whether or not your child and school make a good fit, like the perfect glove for a hand.

The simplest thing you can do which can prove to be extremely helpful, often surprisingly, is ask the child - Do you enjoy school? Is there anything you would want to change?

Your child’s response might surprise you. If he or she says something incoherent like - “I wish there was less homework” or “I wish we had an extra games period”, then these are just minor problems which can be very well avoided. No child loves a bucket load of homework and any amount of games are not enough. But if the response is more serious - something like, “I wish I understood more in the class” or “I wish it was more fun”.

Secondly, stay in touch with the teachers. Try to understand and gauge together whether or not your child is growing in all aspects, and whether he is likely to utilise his full potential. Remember - scoring good marks is not the only measure of success.

Thirdly, compare your child to other students who are of the same age and in different school. This doesn’t have been a negative comparison. Try to understand how much grown is your child as compared to other children their age. This will give you a clue whether or not your child is getting to an environment conducive to his or her growth.

There are several schools in Worli, all of Mumbai for that matter. If you feel certain that the school is not bringing out the best in your child, you should definitely go ahead and change the school. However, always make sure you are doing this only after you consult your spouse and your child. All the best!

Five Things To Consider When Selecting A School For Your Child

Finding top schools in India for your child is always a daunting task, but an important one as it can make all the difference to their academic career.

Firstly, it's essential to understand your child in terms of his/her interests and caliber, and search for schools accordingly. Determine what kind of student your child is, what environment he/she would thrive in. Once you have this in place, here are a few other factors to look into to find the best school in India for your child:

1. Faculty: Your child is going to be spending a major part of the day with their teachers, and will tend to pick up most of their ideas from school and their teachers. Hence, it's imperative that the teachers are qualified and experienced, and have complete knowledge of the subject. You want a teacher who's engaged and takes great pride in his or her students' progress, and is always open to doing whatever it takes for their development.

2. Infrastructure: Spacious and well-maintained buildings create a positive impact in the lives of school children. Although bright students will excel no matter what the environment, experts suggest that good infrastructure provides an extra edge to students with potential.

3. Extracurricular activities: Besides contributing to the development of children, especially their social skills, extracurricular activities help retain a child's interest in academics as well. Some of the best schools in India ensure that all the children are involved in some form of creative activity, which can give an extra edge to students as it fosters their intuitive and intellectual skills.  

4. Not just about the name: Just adding words like ‘private’ and ‘international’ to a school’s name or description does not guarantee the effectiveness of the school i. That being said, don't pick the school closest to you just because it is easier to travel to. This is about your child's future, so do your homework before you settle on a school.

5. Visit schools: Don't just pick a school and apply; try and arrange a tour of the premises. Most schools readily welcome visiting parents, and that's when you can determine whether it’s a place you can see your child learning and growing.

Once you have selected a school, have confidence in your choice. Remember, just writing in a good application to the top schools in India is not enough. You need to follow up.

That's all. Congratulations! You have succeeded in making one of the most important decisions in your child’s life.

Difference Between International And Traditional Schools

While traditional schools continue to attract hordes of students, international schools are slowly but steadily gaining popularity, especially among those who understand the various benefits of this education system.

An international school tends to put more emphasis on enquiry-based learning, where children are taught to question, to have a good level of skepticism, to test claims, build arguments, etc. Additionally, the curriculum in international schools is more flexible, allowing students to pursue subjects that they are interested in, apart from the ones that will help them build a career in the field of their choice. 

Traditional schools are generally more rigid, and assessment is based on textbook learning and exams. However, these have a clear framework and structure, and are perfectly suited for passive learners who prefer to gain knowledge without much active participation.

So, since both types of schools have their share of advantages, how do you decide which is the best school for your child? Once you gauge the kind of learner your child is, you can pick the school that will bring out the best in him/her. Below are a few differences between the two types of schools to aid you in your decision:

1. Funding: Traditional schools are either government-funded, usually offering education free or at subsidized rates to students, or have minimum fees, while international schools are funded and administered by a private body and rely on endowments, donations and student fees, which are usually quite high. If you cannot afford the cost of education in the best international schools, drop the idea of choosing such a school. Instead, opt for a school with an Indian curriculum; there are many exceptional Indian schools out there with a great faculty. 

2.   Teachers: Traditional schools usually recruit teachers who meet all the state-mandated requirements and are proficient in their subject, while the best international schools have different criteria, depending on the school, for recruiting teachers. While teaching methods differ, teachers of both schools are equally qualified in their own right.

3.   Facilities: Although technology and other facilities vary depending on the school in question, traditional schools usually have fewer facilities than international schools. This is generally because they cater to a larger number of students on a tighter budget. On the other hand, international schools usually have better infrastructure facilities and up-to-date technology.

4.   Curriculum: The curriculum in traditional schools is decided at the state or national levels. An international school promotes international education either by adopting a curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate, Edexcel, or Cambridge International Examinations, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the country where the school is based.

5. Size: International schools are usually smaller in size, with smaller classes, with typically no more than 20 students. This could be an advantage as a smaller class ensures better personal attention and easier access to teachers. Traditional schools, on the other hand, can have over 200 students in a single class, making it more difficult for students to receive one-on-one time with teachers.

6. Future Prospects: If you want your child to complete his/her graduation in India, it is better to let him/her complete their higher secondary certification from an Indian board. However, if you plan to send your child abroad, then it's important to choose the best international school, making sure the best school chosen by you has a proven track record for good academic results and university placements.

Importance Of Foreign Languages In India

Whether it is schools in Worli, Mumbai, or those in Koromangala, Bangalore, all schools have accepted foreign languages as a regular part of the syllabus. While some parents may not even be fluent in English, they consider it important that their children not only learn English, but also as many foreign languages as possible so that they may be prepared for this challenging world.

Data proves that children have good grasping power as compared to adults. It is also much easier for them to learn new languages because their minds are not fully formed yet. Hence, even if children learn just the basics of a foreign language in school, this can enable them to fully learn a language in future.

Every language comprises of different sounds, and the way certain words are pronounced and sentences are formed. Adults minds find it difficult to learn and accept these new patterns. Hence, they often end up spending a lot of time in trying to learn a language and end up with limited results.

On the other hand, children have a relatively open mind and are accepting of new things. Hence, they become proficient at languages very quickly.

Not only is it easier for students to learn new languages, but it also beneficial for their cognitive development. It opens their minds by exposing them to new cultures, hence enabling them to have a flexible mind. This translates to other aspects of their lives as well. For example, they become more tolerant. 

Some parents worry that teaching foreign languages to kids will spoil them and alienate them for the Indian culture. However, if a healthy balance is maintained between teaching Indian culture and foreign culture, children grow up to have fuller, more wholesome personalities.

All of the top 10 schools in India employ foreign language teachers so as to provide the best education to them. Hence, it is important that all schools attempt to do this.