10 Best Schools in India for Holistic Development

Category: Recommendation

Selecting a school for a child is never simply about getting the right academic result; it is about developing a student who will be successful in every sphere of his or her life. In India in particular, education is considered as one of the strongest pillars of future success and the idea of avenues of development has gotten a lot of importance. Education encompasses not only the academic aspect which includes books and tests, but also the learners’ emotional, social, physical and cognitive growth. This can help achieve the goal of not only providing students with knowledge but also skill, creativity, resilience, and empathy.

Here we list down the best 10 schools in India that have placed emphasis on holistic development as the main belief system. These schools have created their identity by providing an educational environment that meets the needs, and challenges, and establishes reasoned, inventive, empathetic, and civil personalities of the learners. Learn with us as we feature schools which are focused on the all-round development of the child to prepare them for success.

What is Holistic Development?

Holistic development refers to the overall growth of an individual across multiple dimensions: Including the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual where appropriate. It recognises that a person is even more than his or her achievements at school and seeks to develop every aspect of the individual. Personality development suggests that all these dimensions are interrelated and interdependent in the holistic person and are critical for human success and well-being. This is mostly recommended in school systems to guarantee that students get a proper education that includes not just achievements but also personal satisfaction as well as to the society.

Here's a breakdown of each dimension in holistic development:

1. Physical Development: Concerns development of body growth of a person involving motor skills, coordination and health issues of the person.
2. Emotional Development: It educates one on the way to deal with the emotions in every person, on how to procreate character and be emotionally built and sound.
3. Social Development: It is the ability to relate with other people, including interacting and getting along with them, as well as being able to perform social tasks and handle interpersonal responsibilities.
4. Cognitive Development: This encompasses features such as increases in knowledge, reasoning abilities, language development, problem-solving, creativity, altruism, citizenship responsibility, and occupational competence.
5. Spiritual Development: For some, this dimension is the existential quest for what it means to be a human, the search for individual purpose and values.

Top 10 Schools to Foster Holistic Development

Hiranandani Foundation School, Thane

• Hiranandani Foundation School Thane was set up in 1999 and it is affiliated to the Council of Indian School Certificate Examination or CISCE, Mumbai.
• It is well endowed with a modern infrastructure and facilities that will complement the academic activities and also promote character development and skills.
• It has smart classes to help students learn through technology The school also has well-equipped classrooms with audio-visual aids. It also has well-equipped science laboratories which enrich the practice of experimentation in the sciences.
• Just like with academic achievements, Hiranandani Foundation School pays much attention to health and sports as well as other school curriculum activities to foster physical fitness, the spirit of teamwork, and leadership abilities in students.

Laidlaw Memorial School, Ooty

• Laidlaw Memorial School was established in 1914 and is located in the beautiful hill station of Ooty occupying 224 acres of land.
• It offers an environment that supports and encourages developmental education set in natural green space and outfitted with comprehensive indoor and lawn space.
• In addition to the outstanding view of the school, it has a reputation as an academic institution that focuses on the education of both the mind and the heart.
• At Laidlaw Memorial School, the students are urged to participate actively in all kinds of co-curricular activities including games, arts and other relevant existing activities.
• The large campus has new teaching facilities, well-equipped laboratories, and spacious playgrounds which altogether provide a comprehensive education.

St. George’s College, Mussoorie

• The institution, St George’s College Mussoorie was founded in the year 1853 and is considered as one of the top 5 boys’ Residential as well as non-residential educational institutions in India.
• This school falls under the bracket of Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations also referred to as CISCE which is famous for its harmonious and positive encouraging learning curriculum. The school has been for a long time, maintaining a healthy set of courses, as well as ensuring the all-rounded development of the students.
• Apart from academic learning and teaching, other co-curricular activities, which include sports and games, are given much attention at St. George’s College.
• They believe that in addition to giving the pupils knowledge, discipline, team spirit, as well as other related sports spirit, should be instilled into the pupils.

Mayoor Chopasni School, Jodhpur

• Mayoor Chopasni School is a co-educational school in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, which is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education-New Delhi and was started in 2012.
• Based on the school’s policies and goals, the school offers quality education alongside with the package of extra co-curricular activities in its schooling package.
• Extra facilities like clubs, fests and societies will be available to the students to fulfil their desire in art/ music, and sports and to serve the nation.
• This is a co-educational institution and this school aims to develop competent young individuals who are capable of thinking creatively and critically to solve problems and effectively deal with the challenges in life with high ethical standards.

Lala Kamlapat Singhania Education Centre, Gotan

• Lala Kamlapat Singhania Education Centre is situated at Gotan, situated in Rajasthan, India which has boarding facilities and a large area of about 250 of area for learning and education in a peaceful environment.
• Being a CBSE-affiliated school, the school aims at the scholastic achievement, personnel development and social transformation of the students.
• Lala Kamlapat Singhania Education Centre has infrastructure facilities for students with multi-classroom, well-equipped laboratories, and superb sports facilities for students.

Mayo College, Ajmer

• Established in the year 1875, Mayo College, located in Ajmer is one of the leading boys-only boarding schools in India.
• Registered under the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) as well as under the Cambridge boards, Mayo College is well-known for its focus on the all-round development of the child.
• It operates on a sound academic program, with numerous sporting and extramural activities as well as hobby classes.
• These include sports activities, music, arts, technical or skills, and charities intended to help nurture overall personality in students.
• Mayo College has a huge campus, qualitative and modern structures along with faculty members who have adequate teaching experience which makes it a future leader in education for a generation of leaders with proper moral standards and concern towards global Social responsibility.

Lawrence School, Ooty

• Lawrence School is one of the oldest and reputed co-educational institutions, founded in 1856, located at Lovedale, Tamil Nadu. It follows CBSE syllabi.
• Based on the school's educational premise, the school’s educational philosophy is aimed at providing an educational balanced academic programme, and co-curricular and character-forming activities.
• Lawrence School offers a range of amenities such as well-equipped classrooms, Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories, libraries, playgrounds, basketball courts, football fields, volleyball courts etc.
• The school promotes active participation in a multitude of functions, programmes, developmental exercises, and societies based on talents, hobbies, sports, debating, etc.
• Together, these approaches guarantee that students not only pass the tests and come out with the best grades but also become responsible, resilient, productive citizens capable of facing the world and making sound decisions.

Unison World School, Dehradun

• Unison World School for Girls is located in Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India, was set up in 2007 and is affiliated to CISCE.
• School is committed to quality education with a special focus and working on the development of girl children including the aspects of life skills.
• Unison World School is an institution that provides its students with an all-round education and development academic programs, co-curricular activities, leadership programs, and character-building programs respectively. The facilities of the school consist of computerised classes, practical stations, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a building that holds the school library.
• In addition to this, Unison World School also strengthens and develops learners’ creativity, critical thinking skills and responsibility to be able to overcome various difficulties and become responsible citizens.

St. Joseph’s School, Darjeeling

• St Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling, was set up in 1888 and is under Jesuit Education along with being an all-boy school certified under the Indian School Certificate Examination Council (ISC).
• It has a very famous concept based curriculum approach to learning that is based on the absorption of new ideas and their application.
• St. Joseph’s School established at North Point ensures all round education for young generations where each student has to maintain a good academic performance and at the same time has to be good in sports, art, music, drama, and community services among others.
• Infrastructure includes the technological equipped class rooms, laboratory, library and playgrounds, sports facilities etc., which are available in this school campus.

St. Hilda’s School, Ooty

• St. Hilda’s School is an illustrious all-girls’ residential school that was founded in 1895 at the Nilgiris of Ooty.
• The school is associated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations abbreviated as CISCE and is a perfect place to study as it focuses on both excellence in academic results as well as on character development.
• Facilities available at St. Hilda’s School include well-equipped science laboratories, music classrooms and places for recreation.
• Students can develop themselves in various ways because of the school’s effective extracurricular activities and involvement in several cultural activities.
• St. Hilda’s School aims to impact its students’ leadership, creativity, and social responsibility, ensuring they achieve academic success in learning institutions and beyond.

Role of Schools in Holistic Development

An ideal school primarily has the responsibility of shaping the character and disciplining the student. They understand that not only is it important that education is academic but that it must also be emotional, social and cognitive. Here's how schools are adapting:

Focus on Holistic Development:

Schools have moved from a strict educational model that only aims at developing the capabilities of a student’s mind to one that is comprehensive and seeks to develop the total character of a learner. These are the aspects of social competence such as emotional intelligence, social skills, physical health, and cognitive development.

Investment in Teacher Training:

Schools are spending on effective training programs to facilitate teachers with knowledge and skills in order to respond to the needs of the child holistically. These trainings comprise such aspects as application of emotional support, encouragement of creative activities, and enhancement of critical thinking abilities of students.

Curriculum Design:

Schools are adopting and developing programs that make lessons focus on subjects and activities for the balanced development of students. This includes everyday basic and essential academic subjects, as well as arts, physical health and life skills and all other co-curricular activities that may help to foster creative and problem-solving brains.

Conclusion

As the quest for education excellence is being embarked upon, more emphasis is placed on the holistic developmental approach. These top 10 schools in India embrace this ethos in their approach to education by providing all-round educational solutions. These institutions sustain students beyond academics by cultivating them into wholesome human beings who can perform optimally in all domains of life. From the classrooms and other facilities to the options for clubs and other enriching activities, each school’s goal is the all-round development of the child – with the school’s focus on the importation of such key qualities as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence and responsibility. Selecting a school, which has the concept of the balanced development of a learner, enhances the students' ability to achieve their potential in this complex world.

Visit Skoodos if you want to learn more about the schools that can help your child grow holistically. We have provided detailed information on all the schools across the country. 

FAQ

Ques: What is holistic development? 

Ans: Education that aims at the simultaneous development of the individual’s physical, emotional, social, cognitive or even spiritual self belongs to the holistic development type. It makes the purpose of producing learners who are not only equipped academically but also socially, economically and psychologically to be productive persons.

Ques:In what ways do schools foster the individual development of children and young people? 

Ans: Schools aim at the balanced development of the child and as such call for balanced curricula that involve academics, arts, physical education, life skills, and co-curricular activities. They also centre on providing a caring environment for the children and complete overhauling of teacher services.

Ques:What are the benefits of holistic development in schools? 

Ans: Well-rounded education helps refine characteristics that are vital in day-to-day lives including creativity, perseverance, understanding and communication. It equips them to cope with adversity in various facets of life hence improving their quality of life.

Ques:What opportunities are available to the students when they undergo holistic development? 

Ans: Advantages are the improvement of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and emotional, and social intelligence. Exemplary education positively impacts students’ ability to adapt to change and to be confident learners.