CBSE

CBSE

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

The one social institution that embodies progressive growth is a school. The learners of today demand an education that prepares them for a successful future. The challenge, then, is to fulfill that need while providing a platform for expression, exploration, enquiry and excellence! That is essentially the guiding philosophy of TSA as established by its Founder, Late Dr. Elizabeth Schram. With “Excellence in Education” as our motto, we constantly strive to give the best to our students through relevant pedagogy, and the latest in technology and leadership. The school aims to engender, agents of positive social change with a drive to excel and a spirit to innovate.  

The Schram Academy offers an equal opportunity for all students to learn and grow together. The classrooms are transformational environments where the future leaders of this great nation are shaped. We pride ourselves with being an establishment dedicated to the true purpose of education- human excellence!

Ms. Judith Sugirtha

Principal

The Schram Academy (TSA) in Chennai has an academic year that runs from April thru March (see Calendar). The preprimary section has developed its own curriculum based on a balanced approach of the best of Montessori and kindergarten methods that include projects, cocurricular activities such as watersport, dance, music, field trips and computer-aided education.The curriculum adopted is that prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi and includes the core subjects of language (with Hindi, Tamil and French offered as second and third languages), Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology), Social Sciences, Information Technology, General Knowledge, Value Education and Physical Education. The Senior Secondary Section has various groups with English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics and Mass Media, to cater to the students’ needs.

Students and faculty are kept updated about international trends in the teaching-learning process via TSA’s Visiting International Faculty program. The Visiting Foreign Faculty Drs. Willem Bustraan, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, University for Professional Education, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has played an integral role in the professional growth of the faculty of TSA. His consistent efforts during his visits for the past seven years have enabled this paradigm shift in the academic streams of TSA and have paved the way to inculcate an attitude of professionalism in the teachers and set our sights on TSA becoming ‘A Professional Development School of the 21st Century’.
Mr. Johan Elgersma, Senior Project Manager, ING, The Netherlands, Trustee of The Schram Foundation, has helped TSA frame the Educational Innovation Management system and has also been instrumental in implementing a structure that strives for Quality Assurance.

Club Activities provide opportunities for students to widen their knowledge and keep them updated with the latest information from the Internet, various library resources and personal observations — and to participate in intra- and interschool competitions in mathematics, science, social sciences, art and literature.

Regular Field Trips are organized to places of curriculum-related educational importance so that all students (Nursery, Primary and Middle School classes) are given the opportunity to explore, experience and expand the knowledge they derive in the classroom.

A detailed description of TSA’s academic and cocurricular activities in the 2013/2014 academic year may be found in the Annual Report of the school.

School Curriculum

The curriculum framework at the Kindergarten and lower primary levels is child-centred, comprehensive and well-balanced and adopting a play-based strategy.
The curriculum is designed from the child’s perspective and is geared to meet the child’s abilities, needs, learning styles, experiences and interests.

The main objectives of the curriculum framework are to

  • Meet children’s developmental needs and abilities
  • Relate to children’s experiences and interests
  • Cater to the cognitive, language, physical, affective, social and aesthetic aspects for children’s holistic development
  • Foster children’s knowledge, skills and attitudes in different learning areas

Hence, the curriculum at the Pre-Primary level is customised to meet the requirements of young students in an integrated system of Montessori and Kindergarten methods. Live projects are designed to lay foundations for future learning.

At this level, children need help in getting gradually accustomed to the formal routines of the school as well as in learning the basics of literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy (understanding and applying mathematical concepts) and gaining systematic knowledge of the social and natural environment.

Hence the curriculum at this level aims at

  • Providing concrete experiences
  • Teaching through peer interaction
  • Encouraging cooperative learning
  • Using the project method to initiate integrated learning
  • Designing activities that involve children
  • Enhancing the English language skills of every student

The curriculum is formulated by integrating one or two disciplines to frame a common theme. This strategic interdisciplinary approach aims at fostering the progress of every child and develops knowledge and skills in all areas of development.

The curriculum is based on the NCERT syllabus and the framework aims at providing a creative system to prepare children for the real world challenges.

The principal focus at these levels is on

  • Academics
  • Communicative & Social Skills
  • IT skills
  • Scientific & Math Skills
  • Theatrical Skills

In addition to the areas of potential stated above, TSA also addresses the development of personal and social skills such as confidence, problem solving and group work. Computer aided learning gives added exposure to students in modern technology.
TSA has gained popularity in holding high, its reputation for an exclusive curriculum framework at all levels of learning. The learning areas form the components of the curriculum framework at TSA which is designed for

  • The construction of knowledge
  • The development of skills
  • Inculcating values and attitudes

At the Senior Secondary level, we offer a variety of subjects like English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Mass Media Communication, Computer Science, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Art, Work Experience and Physical Education. Well-equipped laboratories are provided to cater to the needs of the students