While it is understandable that an appropriate knowledge delivery channel is a priority for the holistic development of children, it is equally clear that only the right school can fulfil this requirement. Knowing this, most of today’s parents, who are increasingly aware of their children’s present and future, have started opting for international schools.
However, with an increasing number of educational institutions calling themselves international, it is becoming difficult for parents and guardians to differentiate between genuine and imitative ones. No wonder this has given rise to common myths about international schools, something we at Apeejay School International, regarded as the best IB school in Delhi, have decided to address through this blog post today. So, here we go!
Myth 1 – Focus is More on Extra-curricular Activities:
There is a misconception among parents about international education prioritising extra-curricular activities over and above day-to-day academics. However, at the Apeejay School International, with the solid legacy of over five decades that we carry, we can state with confidence that authentic international schools back balance and, hence, give equal importance to academics and extra-curricular activities.
For example, learning at Apeejay School International involves the implementation of a value-based international curriculum, where holistic education backed by character and nation-building acts as our foundation. Most importantly, across all levels of education, PYP, MYP, and DP, we lay emphasis on the 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and interpersonal skill development, making learning as academically inclined as the extra-curricular activities.
Myth 2 – Students Lose Touch with the Local Culture:
Many a time, parents believe that adding the word international in a school’s approach leads to the institute in question detaching itself from its national, cultural, and local commitments. They assume children learning at these schools lose touch with the culture and traditions of their home country.
Fortunately, this is far from true. We at Apeejay School International, despite being a leading IB school in Delhi, choose not to disconnect our students from India’s values and belief systems. Cultural celebrations are an integral part of our pedagogy, and so are cultural exchange initiatives, where we take India’s diversity to other countries through our students. For instance, at the beginning of 2026, our students had the pleasure of experiencing a rich India-Korea Cultural Exchange while proudly representing India and its customs globally.
Myth 3 – Practical Learning Gets All the Attention, Ignoring the Theoretical Aspects:
While we all know that rote learning is no longer the way forward, many schools, boards, and educational systems still focus on this monotonous, no-outcome form of learning, which simply stresses the need to “do well” in exams and nothing else. This leads to students not just losing interest in the process of learning, but in some cases, they also turn rebellious, leading to them doing poorly in their academics and other areas of life as well. This is primarily because they are forced to focus extensively on theory with very little emphasis on practical learning.
If that is the case, the belief that the IB Framework does not place importance on theory should not be a problem. However, truth be told, the IB framework backs inquiry-based learning with a fair balance between theory and practical learning. Here, students not just learn but are also encouraged and guided to derive the meaning and application of concepts from scratch. This makes students focus on the “why” of things through a mix of theory and practical learning, which helps ensure the learning is meaningful.
Myth 4 – International Schools Unnecessarily Charge High Fees:
It is unfortunate but true that another myth doing the rounds around international schools is that they charge a very high fee but have an insufficient number of teaching staff due to their different curriculum structures.
While it is acceptable that international schools may charge a little higher than traditional schools, there are a lot of things that cannot be overlooked. International schools present their students with global education in the true sense of the term, making them eligible to pursue higher education in foreign countries. This widens their future prospects, bringing them better career opportunities.
Additionally, there are various other factors as well, such as the teacher-student ratio, which is lower in these schools as compared to the traditional schools. They also have far better infrastructure and facilities, such as multi-lab and library access, and countless sports, outdoor, and extra-curricular activities, inclusive of cross-border opportunities like exchange programs.
International schools also invest heavily in teacher training and certification, which costs significantly more than standard professional development. For instance, at Apeejay School International, listed among the best IB schools in Delhi, our teachers are carefully selected, assessing their competency in delivering the IB framework. We also organise continuous international training for our teachers from time to time so that they can constantly upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Myth 5 – International Schools Are Only Meant for Those with Foreign Ambitions:
While it is true that international schools impart high-level education at par with the capabilities required to fare well in competitive exams with a ticket to foreign universities, it would be inappropriate to conclude that these schools are suitable only for students with foreign ambitions. In reality, learning through the international medium gives wings to children’s domestic aspirations as well, be it bagging engineering and corporate opportunities in India or at a higher level, being the voice of change for our country.
Additionally, students from international schools get an excellent head start when studying locally in terms of their research and writing skills, all thanks to their polished and forward-looking curriculum and knowledge delivery system.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have attempted to discuss the top five myths associated with international schools; however, in the real world, this line of education seems to be fighting multiple such myths and misconceptions.
Having said that, you must not overlook the need to be mindful and present when selecting an international school for your child to save yourself the trouble of falling prey to a fake entity. But yes, we also urge you to avoid being clouded by misguidance that international schools are a new and untested medium of knowledge dissemination, for these schools are widely known for their ability to prepare students for the global world beyond school.
All said and done, the fact is that international schools are neither luxury labels nor miracle solutions to settle abroad. They are simply based on a different educational approach, which is designed specifically for the rapidly changing world. At international schools, like Apeejay School International, the focus is on shaping learners who are confident, skilled, adaptable, and globally aware. If you are in Delhi and looking to admit your child to a trusted international school, look no further than Apeejay School International, recognised time and again as the best IB school in Delhi. Admissions open!
