Ranking top schools of India is one of the most challenging tasks given the large size of the ecosystem. This is the second edition of the Top School Ranking from digitalLEARNING. To start with, we sent the ranking questionnaires to more than 20,000 schools across the country. Schools displayed great enthusiasm in the exercise and over 5,000 schools sent us the filled-in questionnaire. In case of missing information in the submitted questionnaires, we also collected information available on school websites.
We allotted cumulative ranks to the schools and formed a state-wise ranking, segregated it in eight zones of India – Metros, North, Central, South, West, East, North-East and Union Territories.
This edition of the School Ranking has taken a 360 degree approach, while dissecting the expanding school segment, ranking schools and bringing forth the top schools in India.
Unlike other surveys that weigh heavily on metropolitan and big cities, our rankings have explored schools in the hinterland too.
The 2nd Top School Ranking features promising and emerging schools in major metros, Tier II & III cities across the length and breadth of India in terms of academic excellence, new pedagogy, extra-curricular activities, infrastructural facilities and ICT implementation.
The methods of research comprised capturing primary, secondary and perception data, which involved questionnaires, Internet research, social media, reviews, phone surveys etc.
Schools have been evaluated based on the following indicators:
School Reputation: Details pertaining to the year of inception, national level awards won by the school at various summits, the number of students who have passed out of the school and studying in different top level institutes in India and abroad were considered to evaluate this category.
Academic Performance: Academic performance for a child is of paramount importance while pursuing higher education, to be able to secure a bright and fulfilling future. The percentage of students acquiring marks above 90 per cent, between 75-90 per cent and less than 75 per cent was taken into consideration while evaluating the academic performance of schools.
Teachers’ Competence: Under this indicator, we have considered the number of permanent teachers, their qualifications, experience, and training programmes organised by the school for grading.
Academic Excellence: Under this indicator, we evaluated schools based on teacherstudent ratio, average class size, academic achievement awards to the students and cocurricular hours per week/student.
Infrastructure: This being one of the key parameters in ensuring healthy learning environment, schools were evaluated on the basis of campus area, total built-up area, labs, auditorium and the use of ICT in teaching and learning.
Students’ Development: In today’s competitive and ever-changing world, overall development of a student can be achieved only if the school acknowledges the importance of skill training programmes like life skills, leadership skills, sports, etc along with academics. We asked schools to submit details on the number of parent teacher meetings per year, life skills training for students, vocational and other skills, personal counselling for students, career counselling, excursion and outdoor activities, social responsibility, foreign languages taught, facilities for children with special needs, societies and clubs in the school, student-teacher exchange programmes and alumni database.
Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities: Sports are important for the overall development of children. We evaluated schools based on details like extra-curricular hours every week per student, sports infrastructure and the awards and accolades in sports won by the school.
