‘Reputation & discipline attracted me to Apeejay for my daughter’

For Poonam Kulkarni, choosing Apeejay School, Nerul for her daughter Aarohi came down to a mix of practicality, reputation, and a quality that’s become increasingly rare to find. She calls Apeejay Schools: genuine,and  old-fashioned discipline. We spoke with her about what made the decision easy, and how the school has lived up to it since. Read edited excerpts:

What was the reason you opted for Apeejay?

The school is close to home, which meant I could pick and drop Aarohi myself rather than relying on the school bus. Beyond that, Apeejay’s reputation has always been excellent. What really stood out to me, though, was the culture among the students themselves. 

Even though most families here are well-educated and well-to-do, there’s a refreshing absence of the competitive branded culture you sometimes see creep into schools. The overall discipline reminded me of how schools used to run, with genuine mentoring from teachers, and that was a big part of why we chose Apeejay.

After enrolling her, have your expectations been met?

Yes, largely. The teachers have been wonderful.  I honestly can’t recall a single instance where a teacher wasn’t cooperative. Whatever concerns we’ve raised, they’ve always been ready to help. That consistency has meant a great deal to us as parents.

How do you feel about safety, security, and infrastructure at the school?

On infrastructure, I’ve noticed the classrooms are being renovated, which is a welcome improvement. In terms of safety, I’ve never felt that approachability was an issue. Whenever we’ve had a concern, there’s always been someone ready to listen and act on it.

When it comes to teaching, do you feel there’s a balance between completing the syllabus and helping students to understand concepts?

Yes, I’d say the teaching is largely conceptual and well-paced. Being a teacher myself, I understand how vast the syllabus can be. So there’s always some balancing act involved — but overall, I don’t have much to say beyond that. Academically, things are going well.

What’s your view on the extracurricular activities and excursions the school organises?

I think they’re valuable, especially up to Class 7, when the academic load is comparatively lighter than the senior years. A child doesn’t develop through studies alone. Exposure to different experiences plays a real role in shaping them. I see it as a very important initiative on the school’s part. I’m glad they continue to prioritise it.

In this age of AI and social media, how do you see the school’s approach to technology in the classroom?

The school does use audio-visual aids thoughtfully to support learning, which I think has real value. Some concepts are genuinely easier to grasp visually. The school tries to monitor and strike a balance between traditional teaching methods and using technology. 

How is discipline maintained among students, both in general conduct and in how any issues are handled?

This was actually one of the biggest reasons we chose the school in the first place. The discipline here reminds me of how things used to be — punctuality, being properly dressed, that sense of structure — without ever feeling harsh or old-fashioned. I genuinely believe children need that grounding early on, and Apeejay has maintained it well.

What I especially appreciate is how the school keeps children connected to our culture and traditions alongside modern learning. During the recent Janmashtami celebrations, for instance, children were shown the Dashavatara — moments like that matter a lot, especially today. As working parents, we don’t always have the time to pass this on ourselves, so I’m genuinely glad the school takes that initiative.