Oakridge International School Visakhapatnam, Private school Oakridge in Visakhapatnam

• Location: Visakhapatnam, India,
• Number of students: about 800,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: blended.

Oakridge International School Visakhapatnam (OIS Visakhapatnam) — an international day and boarding school offering secondary education programs for children aged 1.8 to 17. It is part of a large educational group of international schools and holds accreditations to deliver high-quality British education programs: IGCSE, CBSE (Indian national) and a diploma graduation course.

Located in the picturesque Indian city of Visakhapatnam, the institution provides excellent learning conditions for preschool, primary, middle, and senior school students. The multinational student community is one of the school's main advantages: up to 800 students study within its walls, some of whom represent more than 20 nationalities. Students come to India from various countries to receive a competitive education recognized by leading colleges and universities around the world, including Ivy League institutions and Oxbridge. In addition to a wide range of standard disciplines, the curriculum includes several languages: French, Telugu, and Hindi. Complementing the rich academic program, students enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities aimed at developing physical, creative, and social skills and qualities.

Another advantage is the partnership with UNICEF, through which students participate in international sustainable development projects under the guidance of the UN, and with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which provides hands-on classes in STEAM disciplines: robotics, bioengineering, programming, and others.

Highly qualified teachers apply an individual approach, in which the teacher plans the lesson based on each child's existing knowledge, assesses their grasp of the material, and adapts to their needs.

Thanks to partnerships with MIT and UNICEF, the curriculum is supplemented with a broad range of opportunities to expand academic knowledge, social skills, and practical abilities:

• MIT: an interdisciplinary approach to teaching science and technology gives children the skills needed for a successful life in the 21st century. Students study STEAM disciplines using a university-based learning model and solving real-world problems in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through experiments, group and individual project work. Through hands-on workshops and assignments developed by MIT experts, students develop critical thinking, creative skills, analytical abilities, logical reasoning, and the ability to defend their ideas and opinions. Every spring, students visit MIT to participate in workshops and scientific seminars and to meet with qualified professors and research center specialists,
• UNICEF: raises students' social awareness so they consciously care about the world and the people in it. Children will explore, develop, and discuss challenges facing the international community and take action to address them. Through special events and activities held jointly with UNICEF, students can make their voices heard on the world stage and contribute to positive change in the long term. Whether it is a waste recycling project for sustainable development, turning plants into biofuel, fighting poverty in their community, or other meaningful initiatives — students become participants in finding solutions to every global problem.

The school's academic system covers all stages of secondary education:

• Pre-Primary Years — 1.8-5 years old,
• Primary Years (grades 1-5) — 6-10 years old,
• Middle School (grades 6-10) — 11-15 years old,
• Senior School (grades 11-12) — 16-17 years old.

Students study at OIS Visakhapatnam in a day format or stay in the campus residence to immerse themselves in a rich atmosphere of learning, leisure, and comprehensive development. On-campus accommodation is available to students from grade 4 and above. The residence offers spacious four-person rooms with full furnishing, air conditioning, and bathrooms. A housekeeper lives on each floor, providing round-the-clock supervision and support to all residents. Students have access to common areas with board games and bookshelves, self-study rooms, and project workspaces.

When staying in the residence, each student receives balanced meals served three times a day in a large dining hall. Day students are provided with full lunches and healthy snacks.

Upon completion of the main academic classes, a wide range of cultural, recreational, and scientific activities are organized for students: from sports clubs and creative workshops to charity events and participation in research work.

Sports play an important role both in the curriculum and in the extracurricular life of OIS Visakhapatnam students. Thanks to the sports facilities, students can try their hand at such sports as:

• Basketball,
• Swimming,
• Tennis,
• Cricket,
• Ice skating,
• Football,
• Track and field.

The school's ideal location in relation to historical and natural landmarks allows the extracurricular program to be complemented with trips and excursions. For example, on Saturdays students visit local museums, shops, and cafes, and several times a year they embark on regional, national, and international trips with the opportunity to explore other cultures, attend STEAM festivals and UN seminars, UNICEF summits, and other important events.

Cultural events are an integral part of the students' overall development. Year-round literary and cultural competitions, along with the House system, help strengthen team spirit and self-confidence, teach constructive and healthy competition, and reveal individual talents. To realize their potential in creative fields, students attend dance, acting and drama, visual arts, and music clubs: vocal and musical instrument classes.

To teach children to be socially active, responsible, compassionate, and open to helping others, the school participates in a number of community events — for example, beach cleanups and life skills workshops.

• First place in the Education World India School Rankings 2019-20,
• Mentions in Forbes and Fortune magazines in the lists «Best Indian Schools of 2018» and «50 Future Schools Shaping Success»,
• The only school in Andhra Pradesh state offering an international diploma program,
• Collaboration with MIT and UNICEF, providing a rich curriculum and additional academic opportunities,
• Students of more than 20 nationalities,
• 100% of surveyed parents stated that their children really enjoy studying at this school,
• A virtual learning environment that complements the core academic process.

Located on a 10-acre campus, OIS Visakhapatnam consists of academic buildings and secure open areas. The infrastructure includes:

• An amphitheater where most events are held,
• Classrooms equipped with interactive and chalk boards, projectors,
• Science laboratories with materials for conducting experiments and project work,
• A residence with living quarters, recreation and self-study areas,
• A creative and performing arts center, studios and workshops,
• A medical building staffed by qualified doctors and nurses, even equipped with its own ambulance,
• Tennis courts,
• A football field,
• A swimming pool.

The preschool department, located separately from the other classes, features learning and play classrooms and multisensory spaces with various materials for the child's comprehensive development, a children's climbing wall, and a play library with an extensive range of toys, creative and exploration kits.

The academic year runs from autumn to summer, with classes organized on weekdays: Monday through Friday. Students who live in the residence participate in extracurricular activities after classes and on weekends without leaving the campus. Days off are provided on Saturdays and Sundays, on national and international holidays, and during seasonal breaks.

List of additional expenses:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Personal study materials,
• Accommodation, meals,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Health insurance,
• Exams,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process consists of several stages:

• Filling out an online form and submitting documents,
• Receiving detailed instructions, precise information about admission and requirements from the admissions committee within 24 hours.

Staff conduct a trial day for an informal assessment of younger students' abilities or small tests for those entering middle and upper grades. Admission is based on both previous academic performance at the former school and the results of entrance examinations.

OIS Visakhapatnam graduates successfully pass their final exams and gain admission to leading colleges and universities around the world:

• Canada: University of British Columbia,
• India: Christ University, Bangalore Vellore Institute of Technology, Amity School of Business and others,
• USA: University of Washington, Pennsylvania State University, University of Arizona,
• United Kingdom: King’s College London, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University.

To enroll at OIS Visakhapatnam, international applicants should provide:

• Academic results from the previous place of study for the last academic year,
• Personal documents: birth certificate and passport, medical certificates and insurance, visa or residence permit, six photographs, transfer certificate.

Depending on which grade the applicant is entering, admission requirements may vary.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision