‘Academics was the biggest factor for us right from the start’

For Benjamin Arwade, the decision to enrol his son Dnyanel at Apeejay School, Nerul wasn’t made on a single factor. It came from weighing academics, and environment. Over the years at Apeejay, he watched how his son progressed. We spoke with him about what convinced him, what’s held up, and what he’d still like to see improve.

Why do you trust Apeejay for your son’s schooling? 

Academics was the biggest factor for us right from the start. We wanted a school known for strong teaching standards and a genuine focus on how concepts are taught, not just covered. Apeejay’s reputation on that front is what first drew us in.

Beyond academics, we looked closely at the overall school environment and the range of opportunities available outside the classroom. We had also heard a lot of positive word of mouth from other parents in the area, which reinforced our decision. 

What were your expectations from the school when you admitted your child?

We expected the school would help him grow academically while also becoming more disciplined and well-rounded as a person. Dnynel is in class 7 and I have seen those expectations of mine getting met. Some progress is slow like learning a skill, but when it comes to grasping new concepts, I have found him particularly excelling on that front. 

How does school manage between academics and extracurricular?

This is one of the school’s strong points. Dnyanel has had the chance to explore activities beyond academics. The school does a good job encouraging children to stay involved in both areas rather than letting one crowd out the other. The spirit of sportsmanship is what sports teaches us and I have seen some skills like team work was missing in him, which because of regular and consistent sports participation helped him. Though, he is yet to choose a sport which he can carry till his life ahead. 

What role did the school’s values and approach to the overall development of children play in your choice?

We are both working parents and return in the evening. So for the majority time of the day, he is in school. We didn’t want a school that measured success just by marks. We wanted somewhere that would help Dnyanel grow as an individual too. That combination of academic rigour and personal development is something Apeejay has delivered on.

How is the school environment and the way teachers interact with students?

The teachers have been approachable and engaged, especially during PTMs. Despite the number of students, teachers clearly track each child’s progress. They are aware about the improvement and good areas of my child. This shows that though teaching is done in the classroom, but individual focus is maintained.