Since 2001, when C fore introduced India’s first school ranking survey, I’ve had the privilege of visiting schools across the country, gaining invaluable insights into the best practices in education. Over the years, one question has consistently come up, especially from parents seeking the right school for their children: What truly makes a school great?
My response always begins with teachers —not only their professional skills but, more importantly, the meaningful relationships they build with their students.
These relationships must be rooted in love, empathy, and positive expectations.
Along with exceptional educators, truly great schools are anchored by effective pedagogy, visionary leadership, and a culture that prioritises holistic development.
Below, I’ve outlined the key attributes that define truly outstanding schools.
1. Teachers and the Work Environment
Great schools understand that teachers are the backbone of education. They prioritize teacher well-being, professional growth, and job satisfaction. Educators should feel respected, supported, and heard. This starts with fair compensation—ideally aligned with government pay commission scales—and reasonable workloads, with a maximum of five teaching periods per day.
Professional development is central. Regular training, workshops, and growth opportunities ensure that teachers remain engaged and up to date. Exchange programs—where teachers spend time in schools in different regions or countries—can also foster new perspectives and cross-cultural learning.
Importantly, performance evaluations are conducted regularly. Research indicates that encountering two ineffective teachers in succession can permanently alienate a student from a subject. Great schools ensure this doesn’t happen.
2. Relationships Among Stakeholders
Strong, trusting relationships—especially between teachers and students—are fundamental to effective learning. These connections foster motivation, reduce anxiety, and support both academic achievement and emotional development.
Leading schools prioritize hiring educators not only for their subject expertise but also for their emotional intelligence, empathy, and genuine care for children. They establish systems to nurture healthy relationships among all stakeholders, enforce robust anti-bullying policies, and offer regular parenting workshops to foster a supportive and inclusive school community.
3. Pedagogy & Relevant Curriculum
In outstanding schools, pedagogy is carefully designed to engage students, inspire curiosity, and deepen conceptual understanding. Traditional, lecture-based instruction occupies less than 40% of class time, while over 60% is devoted to active learning—through project-based work, interdisciplinary lessons, hands-on experiences, peer collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
Lessons often begin with compelling stories or relatable challenges that captivate students’ interest and foster critical thinking. Every classroom creates an environment where students are motivated to engage deeply and are consistently encouraged to think beyond the obvious.
Alongside innovative pedagogy, great schools prioritise the relevance of the curriculum. They ensure it addresses the key challenges of our time—such as conflict, poverty, sustainability and the environment—preparing students to navigate and contribute to a rapidly changing world.
4. Personalised Education
Outstanding schools prioritise personalised learning, recognising that every student has unique interests, strengths, and learning styles. Instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all model, they offer flexible pacing and tailored content through:
Customised lesson plans Adaptive learning technologies Student-selected projects
Diverse assessment methods
This approach fosters intrinsic motivation, enhances academic performance, and builds self-confidence. Personalised education is particularly effective in closing achievement gaps, especially for students who may struggle in traditional classroom settings. However, its success relies on well-trained educators, the right technological tools, ongoing assessment, and manageable class sizes. Leading schools typically limit class size to around 25 students to ensure individual attention.
5. Fostering Creative Intelligence
In an era where artificial intelligence increasingly handles routine tasks, human creativity has never been more vital. It is the driving force behind innovation, problem-solving, and the generation of new knowledge—cornerstones of a just, equitable, and prosperous society.
What sets truly exceptional schools apart is their commitment to cultivating the creative potential of every student. These institutions create environments where curiosity, experimentation, and imaginative thinking are not only encouraged but embedded into the fabric of learning. By emphasizing process over perfection, they help students embrace failure as an essential step in growth and discovery.
Key strategies for nurturing creative intelligence include:
Divergent Thinking: Inspiring students to explore multiple possibilities rather than seeking a single “correct” answer.
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Merging STEM with the arts, literature, and design to foster well-rounded, integrative thinking.
Open-Ended Inquiry: Encouraging critical thinking and deep questioning to spark intellectual curiosity.
Experiential Learning: Involving students in real-world challenges that demand innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
Many forward-thinking schools now feature dedicated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) labs—dynamic spaces where students can code, build, prototype, and transform their ideas into tangible outcomes through hands-on exploration.
By embedding creativity into the core of education, we prepare students not just to succeed, but to shape a better future.
6. Cultivating Social Intelligence
In today’s interconnected world, cultivating social intelligence is essential. It minimizes conflict, builds trust, and enhances communication—skills crucial for success both in and out of the classroom. As workplaces become more diverse and teamwork-driven, individuals with strong social intelligence are better equipped to lead, adapt, and overcome challenges.
Progressive schools integrate social intelligence into daily learning through practices like circle time and various collaborative learning methods. They also foster a love for reading, especially among young children, helping them develop both cognitive and emotional skills.
Some schools go even further by dedicating weekly sessions where trained educators engage in one-on-one discussions with students. These personalized interactions address a wide range of life challenges, helping students cultivate emotional awareness and coping strategies, which further strengthen their social intelligence.
7. Sports and Co-Curricular Activities
A defining feature of top schools is the mandatory participation of every student in at least one sport, along with opportunities to learn a musical instrument.
Sports foster physical fitness, teamwork, resilience, and leadership. They help students navigate both success and failure—skills that contribute to greater focus and improved academic performance. Leading schools ensure that students take part in daily sports sessions as an essential part of their routine.
Co-curricular activities—such as music, drama, debate, and public speaking—enhance communication, time management, and emotional intelligence. Notably, learning a musical instrument has been shown to boost brain function in areas related to language and reasoning.
Great schools prioritize holistic development by ensuring every student actively participates in co-curricular activities.
8. Infrastructure
In great schools, infrastructure goes beyond functionality—it becomes a foundation for inspired learning. Key features include: Smart classrooms designed with natural lighting and ergonomic seating to foster collaborative and student-centred learning
Fully functional STEAM lab / Maker Space that encourage creativity, innovation, and hands-on exploration
Well-equipped libraries, science labs, and digital learning tools to support diverse academic pursuits
Clean, spacious playgrounds and modern sports facilities that promote physical development and well-being
Access to safe drinking water, hygienic restrooms, and well-ventilated learning spaces ensuring student health and comfort
Additional support areas such as counselling rooms, staff lounges, and efficient administrative systems enhance the overall learning environment, contributing to a seamless, supportive, and nurturing school experience.
9. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI can revolutionise education and some leading schools are harnessing its potential to create more personalized and efficient learning experiences. By leveraging AI, schools can tailor instruction to meet individual student needs, provide instant feedback, and identify learning gaps in real time. Additionally, AI automates administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction and student interaction.
10. Leadership
Good leadership in schools is essential for creating a supportive and effective learning environment. Strong school leaders set clear goals, inspire both teachers and students, and foster a culture of teamwork, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement. They play a key role in shaping school policies, managing resources wisely, and encouraging innovation in teaching methods. Effective leadership also ensures that staff feel valued and motivated, which directly impacts student achievement. Moreover, good leaders engage parents and the wider community, building trust and cooperation.
Conclusion
A great school is not measured solely by academic scores but by its ability to nurture well-rounded, emotionally resilient, and future-ready individuals. At its core are empowered teachers, innovative pedagogy, and a culture of empathy, curiosity, and excellence.
With strong relationships, personalized learning, creative and social development, modern infrastructure, and thoughtful use of technology, great schools prepare students not just for exams—but for life.
