‘My son’s confidence & personality have transformed here’

It is quite interesting to know how this parent ended up choosing Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, for her son. Her son didn’t want to study Hindi, and this conversation began in Class IX. A couple of years later, the topic of changing the school came up since he would rather not study the subject. This time Arpita Chawla started searching for the best IB school in Delhi for her son Adein, who is in DP-1.

In a candid interview, she shares how her son has adjusted to the school and managed the rigours of the IB curriculum.

How did you choose this school?

I started researching IB schools in Delhi because my son plans to pursue his undergraduate studies and higher education in Europe. We felt the IB curriculum would create a much stronger academic foundation for that path. Initially, we had also considered a few schools in Bengaluru, but I felt it was too far away since he would have had to stay in a hostel. I preferred keeping him in Delhi until Grade 12. While researching, I came across Apeejay’s IB School and was impressed by its reputation, online reviews, and proximity to home. After visiting the campus and interacting with the teachers and Vice-principal, both my son and I felt very comfortable with the environment, so we decided it was the right choice for him.

How did your son adjust to the transition?

My biggest concern was never academics. I was more worried about whether he would settle socially because he is naturally very introverted. I wondered if he would be able to connect with his peers and teachers and adapt to a completely new environment. But he adjusted to this school incredibly well, and that has made me very happy. Over the past year, I have seen a huge transformation in him. He has become much more confident, expressive, and willing to participate in different activities. Even my family notices the difference. His overall personality growth has honestly been immense.

IB is known to be rigorous academically. How is he managing it?

Academically, he has always been very independent. I guide him here and there about what he should or should not do, but most of the time he figures things out on his own. I would definitely like him to make better use of the resources available to him, especially seeking more help from teachers because he does not do that as much as he should. But apart from that, he handles his studies very well.

How does the school support his development beyond academics?

It lays a lot of emphasis on overall development. As soon as he joined, he decided to participate in MUN because he wanted to try something new. He enjoyed the experience. Then he also started participating in drama and sports. Earlier, he would never do any of that. Now he is participating in everything. Overall, his communication skills, confidence, and the way he presents himself have all improved tremendously.

What is the biggest advantage of this school?

The biggest advantage is that the IB curriculum closely matches the style of education he will experience later in college abroad. Usually, students from other Boards take time to adjust to teaching methods in Europe or other Western countries. But this adjustment period will be much easier for him because he is already familiar with this system. Instead of struggling academically in his first year, he can focus on settling into a new country, exploring opportunities, and concentrating more on his college studies.

How are the school and mentors helping him overall?

Everyone has been extremely helpful and supportive. The best part for me is that they have managed to make him open up. He feels very comfortable in that environment, and honestly, that matters the most to me.