You could find a group of school children gathered around a small patch of soil. Some look at the leaves of a basil plant, others take notes on a tablet, and some people chatter excitedly about what to do with the leftovers in the school cafeteria as compost. There is no competition, no display; it is just another quiet time in a place where learning truly takes root.
Curiosity drives everything at this school. Students are not only learning to pass exams; they are learning to know, to help make a difference, and to be caring. A science lesson could grow to be a community project. A discussion of climate change may become the practical solution. A journey filled with purpose, empathy, and connection.
This is how everyday life appears at a school where education is not perceived as the preparation for life, but as life itself. Welcome to Nahar International School (NIS), Mumbai, where being human is where learning truly begins.
The Story of NIS The dream back in 2014 started small and mighty in the heart of Powai. With Mr. Sukhraj B. Nahar at the helm, The S.B. Nahar Charitable Trust dreamed of doing more than establishing a school, where children could grow not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and ethically. A location where learning could be empowering, individualised, and enduring.
That vision turned into Nahar International School, which will be situated in the lively Nahar Amrit Shakti community. Years later, the vision has had a life of its own, evolving into a thriving school with global education extremely rooted in the human aspect.
Although the world is changing with blistering speed, NIS has remained rooted in its original focus, which is to create kind, curious, and responsible young people who will take their values into the world and make it better.
Learning That Feels Real and Relevant
The NIS academic experience is built to support students at their current level and push them as much as they can handle.
The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum for Grades 1 through 10 and then two of the most sought-after high school pathways, IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Cambridge A Levels.
These programs go beyond memorisation. They urge students to question, critique, and attempt to relate one subject matter to another. Be it working on your Theory of Knowledge presentation or conducting an experiment in Scienti ic Discovery, everything here circles back to something meaningful.
And what makes it a big deal? Teachers are as concerned with who a student is becoming as what they are learning.
Thinking Big, Starting Small
NIS fosters global citizens, yet the path to that begins locally. Students are advised to learn about themselves, their school, and their neighbourhood, and then they should step up to face the world.
But with service activities such as tutoring younger children, cleaning local beaches, or planning inclusive sports events, the students will learn to practice empathy in action. They don’t just study, they step up to solve real-world challenges.
Global initiatives and cooperation, such as through UNODC, Rotaract, and schools worldwide, provide opportunities for broader discussions. Nevertheless, the basis is always individual and local. That makes it down to earth.
A Community as Diverse as the World Itself
Go about the corridors of NIS on any particular day, and you are treated to a variety of languages, a collage of cultures, diversity of views, and experiences that only real diversity can provide. The school is open to learners from a richly diverse mix of communities, nationalities, and backgrounds, and it’s a space where every learner feels seen, valued, and heard.
The inclusive atmosphere not only mirrors the global world that the students will eventually enter, but also teaches the students to live and learn similarly, with empathy, openness, and respect.
Skills That Stick for Life
NIS invests much into life skills that extend well beyond school. There is great emphasis on:
Communication– Understanding how to use words, how to listen to people with empathy, and how to adjust your voice when different scenarios arise.
Inquiry & Research – How to learn to ask a good question, ind a reliable source of information, and think critically about what you found.
Connections – The need to establish relationships with one another as well as with the rest of the world, and what it means to belong to a community.
Balancing Head and Heart
At NIS, the process of learning cannot be measured only by the score or grades, but by the way students perceive, feel, and associate themselves with the surrounding world. The teachers of the school, instead called facilitators, also attach as much importance to emotional intelligence (EQ) as to academic growth (IQ).
The students are advised to relect on their actions, manage emotions, take responsibility, and see the world through different lenses. NIS also teaches empathy, resilience, and perspective-taking in conjunction with critical thinking, which will make learners into not only intelligent, but also self conscious, caring, and realistic people.
The Heart of NIS- Nine Values That Shape Every Student
At the heart of NIS’s philosophy are nine timeless values that guide every student’s journey – Reverence, Courage, Responsibility, Fairness, Empathy, Perseverance, Resilience, Initiative-taking, and Collaboration.
These are not words on a wall; these are qualities that are practised in our classrooms, at the playground, in community projects, and student-driven initiatives.
Showing integrity in friendships, taking ownership of mistakes, and collaborating with respect. These characteristics not only deine the behaviour of students at NIS, but they are also the future of these persons, even after leaving NIS.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The most conducive thing about NIS is the frequency of learning outside the textbook and in the real world. The students are invited to roll up their sleeves and solve issues: whether it is nurturing a kitchen garden, monitoring food leftovers in the cafeteria, or constructing a Walking Bus to reduce carbon emissions.
Such projects combine topics, concepts, and imagination, and they make students realise that school life is not solely about the future. It is the difference that you can make now.
Paths That Lead Anywhere
NIS students move on to do great things in India and beyond thanks to a well established academic program and individual college counselling. And not only are they able to get into and attend great universities, but they develop conidence, capability, and are ready to contribute.
In India, alumni have joined:
- Ashoka University
- Flame University
- Symbiosis, NIFT, NID
- P. Jindal Global University, SP Jain, and more.
- Internationally, they’ve been accepted to:
- USA: UCLA, Purdue, UC San Diego, Northeastern, Rutgers, and more
- UK: University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, Imperial College
- Canada: McGill, University of Toronto, UBC
- Europe & Asia: TU Delft, Waseda (Japan), NTU (Singapore), Monash (Australia), among others.
This says a lot not just about academic excellence, but about individuality, support, and encouragement to follow your path.
Voices of NIS Alumni
“At NIS, the teachers didn’t just teach. They believed in us. That made all the difference.” — Krisha Thakkar, McGill University, Class of 2022
“We worked on real-world projects, and it felt like we were already part of something bigger. That mindset shaped my journey to Amsterdam.” — Aditya Rao, Class of 2023
“Everyone was treated like they mattered. You could be yourself here.” — Meher Kapoor, King’s College London, Class of 2024
Clubs, Choices & Growing Leadership
NIS provides students with the opportunity to learn and experiment with a wide range of subjects, including ilm-making, cookery, tennis, music, and entrepreneurship. Not only a fun spot, clubs are the place where conidence, leadership, and friendships get established.
Students organise TEDx, organise fundraising campaigns, and represent the school in MUNs and debates. Here, this is a place where every type of dreamer can ind a spot.
Teachers Who Make a Difference
Most of the teaching staff at NIS are heartened. They not only possess specialised knowledge in their professional ield, but are also counsellors; they listen, motivate, and accompany children on the path of learning.
The educators are engaged in constant training, not only in education but also in emotional intelligence and inclusive approaches. They collaborate with the well being team, counsellors, and special educators to ensure that every student feels seen and cared for.
In this case, the teachers are role models bringing curiosity, kindness, and resilience in the students.
Families as Partners in Learning
Parents at NIS do not just get informed; they get involved. The school feels the importance of mass communication with the families, organising regular workshops, open houses, and even involving the parents to collaborate in creating community events.
The common conviction is that school and home are more effective as a collaborative means of learning. And that common sense of mission pervades every aspect of what the school does.
Preparing for a Future We Can’t Predict
The combination of AI and technology is developing more quickly than ever before, and one of the underlying problems is understanding the consequences of utilizing it intelligently. NIS assists students not only in developing digital skills but assists in developing a judgment to determine how to use it effectively. Students learn to engage with tech, investigate ethical situations critically, and understand how innovation affects people.
They are taught code, design thinking, empathy, and ethics since they will be required in the future.
“A machine may process data. It is the humans who can care. This is why values are looked upon as important,” explains Vandana Arora, Head of School.
What Comes Next? A School with a Vision
The global situation that awaits the students is complicated. Climate issues, political transformations, and fast shifts in the working environment and society will be in place. But NIS is not scared of it, it is already ready to embrace this shift.
It is a school that believes in developing well-rounded, considerate people who lead intelligently as well as with integrity.
With the world ever changing, introducing new careers, revised skill sets, and new technologies, some things are timeless.
The focus of the Nahar International School is not only on what students would do, but also on what they will be. The values, purpose, and meaningful human connection remain central to everything the school undertakes by helping students to develop into thinking, centered, and caring global citizens.
Testimonial:
Parnika Agarwal- A-Levels (2024-25)
In Their Own Words – Voices of Our Alumni
I came to NIS in fourth grade and graduated from high school here. During the 9 years I spent here, I can attest to the fact that the school maintains a nurturing environment. One is allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow. This is not only true for an academic context, but also for varying facets. The teachers display utmost generosity with us, which only helps us imbibe qualities of empathy. I have also formed the best friendships that I will be able to count on for years to come.
The school curriculum resonates with NIS’ principles and is largely application-based, which aids students in applying concepts learnt in class to real-world scenarios.
A unique learning opportunity that stood out to me from the very start was the provision of the subject called ‘Global Perspectives’ from primary school until the end of middle school. The introduction of research from the beginning unlocks an essential skill for the future at a nascent stage. I remember learning about credible sources on the internet at the age of 10, and it has stuck with me ever since. Rich discussions on world affairs helped me gain exposure and think as a global citizen.
My most memorable experiences at NIS involve insightful class discussions, prep for cultural days and various events, and spending time with friends. The entire class and grade come together for community experiences, which is an absolute delight. There is overwhelming support for each other and excitement when events like cultural days and music recitals take place. Class discussions form an integral part of learning and force the class to think above and beyond. Doing so with my classmates has to be one of the most memorable experiences.
