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Pathways World School Aravali
Pathways World School Aravali

What is a school? A space to educate the child with Arithmetic, Science and Language, a place to prepare for a good university to increase job prospects? 

Yes, however, it is much more than that. The school becomes the interface between the child and the world, a window to society itself. Every value that we learn is in fact through our school. The Pathways World School Aravali, Gurgaon is an institution which focuses on the development of every student into a responsible global citizen. It teaches students all-round skills and progressive ideas so that they go on to achieve their dreams and change the world. It makes sure to provide every student, an ecosystem of endless opportunities and options so that there are no limits to their creative development. 

An Introduction to Pathways

Pathways World School Aravali is the first school in North India to follow the  IB curriculum. The school applies the Multiple Intelligences Approach, developed by Dr Howard Gardner of the Harvard University. It provides education for Primary Years(Pre Nursery to grade five), Middle Years( grade six to grade ten) and Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organisation of Geneva. The main agenda behind the IB is an emphasis on the practical application of knowledge and personality development.

Spread across 35 acres along the foothills of Aravali ranges, the school possesses a majestic campus. The exquisite location provides a tranquil environment for learning as well as ensure affinity to nature. As a world school, it has students from nearly 40 nations, learning in a holistic environment.

A cosmopolitan culture at Pathways World School Aravali helps students grow into global citizens.
A cosmopolitan culture at Pathways World School Aravali helps students grow into global citizens.

The Latest Education World Ranking on International Day cum Residential schools ranks Pathways World School Aravali 1st in North India and 2nd in India. The school was the recipient of ‘DesignShare’ award from NewYork, USA for its aesthetic and purposeful infrastructure design. Uniform Application have ranked Pathways World School as one of the best boarding schools in India. It is a member of Global Round Square and also a member of the Council of International Schools(CIS). They offer overall personality development and skill enhancement to every student along with academic excellence.  Pathways have created a benchmark in the use of technology in purposeful education with the implementation of universal radio technology and the use of interactive whiteboards and projection screens for better teaching. The school is a certified centre for SAT and TOEFL exams. 

The Director’s Message

Ms Soniya Gandhy, School Director
Ms Sonya Ghandy, School Director

Ms Sonya Ghandy Mehta, an alumnus of the University of San Diego, USA believes that education should be based on three essential aspects:

1 Relevancy and Application: Education should surpass the classroom and infuse practical knowledge in sync with the contemporary World. 

2 The Law of Expectation: School is the best time to learn. The more opportunities and challenges the more the child will grow.

3 Promoting Respect: The children should learn to respect not only individuals but also the environment and inanimate objects.

Curriculum

Through Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) the Pathways IB programme strives to achieve the perfect balance between academic excellence and overall personal growth. The academic calendar is planned well in advance with proper assessments, educational seminars, sports tournaments, skill development workshops, career guidance and cultural activities. 

IB Primary Years:

Pathways World School understands the importance of primary education in laying the foundation of literacy, numeric ability and thinking skills. Every facet of the child’s existence is highlighted like social, emotional, cultural, political and ecological. The aim is to nurture confident students who are active inquirers about their surroundings and beyond. 

IB Middle Years Program (MYP):

All subjects have strong interdisciplinary elements. The Middle years focus on growing the foundation of knowledge through research, presentation and application. An interesting component is the Personal Project, a long term research that the student chooses to work on. They are provided with systematic tools and assessed through set criteria. 

IB Diploma Course:

The IB Diploma Programme is a 2-year comprehensive program which aims at infusing civil responsibility, international thinking and articulation besides academic excellence. It includes subjects from every discipline with more focus on elected ones as IB believes that very early streaming hampers the creative growth of the student. Special features are Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and the CAS component. The unique curriculum and balance make it one of the most prestigious in the world. 

Infrastructure

 Infrastructure is one of the key highlights of Pathways World School Aravali. The majestic campus spread across 34 acres makes sure it provides the best of every facility. From smart classes, well-equipped laboratories to fine studios for dance, music and theatre, the campus has everything. The school also offers design studios, with industry-standard machines. The students work on their individual projects here, under expert supervision. A large amphitheatre provides a space for maximum student participation in cultural activities. The school has a vast Library and Media centre which is a repository of online databases, ebooks, films and digital media content. The place offers corners for sharing stories and expression of ideas. Moreover, there is a well equipped Medical Centre to ensure the safety and health of all students.

Sports:

Half Olympic sized, all weather swimming pool
Half Olympic sized, all weather swimming pool

Understanding the role of Sports in the overall development of the child, the school offers a range of indoor and outdoor sports. It has a well maintained Olympic sized soccer field, Cricket pitch and practice nets, a Golf course, a Tennis court, Basketball court and Horse Riding. Among indoor sports, the campus includes a Half Olympic sized all-weather pool, chess and carom, Table tennis, Badminton, and a Gymnasium so that every student remains physically active and healthy.  

Sustainability:

The campus is an eco-friendly space. The sustainable architecture takes special efforts to reduce carbon footprint. Well ventilated corridors, atriums are built to infuse natural light. The aim is to cultivate a sensitivity towards the environment among the students. 

Life at the hostel

The hostel at the Pathways World School Aravali is a unique intellectual experience which takes care of every facet of growth. The school offers flexible boarding options understanding the varied needs of every student. It offers day, weekly and term boarding. For nuclear families with working parents, day and weekly boarding options come across as convenient options. Under the weekly boarding, the child stays at the hostel for the week, involved in school and hostel activities and can visit their parents to remain in the company of family and friends on the weekends. Nearly 45% of the Pathway students are either term or weekly boarders. As it is a World School, the borders grow up not only sharing a global cuisine but also appreciating each other’s culture and values.

A boarding school can be a huge change in a child’s life, to see that they feel secure and protected, Pathways has Residence parents. Residence parents are people who take care of the emotional, physical and academic needs of the borders. They are well acquainted with the knowledge of social values, child psychology, first aid, special background of every child, puberty and adolescence.     

Counselors help students with Pre university advice, and in resolving confusion and conflicts.
Counselors help students with Pre university advice, and in resolving confusion and conflicts.

Boarding Activities:

Term boarding ensures a fun and dynamic environment for the borders. New activities are planned each weekend so the children learn constructively while enjoying themselves. Activities such as Hiking, Singing, Art, Drama, Photography and Poetry workshops make sure that there is never a dull movement at the hostel. Moreover, chaat nights, special dinners, bonfire nights keep the borders happy and involved. All Indian festivals are celebrated to enhance the cultural knowledge of the students. The Annual Talent show of the hostel takes place at a large level. All students actively participate and in the process, master the skill that they choose to perform.

Learning Trips:

The school organizes various learning trips around India and abroad, such as The Singapore Botanical Garden and NASA training centre. The students learn maximum through visual representation and travel. A unique experience at Pathways World School is Saturday hiking trips along the Aravali. Supervised by one of the Residential parents, the students go hiking on foot and bicycles. Some even take horses. 

Highlights of the School

1. Technological Breakthroughs:

The Library and Media Centre, a repository of databases,  films and digital media to make students learn better.
The Library and Media Centre, a repository of databases, films and digital media to make students learn better.

Pathways World School Aravali understands the need to adapt teaching to the modern age of technology. From an early age, students are taught to be responsible users of technology. Primary school upwards, students learn to write stories using tools like Bookcreator, Storybird, Storywever or learn language through MakeBelief Comix. Music classes make use of software like Logic Pro or CU basic for recording and Garage Band for composition. Game-based assessment using Kahoot software take away the pressure of conventional assignments. It makes learning fun and interactive.

There are training programmes on creating wearable technology and prototyping. Primary students learn to make use of 3D pens and every level of the school has 3D printers. The reporting system is completely online which means that parents can regularly track the progress of their child.

2. Career Mapping and Guidance:

The Department of Career and Guidance helps each student of the school in realizing his/her field of study for higher education. They not only help the students analyse their interest and skills but also help them in the admission filing process. University fairs, student development workshops and talks by eminent scholars make sure that the students are well aware of their opportunities. The education experts help students with their college essays and resume. They are well updated about the changes in National and International application process, SAT exams and all the dos and don’ts of the college application process.

3. Community Service:

The Interact club, a part of the Rotary International takes up 2 community development projects each year.
The Interact club, a part of the Rotary International takes up 2 community development projects each year.

The school involves community service as an essential part of the curriculum. Through this, the children become compassionate while getting trained to be active leaders who bring about changes in the real world. Primary children learn to work under issues such as water conservation, hygiene and reducing pollution whereas Middle and Diploma program students work under more complex problems like imparting adult education, establishing Balwadis and working with community schools. The students are also involved in the maintenance of the villages adopted by The Pathways World School. The successful Interact club of the school comes under the Rotary International, the global network of individual community development clubs of young individuals. The club takes up 2 community development projects each year. This helps the Interactors learn National and International Integrity, the importance of community development and hard work. Moreover, they come in contact with organizations working all over the world.

4. Round Square and Global Exchange Programs:

Round Square is a worldwide association of 160 plus member schools in 5 continents. The schools believe in common goals of developing global competence, offering world-class opportunities and programs, building character and confidence in students. These schools strive to offer more than academic knowledge and qualification to work towards global citizenship. The approach of Round Square schools for character education and experiential learning is built around 6 themes: International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service. Regular Regional Service Projects are held by the school on important global concerns. 

 Every Pathway student is encouraged to participate in these International Events. Exchange programs expose students to diverse languages, cultures and education patterns. The students also learn to become gracious hosts in the process. This global exposure helps students to face the needs of the ever-changing globalizing world.   

5. Equestrianism:

Horse Riding ground
Horse Riding ground

Horse riding is an old sport associated with the Pathways World School. The students learn the art of horse riding under expert supervision. With expert training, they go on to become skilled equestrians and win accolades in shows and international events. Some students even go on to represent India in International Sports such as Chinese Nation Equestrian cup.  

6. Studio of Design and Technology:

The school offers a well-equipped design and technology studio with industrially standard machines. The valuable subject is a hallmark of Pathway International School which gives hands-on training to students under the supervision of skilled experts. 

The Pathways World School with its advanced teaching and curriculum fit the needs of the modern age. It gives every student a chance to become a leader, make the best use of resources of the modern world, and emerge as a proficient, compassionate and independent citizens.

Generally Asked Questions and Answers

1. Do Indian universities recognize IB Diploma Course?

Yes, the Association of Indian Universities recognizes IB Diploma Course as an equivalent to the +2 stage of an Indian Board giving access to all Bachelor’s programmes at Indian universities.

2. Does the school give Hostel Facility?

Yes, the Pathway World School has a well-equipped hostel. The school provides flexible boarding option including day, weekly and term boarding.

3. Does the school have other branches?

Yes, the school has 2 other branches. Pathways Gurgaon and Pathways Noida. However, both of them are day schools.

4. Can a student who has attended another Board join an IB school? 

Yes, all programmes of IB, namely the PYP, the MYP, and DP are designed in a way that students from any board can join. In fact, the school receives admissions from students of other boards each year. These students enjoy the interactive learning process and perform well. The school does offer a Pre Term Programme to make the transition to IB seamless. The parents can register for Pre Term after the grant of admisssion.

5. What makes Pathways World School stand out from other IB schools in India?

Almost all IB schools in India offer either the Diploma Program or The Primary Years Program. Pathways World School offers all three programs strengthening its mettle as a true IB school.

About the author

Education Writer at Edunify

I am a media student at Aligarh Muslim University. Movies, stories and cafes interest me. I am moved by simple acts of kindness in everyday life.


Alvira Nasir

I am a media student at Aligarh Muslim University. Movies, stories and cafes interest me. I am moved by simple acts of kindness in everyday life.

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