“What if purpose were the purpose of education?” This question, posed by Dr. Heather Malin, Director of Research at the Stanford Center on Adolescence, in her 2018 book Teaching With Purpose, captures a powerful truth. Malin defines purpose as “a future-directed goal that is personally meaningful and aimed at contributing to something larger than the self.” With such a sense of purpose, she explains, young people are more motivated to develop the skills and expertise they need to thrive in education, careers, and life.
Purpose-based schools are quickly gaining popularity in India, but Ekya Nava, one of the top purpose-based schools in Bangalore, was the first to lead this transformation.
Let’s learn more about what it looks like to be in such a unique school environment.
Inside a Day at Ekya Nava
Ekya Nava offers learners purpose and connects learning to the real world. Their novel purpose-based learning connects a philosophy with the Cambridge IGCSE for Grades 1–10. The school has also incorporated a continuous, globally recognised pathway with the help of the broader Ekya/CMR ecosystem. Their proposition is both ambitious and rooted in long experience.
What “purpose-based” looks like here
Ekya Nava’s core curriculum is designed using Understanding by Design (UbD). UbD emphasises in-depth understanding of learning areas, transfer of learning, and real-world application. The model also develops critical thinking through immersive projects, workshops, hands-on learning experiences, field trips, and multidisciplinary performance assessments.
Learners are therefore encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
A typical rhythm
The school follows flexible timings from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, which shapes the routine. That’s not it. After school, learners can opt into certified activities such as basketball, dance, music, karate, gymnastics, Lego robotics, table tennis, chess, public speaking, coding, and debating. This diverse schedule suggests a campus that is active, thriving, and always willing to innovate.
Intention at the Epicentre
An Ekya Nava class typically comprises activities and processes that focus on empathy, curiosity, adaptability, and compassion. Children don’t just rush into textbooks. Instead, the practices are meant to make learning exciting and helpful in real-life scenarios. For example, Early Years learners(2.5-6 years), follow the QUEST program where they participate in sensory-rich experiences that are specially designed to spark genuine interest in learning. You can explore more about the QUEST curriculum and how it nurtures young learners for more clarity.
This purposeful start ensures that learners spend their day with clarity and focus.
Pathways for Purposeful Learning
At Ekya Nava, learners of all ages engage with as many as four real-world pathways. These pathways may be invisible, but they play a crucial role in helping discover their interests and develop future-ready skills. Each pathway connects knowledge with practical application, so they’re encouraged to think, create, and contribute meaningfully.
This balance of breadth and depth ensures that learners from top schools in Bangalore, such as Ekya Nava, develop the adaptability to thrive in an evolving world.
Spaces That Inspire
At Ekya Nava, the campus itself becomes a teacher. Every corner has been purposefully designed to inspire the learners. For instance, exposed building surfaces reveal the inner workings of mechanical systems, helping students understand how design meets function. The cascading atrium serves as a vibrant hub of energy and innovation, while expansive Maker Labs and a dedicated Design Lab invite learners to experiment, prototype, and bring ideas to life.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most powerful lessons at Ekya Nava happen once students step outside their classrooms. Several times a year, learners from each class will be seen working on a community project, spending a night under the stars at camp, or shadowing professionals in real workplaces. These experiential learning opportunities are integral to a purpose-based approach.
- Service Learning Programs – Partnerships with organisations to address real-world challenges.
- Outbound Camps & Field Trips – Connecting classroom learning with nature and society.
- Work Exposure Programs – Internships, job shadowing, and industry workshops for senior students.
- After-School Wrap Around Program – Coding, robotics, debate, music, gymnastics, public speaking, and more.
Why Ekya Nava Stands Out
While many top K-12 schools in Bangalore offer international curricula, Ekya Nava’s distinction lies in its commitment to purpose. Their design-driven learning spaces and emphasis on collaboration empower learners to align with the school’s core process: Learn, Think, and Do with clarity and intent.
For parents exploring international school admission in Bangalore, Ekya Nava is an ideal choice as it’s driven by a novel philosophy of education that blends global curriculum standards with values-driven practices.
FAQs
1. What makes Ekya Nava special?
It’s India’s first purpose-based international school, blending global curricula with hands-on, real-world learning.
2. What is purpose-based learning?
It’s about learning with meaning, through projects, field trips, and experiences that connect lessons to life.
3. What pathways can Ekya Nava learners choose?
There are four exciting ones: Design, Making, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Information Technology & Society.
4. Do students learn beyond the classroom?
Yes! Through community projects, camps, internships, and after-school activities like robotics, coding, sports, and many more.
5. How do I apply for admission?
Just enquire online or visit the campus, submit an application, complete the assessment, and you’re guided through enrolment.