‘I deeply value the strong communication between parents and school’

Her daughter, Sonakshi, has been with Apeejay School, Nerul, since the beginning. Today, she is in Class IX. When their daughter was three, the parents, who were particular about schooling, searched for the best schools across Navi Mumbai. That is when Apeejay School’s name came up, and they found that the institution was the school that gave importance to academics and extracurricular activities. “Hence, we moved from Panvel to be near the school,” shares Sanjivani Channappa Chakote, Assistant Professor, DY Patil Engineering College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, in a candid interview.

What did you keep in mind while looking for a school?

That balance between academic and co-curricular activities mattered a lot to us. We wanted a school that focused not only on studies but also on the overall development of children. That is one of the main reasons we decided to shift and chose this school for our daughter.

How has your experience with the school and teachers been so far?

Our experience has been extremely positive. We are very happy to see our daughter growing in every direction, not just academically. We never wanted her to become a child who only studies all the time. We wanted her to understand teamwork, communication, social behaviour, and how to interact confidently with people both inside and outside the home. The school has helped her become more balanced and aware in many aspects of life.

How has she developed through co-curricular activities?

One thing I would especially like to mention is the art-integrated projects that the school conducts. Along with that, activities like Olympiads, Valendra activities, SpellBee, and other competitions have helped her a lot. These activities have given her opportunities beyond academics. Through these projects, she has explored different technologies and skills like using AI tools, creating presentations, and working on Canva.

Share an example of how the school’s activities helped build your daughter’s creativity.

As a faculty member at an engineering college, I was working with students on a project brochure. My students created a brochure design, and I casually showed it to my daughter. She immediately said that the presentation could be improved and offered to redesign it herself. She created an entirely new brochure on Canva. Of course, the technical text was provided by my student, but she handled the entire design aspect independently. She decided the layout, alignment, colour combinations, and presentation style based on theme.

We eventually used her brochure design at IIT Bombay. I genuinely feel this confidence and creativity came from the kind of exposure and activities this school provides.

The school also focuses strongly on values. What values has Sonakshi developed over the years?

She has become much more confident and disciplined. Discipline is something I value deeply, and I can clearly see that in her now. She has also become more creative and responsible. Whatever task is given to her, she completes it sincerely and puts in her full effort. I also feel she has developed qualities like honesty, integrity, and commitment over the years.

How has your interaction been with the teachers and school staff?

The teachers and staff have always been extremely approachable, caring, and supportive. My daughter is naturally introverted and usually hesitant to speak in class, but her teachers consistently encouraged her to participate more and express herself confidently. Over time, that support helped her become much more confident in her abilities. I truly appreciate how attentively the teachers identify each child’s potential and work on their growth individually. Another aspect I value deeply is the strong communication between the school and parents. That connection has always been transparent, positive, and reassuring for us as parents.