The number of parents considering alternative schools have increased in the past years. Indian parents are aware and are partial to Montessori, Waldorf, Steiner philosophies and are realising that it is better than rote learning. Times have changed and the big metros have alternate schooling options which are definitely popular. While the serpentine queues for admissions might not die out, alternate schools have also made space in the Indian education system. Parents have started looking beyond the school’s academic track record and are now open to other factors too.
If you are a parent on the lookout for an unconventional school for your little one in Chennai, here’s a list you must consider!
1. The School, KFI
Image Source: The Hindu
One of the oldest and famous ‘alternative’ schools the city has boasted of. Run by the Krishnamurthi Foundation India (KFI), The School, once in the famous Theosophical society campus at Adyar, is soon relocating to Navalur near OMR. Following ICSE curriculum, The School focusses on the overall education of their students and provides ample scope for children to follow their dreams and passion. Their unique mode of learning helps in developing a broad range of capabilities of each child and customises their approach according to the student’s needs.
Website: The School KFI Contact: +91 – 44 – 24915845, 24465144
2. Alpha To Omega Learning Center
Image Source: alphatoomega.org
Children with learning disabilities, who often feel left out of the race, because of societal pressures are the focus in Alpha to Omega Learning Center. The school strongly believes that by building and strengthening the fundamental cognitive skills of the students, they are empowered to be intellectually independent and to live life on their own terms in the long run. With a strict focus on various techniques like rhythmic writing, temporal relations, organisation of dots, the school helps build essential skills such as hypothetical thinking, motor coordination, working memory, phoneme understanding, analytical reasoning among others. To help children reach this state of balance and independence, the school employs yoga, meditation, music and tai chi for the students.
Website: Alpha to Omega Learning Center Contact: 044 2644 3090
3. Abacus Montessori School
Image Source: mouthshut.com
Located at Perungudi, Abacus is one of the famous alternative schools in the city that employs the Montessori method of teaching. The focus is on helping the children learn through practical experience and self-discovery. The school follows the ICSE curriculum. They believe that the child’s education is guided by his/her inner needs and interests. The holistic school environment helps the children build essential skills and become in charge of themselves.
Website: Abacus Montessori School Contact: +91 (44) 24960904, 24963823
4. Good Earth School
Image Source: goodearthschool.org
At Good Earth School in Tambaram, the learning process is both challenging and enjoyable. Following ICSE curriculum the focus is to provide holistic education to children. The school strongly believes that education should foster creativity, independent thinking, exploration and questioning as a lifelong process. The intention is to provide an atmosphere free of authority and fear which enables the child to grow and flower in goodness.
Website: Good Earth School Contact: 044 27178238, 8239, 8310
5. Indradhanu Waldorf School
Image Source: indradhanuwaldorfschool.in
Indradhanu is the first Waldorf-inspired school that Chennai has. Located in TNagar, the school currently has classes from pre-KG to grade 5. With rich and age-appropriate curriculum to foster children’s creativity and interests, the school also focusses on music and practical art forms. The Waldorf method of education inculcated here inspires the kids to be creative, independent and compassionate.
Website: Indradhanu Waldorf School Contact: (+91) 44 43537866 / (+91) 99529 69466
Image Source: Middle East Bible Outreach (MEBO)
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Rushita Sheth
Parul Gupta
KSP Team
Rohini Rajagopalan
Parul Gupta
Mansi Zaveri
