Agra is a city known for its rich culture and history. Apart from monumental landmarks, it is also a city that provides top-notch education to the kids. Parents in Agra, like any other parents, want to provide the best education to their kids, and getting that in Agra is accessible. You get to see all sorts of schools in Agra. If your pocket allows, you can go to private schools, and if you are on a low budget, you can also find government schools with adequate education.
If you reside in Agra and are wondering about the school admission process in the city, then you are at the right place. In this blog, we will explore the types of schools Agra has, their admission timeline, and the admission process. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Types Of Schools In Agra
A group of students in colourful sports uniforms stands proudly before The International School Agra, emphasizing how physical activities at the best school in Agra help regulate blood circulation.
There are a variety of schools in Agra catering to the parents’ various educational needs and preferences. These schools fall into three main categories:
Government Schools
Nowadays, government schools are also an excellent choice for your kids. These schools operate under the government and follow the state syllabus and curriculum (Uttar Pradesh Board). They are affordable compared to private schools and provide resources similar to private institutions.
Private Schools
If your budget allows and you want to give your kids a more comfortable education environment, then private schools are good. They do not operate under any government and can follow the state syllabus, the national syllabus, which is known as CBSE, or the international curriculum of IGCSE or IB.
Private schools offer many perks related to extracurricular activities and infrastructure. However, the kind of perks you get greatly depends on the kind of private school you have opted for.
International Schools
Not many residents of Agra are aware that their city also has international schools offering globally recognised curricula. These boards are International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
So, schools that offer these curricula are great choices for those who want an international standard of educational environment and syllabus.
Suggested article: Why is TISA the Best School in Agra?
School Admission Timeline
The school admission process and the timeline of the schools in Agra are similar to any other school in any city in India. It follows a similar set of schedules for admission that may vary slightly from other schools but the timeline is usually the same. The admission timeline of schools in Agra is as follows:
January To March
The whole process of sorting the applications and selecting a suitable candidate for the school is lengthy. Class sessions end in March, and the new session starts in April. Therefore, the process of applying for admission starts in January.
Parents can find admission forms during this period, especially for entry levels like Nursery, Kindergarten (KG), or Class 1. During this time, parents must submit their applications, often with required documents like birth certificates, address proof, and passport-size photos.
April To May
The new session may start in April, but the admission process goes on until May. Some parents fill out the forms and submit them in March, so according to that, the process goes on until May. During this period, the school administration shortlists applicants, conducts interviews (if necessary), and announces the final list of selected candidates.
Late Admissions
Once the officially scheduled admission window closes, admissions that take place after that fall under the category of late admissions. However, some schools have a policy of not following the late admissions schedule. This is because late admissions create problems for the kids to catch up.
Generally, late admissions are allowed in private or International institutions. Also, if there is no seat availability, then the school administration may not be willing to take any new admissions. Some CBSE schools even take mid-session admission. So it depends on the kind of school you are choosing.
School Admission Process In Agra
Now that you know the school admissions timeline, it will be easier for you to understand the common admission procedure. Before we get into the details you should know that every school in Agra may have their own set of requirements and specific preferences. So, the procedure which is mentioned below is based on the common admission procedure which most of the schools in Agra follow:
Application Form
The foremost and the important part is to apply for admission and that is done through an application form. You can obtain an admission form from the school’s office. Some schools also offer forms on their websites so you can check there as well.
The form usually requires you to write basic details about your child, such as their name, date of birth, and previous school. You must fill out these details and submit the form to the school.
Submission of Documents
As mentioned earlier, you must submit the form to the school. If it’s your first time as a parent to seek admission for your kid, then below are the various documents that the school may ask you to submit:
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Proof of address (ration card, utility bills, etc.)
- Passport-size photographs
- Previous academic records (if applicable)
- Medical history or health certificates
Know that these requirements of documents may vary from school to school.
Age Criteria
This is the most common concern of the parents as they are afraid to send their kids to school too early but do not want their kids to be overaged. You should know that most schools in Agra practice a minimum age requirement of the candidate for admission. For instance, if you want an admission in Nursery or Pre-KG standards, your child must be at least three years of Age during the admission.
This age requirement subsequently increases with the level up of the standard (class). Your child should be at least five years old to get admission to class 1, six years old for admission to class 2, and so on.
Entrance Exam And Interview
Again, the entrance exams and interview processes of the schools are quite specific and different depending on the schools. Some schools conduct entrance exams and interviews both, some only conduct entrance exams, and others may not conduct any of them. Schools that conduct entrance exams and interviews evaluate children based on their knowledge of English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics.
Once your child qualifies for the entrance exam, the interview is conducted either with the parents and the child together or with the child alone. The objective of the interview is to assess the child’s personality, communication skills, and general readiness for school.
Interaction with Parents
New school admissions set the tone for the particular batch in which the school is taking admission. Many schools have made interaction with the child’s parents an essential part. It is done to assess the environment the kid is coming from.
Some schools may refuse admission to parents who they think are unfit for an educational environment or if they feel that their child will create trouble in the school. Schools often seek parents who can be partners in the child’s academic and extracurricular development.
Final Thoughts
The admission process in Agra is not different from the schools in other parts of India. It follows the simple process of Application form, submission of documents, entrance exam & interview and interaction with parents. It is a lengthy process, so it takes 2 to 3 months for the schools to shortlist the selected candidates.
If you are a parent applying for your kid’s admission this year, make sure to apply in at least three or more schools, as it reduces the chances of your child not getting selected and wasting the whole year.
