Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge – it is about empowering students to think critically, act intentionally, and engage meaningfully with the world. At Ekya Nava, this philosophy comes to life through a pioneering approach to learning that integrates innovation, creativity, and purpose-driven education. As India’s first International School of Innovation, Creativity, and Design, Ekya Nava offers a reimagined educational experience tailored for students to thrive in today’s interconnected and dynamic landscape.
From its internationally benchmarked curriculum to its purpose-based pathways, Ekya Nava provides students with the tools, mindsets, and opportunities to become innovators, changemakers, and leaders of tomorrow.
Purpose-Based Education: The Foundation of Ekya Nava
What sets Ekya Nava apart is its unwavering commitment to purpose-based education. Here, learning transcends traditional boundaries and becomes deeply personal, meaningful, and impactful. Purpose-based learning encourages students to connect their passions with global needs, nurturing a sense of individuality, responsibility, and curiosity.
This approach is embedded in every aspect of the school’s pedagogy, fostering students who are:
- Inquisitive: Encouraged to ask questions and explore new ideas.
- Empathetic: Inspired to understand and contribute to their communities.
- Intentional: Equipped to align their goals with the challenges of an evolving world.
By embedding purpose into education, Ekya Nava ensures that each student’s journey is not just about academic achievement but also about discovering their unique place in the world.
Four Pathways to Empower Future Pioneers
Ekya Nava’s curriculum is built around four interdisciplinary pathways: Design, Making, Information Technology & Society, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. These pathways are designed to provide students with the skills, perspectives, and experiences needed to navigate and lead in a complex, globalised world.
1. Design Pathway: Creativity in Action
The Design Pathway enables students to explore Design Thinking and creative problem-solving principles across disciplines such as industrial design, communication design, and artisanal crafts.
- Focus Areas: Empathy-driven design, critical thinking, and collaboration.
- Outcomes: Students create impactful solutions, from designing sustainable products to addressing community challenges.
2. Making Pathway: From Imagination to Tangible Masterpieces
This pathway allows students to explore the art and science of creation, emphasising sustainable practices and innovative techniques.
- Focus Areas: Tools, materials, and environmentally conscious artistic processes.
- Outcomes: Students transform their imagination into reality through hands-on projects that align with cultural and environmental contexts.
3. Information Technology & Society Pathway: Technology for Positive Impact
Students in this pathway gain a holistic understanding of computing systems, data analysis, and ethical technology practices.
- Focus Areas: Digital literacy, algorithms, and programming.
- Outcomes: Students design tech-based solutions that address pressing global challenges, fostering innovation with responsibility.
4. Innovation & Entrepreneurship Pathway: Building Changemakers
This pathway fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, equipping students with the skills to identify opportunities, create solutions, and lead with purpose.
- Focus Areas: Design thinking, ethical leadership, and sustainability.
- Outcomes: Students collaborate with mentors and peers to design impactful projects that address real-world problems.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Ekya Nava’s approach to education extends far beyond the classroom, emphasising experiential learning and real-world application.
Studio-Based Learning
Purpose-built spaces, such as The Artistree and maker spaces, provide students with the environment and resources to brainstorm, prototype, and innovate. These dynamic spaces foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Design Thinking Challenges
Students participate in challenges that address global issues, such as urban accessibility and climate change. These projects emphasise empathy, collaboration, and critical thinking, enabling students to develop innovative, actionable solutions.
Community Engagement
Through the Service Learning Program, students actively engage with their communities, working with organisations like Akshaya Patra and Reap Benefit to address pressing social and environmental issues.
Emotional Well-Being as a Priority
At Ekya Nava, education is holistic, with a strong emphasis on emotional well-being and self-awareness. A nurturing environment, coupled with structured well-being practices, ensures that students feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow both academically and personally.
Key practices include:
- Morning Assemblies: These sessions incorporate mindfulness, gratitude, and intention-setting, fostering a positive and focused start to the day.
- Counselling and Support: Dedicated in-house counsellors provide emotional and social guidance, helping students build resilience and navigate challenges.
- Reflection Practices: Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, fostering deeper understanding and a growth mindset.
A Curriculum for the Future
Designed using the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, Ekya Nava’s curriculum emphasises enduring understandings and the ability to transfer knowledge into real-world contexts. The goal is to move beyond rote memorisation and create transformative learning experiences that prepare students for lifelong success.
Key Features of the Curriculum:
- Skill-Based Assessments: Focus on creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
- Interdisciplinary Projects: Encourage connections across subjects and pathways.
- Authentic Performance Tasks: Allow students to solve real-world problems and showcase their learning through portfolios and presentations.
The Ekya Nava Vision
Ekya Nava is more than a school—it is a dynamic learning community that fosters curiosity, creativity, and purpose. By integrating innovation, design, and experiential learning into its core, the school prepares students to lead with empathy and confidence in an ever-evolving world.
Through its unique approach, Ekya Nava nurtures students to become global citizens, critical thinkers, and pioneers, ready to navigate and shape the complexities of the modern world.