Big School Admissions in Powai

Big school admission can be a daunting task for parents. 

As I moved here from Gurgaon, I saw that unlike Gurgaon pre schools; which arrange a session or a workshop for parents on how to tackle Big School admissions every year, Parents in Powai are more or less on their own and are left to fend for themselves. 

I think Workshops on Big school admissions in Mumbai - seem like a great biz idea. 
Till then, let me share what I have learnt about Big school admissions and hope it helps parents like me: 

Eligibility and Admission Notices

• The first thing you need to know is whether your child is eligible for admission for the year. Some schools like Bombay Scottish start from Jr.Kg. and for example - All children born in 2007 were eligible for admissions this year i.e. 2011. So, the rule is that your child should be at least 3 years to be eligible for admission into Jr.Kg, which begins in June 2011. 

• If this is the right time, choose the schools you would like to apply to. Normally, most parents want their kids to go to a school in their vicinity. Some of the Big Schools in Powai are mentioned here. 

• One of the first schools which put up their admission notice is S.M. Shetty in October /  November which is followed by Gopal Sharma School around the same time. This time Pawar Public School was a new addition as it has opened its branch in Chandivali, Powai. Their admission forms were also released in November. These were followed by the Jr. Kg. admission notice by Bombay Scottish in January.  

• Pick at least 3 schools to apply to - in order to always have a backup.

Process: 

• Ensure that you don't miss out on taking the admission form, so keep checking on the school website or visit the school if you can. 
• Once you have the forms. Take a photocopy of the form and fill it out with a pencil first so, in case you make a mistake you can erase and correct it rather than wasting a form. 
• Make sure you have filled the form and followed the instructions properly. 
• Also, after filling up the form completely - take a photocopy so that you know what your final form looked like in case you need it for future reference. 

That's it.

Most schools like S.M. Shetty, call you or let you know your interaction dates when you submit the form while others call / mail the results to you after a week or so from form submission. The interaction for most schools is pretty casual. 

Bombay Scottish results for Jr. Kg. were released in first / second week of May and for Sr. Kg. it is expected in the first / second week of June. For information, parents can call the school and the recorded voice gives you most of the required details. (Though, in this day and age I wish they would mention the results on their website too. As, waiting for the postman or missing the most coveted letter can be such a torturous experience for already harrowed parents).
If you have any experiences, information about any other schools please feel free to share till then Happy school hunting :-)