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Review- VPMS, Lohegaon, CBSE School, Pune

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Today I went to VPMS, Lohegaon, to drop my sons as due to rains the bus was delayed by 15 minutes.

Also as now its so much relief to get both my sons to same school at the same time,  I can go on a walk with my hubby 🙂 after sending the kids.

The bus is obviously not crowded. The driver waits and gives a call if he is early. The bus timing is 7:45am for pick up for all classes. 8:30am school starts. Nursry, LKg, Ukg kids are back at 12:30pm. And Std 1-above kids by 3:30pm. M There are 4 bus routes. For Lohegaon-Dhanori, Viman Nagar, Kalyani Nagar, Kharadi.

The school has metamorphed from under construction to a lovely spacious one.

I loved the circular building which allows light to pass through the top to the assembly. The Kg kids have to sit on the vinyl floor and use colorful tables. The rest of the bigger classes had chairs and tables. I sat and felt the chairs were small for me, and forced me to sit upright!

Also their rule of changing from shoes to crocs is not very happy thing but its not a big deal.

The green board was a a folding one, and I saw it for the first time in my life. The classes had a platformed area all around the two walls with a shelf running through the entire room, which was meant for keeping the books. The rooms had four fans and very bright rooms lit with natural light. It was a pleasure to see big rooms.

The kids have compulsory activities every day. This week they did Art, Karate, Music, Dance, Gymnastics and Skating .

Since all the books are same as DPS, there is not much change in the studies.

The maths is of same standard. EVS (science) is also same. The english seems easier but with more written work book, like DPS has, and hindi is way ahead of ICSE.

The homeworks are very less and there is not pressure.

But Maths, science , english are not my concern at all, as we take all these subjects at a much more practical way with real time experiments at SuperIndianKid. I have now taught the concept of tables and multiples to even my younger one 5.5 yr using blocks and tiles on the floor. Science, they know what is electricity, motion and magnetism in a way that I wish some one had taught me when I was in school.

So the point that like I always try to make is that the concept and facts behind what is taught in each chapter must be clear, is a parent's responsibility. The school will give provide us with the curriculum and the guidelines.

Yes the locals will be more as the school is new, but the high fee (Rs 30k-35K) which is at par with DPS will also ensure some filtering for the benefit of those parents who have difficulty in sending their kids to an all inclusive like environment.

The road to the school is still a nightmare. The  Nagar Road route takes only 20 minutes (9km) is awful (This is a small road which open right next to Aman Setu. Then while driving back we took the airport route and again it took us 30 min but was 17km!!!!!

The principal of the school Mrs Mrinalini Bhosale is very cheerful and was very excited to show off the development. I can very easily understand the enthusiasm as I am going through the similar feeling with my new venture SuperIndianKid.

The kids are from all kinds of inclusive society and slowly high starta people are also filtering into it.

I respect teachers who take any suggestion and implement them. All teachers I have interacted are down to earth with no air that will suffocate you. I have seen complete change in two teachers in just one month and feel, we parents should also give time to teachers, when we expect something. I was concerned about my sons handwriting. Both teachers suggested that I have to make them practice everyday as somehow their writing was not upto the mark. (hereditary I guess :)). I tell you ever since I bought the Mc Millan handwriting practice booklets as suggested by the teachers, and started to sit with them till they finished one page per day, they have changed from crabby style to stylish style. I did have to wack them and erase till the perfect alphabets were reproduced by them. They understood mumma will not be happy with chalta hai handwriting. I did take the pains to sit with them for hours initially. Now they know what is expected.

Teachers are the most important investment for a school that will make or break its name.




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Comments

  1. Hi Madhurie,

    Do you have any idea about VPMS Senapati Road? Please share.

    Any other parent whose kid going to this school or Gurukul School (Ashok Nagar) can pls share some information about the school.

    Thanks
    Meenakshi

  2. Hi Lux,

    I am Sarika Deshmukh.I stay in balewadi.

    As per above blogs I found ur child is in Vikhe Patil Memorial School SB road.We are also looking forward for this school for our daugther in Std I.

    I would like to discuss few queries regarding the same.If you don’t mind could you please send me your mobile number on sarikad12@gmail.com

    It will be very helpful for us to get ur comments regarding the school…

    Thanks,
    Sarika Deshmukh(AnusMom)

  3. It would really help mothers like me if u can share the different ways of innovative learning. I have read ur comments on Teaching pattern of St Mary’s & Bishops which were little on orthodox style.
    Looking forward to ur answer!!!
    Thats why I wanted others also to share the method respective schools practice where thr kids go.

    • Well not easy to explain the curriculum. You should visit the schools to see their worksheets.

  4. Hi Madhurie,
    Gr8 site,I wanted to know abt Airforce School, Vimannagar and Lohegoan. I cld’nt find any information regarding these schools on ur site.
    i also wanted to knw abt these Army Schools. Is these are open for civilians

      • Hi Madhurie,

        As I told you last time abt VPMS Project Based studies. I just wish to add on that.

        Monthwise they have covered following subjects in good details. Iam happy that my daughter understands that Water should be not be wasted,how it gets polluted, how to save water etc etc.Types of plants. Also they are introduced to shape like cylinder, sphere, pyramid etc. They are shown secondary colours….she tells me if u mix this colour with dat colour it will turn into this colour. Overall, very value based teaching.

        July- School
        August- Water
        September- Plants
        October- Animals- Land
        November- Animals- Water

        Kids were assessed in class thru strory telling/ poems. dictations/ etc

        Others are also requested to discuss how their kids are taught in school, so dat it may benefit others.

        Regards

        Laxmikanta

        • Dear Laxmi, These are the way every school is teaching. Yet there are better ways to design the curriculum using these topics, which you will realize when you see it. 🙂

  5. Hi Madhuri,

    I am planning to shift from Dubai to Pune in next academic year and looking for good CBSE school for my son in grade 4. pls. suggest me a good school where acedemics and extra carricular activities are good.

    many thanks in advance
    vibs

    • Except for a few schools all newer schools have activities. Bishops has loads of them and so does VPMS and Orbis.

  6. I feel the a school with 2 branches shd have same systems to follow. B’coz at SB RD branch, we never faced such problems.

    Just want to understand wot do u mean by Traditional teaching? Here they have project based learning. Which I feel is way diff from common practice of teaching.

    Though im little concerned abt the fact that they do not give any HW and all teaching is done at school…but when the school have product like Hamsa Padmanabhan (She is only girl in India NASA dedicated one STAR to her and named Hamsa)you tend to believe that they will do good only.

    Even I have certain doubts like the school is NOT very strict if I compare to convent schools. Since, my daughter is just in Sr KG I am not able to judge the school academics/ pressures correctly.

    Might be after 2-3 yrs I will get d right judgement.

    Ya u said it correctly…extra curricular activities are done superbly at VPMS. I feel it is very imp in school life.

    Madhurie, I am a product of KV CBSE school…i know the pressure…me and my sister never had good time to pursue our hobbies…all time were studying….doing HW…we had games bt that were not compulsary….today we both are doing great in our careers but frankly speaking we both have that feeling that we have not do anything extra than studying.

    Every school is bound to teach thr students the syllabus…but I wanted a school which wud gv more importance to CCA as well.

    All the BEST for ur kids in new school. Hope they both do exceedingly well in studies and other activities.

    Keep interacting and pouring new experiences happening in thr school thru this post…

    Tk Cr

    Laxmikanta

  7. I RESPECT UR DECISION. CAN U SHARE IN WHC SCHOOL THEY R NOW?
    I AM ALSO CURIOUS TO KNOW ABT WOT MADE U DECIDE TO CHANGE VPMS-L.

    LAXMI (LUX)

    • Well Lux, All seemed fine till I got the report card, which said my elder son was not creative !!! I was disgusted by the assessment as I myself have done his intelligence test and know that his creativity is super high. And no school can be good for my sons that cannot even assess their intelligence or activities correctly. If they cannot assess how will they train, correct or encourage them. Another thing was the social mingling which is very important was not happening as per the needs and expectations. Otherwise it is a traditional schools as far as academics is concerned but activities wise they are awesome. The sports teacher is a gem.

  8. Hi MAdhuri,

    Hv u shifted ur kids from VPMS Lohegaon to sm other School?

    My daughter studying in VPMS SB Rd is doing good in her Sr KG.
    They have started with oral Hindi frm this year. Apart frm dat Skating, Western Music & PT is thr.Teacher told us dat they will have Project every month. This months theme was MY SCHOOL.

    Again NO HOME WORK. Teacher said kids get bore if u teach d same thing in school n home. They hv started gvng schedule of studies per month at monthend so dat we can tk revision later.

    Hope to more frm u…

    Laxmikanta

    • Yes Lux!
      After reviewing so many schools and parents, I have understood that not all schools are meant for all of us. Family status, background, financial conditions, values and social status make a big impact on influencing the choice of school.
      VPMS is definitely a good school.

  9. Hi Madhurie,

    My son goes to VPMS Lohegaon however I am not fully satisfied with the school and now I am getting admission in St. Arnold’s…Please help to choose one…should I continue with VPMS or change to St. Arnold’s…..
    Thank you for your time and response…

    Regards,
    Naval.

  10. Hi Madhurie,
    Yesterday only I found Ur website when I was searching some reviews of school. My Son will be 2.5 years old in month of this June. we are living in Savannah socitey, Wagholi. My son will be eligible for nursery. Here in Wagholi very few options are there like Prodigy Public school,Lexicon and Jyotrimay International school. But Lexicon school have nursry in Vimannagar. And I do not want to send so far for nursery. The second option is Jyotirmay. Do you have any review of this school? For LKG, we want to decided upon Lexicon and VPM.But still time is there. I am really confused what to do. Jyotirmay school fee stucture is very high, it is 57 thousband, where 20 thous is refundable deposit. could you help me to decided upon nursry school near to Wagholi (DPM is not having nursery). Or you know any other school for nursery in Wagholi. Thnaks and regards
    Suvarna

  11. Pl help to chose between this school & Global International, Pimpri ..I am in in process of shifting from Mumbai to Pune..

  12. Hi, I am in process of Shifting from Mumbai to Pune & confused between This school & Global International ..
    Pl suggest…

  13. Hi Madhurie,
    I am shifting from Bangalore to PUne on 21 march 2011.My son is studing in class 9th in DPS Bangalore.Kindlly help me for admission in 10th standard.Which are the good schools at Pune where I can get admission in class 10th.(CBSE Board)
    shubha

    • Shweta DPS is good. Indira Nationals, Orchids are good CBSE schools. VPMS Lohegaon is also good but till 6th now.

  14. Hi Madhurie,

    Thanks for giving so much information!!

    I just shifted to Pune from Delhi, as I have the same concern for admission of kids(Son:- UKG, Daughter: 6th). I have job in Viman Nagar so I am considering some schools around this area 1. VPMS 2. St. Arnold 3. Lexicon International because all of these are CBSE. Can you please suggest which school should I choose? As of now I am staying at company’s guest at Viman Nagar and I need to bring my family asap (missing them a lot:) ). Please suggest!!

    Thanks & Regards,
    Deepak Arora

    • I would say VPMS, St Arnold and Lexicon in the same order. There were a few hiccups earlier in VPMS when a teacher was really not upto the mark. Now though the teacher is replaced, I hardly get to see the work from that subject. I think I will check again.
      The bus is fine and the roads shud be of little concern as the ring road has been sanctioned a few weeks back, making Lohegaon the most prime property ;). For more info kindly call me.

  15. Hi Madhuri..Great site… I did not get any response for my previous questions so am posting the questions again. I will apreciate if you can comment on some of my questions as below…Thanks in advance.

    I woulk like to choose between St. Helena’s and Hutchings school for my daughter for her playschool admission. I search your website and could not get info on these schools. Would love to get the opinion from expert like you on the same. I have to decide soon.
    Thanks

    Abhijit

    • Hi Abhijit, I may have not seen it or replied in your email id. Hutchings admission shud be over by now. Hutching is a better bet than St Helena is OK. 🙂

  16. Dear Madhurie,

    Thanks for providing all this information. This is very useful. I have a small query regarding verbal communications skill of the students who study in this VPMS, Lohegaon. Does this school provides conginial environment for its students to be able to speak English and Marathi fluently?

    Thanks,
    Shwetabh

    • Hi Shwetabh, You pricked the pain area. Yes, like all new schools, the crowd being from the local area, the school has definitely more marathi speaking than english speaking. The parents though are quite above avg economic background, where mostly are from software. The staff converses in marathi as compared to St Mary’s or DPS. But the class teachers being non marathi except for one, all speak in english. I have found an excellent solution to this hopefully temporary sore. As you know I have Superindiankid center, I have tied up Trinity college UK, to provide the Certificate courses in Communication skills and Presentation skills. I really donot think there is anything better than this offer as those from St Mary’s also give the same exam and are assessed by the examiners from UK. 🙂

  17. Hi Madhuri..Great site… You are doing a super job of keeping all of parents like us well informed in this rat rce @ school admissions.

    I woulk like to choose between St. Helena’s and Hutchings school for my daughter for her playschool admission. I search your website and could not get info on these schools. Would love to get the opinion from expert like you on the same. I have to decide within next week.

    Thanks

    Abhijit

  18. Hi Maadhuri,

    I have lot to share this week. Food from school is doing wonders for my kid. Not that the caterer is providing whole some food/snacks but I guess its tasty also. B’cz when I asked my daughter how much u get on plate? She said..well mom I ask for more, 2-3 times.

    My daughters 1st day to school by bus was horrible.(I was dropping her all these days)
    The driver was new and he forgot to drop her at her stop. It was a complete mess. But the school co-ordinator made sure that my girl reached home safely. But I had a good verbal fight with the driver.But now everything is set.

    Month end had PTM. Teachers showed us thr books and other stuff. My daughter got “Beautiful” remark for one of her colouring job. They had a photo session as well for school ID card. She showed me her singing class (dont know wot kind of singing they do).

    Just got a ticker that sms service has been started for this academic year.

    Would like to know wot r d activities Lohegaon school is taking.

    • Hi Lux, i cud not attend PTM as I was unwell. But my husband was pretty happy with the reports.
      I really wish the daily uniform would be a T Shirt like thing which is they for sports and gymnastic days. Lycra mixed clothes are always very comfortable for kids as compared to polyester mixed ones.
      I think VPMS SB road is progressing on sms ticker faster.
      Karate, Gymnastics, Dance, Music and Skating are what they are being taught every week.

      • Hi Maadhuri,

        Have ur kids got yearly planner? It will help u plan many things- holidays, studies etc. They dont have exams in stretch. One in fortnight. Well!

        Hv VPMS-L started with karate & Gymnastics frm UKG. If so- its Gr8!

        U mentioned HW. Do ur younger kid (UKG) also gets HW? Coz, here they said dat kids do not hv HW till UKG.

        Yaa, even I felt that school uniform shd be more relaxed. Blue tunic + brick red shirt with black checks. See, many school have RED factor in school dress these days. I dont like red.blue & white is what we have grown with. Regular uniform is good but sports uniform–my God-big dropping square collars.Schools new new innovations.

        Due to “Bharat Bandh” i dint sent Bhoomi school. Tomorrow due to palkhi they have half day (pri-primary is regular).(sms ticker)

        …………………..

        • yes they have the planner. and yes HW is like one sheet every 2-3 days. Its more of writing. I kind of like to see whats happening in the class.
          I got a call that no school due to Bandh, but was not planning to send kids, as both still have cold. I didnt want other kids to catch.

  19. have today read so much info on ur forums. very good job. i hv a question regarding st marys. i want to put my daughter there. she’ll be eligible next year, but am wondering now why the principal was asked to resign. do you know of any info from any parents about what’s changed with the school with the new principal? also i heard teh principal has taken a lot of staff to wisdom world school. is that true? appreciate your help & the effor u r taking to put all of this together,

    rashmi

    • Dear Punemum,

      Only have this info that the St MAry’s principal has joined Wisdom school. Due to this many parents have taken admission thr. Now they have started 2 sections with 15-20 kids in one class.

      My best friend has taken her son’s admission thr. rather he got the chance to welcome Bomain Irani- Chief Guest for inauguration of School…..coz he was d first bacchaa to take admission.

  20. Dear Madhuri & Lux,
    Thankyou very much for sharing your experiences on VPMS.
    At present I live in Austalia, would be moving to Pune next year April. Ofcourse the main thing is a good school for my 5 yr girl.Like you, Lux, I had my mind on St Mary’s primarily because I studied in an ICSE school in Pune, St Helenas. Unfortunately a lot of changes in my school has forced me to think of another , better school for my daughter, hence the next obvious choice was St Mary’s.
    But I dont want my daughter to be only academically bright. I want her to take learnings and imbibe from experiences and people, not just books. Be a responsible, understandng, person first.
    And since I have a house in Lohegaon, VPMS has been top on my list.
    The school my daughter goes to here, is not only the best girls school in the State, but their philoshy is ‘Holistic growth to build confident girls’. There is no peer comparison. My daughter this term got awarded not only for her math, and word recognition skills but also for being very caring to a new girl in her class and helping her settle in. For me, thats a good school.Do you both think, VPMS is then my right choice?
    My second choice is DPS, but distance is an issue, (apart from the fact that they have bus routes in Lohegaon) since I dont want to add stress to our settling time. Also,I am not sure about their philoshphy.

    Would you have any idea on assessment criteria for NRI kids or assessment for children for Year one admission at VPMS.
    The Medical Certificate to submit with the admission form- where can I get that done or does the school have their own accredated doctors or hospitals?

    Madhuri, I cant Thank you enough for creating this website, a one stop shop for people like me and easing this nerve tingling decision of a school for my child.

    • Dear Kala,

      I wont be right person to comment on VPMS Lohegaon. But VPMS SB Rd is one of the best schools in Pune. I have heard that the basic system is common in all VPMS institutes. They give stress on overall development, esp sports & CCA. Which I think is a good part.

      Since, Maadhuri has already enrolled her kids thr and she looks happy with the overall arrangements, I think that shd be a good option.

      One thing I wud like to share is that- VPMS is proud of thr acheivements and it reflects in thr communication. When I recvd thr 1st letter it was thr 1st line that we are PROUD of our school.

      ALL THE BEST.

      • Dear Kala, I wud not say that VPMS is the best school in Pune. After reviewing so many schools, I have realized, you just cannot get everything from one school. Till now there has been no problem with VPMS Lohegaon, and infact I have found the teachers to be very cooperating. Yes the experience wise the St Mary’s teachers have 10-15 yrs of exp as compared to VPMS teachers. But a few here too have 20 yrs exp. There is regular update and worksheets coming home, for which I have to sit for 20 min everyday for one subject. I have managed to set a time for both sons to study. Now they on their own want to first finish their homework! I was pleasantly surprised but this is why I had shifted them. Both have tasted success and appreciation in front of the class, which is now making them work for more :).
        The communication in English is something that has to addressed as kids talk in hindi, marathi too. But that was expected as it being a new school. But the fact that std 2 has 15 kids only and UKg has 25 kids, I am quite pleased. Also since they have a parent-teacher association, where the parents can actively participate in new activities for the betterment of the school, I am hoping to be a member of it in future and contribute in whatever way I can.

  21. Hi Madhurie,
    I visited Vibgyor as well as VPMS lohegaon yday but sadly by the time we reached principal had already left for the day but there was one Admin guy who did show us around, I liked the school but few queries are still unanswered how is the quality of VPMS teachers as compared to other schools, are they really very well experienced or freshers ? , what kind of teaching methodology is followed is it traditional or Project based? , are the kids from very diverse backgrounds?

    It would be nice if you throw some light on this.

  22. Dear Maadhuri,

    Its a general perception that Convent Schools are THE BEST. I have seen many parents doting for COnvent School- the reason been status symbol. In this site also many parents inquired abt convent schools only. In such case its become little difficult for others to judge private/ non-convent school vs convent school.

    I tk my example, even I was in doldrums whether to opt for private or convent. My heart was saying VPMS but My mide was saying St. MAry’s. When I read numerous enquiries in ur site esp for MAry’s n Bishops I felt like Im not opting for best for my daughter. It was really difficult decision rather. But Im happy I cud think beyond chosen few schools.

    Nothing against CONVENTS. “St.”tag becomes so IMP dat parents many time ignore comforts of thr kids.
    My friend was adamant with St. MAry’s that she paid cool 1.5 L for admission but ironically the girl dint get admission thr and sent her small kid to Rosary school at Dhankawadi smwhr which was almost 20 kms frm her home. The girl took almost 1 hrs daily to commute singally by Riksha. This is not done.

    That’s why I appreciate ur concern for ur kids and not punishing ur kids for the sake of “St.” tag and having enough guts to to do smthg which I think no other parent wud have done.

    ………………………….
    My beti told me today that she got a star mark for correctly answering the attendance, a star mark for discipline and a smiley pinned on her dress bcoz she answered a Q correctly. I felt these small small things makes kids very happy and encouraged.I cud seen her happy face while telling me all her “achievements”.

    ONE more thing I wud like to know that, how u taught ur kids abt science fundas- motion, electricity, magnetism etc etc. Pls share ur teaching style for as small as 4-5 yrs kid.

    Waiting. Bye

    LUX

    ……………………………………………..

    • Dear Lux, u r doing a great help to me by posting so much abt VPMS, SB Rd.

      Thanks for appreciating the fact that it take me lot of courage, thinking and contemplating to decide VPMS and pull them from two best known schools in Pune.

      Your priority has to be crystal clear.

      Whatever you do, is that for your kid’s welfare or for your ego satisfaction? Trust me there are times even after arriving at the right answer, you will not be take action!

      I will blog abt the science teaching stuff soon.

      tc care

  23. Hello,

    Even my Daughter has started gng to Vikhe Patil school, S.B. Road. One gud thing is that for kids from LKG & UKG its compulsory to eat from school only.The caterer has a weekly plan which includes all sort of foods with fruit. Sharp 10 am they eat. Today my daughter told me she eat palak paratha with tomato chutney and I was like wow…u eat it…Being a working mom Im now very relaxed that I need not worry about morning tiffin.

    They have carpeted class rooms so shoes are not allowed inside the class. So for toilet each kid is having an additional sleep-ons for toilets. After Monsoons they wud start with Skating with western music and PT.

    I am more happy b’coz, my daughter’s painting which they did on 2nd day of school was put on notice board fr display…

    School surrounding is very picturesque…with lots of greenery over the hillock area.

    One more GUD thing NO Home Works and NO Exams…just daily assessment….teachers specifically told us to be cool for another 2yr. Overall, everything seems to be fine right now…

    Its nice that u also enrolled ur kids in VPMS. When I was scouting for gud school last year I had many times requested u to kindly review VPMS as I was very very keen on VPMS. But dat dint happen but I was damn sure as I did my own survey standing at the gates of school and asking moms/ dads who use to come to drop tiffins to thr kids. I was very happy whn u also decided to shift school and thinking against the convent brands.
    ………………………………………

    • Laxmi, that looks like gr8 review for VPMS, SB Rd. 🙂 !
      I don’t think against convent school at as I am a product of one and trust me its a totally different experience. As I have done my 3 years in a non convent school too, I can make out a few good differences. But my main reason was to see my sons going in one school rather than two different schools of two different boards.

      The lunch thing has not started here yet. But they have skating, gymnastics, western music, dance and karate. I am glad as now it good to see the younger one come home by 1 pm as compared to when he was at DPS, and wud be back at 3:40pm crying every day. Also I dont have to wake up early. 😛

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