No matter how far apart each of us would have spent our childhood days, it can be said with certainty that many of us would have similar memories of our school days. The incidents etched in our memory might differ from one another, but the basic things we did in school, would undoubtedly be the same for each of us.
Need of Unique Schools
The school was that one place where we went half-heartedly, where the nightmares of mathematics teachers and homework reigned supreme. But for most of us, looking back at those times would prompt us to thank our parents and teachers for providing us with the education to succeed in life. Every time we receive the paycheck, we would inadvertently thank all those who helped us reach our goal.
Most of us would have undoubtedly known only of the conventional school, with desks and benches, homework and detention. Having been through this circle, there would not be one among us, who wouldn’t have wished for a change in the conventional mode of education. Here is a list of ten most unique schools in India, which stand apart from the ordinary schools through their extraordinary and exceptional take on a new mode of education.
Loktak Lake School, Manipur
Manipur is perhaps one of the most enchanting and fascinating states of India. Blessed with majestic hills and mesmerizing scenic beauty, Manipur is undoubtedly the personification of heaven on earth. Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in the country, known as the “Lifeline of Manipur,” is also home to India’s first floating school. The school provides education to high school dropout students and children of fisherfolk who are unable to send their children to school. The school is situated in Langolsabi Leikai of Champu Khangpok village, which is 50 km away from Imphal, the capital of Manipur. Children reach the school by boats. With the establishment of this unique school, many families were able to send their children to school at low cost, and hence this school plays a pivotal role in providing education to the several children in the state. The school has been granted with modern amenities. For many children in the state, the school is nothing short of a dream come true.
Chirag School, Uttarakhand
Located in the Simayal village of Nainital district in Uttarakhand, Chirag school is a unique educational institution, situated in the lap of the Himalayas. Founded by Kanai Lal, the school was begun with a vision to provide the kids with an all-round education. The school does not merely evaluate the student’s academic capability but also pays attention to their personality development.
The Platform School, Bihar
Not every child is blessed with the privilege to attend school. There are still countless kids in India and around the world who cannot go to school, though they ardently want to. The platform school in Bihar is an example of such a school where the orphan children who are forced to work for their livelihood come to learn. Apart from academics, the school also teaches life skills, such as medical aid, and provides counselling to the kids. The initiative has been a success and has succeeded in providing education to a number of kids who would have otherwise never been able to afford it.
The Yellow Train School, Tamil Nadu
The yellow train school in Tamil Nadu is perhaps every child’s dream school. The students are provided with the opportunity to spend time in the lap of nature as they learn about gardening and farming, and allow you to practice skills such as pottery. Music, nature, and joy are always prevalent on the campus of this school. Protected from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this school aims to be one with nature and focuses more on the personal development of a child rather than focus entirely on academics.
The Smart School, Maharashtra
A school where all textbooks and notebooks have been replaced with tablets and computers, this school is truly one of a kind. The venture to turn this Zilla Parishad school into a smart school that utilizes modern amenities was undertaken by Sandip Gund and has since been a model of inspiration to about five hundred other schools in the state. Everything from submitting assignments to being understanding concepts, the school utilizes the digital medium.
The Levelfield school, West Bengal
A school without a classroom, where students are encouraged to think out of the box and discuss their ideas and interpretation of classics, the Level field school in West Bengal is a model to every other school. Situated in Bengal, the students of the school gather in open-air land and discuss their lessons with one another rather than just learn them by heart. Ths school would encourage the child to think freely with an open mind and learn to respect different perspectives on the same topic, all the while being comfortably seated in the lap of nature.
Veena Vadini School, Madhya Pradesh
A school where every single student is ambidextrous and are taught six different languages; Veena Vadini school is truly one of a kind. The students are trained from a very early age to write with both hands, thus making the school an extraordinary one.
SECMOL, Ladakh
Ladakh is the beautiful and awe-inspiring land covered with snow and magical in appearance. The state is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement Of Ladakh (SECMOL) is both different and exceptional when compared to other conventional schools. The school focuses more on practical knowledge and life values, all while giving the students ample freedom to make decisions on their own.
Aurinko Academy, Karnataka
Situated in the “Silicon Valley of India”, Bangalore, Aurinko Academy is an unconventional and extraordinary school. Here the students are given education on widely different subjects to enable the student to select and identify his area of interest and to enable them to pursue it.
Ananya School, Karnataka
Founded by Dr. Shashi Rao, Ananya was an initiative to provide education to the underprivileged children. Ananya was born out of the vision that every child was entitled to education and has been instrumental in providing the education to many children, who would otherwise have had no means to learn. Apart from academics, Ananya also focuses on teaching the kids essential life lessons and values to help them through life.
The Northstar School, Rajkot, Gujarat
The Northstar School, founded by Harvard alumnus Mohit Patel, redefines the face of education with its emphasis on curiosity-driven and experiential learning, adopting a globally informed approach. Steering clear of cramming, their philosophy views education as an experiential process that fosters independent learning through creative programs such as the Integrated Exploratory Learning Continuum and Horticulture Program. Balancing round-the-year feedback with the year-end examination, the school promotes innovation and self-development. Their only collaboration with Haute École Pedagogique, Switzerland, for trainer training, is to make Northstar’s study programs affordable nationwide, offering a highly individualized learning format with a 1:7 teacher-student ratio.
The School – KFI, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Located in the peaceful Damodar Gardens of the Theosophical Society in Chennai, The School KFI redefines education with a new holistic viewpoint. Students are encouraged to discover their strengths and mature into their full potential, fostering a healthy rapport between students and teachers that extends beyond the classroom. Active involvement in campus cleanliness instills a sense of community responsibility, while field trips across the nation become learning experiences and opportunities to serve local communities. The curriculum features high levels of interconnection, resulting in subjects that overlap, leading to an integrated and holistic learning process.
Parvarish – The Museum School, Madhya Pradesh
Parvarish: The Museum School, an OASiS project in Madhya Pradesh, has a truly visionary city schooling model. Noticing the disparity in access, OASiS deliberately repositioned existing museums as dynamic learning environments for out-of-school children from slums. By overlapping museum exhibitions with multiple class curricula, the initiative avoided gatekeeping for children who might not be able to read or write, thereby turning cultural centers into dynamic classrooms. In addition to B.Ed colleges, Parvarish fulfills the teaching demand as well by introducing a new platform for practice teaching that presents an innovative and inclusive education model.
Rishi Valley School, Andhra Pradesh
Located in a peaceful and beautiful natural setting, Rishi Valley School, a boarding school, is greatly influenced by the intellectual ideas of J. Krishnamurti. The school’s primary emphasis is on developing self-aware human beings through an authentically holistic learning process that is committed not only to intellectual achievement but also to the emotional and spiritual growth of its students. One of the distinguishing features of its innovative curriculum is the priority given to developing an affinity for nature, fostering a profound respect for the natural world and empathy for its role within it.
Isha Home School, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Located in the foothills of the peaceful Velliangiri Mountains, Isha Home School, founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, is a pioneering homeschooling system that seeks to blend the homely instincts of ‘home’ with the disciplined learning of ‘school.’ This boarding model creates a dynamic, multi-age community where children learn naturally from one another, supported by committed house parents and teachers. The school focuses on inner happiness, deep self-awareness, and nature-based holistic development strategies to create a milieu where academic progress, as well as transformation, is fostered.
FAQs About Unique Schools in India
1. Are these unique schools affordable for everyone?
Most unique schools, particularly those serving disadvantaged populations (such as The Platform School or Ananya School), are either free or offer low-cost tuition. In contrast, others, such as private alternative schools (like Yellow Train or Rishi Valley), may be more expensive.
2. Are these schools affiliated to any particular board, such as CBSE or ICSE?
A few of the unique schools may be affiliated with a recognized board. In contrast, others develop their holistic curriculum, sometimes drawing inspiration from other educational ideologies, such as Waldorf or Krishnamurti’s.
3. How do such schools prepare students for university life?
Despite unconventional practices, most of these alternative schools prepare students with problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and a solid foundation, which enables them to succeed in university and excel in various areas.
4. Are there special schools in every region of India?
While some are region-specific (such as Loktak Floating School in Manipur or SECMOL in Ladakh), the philosophy of special education is spreading to various corners of the country.
5. What is the key difference between a traditional school and a unique school?
Traditional schools tend to emphasize standardized curricula and exams, while unique schools value integrated development, experiential learning, and personalized attention and sometimes incorporate specific philosophies or community involvement.
Few Lines about Unique Schools of India
- India’s unique schools redefine education, demonstrating that learning can flourish outside conventional classrooms.
- From floating on lakes to running on railway platforms, innovation characterizes these learning havens.
- Holistic development, critical thinking, and experiential skills lie at the core of their visions.
- They believe in striking a balance between nature and technology and recognize more than one learning style to foster a rich educational experience.
- They’re creating world-ready citizens with a clear sense of purpose and a strong sense of community.
- Each school is a model of creative solutions to access and quality education.
- They demonstrate that the “best” school need not be the biggest but rather the most inspiring and capable.
Conclusion
Indian education is much richer and more varied than conventional schooling makes us believe. The innovative schools highlighted here are a testament to a revolutionary philosophy, one that goes beyond the application of rote learning, encompassing all-around development, environmental awareness, vocational training, and learner-centric learning pathways. From floating schools to schools on the rail tracks or integrating art, nature, and technology, these schools not only develop minds but also well-rounded children who can contribute constructively to society. They are a clear indication of innovation in education, teaching us that learning can indeed thrive in infinite innovative and productive manners.
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Thanks!