Akshar Arbol International School

Down on Umapathy Street in West Mambalam, you’ll find us at number 16. Akshar Arbol International School has been part of this Chennai neighborhood for a bit now. Being in West Mambalam means we’re surrounded by houses and small shops, which makes the school feel more like a home than an institution. The street can get a little tight with traffic during drop-off times, but we manage. Inside the building, things are usually a bit more organized. We have different floors for different age groups. The rooms are set up so kids can move around and do their work. We don't use a lot of heavy furniture. The teachers spend a lot of time talking with the kids rather than just standing at the front. It’s a bit different from the schools some of us went to back in the day. We have a small courtyard where things happen, and the breeze sometimes carries the smell of filter coffee from the nearby houses. Our staff mostly drinks tea in the breakroom while talking about the day’s lessons. We don't spend money on big billboards or fancy ads. Most people find us because they live around here or heard about us from a neighbor. It’s a busy place with a lot of energy, and we just try to keep up with the kids. Chennai weather is always a factor, so we keep the fans going and the water coolers full. It’s just us here.