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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!