Review of Podar International School CBSE Wagholi Pune
By Madhurie Singh, September 16, 2013
A few months back I had visited Podar International School at Wagholi, Pune.
After driving down to the Nagar road, I was so lost as no one seem to know where this school was. So I tried checking on Google maps which said it was in a place called Ubale Nagar as per their address on the contact us page of their site. But even my Google maps would not help. So finally called the school and realized it next to Chokhe Dhani! Since Chokhe Dhani is a well known place and I have visited it several times, it was a relief to know the route!
But once I entered the lane towards Chokhe Dhani, the school was just near the corner a few km inside the lane on the right hand side. Honestly, first impression of under construction school is never good.
The school seems to be in one acre area, but since there is huge open space all around, I am hoping expansion should not be a problem.
To give you all a few basics of the school. It’s a CBSE school under the flagship brand of Podar International School. They have several schools in PCMC and the state since 80 years!
So I cruised through the bamboo scaffoldings and construction materials to reach the admission office, which was a kindergarten classroom as everything else, were in progress.
Met the two very enthusiastic ladies who were really very eager to give away lot of information. Suddenly I felt as if someone was staring behind my back! You the feeling when you do not really see a person but can still feel the stare! So I turned around and found a very pleasant face smiling!
Loved the crisp silk saree she was wearing that added to her charming personality. I smiled back and continued with my Q&A.
I started jotting down my huge form like questionnaire, when another gentleman walked in, stood for a while listening to my questions and pulled a chair next to me. By the look of the expressions on the faces of the ladies in front of me, I knew he was from the school. So I continued asking my questions while he sat through and then the smiling lady also was now right behind me!
The gentleman interrupted and asked me to ask him all the questions. And that’s when I found out he was GM Operations of Podar Education Society, Mr. DSJ Franklin. He was smart enough to gauge that such questions are not normal parent type inquiries.
So I had to let them know the reason of my presence there. That’s when the lady jumped and told her colleague, “I was trying to wave at you, that I know who she is!” She introduced herself as the head of the kindergarten section, Mrs. Neena Kulkarni. She said she knew me since 5-6 years and had been reading my articles.
Now was my turn to feel embarrassed as I get really uncomfortable when people praise me so much. : P, I love to praise others though if they deserve.
Anyways then I met the Principal of the school, Mrs. Seema Kapse who seemed very humble with 30 years of experience in other schools and had joined this branch of Podar as the principal.
I was also able to meet their smart Coordinator Shruti Kulkarni who trains and inducts teachers in all Podar schools!
Now this review is incomplete as I was not able to meet any teachers or see the curriculum or even meet the parents. That will be added later soon here.
So come back and read again.
Yet, I will continue with the details that I got through my interactions and web research.
The school is new and in the area where population of well settled societies are far off. So as of now mostly Wagholi, Kharadi, Vimannagar, Chandan Nagar, Keshav Nagar and Nagar road people have taken admission there. People who have recently moved to these areas or transferred ones. People from abroad looking for an IB type school should keep away as of now.
It will take a year to really make out the kind of school it compares with but currently it seems VPMS, Lohegaon and St Arnold’s are close competitors. Tagging close by would be Lexicon International School. As the school’s fee is nominal in the range of Rs 35000/- to 40000/- per year, it will also attract the local crowd from all around making it an inclusive school. The hike in fee per year is 7-10%. Uniform within Rs 4000/- including shoes, 2 pair of uniform Books were in-house so included in the fee or not was not decided. The school has its own in house curriculum design team called Curriculum Research & Development Centre (CRDC). They also are introducing interactive learning which is again developed by their in-house team. But mostly the NCERT books will be used along with worksheets and not much homework. Teachers are mostly BEd, DEd, MEd, and MSc . The classrooms are large and can accommodate the usual 35 – 40 students which is the strength they are claiming with one teacher for a class. They have a good sports ground though not really very large one. 18000 sq feet to be precise. Everything was going fine when I was told that the school is a 6 day school! The reason for that is that they do not have any activities daily, but they dedicate Saturdays only for the activities. They propose the usual sports like football, cricket, skating and gymnastics with art&craft, music and dance.Also another reason being that they would want to clear off the premises to start their second shift.
Infrastructure wise this seems to be an excellent strategy for the school but how many parents will like these 2 shifts.
Kindergarten classes – Nursery, JrKg, SrKg
Batch 1: 8:30am – 11:30 pm
Batch 2: 11:45am – 2:45pm
Class 1 – 6
Batch 1: 7:00am – 12:45 pm
Batch 2: 12:45am – 5:00pm
Assessment is as per the CBSE regulation that includes formative and summative assessment, weekly tests, half yearly and final exams with grade system. They have their own buses @ Rs 13550/- per year. SO adding all expenses the total comes to Rs 60000/-
I wants a suggestion as I am thinking to take admission of my daughter in this school.
Read the review and take an informed decision
Please suggest school near Viswantwadi area
I have been in contact with few parents of podar's students. Also I visited this school premise in wagholi twice. This is not at all a school but they tried to paint it like a school. Not just podar but there are many such brands in Pune who claims to be a school but infact they are the shops or businesses in the name of school. They keep changing teachers(?, non-qualified ) every 6-8 months. They tried their best to keep the look and feel of the bulding to look like a school. If you guys want to understand what I am saying, then just visit any Kendriya Vidyalaya, Vikhe Patil school or any Air force school and within a second you will understand what I am trying to say. So guys wake up and look beyond 15 years. Decide now, whether you want to teach your kids how to celebrate b'day and christmas or you want your children to be intelligent person who knows better where to spend time and money. just 3 words for Pune's schooling business! Bakwas! bakwass! and Bakwass! Parents will realize this only after 15 years from now.
Well said sir....100% true.
Hello Madhuri, Hope you are doing well. Have you received any recent updates about Poddar school, in your earlier review you said its not so good. I am going to move to Wagholi, now my kid is in Orbis, Keshav Nagar, could you pls share if you have a recent review / update about school, i am also trying to look at VK Patil as well. Thank you.
My name is Sonali Basu ,staying at dhanori. I am looking for LKG for my son.can u please suggest me best school from : 1.St.Arnold, 2.Potdar international,wagholi, 3. Vikhe Patil,lohegaon 4.D.Y.Patil,lohegaon. plz suggest if you know any other too. I am also confused between ICSE and CBSE... Please help me.it will b great help for me. Thankyou
Hi Sonali, I am conducting a seminar, you can book it here https://www.instamojo.com/madhuriesingh/seminar-on-pune-school-admission/.
My both kids are studying in this school in ratlam . Both kids are enjoying and they think studing is fun and running in race and I am proud of them.
Each school is different even though they are run by the same society/ management.
Its already been 3 months but still they don't have proper school buses. Kids still don't have ID Cards and school uniforms. Parents have already paid the money for uniform but still uniform is not provided. I have already written 3-4 emails to all transport managers and directors but still issue is not resolved. Ridiculous admin.
Podar International School Wagholi, is providing good education, as well as activities too. admin functions well. we are feeling happy and proud.
It seems Hetal has been given task to say good about the school for each bad remarks.
Hmm Sandip, this is definitely worth noting. :) Congratulations for the awareness. Keep it up.
I want to take admission for mys son in JR.KG at PODAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - NASIK. Please someone share their experiences about PODAR Nasik school.
Hi I visited this school having Podar's mumbai in my mind. But when i reached there i found one teacher was sreaming at kids in Marathi. I did not find any politeness in the teacher may be they are not very trained . When i reached there , 3 classes were attending their sports period and i found 2 teachers (sports teacher) standing in confusion and unable to manage kids . It was complete chaos . May be they need more time to settle . Thanks Seema
Thanks Seema, I appreciate this feedback. I am sure parents will be happy to read it and write more of their feedbacks.
Podar International Wagholi is a very good school.
Hello, Couple of days back i visited this school (Potdar International - Wagholi). I had few queries about this. 1) The name of Potdar management is very huge and hence we have high expectation from it, but does this school live up with the expectation. Is it a nice school education wise. I visited this school couple days back and the staffs seems to be very co-opeatvie and nice. 2) I am looking for a CBSE board for my SON for LKG class, I have few schools in my mind...St. Arnold.....Lexicon International School - Wagholi...... Potdar Internation School - Wagholi Can you please suggest which one is a better option.
Podar International Wagholi is a very good school in each and every aspect. main thing - education is at excellent level. administration functions well too. transport facility is also well managed.
Kindly fill the contact me form or attend webinar. Visit the site madhuriesingh.com.
ok ok thnq
Karan Thawal There are many other schools, you may try.
Karan Thawal not yet.
I would like 2 take admission for 10th .. but there is 10th class in this school??????
:) Very specific address. Kindly post your question on http://www.schoolkhojo.com Discussion. You should write a review of school your child is attending now, in Review section to help me understand what is your expectation from schools. So what you write in Review are like pointers for me as to what you want from a school in Pune. Will help you surely. Also you can like my FB pages https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madhurie-Singh-School-and-Product-Reviews/289819724400645 and https://www.facebook.com/SchoolKhojoPage for a quicker reply.
Kindly read the review as you are on the review page of Podar school. Any more question you will have to create discussions on www.schoolkhojo.com. You should write a review of school your child is currently going to, in Review section to help me understand what is your expectation from schools. So what you write in Review are like pointers for me as to what you want from a school in Pune. Will help you surely. Also you can like my FB pages https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madhurie-Singh-School-and-Product-Reviews/289819724400645 and https://www.facebook.com/SchoolKhojoPage for a quicker reply.
As I am leaving at chandannagar nr new sai temple which is the best school for sr kg cbse board pls sugest
How is the podar school as I want to take admission to sr kg for my child
Mrunalini Nalawade Great! I am sure she will love to read about her. I really liked her in the first meet.
I know mrs nina kulkarni she is very intelligent n knows how to handle kids with tricks n make them learn without much difficulties ...my both kids were under her supervision i just felt very relaxed that time....thanks to her ..cant forget ninamiss...gbu always..m in thane now n able to take admission in good school coz of her...thanks
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