NASCA Learning Centre
Rishi Valley School | Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
Around 140 km from Bangalore in the interiors of Andhra Pradesh is located at the Rishi Valley School. It has 360 boarding students and tries to develop them into self-aware individuals who are always learning in life. The school has a holistic approach to education in the spirit of Krishnamurti’s pedagogical vision. Its focus is on a meaningful curriculum that is updated regularly, and on inculcating a love for nature among the kids.
Ukti | Noida
Ukti follows the teaching methodology of the Waldorf alternative education program models and inculcates academic, artistic and practical excellence in its students. The school focusses on inculcating a love for learning and encouraging independent thinking.
Chinmaya Mission | pan-India
The ‘Chinmaya’ experience of education started off as an ‘experiment in education,’ matured into the ‘Chinmaya Vision of Education’ and concretized as the ‘Chinmaya Education Movement.’ The Movement is one of Chinmaya Mission’s most valuable contributions to society. From its humble beginnings on May 20, 1965, in Kollengode, Kerala (India), it now encompasses over 88 Chinmaya Schools and Colleges, the Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) in India, and the first Chinmaya Vidyalaya outside India’s borders, in Trinidad (West Indies).
The school follows its distinctive foundation programme of learning – the Chinmaya Vision Programme (CVP) – which was formulated, developed, and implemented by the CCMT Education Cell.
Isha Home School, Coimbatore
Isha Home School is located amidst the tranquil surroundings of the Velliangiri Mountains near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Founded in 2005 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the school strives to incorporate his educational approach into its day-to-day working.
The Home School has children aged 6-9 (Junior School) and 10-13 (Middle School) that live and learn in the same space. According to the school, it seamlessly blends the best aspects of ‘home’ and ‘school’ to provide a nourishing space for learning. Each home is cared for by house-parents and teachers. This multi-age environment ensures a sibling atmosphere where students learn from each other as well.
Levelfield school, West Bengal
Learning here happens through speaking, discussing and learning from each other – be it English, Mathematics or any other subject, the approach is to teach using puzzles, apps, and games. The students hardly use textbooks. The classroom is out in the open spread across 2.5 acres. “The idea is to bring alive stuff and to do it in an engaging manner,” says Arghya Banerjee, the founder of this school.
Veena Vadini school, Madhya Pradesh
This school is unique. From Class 1 itself, all students – 300 of them – are taught to be ambidextrous! And they are also taught six languages!
The Yellow Train School, Coimbatore
This school seems like a never-ending vacation where students grow together, learning the values they’ll need in life. The focus is more on the development of a child rather than on textbook lessons.
The School KFI, Chennai
Set up under the guidance of J Krishnamurthy, the school does not hold exams till the 10th standard. It is considered one of the most successful alternative high school programmes.
SECMOL, Ladakh
The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) started by Sonam Wangchuk, focusses on practical learning, eco-friendly living and a complete shift from the formal educational system.
Aurinko Academy, Bengaluru
The Aurinko Academy in Bengaluru defines itself as a progressive learning space and follows a unique curriculum where a variety of subjects are taught, including carpentry!
Tridha, Mumbai
A pioneer in alternative schooling in India, Tridha Mumbai lets the children explore the smaller joys of life. Starting from carpentry to gardening, the kids learn all the skills in a relaxed environment. It applies the Steiner curriculum and focusses on education through experience.
Pallikoodam, Kottayam
Found by Arundhati Roy’s mother the school is one of the best alternative schools in that area. It focuses on giving a holistic learning experience to the students. The highlights are an information instruction format for junior kids and assimilation of Indian culture and inculcating good habits.
India, Mumbai
Focussing on the Waldorf educational style, the school focusses on providing respect and true guidance to the children and help them in exploring their individuality.
Abhaya, Hyderabad
Abhaya school Hyderabad was founded by a group of parents who were not so satisfied with the reigning education system. As the name suggests, the school aims to make its students fearless and motivate them to work hard and achieve the kind of excellence they wish to aim at. It aims at inspiring children to achieve creative excellence in a non-competitive environment
Rajghat Besant School, Varanasi
This is one of the many schools run by J Krishnamurti. In the school, the students along with the teachers explore the world of knowledge and that of their own behavior as well. The focus is on knowledge with spiritual growth and building an overall sanctity of the relationship between teacher and student
Kalpavruksha, Mumbai
Located in Vikhroli Mumbai, the school has a village-like, organic ambience. It focuses all its efforts on developing its students as morally and socially responsible individuals.
Prakriya Green Wisdom School, Bengaluru
Prakriya wants the children to understand the implications of climate change and hence be prepared to handle it accordingly. It pays less emphasis on marks and focusses on creating earth consciousness.
Isai Ambalam School, Auroville
Located in the northern area of Auroville, the school has 115 students and 12 faculty members only. It was set up to provide a different style of education to the students of nearby villages. The school provides a lot of scope for kids to improvise and bring learning in their day-to-day routine.
Aarambh, Vasant Kunj
Based on the Waldorf style of education, Aarambh treats each of its students as a unique being. The school respects each child and works hard to help them grow into sensible and creative individuals with a strong bent of mind.
Be Me, Bengaluru
BeMe school Bangalore, one of the best alternative schools In India, is a unique concept where the students are taught how to speak for themselves, judge, evaluate and then take decisions. With activity corner, electives, expression circle, and skill workshops, the kids explore those vistas which they never would otherwise.
Sarang Alternative School, Kerala
Its students learn about diverse topics like natural farming, watershed management, low-cost construction, and biodiversity conservation. The focus is on cooperation over competition, and on the regeneration of natural resources and how to learn it.
