Remember back in the day when we ran into someone from a different cultural background? We looked at them in awe because it was rare and fascinating for us. We learned so much from them – culture, language, etiquette, and so on.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our kids grew up in diversity? Wouldn’t it be an ideal scenario for them to explore various cultures as a part of their daily life? If the answer is yes, you must check out the International School of Hyderabad. It is truly international in that it doesn’t just follow the Cambridge Curriculum but it also admits children from more than 20 different countries. Imagine how aware and knowledgeable a child would grow up to be in such a diverse environment!
Founded in 1980, the school is under the trusteeship of ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). It provides education to over 400 students from different parts of the globe. In fact, it prides itself in having one of the highest percentage of international students in the city.
The Head of School, Dr. Oli Tooher-Hancock, is a British/Irish National. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and has 25+ years of experience in the field of education. She has worked with IB schools in multiple countries including Spain, Peru, Sri Lanka, China, and Japan. She is also a PTC Trainer and a board member for the Association of Advancement of International Education. She uses her arsenal of teaching strategies and international experience to create a culture of great diversity, unity, and inspirational learning.
In this article, we are going to delve deep and learn about the aspects that make the school stand out.
Located within the ICRISAT campus!
ICRISAT is spread across 3,600 acres and the International School of Hyderabad occupies 10 acres of this area. We don’t even need to mention just how peaceful and breathtaking the atmosphere here is!
Even though the school is far from the city, it is totally worth the commute.
Truly international curriculum
Affiliated to the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, we can positively say that it is a truly international school. Moreover, it was the first school to be awarded the authorization to offer the IB curriculum.
Fee Structure
Being one of the top, most spacious, and eminent schools in Hyderabad, one would expect the fee to be unaffordable. But, that is really not the case. The fee at the International School of Hyderabad is around 5,80,000 INR per annum, which is on par with all the top international schools in Hyderabad today. In fact, the others charge more. So, if you are truly looking for the best in the city, the fee structure will be around 5-6 lac.
It is a 10-acre spectacle!
The co-educational school has a state-of-the-art campus and children here have access to various learning environments such as a museum, a weather station, a medieval fort, and more. Here’s more about its amenities:
Classrooms
With an average student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school ensures personalized learning and individual attention. All classrooms have digital equipment, on par with the curricula followed.
Laboratories
Advanced and hi-tech laboratories for science, languages, and computers can be seen in the campus. The labs are a crucial part of learning here because the school gives prime importance to experimental learning.
Library
The library here is every reader’s dream! It is loaded with books for reference and casual reading, giving every child the opportunity to expand his/her horizons with each passing day.
Playground
The school has not one but four separate outdoor fields. This shows how seriously the authorities take physical education. The outdoor facilities include a swimming pool, football fields, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, cycling area, a cross country running area, and an outdoor area for other sports such as basketball.
Besides this, the school also has indoor facilities and a multi-purpose gym.
Co-curricular activities
A plethora of amenities and activities keep children engaged at all times. Separate art rooms, music rooms, and other facilities help children have fun while developing multiple important skills.
Transport
A fleet of buses makes transportation easy for all children. The buses cover a large area to pick up and drop children every day.
Academics – Diverse and personal at the same time!
Around 34% of the staff at International School of Hyderabad constitutes of international teachers. They hail from around 12 countries, bringing with them an ocean of experience and expertise. Most children are from different countries as well and that is why, the school has a limited intake for local children.
Academics here focus on preparing children to study in universities across the globe. Through a personalized approach, each child’s uniqueness is embraced and nurtured. Children learn conceptually, think, enquire, and theorize. The curriculum is built to create resilient individuals who have leadership qualities.
Learning until grade 8 is in accordance with Common Ground Collaborative (CGC) and high school students follow IGCSE methodologies. Their curriculum also includes the learner profile of IB. This goes to show that the students of International School of Hyderabad are fostered be all-rounders with a sense of responsibility and leadership.
There is absolutely no doubt that the International School of Hyderabad is one of the best in Hyderabad. If you do not mind the distance (and we really don’t think that you should), you should attempt to admit your child here.