Children entering school in 2025 will graduate in the 2030s, into jobs, technologies, and challenges we can’t even fully imagine today. This scenario makes today’s parents unprepared to make the right decision when selecting a school. They are unsure if a particular school they like can prepare their children for a bright future. With the sheer number of CBSE schools in Bangalore offering future-proof curriculum, parents are constantly seeking the right guidance.

Parents are constantly bombarded with two options: long-standing institutions with excellent academic profiles or progressive schools that promise to make children creators, problem-solvers, and leaders. That’s why it’s crucial to understand where modern schooling stands today. Textbooks, grades, and board affiliations are no longer prioritised in modern learning ecosystems where curiosity, creativity, and resilience thrive. That being said, not many top schools in Bangalore truly embody the essence of progressive schooling as they promise.

This article is for parents seeking absolute clarity about what progressive schools actually mean and how their child will benefit from them.

The Rise of Progressive Education

Not too long ago, “progressive education” was an unfamiliar name for parents. But today, it’s what trends in a parent’s choice of school. The best schools in Bangalore are those that have adopted the progressive learning pedagogy, partly driven by the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020. Modern schools, like the Ekya Schools have been discouraging rote learning since inception and align with the ever-evolving global trends in the educational realm. The reason behind this transformation is the changing mentality of employers—they expect the workforce to have problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability more than ever before. Since these skills can’t be built through traditional classroom activities alone, it’s essential to experience them as part of everyday learning. As a result, more parents are asking sharper questions about their child’s schooling. They want to know if the school can prepare the child for the future or only for the past.

What Does “Progressive” Really Mean?

The term is often used loosely, but all progressive schools share a few core qualities:

Experiential Learning: These are essentially classrooms where learners do experiments, build projects, and simulate real-world challenges. This way, schools are preparing them for future academic and professional expectations. At Ekya Schools Bangalore, to enhance this progressive approach, we offer a unique learning pathway and a design thinking tool crafted by expert in-house curriculum builders. In the early years phase, the Atelier, a dedicated lab that encourages play-based learning, becomes their ultimate creative environment. And as they climb the blocks, experiential learning will eventually be embedded into everyday learning.

​Holistic Development: It is crucial to have an unbiased emphasis on arts, sports, and public speaking alongside academics to mold individuals with interdisciplinary capabilities and flexibility. Triton, our annual sports fest, the Leadership Bootcamp, and the FIND Festival initiatives provide our learners with various platforms to go beyond textbooks and gain confidence. This way, Ekya Schools create well-rounded individuals capable of managing everything the future throws at them—both personal and professional.

Individualised Attention: As one of the best schools in Bangalore, Ekya honours the uniqueness of each learner. That’s why we have a smaller teacher-learner ratio of 13:1, which allows them to pursue studies without worrying about their pace and style. Our learners also become more confident with differential instruction, courtesy of uninterrupted support from the educators. As a result, they achieve their fullest potential even when consistently challenged in their learning environment.

Technology Integration: Technology is a core enabler of creativity and innovation. That’s why we integrated tech-driven aspects of learning such as robotics, coding, and an advanced STEAM facility into our curriculum.

>>You can learn more about our STEAM labs and how they empower children with hands-on experiences in technology and real-world problem-solving. Click here to find out more.<<

When placed in a tech-led environment, they learn to adapt to the rapidly changing world order and attain future-ready traits that nurture creators and innovators.

This is what sets the top schools in Bangalore apart — their ability to create curiosity and creativity in everyday learning.

The Parents’ Dilemma

Once the admissions cycle begins, parents face a flood of options. Almost every school promises a “world-class” education, but the reality can be more complicated. Some institutions still cling to traditional lecture-and-exam models. On the contrary, there are other schools that genuinely embrace project-based learning, co-curricular opportunities, and social-emotional development.

So how can parents tell the difference? Experts suggest asking practical questions like:

• How do you assess creativity in your classrooms?
• What safety and wellness measures are in place?
• Do teachers receive regular training in new teaching methods?
• How do you balance academic pressure with emotional well-being?

The answers to these questions often reveal more than rankings or reputation ever could.

​Looking Ahead

As the new academic year approaches, parents face both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge lies in making sense of the many CBSE schools in Bangalore. The opportunity lies in finding a place where your child can thrive. It should be a place that allows learners to be thinkers, doers, and confident human beings.

Among the best schools in Bangalore, those that endorse progressive education are gaining popularity among parents who want more than just grades for their children. Because, ultimately, education is about who your child becomes in the process.