GICLM: Preferred destination for aspiring parents

Garodia International Centre for Learning Mumbai (GICLM, estb. 2017) is a constituent institution of the widely acclaimed Garodia Education Group. With its focus on internationalism, world-class infrastructure, highly-trained teachers, and holistic education pedagogies, GICLM has quickly impacted and impressed the discerning parents’ community of India’s commercial capital city in a short span of time. In the latest EducationWorld India School Rankings 2024-25, GICLM is ranked among the top 10 international day schools countrywide. 

The International Baccalaureate (IB), Geneva and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE, UK) affiliated K-12 school presently has an enrolment of 400 students mentored by 40 teachers.

Incepted in 1969 as a small makeshift school with seven students in the newly developing Garodia Nagar neighbourhood of Ghatkopar East, Garodia Education presently boasts the top-ranked Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) affiliated K-10 PG Garodia School, Ghatkopar (estb. 1969), Garodia’s Academy (preschool, estb.1999), PG Garodia Conservatoire (music school, estb. 2004) and One World International Sports Centre (estb. 2010), apart from GICLM. Over the past 55 years, the Garodia Education Group has been setting benchmarks of excellence in holistic K-12 education and impacted the lives of over 20,000 students, making it one of the most trusted education brands in the maximum city. 

“With the city’s well-informed parents increasingly appreciating the importance of international curricula, the demand for quality international education has been steadily on the rise. GICLM is a school that always puts the student first; is a happy place where students thrive. At GICLM, the pursuit of excellence is ingrained in each student and educator. We place the bar high for ourselves as an institution, and for our learners,” says Ian Davies, Head of School, GICLM. 

A committed educator, Davies’ areas of  interests include classroom and pedagogical practices. Having taught History and Theory of Knowledge at schools in the UK, Malawi, Poland, Russia, and Indonesia, he has gained a rich experience of 35 years in teaching and institutional administration in India. Driven by the challenge of establishing new institutions and bringing quality education to communities, Davies is presently pursuing his PhD in Education at University of Bath, UK. 

A strong advocate of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, he was chair of the Indonesian IB Schools network, IB country ambassador and is an IB certified educator, workshop leader and examiner, often visiting schools as a consultant and inspector. 

Davies has received several international awards and accolades for service programmes, including the USA Presidential Teachers Award 2007 for his outstanding contributions to teaching and for promoting international education. 

Contemporary infrastructure to enable holistic education

Sited on a 2.3-acre campus in Ghatkopar (East), GICLM hosts contemporary infrastructure to enable delivery of holistic 21st century education. State-of-the-art facilities include Wi-Fi enabled classrooms equipped with HD interactive learning systems, contemporary physics, chemistry, biology and computer labs, ICT centre, a well-catalogued library, visual art and design studios, Lego Education Innovation Studio – the first Lego Lab to be set up in an Indian K-12 school, and university guidance and career counselling offices, among others. 

With a strong belief that language is a pathway to understanding and appreciating cultures, GICLM hosts a Centre of Excellence for Languages  that enables its students to learn languages such as Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Hindi, Marathi, and English. 

Another campus highlight is the school’s Early Years Specialist Centre which offers a Blended Early Years Curriculum alongside the Finnish Curriculum with focus on reading, writing and arithmetic. 

GICLM’s impressive sports infrastructure includes a half-Olympic (25 m) size rooftop swimming pool, a play area for primary students, climbing wall, a multi-function hall for sports such as basketball, football, table-tennis, badminton, volleyball, etc. 

A well-maintained cricket pitch and a fitness centre equipped with the best gym equipment are the latest additions. Students also have access to facilities for yoga, martial arts, etc. A well-designed Performing Arts studio nurtures the artistic talents and creativity of students. 

The school campus also houses a cafeteria and an in-house café.

Continuous professional development of teachers 

GICLM boasts a stellar team of highly qualified, passionate and empathetic teachers who believe in staying abreast with the latest developments in their respective domains and contemporary teaching-learning practices, and are quick to adapt to the demands of the changing times. The school ensures continuous learning for its 40 teachers through the following initiatives/programmes.

• Weekly staff development sessions conducted by specialist trainers focus on ‘learning in the classroom’ and workshop leaders. 
• IB workshops and professional training programmes for all IB faculty. 
• Innovative Leverage Leadership Mentorship programme for all staff.
• Two years training course in advanced learning by Finland Education for Early Years faculty.
• Conferences and training workshops for teachers to upgrade and improve teaching and learning practices.
• Collaboration with Goethe Institute to facilitate additional training to language teachers. 

“Having pursued excellence in holistic K-12 education and celebrating several milestones over the years, we now envision building a world class Early Years Centre that will bring the best-in-class innovations in early years education to GICLM. The finished spaces will take learning and experiences to another level,” says Ian Davies, head of school, GICLM. 

GICLM Awards & Accolades 

Ranked among the top 5 schools countrywide and #1 in Mumbai for Global Citizenship Education Excellence in the EducationWorld Grand Jury India School Rankings 2024-2025.

Listed among ‘Outstanding Schools in Learning and Curriculum’ in Free Press Journal’s Mumbai Schools Survey 2023.

GICLM students achieved outstanding results in IBDP 2024 exams with an average point score of 33 as compared to a global average of 30.32 and average grade of 5.19 as compared to 4.84 global average. 

GICLM students have won laurels in several sporting competitions including basketball, football, swimming and chess, at regional and national levels. 

The graduating IBDP students of GICLM routinely secure excellent university placements with toppers having scored a perfect 45 some years. Thus far, the total scholarship received by IBDP graduating students is Rs. 80 crore. 

Every year, GICLM’s global university fair witnesses around 80 universities from India and abroad helping students to explore their career options. 

The school boasts strong partnerships with the Goethe Institute (PASCH programme), Montgomery Bell International Symposium and Keiser University (USA).   

Also read: Beyond Classrooms: How Sports at GICLM Shape Students for Life