‘This school takes pains to teach good habits among students’

Today, almost all parents are looking for a school that has a dual focus – strong academically and offers opportunities for students to pursue extracurricular activities. This is because just being academically brilliant is not enough. Parents are looking for holistic development of their children and for this, they are willing to spend months on end looking for that one school that fits.

But for Kritika and her husband Nitin Aggarwal, who is a businessman, it was a no-brainer where both her kids would study. “Practically everyone in my in-laws’ side of the family has studied at Apeejay yet when it came to looking for a school for my son Kiaan (in class III today), I went to all the top schools in Jalandhar. But when I stepped into Apeejay, there was a different vibe here. It was so welcoming and I decided then and there that this is where he would study. When it was Shivanya’s time, who is in pre-primary, I didn’t have to think twice,” Kritika said.

Excerpts from an interview.

What tipped the balance in Apeejay’s favour?

As I mentioned, I went to all the top schools in Jalandhar since I wanted the best for my son. Even though I was told Apeejay is the best, I still went to the other schools to check them out myself. What I found at this school was missing in others. The atmosphere at Apeejay was so inviting and friendly; it was like coming home. Everyone at the school welcomed us and made my son feel so comfortable. I felt that the people here were like the second parent to Kiaan.

Did you have a checklist?

Yes, I did. But it was in my head. So, when I went to the other schools I asked very specific questions. At one school, they told me that they taught toddlers how to eat all types of veggies. I asked how and they said ‘we make lauki ka kofta’. I told them that this was not making a tiny tot eat vegetables. Likewise there were other small things at schools as well. The infrastructure at this school was excellent but Apeejay is more student-friendly and not just easy on parents’ pockets.

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Practically everyone in my in-laws’ side of the family has studied at Apeejay yet when it came to looking for a school for my son, I went to all the top schools in Jalandhar. But when I stepped into Apeejay, there was a different vibe here. It was so welcoming and decided then and there that this is where he would study

–Kritika Aggarwal, Mother of Two Students at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg

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What has been the learning curve for your children?

Both are doing well academically and the best part is that they are picking up good habits at school. Of course, we teach the same at home, but the fact that this school takes pains to teach these in the school is heartening. I am a helicopter mom and want my kids to be on their best behaviour all the time.

Recently, the school organised Sports Day and my daughter went with another parent. She told me that not even once did my daughter make a fuss or was cranky unlike most kids their age if their mother is not with them.

How is the parent-teacher interaction?

If I talk about the pre-primary teachers; I would say they are amazing. If I have any problem, even a personal one, they immediately step in to help the child. Like, if I fall ill or am unable to help Shivanya with her work, the teacher will take extra care when I drop a text. The same is for Kiaan. I ask the teacher what he needs to study for the exams and she texts me the list.

My son also got a gold medal in Math Olympiad but he fell ill on the day he was to receive the medal. I requested the class teacher to click a photograph of him getting the medal; she did that as well. He also got a silver medal in sports. My daughter participated in the Annual Appreciation Day and played Kali Ma. She is now famous among her teachers.

So, your children participate in extracurricular activities.

Yes. This was my main motivation for my kids studying at Apeejay. I want my kids to have an all-round personality. For their age, both my children are very knowledgeable and not just related to the curriculum. I was a dance teacher and wanted my kids to also take part in different activities that are not related to studies. My son loves to play lawn tennis.

What is the importance of these activities?

I feel that the child doesn’t have to be first in academics. He/she must develop an interest in other aspects as well. This broadens the horizon and the child becomes an extrovert. My husband is an introvert; I am just the opposite. Give me two minutes with a person and we will become friends for life by the end of the day. My kids must understand the role extracurricular activities play in our lives. If they are standing on a cricket field, they should be able to identify the sport and how it is played, and its rules.