Today, information is available at the tap of a screen and academic excellence is no longer measured by how much a child remembers. But by how deeply they understand, question, and apply what they learn.

Across the best schools in Bangalore and globally, a decisive shift is underway. Education is moving away from rigid instruction and toward something more alive. Learning that mirrors the complexity of the world itself is gaining popularity and acceptance. Ekya Schools belong firmly in this movement, and we intend to redefine academic excellence through unconventional, experience-rich programmes that place thinking before testing.

Sometimes Excellence Means More Than Scores

Traditional definitions of academic success are tied to marks, ranks, and memorisation. But they are quickly losing relevance. According to the World Economic Forum, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving are among the top skills students will need to thrive in the coming decade. Yet many classrooms still reward certainty over curiosity.

At Ekya Schools, we are on a mission to expand academic rigour. That means learning is structured to be intellectually demanding and deeply human. We encourage students to grapple with ambiguity, explore multiple perspectives, and reach conclusions through inquiry rather than instruction alone.

This is one of the reasons that sets us apart among top schools in Bangalore: excellence is defined not just by outcomes, but by the quality of thought that leads to them.

Design Thinking as an Academic Discipline

One of the most powerful unconventional pillars at Ekya Schools is design thinking. It’s not an extracurricular activity, but a core learning framework. We conduct regular design thinking challenges and showcases across all our campuses to ensure our learners incorporate it as the most crucial aspect of learning.

During a design thinking challenge, students don’t begin with answers. Instead, they begin with questions.

During the whole process, our students are guided to:

• Identify real-world problems worth solving
• Empathise with people and systems involved
• Ideate boldly and collaboratively
• Prototype, test, fail, and refine
• Reflect on both process and impact

This proven approach strengthens subject mastery across mathematics, sciences, humanities, and arts. More importantly, it builds transferable skills that traditional curricula struggle to teach.

It is no surprise that leading schools in Bangalore are now looking toward similar models, as we’ve been practising this philosophy for years.

Learning That Crosses Boundaries

Unconventional programmes at Ekya thrive because learning is not confined to silos. Subjects intersect. Questions spill across disciplines. Science lessons may evolve into a social discussion. Similarly, a humanities inquiry may turn into a data-driven project.

Students engage in:

• Project-based learning grounded in real contexts
• Community-linked experiences that connect theory to action
• Reflection practices that develop self-awareness and responsibility

This interdisciplinary approach ensures that academic excellence is not narrow or fragile—but flexible, durable, and relevant.

Why Parents Are Rethinking “The Best”

Parents exploring the best schools in Bangalore are asking different questions today:

• Will my child know how to think independently?
• Will they be confident in navigating uncertainty?
• Will learning feel meaningful, not mechanical?

Our unconventional programmes respond directly to these concerns. We blend academic depth with experiential learning, where students build strong foundations while developing the courage to explore beyond them.

As author and educator Sir Ken Robinson once noted, “My contention is that creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.” Ekya’s approach takes that idea seriously.

Excellence That Prepares, Not Pressurises

At Ekya Schools, academic excellence is about going deeper. This can be achieved when students are challenged, supported, and trusted to take ownership of their learning. They learn what to think, how to think, and also why it matters.

In an unpredictable world, that may be the most unconventional advantage of all.

Ekya Schools stands out in the educational landscape by redefining what it means to be one of the best schools in Bangalore. While many institutions focus on high-stakes testing, Ekya balances academic challenge with real-world application. We believe that true excellence isn’t found in a textbook or a memorised lecture. Instead, it is found when students are encouraged to ask “why,” dive into hands-on projects, and turn their education into a lived experience.

FAQs

1. Why are unconventional programs becoming important in schools?

Because today’s world values thinking over memorisation. The best schools in Bangalore, including Ekya Schools, are moving beyond traditional methods to help students analyse, question, and solve real-world problems through experiential learning and design thinking. 

2. How do Ekya Schools balance academic rigour with experiential learning?

At Ekya Schools, academic excellence and experiential learning go hand in hand. Core concepts are taught deeply, but students apply them through projects, design thinking challenges, and real-life contexts. These are approaches followed by many global and leading schools in Bangalore.

3. Does design thinking really improve academic performance?

Yes. Research shows that students exposed to design thinking demonstrate stronger problem-solving, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills. At Ekya Schools, design thinking strengthens academic understanding rather than replacing it, making learning more meaningful and lasting.

4. Are unconventional programs suitable for all learners?

Absolutely. Unconventional programs are designed to meet diverse learning styles. As one of the top schools in Bangalore, Ekya Schools ensures every child, whether analytical, creative, or reflective, finds a pathway to succeed and grow confidently.

5. How do Ekya Schools prepare students for future careers through these programs?

Ekya Schools focus on future-ready skills, such as adaptability, collaboration, ethical decision-making, and innovation. We combine academic depth with experiential learning to prepare students for exams and leadership. This approach is also valuable for our learners as it helps them make an impact in a rapidly changing world.