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Taught languages French, Gujarati, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 10
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction
Fountainhead School is a long-established IB World School in Surat, India, educating students aged 3 to 18. The school delivers the full IB continuum: PYP, MYP, and DP, while also offering Cambridge IGCSE, American Curriculum, and Pearson BTEC qualifications, with a bespoke pathway option. Students can pursue the Fountainhead High School Diploma alongside the IB DP or combine BTEC vocational subjects within the FHSD or DP pathways. The Maverick Learning Centre (MLC) provides mixed-age, experiential learning to complement traditional programmes. The campus serves more than 2,350 students and hosts a wide range of facilities designed to support academics, arts, sports, and collaboration. Facilities include multiple outdoor play spaces, dedicated arts spaces (X-box, Y-box, HippoDrome), performance auditoriums, lawns and meeting spaces, as well as courts for basketball, football, badminton, and a splash pool. The school is affiliated with IB and the Middle States Association, emphasizing character alongside competence. Inquiry, collaboration, and service are integral.
Opp. Ambetha Water Tank, Kunkni Gam, Rander-Dandi Road, Olpad, Surat, Gujarat 395005, India
Gallery
The school has not added photos
The Essentials
Fountainhead School has 2,350 pupils, typical class sizes of 10, instruction in English.
Location
Surat, Gujarat, India. Address: Opp. Ambetha Water Tank, Nr. Village Kunkni, Rander - Dandi Road, Surat 395005. Telephone: 8000-130-031, 0261-3501300. Email: surat@fountainheadschools.org.
Stages
Early Years; Primary Years Programme (PYP); Middle Years Programme (MYP); IB Diploma Programme (IBDP); Mavericks Learning Centre (MLC); Fountainhead High School Diploma (FHSD); Pearson BTEC.
Type
IB World School offering the IB continuum and Pearson BTEC.
Country affiliation
India
Bus service
Transport Service with safety features; buses adhere to defined speed limits; regular updates are provided to parents in case of transport schedule changes. Transport Route 2025-26 is published for routes; contact details: 8000-130-031, 0261-3501300 and surat@fountainheadschools.org.
Diving Deeper
Uniform Requirement
Fountainhead School prescribes a daily uniform worn by all students. The policy requires black shoes and black socks; shorts with the Fountainhead logo may be worn, with school-provided PE shorts; in winter, black/white/grey thermals may be worn; head coverings are allowed as appropriate, and jewellery and other adornments are restricted.
Food Options
On-campus food options include a breakfast and lunch menu, a pantry offering breakfast and snacks, and the Crew Cafe with a distinctive menu.
Governance and Ownership
Parag K Shah is the Chairperson. Ankita Diwekar Kabra is Co-founder and Deputy Head of School. Vardan Kabra is Co-founder and Head of School. The Organogram shows the Administration and Academic Leadership Team responsible for governance.
Fees
Application / Registration fees
- Registration (application) fee at the time of submitting the admission form: INR 2,000 for Pre‑primary (Jr. KG) as a stated example of the admission-process fee schedule. - One‑time admission fee (non‑refundable) and one‑time security deposit required at acceptance: typical published examples show a one‑time admission fee of INR 60,000 plus a refundable security deposit of INR 40,000 (total payable on joining for a new admission: INR 100,000).
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term examples)
- Junior KG & Senior KG — Annual tuition: INR 124,160. Per‑term examples (billing options commonly offered): - Quarterly (4 instalments): INR 31,040 per instalment. - Half‑yearly (2 instalments): INR 62,080 per instalment.
- Grades 1 to 6 — Annual tuition: INR 147,030. Per‑term examples: - Quarterly: INR 36,758 per instalment (rounded). - Half‑yearly: INR 73,515 per instalment.
- Grades 7 to 10 — Annual tuition: INR 182,140. Per‑term examples: - Quarterly: INR 45,535 per instalment. - Half‑yearly: INR 91,070 per instalment.
- The school accepts term/instalment billing with options commonly published as quarterly or half‑yearly instalments; parents choose the instalment plan and pay according to the school's published schedule. - At the time of admission parents are required to pay one‑time admission charges and a security deposit; historical admission policy documents also reference submission of post‑dated cheques (PDC) and bank deposit procedures for the admission packet. - Late payment and bounced‑cheque penalties, where applicable, are charged according to the school's fee policy and standard account rules (parents are notified of specific penalty amounts in fee communications).
Boarding / residential fees (where residential place is taken)
- Fountainhead operates as a day‑cum‑residential school; published boarding/boarding‑plus‑tuition annual totals for boarders are reported by school directories in the range of approximately INR 396,208 (boarding + tuition) with a higher “total payable at admission” example of about INR 441,208 when admission/registration charges are included. These figures represent the combined residential (boarding) and school tuition charges in published fee summaries for boarding intake.
Other mandatory and common additional costs
- Security deposit (refundable): INR 40,000 is a commonly listed refundable security deposit payable at admission. - Uniform, book sets, and stationery: charged separately from tuition; uniform and book set costs are additional at the start of the year and are not included in the annual tuition figures. - Transport (bus) fee: charged extra where school transport is used; transport is billed separately and depends on route/stage selected. - Diploma Programme (DP) external/examination and registration charges for Grade 12 (IB/CIE/DP examination costs) are additional; a published example places DP examination‑related charges in the range of approximately INR 60,000–70,000 for final‑year costs. - Miscellaneous optional or occasional charges: excursions, off‑campus programmes, some co‑curricular elective fees, medical checks, and other incidental items are billed as applicable during the year.
Refund and deposit handling
- The security deposit is refundable under the school's stated deposit policy; the admission fee portion is normally non‑refundable. Specific conditions for refund of deposits and any proportionate refunds for term/boarding fees are set out in the school's fee and terms & conditions communications.
Fee payment options
- Payment channels used by the school include the school's parent portal and payment interface (Nucleus portal/app) for electronic payments and the traditional bank payment routes referenced in admission communications. - At admission parents may be asked to pay by bank deposit/cheque (the school has historically used bank deposit slips and PDCs for admission payments); the school also communicates any online payment gateways or card acceptance options via the parent payment portal.
Summary of amounts you will commonly meet at admission (examples used in published fee summaries)
- Immediate payment on joining typically includes: registration/application fee (small, e.g., INR 2,000 for pre‑primary), one‑time admission fee (example INR 60,000, non‑refundable), and a refundable security deposit (example INR 40,000). Annual tuition is charged according to the student's grade band (examples above). For residential placement a separate boarding/boarding‑plus‑tuition annual total is published in school directories (examples above).
Note: the figures above are the commonly published fee components and numeric examples for the school's fee structure and instalment breakdown as presented in current public school fee materials and directories.
Academics
Fountainhead School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), BTEC Qualification for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Fountainhead School is primarily an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. It offers Early Years, Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). It also provides the Maverick Learning Centre (MLC), offering mixed-age, experiential learning. Students may pursue a Fountainhead High School Diploma (FHSD) alongside the IB DP, or include Pearson BTEC vocational subjects with FHSD or as part of the DP pathway. The school emphasizes flexibility to transition between pathways as students' interests evolve, with options including a DP route, a FHSD route, and BTEC-based vocational options.
Higher Education Progression
IB Diploma Programme is a globally recognized and academically rigorous qualification designed to prepare students for university study. It provides breadth and depth across subject groups with an emphasis on critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and research skills. The DP curriculum aligns with university expectations and is widely accepted internationally, including recognition by AIU.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school offers a socio-emotional learning (SEL) programme called Life classes that focuses on nurturing socio-emotional well-being. The SEL approach is supported by counselling and mental health services to help students address emotional and behavioural issues. Teachers receive extensive training to recognize and respond to students' emotional needs and to create a positive, supportive classroom environment. Discipline is non-punitive and non-retributive, emphasizing the natural consequences of mistakes and promoting a culture of kindness and open communication. The wellbeing framework is designed to strengthen students' social-emotional skills through teacher collaboration, student support, and a positive school culture.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school acknowledges that a student may have Special Educational Needs at any stage of schooling and provisions should be made to meet those needs. Admission of SEN students depends on whether the disability does not affect the ability to meet program demands, with flexibility to admit in such cases. Where necessary, the school and/or parents seek trained teachers or special educators to provide required support, and the school will explore options to secure appropriate resources. SEN provisions are intended to be additional to or different from standard provisions to enable inclusion within the program. The plans align with guidelines that support SEN students across the relevant IB pathway.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the medium of instruction and the primary language used across the curriculum. Most students are second language learners of English, and the school recognizes the importance of developing English as a lingua franca while maintaining mother tongues. The school does not run a universal ESL/EAL program, but there is an Additional English Language Support (AELS) programme for students who need extra help. AELS combines classroom support with a pull-out intensive English component for a defined period, with criteria and processes for shortlisting students. The AELS programme is currently at the Primary Years Programme level, with potential expansion based on need. The school also promotes a mother tongue programme and multilingual resources to support language development.
Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing is integrated into the school's approach to education through SEL and dedicated counselling. The Life classes contribute to students' emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. Counselling and mental health support services address emotional and behavioural concerns, with teachers receiving training to support mental wellbeing in the classroom. A dedicated wellbeing team provides structured support and collaborates with families and staff to promote resilience and healthy relationships. The school emphasises a proactive, preventive approach to mental wellbeing as part of its broader educational philosophy.
Safeguarding
Child safety is the top priority at Fountainhead School. The school runs a Child Protection Policy with measures including a parent pass system for pickups, CCTV coverage around the campus and buses, a sick-bay team, and wellbeing counsellors to support socio-emotional needs. Every bus has seatbelts and attendants to ensure student safety, and staff receive POCSO training. Regular safety drills and internal audits are conducted to maintain a secure and nurturing environment for pupils.
Parent Experience
History
Fountainhead School was established in 2008 and serves students aged 3 to 18. The school is affiliated with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. The campus hosts over 2,350 students and is located at Opp. Ambetha Water Tank, Nr. Village Kunkni, Rander - Dandi Road, Surat 395005. The school's mission is to nurture leaders with character and competence.
Community
Fountainhead School fosters an active school community with a range of events. Anand Utsav 2025-26 was organized by Grade 11 students as part of their CAS initiative to honor the support staff, featuring games, art stations, music, races, and Garba. UDAAN – A Flight to the Future marked the PYP Exhibition, highlighting the Grade 6 students' inquiry and projects. The school also hosted the Gujarat Network Sports Meet (GUJNET Sports Meet), bringing together students from across Gujarat to compete and celebrate sports.
Facilities
Facilities Overview
The school offers a broad range of facilities across outdoor play areas, social spaces, and performance venues. Students have access to play areas including Jungle Gym, Hakuna Matata, Sand pit, Funky Monkey, Calicore, and spaces for ball games such as Basketball Court, Football Ground, Frisbee Ground, and Badminton court. Open meeting areas such as the Lawns, Rendezvous, and Bridge area provide spaces for informal gatherings and discussions. The campus also features state-of-the-art auditoriums, as well as dedicated spaces for arts and creativity labeled X-box, Y-box, and HippoDrome. These facilities support collaboration, creativity, and the joy of learning.
Sports Facilities
Outdoor spaces for sport include Basketball Court, Football Ground, Frisbee Ground, and Badminton court. Splash pool provides water-based recreation on campus. These spaces encourage active play and social interaction among students. They support school-wide sports programs, team practices, and inter-school activities.
Academic Facilities
The school has auditoriums for assemblies, performances, and presentations. X-box, Y-box, and HippoDrome offer spaces for arts, culture, and creativity beyond the standard classroom setting. Open meeting areas such as the Lawns, Rendezvous, and Bridge area support collaboration and project work. These facilities complement academic programs by facilitating student expression and experiential learning.
Extra Curricular Facilities
Auditoriums and HippoDrome host performances, assemblies, and club events. Open lawns and meeting spaces support clubs and informal gatherings for students. Outdoor play areas and sports facilities underpin extracurricular activities in sports and arts. These spaces enable students to pursue a wide range of extracurricular interests.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Academic & Intellectual
Joy of Learning and Experiential Learning shape academics. Learning goes beyond textbooks with lived experiences and engagements to prepare students for a changing world.
Arts & Creative
Arts unlock creativity through visual and performing arts. Artworks are displayed around the school, with exhibitions; students learn theatre, dance, and music and receive instrumental and vocal training.
Cultural & Language
Cultural celebrations are part of student-led events and initiatives.
Social & Hobbies
The Sports program is integral and offers football, basketball, frisbee, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, skating, gymnastics, climbing, athletics, yoga, and general fitness.
Community & Service
Students organize events, service projects, and sustainable activities. Service is integrated with the curriculum through PYP and MYP and CAS in DP.
Leadership & Professional
Student-led events build leadership and responsibility; initiatives include Service in PYP/MYP and CAS experiences in DP.
Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical fitness is prioritized as essential; the sports program fosters teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and general health.
Languages
Language Provision
English is developed as a lingua franca and mother tongue maintenance is supported in the school community. Hindi and Gujarati are celebrated through language-focused events, reflecting a multilingual educational approach.
Bilingual Teaching
The school uses a healthy mix of languages in the classroom, with English developed as a lingua franca and explicit support for students' mother tongues. Hindi and Gujarati are celebrated through week-long language events (Hindi Mela and Gujarati Mela).
Reputation
Accreditations
IB World School; Middle States Association – Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
Admissions
Admissions
The school uses a structured admission process: collection and payment of the admission packet; submission of documents and completion of the online admission form; interaction with parent/candidate as needed; reading of admission status, with a potential draw system if seats are limited; deposit of fees and confirmation of admission. Attendance at Education for Tomorrow (EFT) workshop is compulsory for admission and both parents are encouraged to attend; if EFT is not attended, admission may be cancelled. Admission status is communicated by phone and email, and if there are more applicants than seats, a waitlist/draw system is used. For Primary Years, readiness testing and parent interaction are part of the process; for Early Years, interaction with parents may be required. Admission form fees are non-refundable.
Waitlist
Waitlist Criteria for Admission: Basic criteria include attending EFT Workshop (compulsory) and all documents signed and submitted (compulsory); for Early Years, either a Kindergarten recommendation form or interaction with parents; for Primary Years, an assessment and interaction with parents; the form must be submitted within the specified dates; students must be without special needs. Categories include staff (till March), siblings of FS students, Fountainhead Preschool attendees (EY only), applicants for both siblings, and others. For other categories, the admission department checks that the candidate has cleared the assessment test with a minimum mark; girls may be given priority; random selection may occur via a chit system in the presence of parents.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is Fountainhead School located and what ages does it educate?
Fountainhead School is in Surat, Gujarat, at Opp. Ambetha Water Tank, Nr. Village Kunkni, Rander - Dandi Road, Surat 395005, and educates children aged 3 to 18 years old.
What curricula and programmes does the school offer?
Fountainhead delivers the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, IBDP) and also offers Cambridge IGCSE, American curriculum options, Pearson BTEC vocational qualifications, the Fountainhead High School Diploma (FHSD), and the Maverick Learning Centre (MLC) for mixed-age experiential learning.
Is Fountainhead School co-educational and how large is the school community?
Yes, Fountainhead is co-educational and the campus serves more than 2,350 students since its opening in 2008 under Head of School Mr. Vardan Kabra.
How do I apply and what does the admissions process involve?
The admissions process involves submitting the admission packet and documents, paying the registration/application fee, completing the online admission form, and participating in parent/candidate interactions or assessments as required; admission status is then communicated and seats may be confirmed with deposit payment.
Is attendance at any workshop compulsory during the admissions process?
Yes, attendance at the Education for Tomorrow (EFT) workshop is compulsory for admission and both parents are encouraged to attend; if EFT is not attended, admission may be cancelled.
What registration and initial admission charges should I expect when joining?
At the time of submission a registration (application) fee of INR 2,000 is charged for Pre‑primary, and at acceptance parents typically pay a one‑time admission fee of INR 60,000 (non‑refundable) plus a refundable security deposit of INR 40,000, making an example total of INR 100,000 payable on joining.
If the year group is full, how does the school manage waitlists and selection?
When seats are limited the school uses a waitlist and may conduct a draw system; basic criteria include completion of EFT, submission of required documents, assessment clearances where applicable, and category priorities such as staff, siblings, and Fountainhead Preschool attendees.
Which academic pathways can my child choose in senior years?
In senior years students can follow the IB Diploma Programme (DP), pursue the Fountainhead High School Diploma (FHSD) alongside or instead of DP, or include Pearson BTEC vocational subjects within FHSD or as part of a DP pathway, with flexibility to transition between routes as interests evolve.
What is the Maverick Learning Centre (MLC) and how does it fit with the curriculum?
The Maverick Learning Centre (MLC) provides mixed-age, experiential learning that complements the traditional IB and other academic programmes by offering hands-on, project-based opportunities to deepen inquiry and collaboration.
How does the IB Diploma at Fountainhead prepare students for higher education?
The IB Diploma Programme at Fountainhead emphasizes breadth and depth across subject groups, critical thinking, research skills, and intercultural understanding, and is a globally recognized qualification aligned with university expectations and international recognition.
What sports facilities are available on campus?
The campus includes outdoor sports spaces such as a Basketball Court, Football Ground, Frisbee Ground, Badminton court, and a splash pool, supporting team sports, fitness activities, and inter-school competitions.
What arts and performance facilities does the school have?
Fountainhead provides dedicated arts spaces named X‑box, Y‑box, and HippoDrome, as well as state-of-the-art auditoriums, lawns, and meeting areas for performances, exhibitions, assemblies, and creative collaboration.
What kinds of extracurricular and co-curricular activities are offered?
Students can participate in a wide range of activities including football, basketball, frisbee, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, skating, gymnastics, climbing, athletics, yoga, music, theatre, dance, instrumental and vocal training, clubs, and community service projects.
How are leadership and community service incorporated into student life?
Leadership is developed through student-led events, service projects integrated into PYP and MYP, and CAS experiences in the DP, with students organising initiatives like Anand Utsav and the PYP Exhibition to develop responsibility and service-mindedness.
How does the school support students' social and emotional wellbeing?
Wellbeing is embedded through the Life classes socio-emotional learning (SEL) programme, a dedicated wellbeing team, counselling and mental health services, and teacher training to create supportive classroom environments focused on prevention and resilience.
What support is available for students with special educational needs (SEN)?
The school can admit students with SEN if the disability does not prevent meeting programme demands and will work with parents to secure trained teachers or special educators and additional resources as needed, aligning plans with IB guidelines to enable inclusion.
Does Fountainhead provide English language support for students learning English as an additional language?
English is the medium of instruction and the school runs an Additional English Language Support (AELS) programme at the Primary Years level, combining classroom support with pull‑out intensive English work for shortlisted students while also promoting mother tongue maintenance.
What safeguarding and campus safety measures are in place?
Child safety is a priority with a Child Protection Policy, CCTV coverage on campus and buses, a parent pass system for pickups, a sick‑bay team, wellbeing counsellors, POCSO-trained staff, regular safety drills, and seatbelts and attendants on every bus.
Does Fountainhead operate boarding facilities and what are typical boarding cost examples?
Fountainhead operates as a day‑cum‑residential school; published boarding plus tuition annual totals for boarders are reported at approximately INR 396,208, with a higher example of about INR 441,208 quoted as the total payable at admission when admission/registration charges are included.
What is the school uniform and are there specific dress rules?
Fountainhead prescribes a daily uniform worn by all students with a requirement for black shoes and black socks; shorts with the Fountainhead logo and school PE shorts are allowed, winter thermals in black/white/grey are permitted, head coverings are allowed as appropriate, and jewellery and other adornments are restricted.
