Hindustan Times - C fore Top Schools Survey
2012
Navi Mumbai
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
A guidefo
hindustantimes NAVI MUMBAI
W
e are very pleased to present to readers the fourth HT Top Schools Survey. As we did last year, we have refined the methodology to reflect our own deepening understanding of the issues and by incorporating sensible suggestions from readers. See ‘Methodology’ for further details. We hope that the survey will help parents with one of the most significant decisions they will take on behalf of their children: selecting a school. Along with the rankings, we have profiles of the top schools in each zone followed by a series of articles that capture key education trends in the city. We think that the entire series will help not only newcomers to Mumbai but also parents who have lived here all their lives. This is because city schools are rapidly transforming. First, over the past year, Indian policy makers have ushered in radical changes in curricula across boards to make it more student-centric and less marks oriented. Second, international boards are rapidly making inroads in to city schools, raising the cost of education but also ushering in innovative and wider approaches to learning and teaching. Finally, many of today’s generation of highly conscious parents want to be closely involved with their children’s lives at school: they want a lot of information about what goes on at school not only before sending their children there but also afterwards. They would like a school that suits these aspirations. This series takes into account these key shifts in schooling and parenting.
or youngparents
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
10
TOP SCHOOLS OF NAVI MUMBAI
The 2012 Hindustan Times-C fore Top Schools Survey gave scores to each school across 18 different parameters, from academic rigour to sports. Here is a list of schools ranked in the Top 10 in Navi Mumbai
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR:
■ Social management ■ Teachers ■ Selection process
APEEJAY SCHOOL
BOARD Class 10 – ICSE, Class 12 - CBSE Annual fee: R27,000-R35,000 Student strength: 2,648 Student - teacher ratio: 26:1
“Apart from academics, we emphasise the development of life skills and a good value system. Each child is unique and should be given the choice to follow his passion. The school’s consistent progress is testimony to this philosophy.”
History: The school was promoted under the aegis of Apeejay Education Society, Delhi, in 1966. It was the first school in Navi Mumbai to offer the CBSE curriculum. Unique features: The school emphasises extracurricular activities and has weather and robotics clubs. Every classroom has a computer and large screen television to make the teaching-learning process more effective and interactive.
RAKESH JOSHI, principal
WEBSITE: www.apeejay.edu ADDRESS: Sector 15, Nerul
hindustantimes NAVI MUMBAI HIGHEST RATINGS FOR:
AVALON HEIGHTS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
■ Teachers Safety, health and hygiene ■ Selection process
■
BOARD:
Class 10 – SSC, IGCSE Annual fee: R65,000 Student strength: 1,132 Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
“We don’t believe in just creating good students. Our efforts are to create good human beings. We groom students, teachers and parents. This combined force aims to prepare students for not just board exams, but the test of life.”
MEENA SINGH, principal
History: Simi Sharma started a playschool in 1998 on a 550 sq ft plot in Koparkhairane. The child-centric school soon prospered and moved to its present premises in Vashi in 2005. It now has batches till Class 10. Unique features: The school follows an integrated learning pattern, in which subjects are linked to each other. The school uses advanced software and has ‘smart classrooms’.
WEBSITE: www.avalonheights.org ADDRESS: Sector 19-F, Vashi
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012 HIGHEST RATINGS FOR:
BAL BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL
“Education for life and not education for living is what we strive to impart. Students are taught to maintain values of Indian culture and optimal global practices for best results.”
■ Academic rigour ■ Teachers ■ Selection process
BOARD Class 10, Class 12 - CBSE Annual fee: R31,320 Student strength: 2,517 Student- teacher ratio 22:1
History: The school was set up by the Child Education Society on September 1, 2000. It was originally started in CBD Belapur from where it shifted to Kharghar in 2002. Unique features: The school is popularly called Bal Bharati Parivar for its personal interaction with students. All classes have plasma televisions to teach through smart class modules. The school has a doctor, counsellor and special educator.
RADHIKA V RAMAN,
principal
WEBSITE: www.bbpskharghar.com ADDRESS: Sector 4, Kharghar
hindustantimes NAVI MUMBAI DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL, AIROLI
“We focus on the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual development of our students. Children at this age are reservoirs of energy and through their involvement in different activities we try to channelise their energies in the right direction.”
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR: ■ Academic rigour ■ Teachers ■ Value for money BOARD Class 10, Class 12- CBSE Annual fee: R 30,590 Student strength: 4,255 Teacher ratio: 29:1
History: The school was established in 1998 to cater to the needs of students primarily from Navi Mumbai and Thane. Unique features: The school focuses on activity-based learning. All students have to enroll in one of their 10 clubs, which includes robotics, environment and language clubs.
RAJEEV KUMAR, principal
WEBSITE: www.davairoli.org ADDRESS: Sector 10, Airoli
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL, NEW PANVEL
“We work towards the development of social, moral and spiritual values. Self governance, equality of opportunity and education for self-sufficiency are given due importance.” J AYA S H R E E K H A N D E K A R ,
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR: ■ Academic rigour ■ Selection process ■ Value for money BOARD Class 10 - ICSE, Class 12 - CBSE Annual fee: R43,200 Student strength: 4,728 Student-Teacher ratio: 36: 1
History: DAV is a charitable organisation and one of the largest nonprofits in the country in the field of education and social welfare. The school in New Panvel was established on April 20, 1997. Unique features: The school provides facilities for different sports such as athletics, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. The school has received the Excellence in Technology the Trend Micro Award for schools in October 2004 and 2005.
principal
WEBSITE: www.davnewpanvel.com ADDRESS: Sector 10, New Panvel
hindustantimes NAVI MUMBAI DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, NERUL
“Education is not merely imparting knowledge but also educating and training the mind and body. Attempts are made to equip our students with life skills and academic skills through an integrated learning programme in tune with international standards.”
History: The Navi Mumbai branch of the Delhi Public School began in 1996. Delhi Public Society is a not-forprofit organisation.
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR: ■ Academic rigour ■ Selection process ■ Teachers BOARD Class 10 , Class 12 – CBSE Annual fee: R30,000 Student strength: 3,567 Student: Teacher ratio: 24: 1
Unique features: Students participate in various national-level competitions such as the Math and International Informatics Olympiads. More than half the students, who appeared for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams last year secured more than 90%. Many were part of the CBSE merit list.
PC CHHABRA, principal
WEBSITE: www.dpsnavimumbai.org ADDRESS: Sector 54, Nerul
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
FR AGNEL MULTIPURPOSE SCHOOL We are an inclusive school with a strong sense of commitment to community. Each child is special and is nurtured in a dynamic environment to be a sensitive and concerned human being, and also excel in academics and sports.” S N I G D H A R OY, principal
History: The Fathers of Agnel Ashram established the school in 1982. There were no schools in the area then and the school accepted all those who wanted to study. They also wanted to focus on vocational education to make children self-sufficient. Unique features: The school has facilities such as an astro-turf playing field, shooting range and swimming pool. Several of its alumni have become successful sportspersons. HIGHEST
RATINGS FOR: Academic rigour ■ Teachers ■ Selection process ■
BOARD:
Class 10 –SSC, Class 12 - HSC Annual fee: R13,200 Student strength: 5,162 Student - teacher ratio: 30: 1 (primary), 40:1 (secondary)
WEBSITE: www.angelhamara.net ADDRESS: Sector 10-A, Vashi
hindustantimes NAVI MUMBAI
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR: ■ Academic rigour ■ Selection process ■ Teachers BOARD Class 10 – IGCSE (CIE), ICSE Class 12 – IB - A levels(AIE)
PODAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NERUL “We aim for all-round development of pupils, who are emotionally balanced with high standard of ethical and moral values. I believe in equality, discipline, determination and a positive attitude.”
History: The ICSE school was established on June 24, 2007. Recognising the growing needs of the globetrotting populace of Navi Mumbai, the school adopted Cambridge curriculum in June 2009. Unique features: All classrooms have smart boards, projectors and computers with Internet. The school deploys international trainers to train its teachers. Students from the school have been regularly participating and winning national-level chess competitions.
RASHMI CHOUDHRI, principal
WEBSITE: www.podar.org/CIE-Nerul ADDRESS: Sector No. 36, Seawoods (West)
Annual fee: CIE - R87,500, ICSE- R56,000 Student strength: 2,675 Student - teacher ratio: IGCSE-20:1, ICSE40:1
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR:
■ Selection process ■ Academic rigour ■ Teachers
RYAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, KHARGAR “The school has excelled for the past 10 years in providing fine education and all-round development, keeping in mind the global scenario and competition. With the blessing of our God, we have been able to achieve these milestones.” A L I C E VA Z ,
BOARD Class 10 – IGCSE, ICSE Class 12 -ISC Annual fee: R25,695 Student strength: 3,743 Student- teacher ratio: 35: 1
History: The school was the first ICSE school in Navi Mumbai. It began functioning formally on June 13, 1999, with 89 students and eight teachers. The first batch passed out in 2006. Unique features: The school has a swimming pool, auditorium, playground and several well-equipped labs. The school has been accredited with the International School Award from the British Council.
principal
WEBSITE: www.ryaninternational.org ADDRESS: Sector 11, Khargar
hindustantimes NAVI MUMBAI
RYAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NERUL
HIGHEST RATINGS FOR: ■ Academic rigour ■ Teachers
■ Selection
process
BOARD
Class 10 – ICSE Annual fee: R20,000 Student strength: 2,593 Student - teacher ratio: 35:1
“Our vision statement is ‘academic excellence and allround holistic development of our students’ and we believe in inculcating positivity in our students through prayer, preparation and practice.”
History: Ryan International Schools are present across the country. This school was founded in 2005. It comprises six floors with a huge playground and an auditorium. Unique features: Students have won at various Olympiads. Some students also got to go to NASA for an educational tour. International theatre festivals are held every year as a platform for interaction between students of different nations.
K AT H E R I N E J A M E S , principal
WEBSITE: www.ryaninternational.org ADDRESS: Sector No. 19A, Nerul
METHODOLOGY A. Process HT and research firm Cfore conducted the survey in three phases over four months. In the first phase, we sent out an exhaustive questionnaire to 307 private schools in the Mumbai region, asking them to send us detailed data about themselves, such as their studentteacher ratios, total area of all their playgrounds, etc. Of these, 109 schools replied. (We hope that many more will join in next year.) Based on these replies, we assigned each school an objective score. In the second phase, a perceptual survey was conducted among a carefully selected sample of teachers and parents. In all, 2512 respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The respondents were asked to evaluate the schools that they were aware of on a 10 point scale against 18 parameters. We used the same parameters as last year. We had arrived at the parameters based on suggestions from a panel of educationists. Simultaneously, objective data was also collected. In the third phase, Cfore research-ers visited each school shortlisted for ranking based on the objective and perceptual data collected. The data was also audited by talking to parents and students. To arrive at the ranking score, the figures of perceptual and objective data were combined. In case the objective data was not available, the perceptual data scores were extrapolated to rank top 10 schools of each of the five zones of the Mumbai region: north, south, east, west and Navi Mumbai. B. The parameters along which we rated the schools n Educational philosophy n Attitude towards learning n Breadth of vision n Social engagement n Academic rigour n Innovative teaching n Quality of teachers n Teacher-student relationship n Sports n Cultural activities n Life skills education n Infrastructure and facilities n Safety, health and hygiene n Diversity n Selection process n Governance n Parent participation n Value for money
NOTES 1. Despite employing such a comprehensive process, we at HT believe that such rankings cannot be completely objective because people will have different opinions of what they believe constitutes a good education. Some parents might be looking for a school that allows them to be closely involved while others may want the opposite. Some parents might want schools that focus on sports while others may want one where academics dominates. 2. We believe that beyond a particular threshold, it is difficult to objectively rank schools. Indeed, as we have said, our survey includes some subjective, perceptual inputs. Therefore, we will only list in alphabetical order schools that emerged as the top ten in each of the other zones. We have, however, provided rankings for the top ten schools overall in the city because many readers have asked us for it. 3. In any case, we advise parents to look carefully at how schools have scored against the various parameters instead of going just by the overall rank. These scores will indicate to parents which school might better suit their specific aspirations. Indeed, a school that is ranked lower might actually be better suited to a parent and his or her child than the topranked one.