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The NEST School

India, Chennai

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Tamil, Hindi, French
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

The NEST School in Kodambakkam, Chennai offers an integrated IB and Cambridge curriculum from Early Years to Grade 12. The Early Years follows an IB PYP–inspired program with a 1:12 teacher–student ratio and two facilitators per class. The Primary Years Programme (Grades 1–5) is IB-based, while Grades 6–8 follow Cambridge Lower Secondary, Grades 9–10 Cambridge IGCSE, and Cambridge AS/A Levels from 2026. English is the first language; Tamil, Hindi, and French are taught in Early Years, with a second language from Grade 1. Electives from Grade 6 to AS Level include STEM, Financial Literacy, Literature, and Self-Management, plus Yoga, Theatre, Dance and Music. The 15-acre campus includes a 1000-seat Auditorium, Sky Stage, Discovery Hub library, and 40 Classrooms. Innovation & Discovery Labs support Coding, AI/ML, Robotics, and ICT; Career Development Cell guides pathways through Industry Centres of Excellence and incubation facilities. Sustainability, CCTV, and safety underpin campus life today and beyond.

363, Arcot Road (NSK Salai), Kodambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 024, India

The Essentials

The NEST School has instruction in English.

Location
The NEST School is located in Kodambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The campus address is 363, Arcot Road (NSK Salai), Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024. It sits in the heart of the city.

Stages
Early Years to Grade 12: IB EYP for Pre-KG to UKG and IB PYP for LKG–Grade 5; Cambridge Lower Secondary for Grades 6–8; Cambridge IGCSE for Grades 9–10; Cambridge AS/A Levels for Grades 11–12 (offered from 2026).

School day structure
School timings vary by grade. Pre-KG: 9:00 am–12:00 noon; LKG: 8:20 am–12:30 pm; UKG: 8:20 am–1:00 pm; Primary and above: 8:20 am–2:45 pm; Lower Secondary and above: 8:20 am–3:00 pm; Grade 9–10 and above: 8:20 am–3:00 pm.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch is not provided at The NEST School.

Governance and Ownership
The NEST School is part of the Meenakshi Sundararajan Group of Institutions and is managed by the IIET Society.
Fees
Application fees
- An application/admission fee is payable as part of the admissions step when parents submit the completed admission form and documents; the school requires payment before the admission letter is issued.

Tuition fees (per year group / per term)
- The school issues grade-specific tuition and term fees tied to each student's Unique Student Number (USN); numeric tuition amounts by year group or per term are not published in the school's public materials. Parents receive the exact term-related fee description linked to the child's USN.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- All fees are quoted and billed in Indian Rupees (INR).
- Term-related fees are shown against the child's USN and must be paid within the stated due date for that term; the online payment facility requires payment by the due date shown.
- The school reserves the right to change fees; payments are subject to the online payment terms and any updated terms set by the institution.

Boarding fees
- Boarding/hostel facilities are not listed as part of the school's programme offering; therefore boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and fees
- Transaction/bank/card charges: any bank or card transaction charges are borne by the payer and are debited from the payer's account; transaction charges paid are not refundable.
- Additional costs that commonly apply at schools (examples that may be charged but are not published) include transport, uniform, examination/assessment charges, textbooks and learning materials, co-curricular or activity fees, and optional programme fees. Specific amounts for these items are not published in the school's publicly available materials.
- Lunch service: the school currently does not offer lunch services.

Refund information
- If a student leaves the school before completing their semester, there is no entitlement to a refund or chargeback of tuition fees and related payments. In the event of duplicate payments, parents must approach the accounts department with proof for further action; transaction charges are not refundable.

Fee payment options
- The school's online payment facility accepts payments via credit/debit card and net banking through the online-payments system; the online payment process will show the term- and course-specific fee description when the child's USN is entered. All online payments are subject to the payment terms and card/netbanking rules; the institution disclaims liability for payments that do not reach the correct account if incorrect details are provided.

Brief summary of unavailable items
- The school's publicly available materials for the 2026–27 period do not publish numeric amounts for application fees, tuition by grade, per-term tuition figures, or a detailed publicly posted fee schedule. The school provides grade- and term-specific fee details to parents through its payment system linked to a student USN.
Academics

The NEST School teaches IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels.

Curriculum
The NEST School offers an integrated IB and Cambridge curriculum from Early Years to Grade 12. Early Years (Pre-KG to UKG) follows an IB PYP–inspired program with a 1:12 teacher–student ratio and two facilitators per class. The Primary Years Programme (Grades 1–5) is IB-based, while Grades 6–8 follow Cambridge Lower Secondary, Grades 9–10 Cambridge IGCSE, and Grades 11–12 Cambridge AS/A Levels. English is the first language; Tamil, Hindi, and French are offered in Early Years, with a second language available from Grade 1. Electives are offered from Grade 6 to AS Level, including STEM, Financial Literacy, Literature, and Self-Management, with additional electives such as Yoga, Theatre, Dance and Music; Life Skills and CAS are integrated across the programme. Physical Education is integrated across subjects with at least three PE lessons per week, and co-curricular activities include Art, Dance, Music, Yoga, and other opportunities.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:12 in Early Years; maximum class size 24 students.

Higher Education Progression
The NEST School aims to prepare learners for global universities and real-world careers through structured mentoring, internships, and university readiness guidance aligned with international admission standards. Career awareness begins in Lower Secondary through projects and mentoring, with mandatory internships and career-shadowing integrated into the curriculum. The pathways are designed to transition students from IB PYP to Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and AS/A Levels, supporting university pathways across international contexts.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The NEST School places social and emotional development at the core of its education. The school cultivates a collaborative, vibrant culture through its pillars, including Diversity & Differences Without Hierarchy, Self Management (body, mind, emotions and life), Working Together, and Community & Societal Consciousness. The environment is Children Centric, with a strong emphasis on curiosity, collaboration, and empathy to build self-regulation and interpersonal skills. The school aims to nurture Gen NEST learners who are confident, compassionate, and capable problem-solvers. This approach supports students in becoming active, caring global citizens.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is taught as the first language. Tamil, Hindi, and French are offered in Early Years, and from Grade 1 a second language may be chosen, enabling students to develop multilingual proficiency.

Mental Wellbeing
The learning spaces are evolving with state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to foster curiosity, innovation, and well-being. The school emphasizes well-being in its approach to learning and assessment, aiming to create safe, future-ready environments for students. Portfolio development supports students to reflect, document, and take ownership of their growth in a holistic way.

Safeguarding
Student safety is a top priority. The school adheres to building, electrical, fire, and sanitation safety standards. CCTV surveillance operates at all locations and is monitored continuously during school hours. A card-scanning system secures the drop-in/drop-out process for students.
Parent Experience

History
The NEST School is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Pre-KG to Grade 5, followed by Cambridge Lower Secondary (Grades 6–8), Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9–10), and Cambridge AS/A Levels (Grades 11–12). It is backed by a 75-year legacy in education and is located at 363, Arcot Road (NSK Salai), Kodambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 024. Founders Deepa Umamaheswaran and Sreekanth Narasimhan established The NEST School, with Richard Hillebrand as Director and Shanmugam Paramasivan as Head of School. The school emphasizes a global curriculum and integrates a Career Development Cell with world-class industry centers of excellence and incubation facilities to guide students toward their future pathways.

Community
The NEST School cultivates a collaborative and vibrant community and centers on the individual learner. It emphasizes a children-centric, curiosity-driven culture with values such as Collaborative & Vibrant, Children Centric, Curiosity & Creation, The NEST as a Family, and Positive Social Action. The NEST School Pillars include Diversity & Differences Without Hierarchy; Self Management; Working Together; Identify Individual Strengths and Talents; Community & Societal Consciousness; Collecting data and analysing information; Real World Applications of What We Learn. School News & Events include Litfest (September 11, 2026), Nestival 26, Investiture 2026 (August 2026), and TEDxTNS Youth 2026 – Edge of Becoming (July 24, 2026). Meet The Core Team includes Founders Deepa Umamaheswaran and Sreekanth Narasimhan, Director Richard Hillebrand, Head of School Shanmugam Paramasivan, Head of Academics Praseeda Pradeep, and coordinators for various programmes.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The NEST School Campus snapshot features a 15-acre green campus with amphitheatre, sports fields, makerspace and a research centre. Signature highlights include a 1000-seat Multi-Purpose Auditorium for indoor sports, events, performances, and community gatherings, and The Sky Stage, an open-to-sky courtyard-style amphitheatre seating 500. The Discovery Hub houses the library, complemented by 40+ Collaborative Smart Classrooms and Indoor–Outdoor Classrooms for Early Years. The Mound, The Huts, and The Terrarium provide collaborative and reflective spaces, while Innovation & Discovery Labs offer Advanced Labs for Coding, AI/ML, Robotics, Languages & ICT, a Composite Skill Lab with AeroBay, and State-of-the-art Science Labs. The campus follows sustainability practices and uses CCTV security across the grounds.

Sports Facilities
The NEST School has on-campus sports facilities including sports fields, and a 1000-seat Multi-Purpose Auditorium used for indoor sports.

Academic Facilities
Learning Hubs include 40+ Collaborative Smart Classrooms and Indoor–Outdoor Classrooms for Early Years. Innovation & Discovery Labs feature Advanced Labs for Coding, AI/ML, Robotics, Languages & Communication, and ICT, a Composite Skill Lab in partnership with AeroBay, and State-of-the-art Science Labs.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Creative Studios cover Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Graphic Design, Theatre, and Dance. The Wonder Room celebrates inclusion and learning diversity, while the Student Corner provides a dedicated student-led engagement space. Facilitator Lounges and a Parent & Visitor Lounge offer spaces for collaboration and connection. The Discovery Hub library, The Mound, The Huts, and The Terrarium provide spaces for informal learning, reflection, and exploration.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The NEST School is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme for Pre-KG to Grade 5 and Cambridge programmes for later years, including Cambridge Lower Secondary for Grades 6–8, Cambridge IGCSE for Grades 9–10, and Cambridge AS/A Levels for Grades 11–12. Cambridge AS/A Levels are offered from 2026. Ongoing portfolio development helps students reflect, document, and take ownership of their growth. The school provides a continuous learning pathway designed to prepare students for international higher education.

Arts & Creative
Art, Dance, Music, and Yoga are integrated as compulsory co-curricular activities. An in-house curriculum covers Sustainability, Financial Literacy, and Digital Intelligence. Cambridge Lower Secondary includes Art and Design and Visual & Performing Arts as part of the programme.

Cultural & Language
English is taught as the first language. Tamil, Hindi, and French are offered in Early Years classrooms. Starting in Grade 1, a second language is chosen to develop linguistic proficiency.

Social & Hobbies
Afterschool programs include Story Telling, Drama, Little Gym, Karate, Chess, Pickle Ball, Paddle Ball, Soccer, Basketball, Skating, Archery, and Shooting. Physical education is integrated across subjects with at least three PE lessons per week. Afterschool activities complement the curriculum and support skill development.

Community & Service
Life Skills and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) are included in electives. The in-house curriculum also covers Sustainability and Financial Literacy. Service opportunities are integrated through these components to support holistic development.

Leadership & Professional
There is a Career Development Cell at The NEST School. Students gain exposure to Industry Centres of Excellence and Incubation Centres as part of their professional development. Leadership and professional skills are nurtured through these opportunities within the school framework.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Campus safety is prioritized with CCTV surveillance at all locations and a card-scanning drop-in/drop-out system. Physical education is embedded in the timetable with at least three lessons per week. The school hosts events such as the 5th Annual Sports Day (September 18–19, 2026), Litfest (September 11, 2026), and NESTival'26 (Art, Sport & Tech) to promote active and well-balanced living.
Languages

Language Provision
The NEST School offers English as the first language. Tamil, Hindi, and French are offered in Early Years classrooms. Starting in Grade 1, parents can choose a second language for their child.
Reputation

Accreditations
IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
IB Diploma Programme – Candidacy (Grades 11–12)
Admissions

Admissions
1. Enquiries for admission are welcome. The NEST School provides contact options for admission inquiries: 994-010-6378 for Admission Enquiries and 994-010-6358 for other inquiries. The school offers IB Primary Years Programme for Pre-KG to Grade 5, followed by Cambridge Lower Secondary (Grades 6-8), Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9-10), and Cambridge AS/A Levels (Grade 11-12), with AS/A Levels offered from 2026. Prospective families can initiate the admissions process through these channels.

2. Curriculum and grade levels are structured as follows. Pre-KG to UKG use an in-house program adapted from IB PYP, incorporating elements of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf. Grades 1-5 follow the IB PYP, Grades 6-8 Cambridge Lower Secondary, Grades 9-10 Cambridge IGCSE, and Grades 11-12 Cambridge AS/A Levels (AS/A Levels offered from 2026). Tamil immersion supports authentic language and cultural fluency.

3. Assessment and reporting are integrated into learning. The Holistic Portrait emphasizes transparent reporting; Weekly Logs track ongoing progress; the GenNEST Growth Journal is student-led from Grade 3; formative assessments occur every two weeks with UOI topics assessed bi-weekly and end-of-semester reports before learner-led conferences. Mid-semester academic progress conferences accompany the reporting to guide next steps.

4. Safety, campus, and timings. General school timings are 8:20 am – 2:45 pm, with Early Years timings specified as Pre-KG 9:00–12:00, LKG 8:30–12:30, and UKG 8:30–1:00. The campus spans 15 acres and includes a range of learning spaces such as outdoor huts and a sensory garden. Campus safety is prioritized with real-time CCTV surveillance, two-level access control with barcode entry/exit, trained security personnel, on-site nurse, and established emergency procedures.
School Events
The school has not added events
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