Affiliation:
The school is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi (CBSE) till the senior secondary level (+2).
Courses of Study:
Courses of study as laid down by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the syllabi framed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), of the Government of India, Delhi are strictly adhered to and followed. The children are prepared to sit for the All India Secondary and Senior Secondary School Examinations, conducted by the CBSE, Delhi.
The syllabus provides for and examines a student in English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science (with Practicals), and Social Science. SUPW (Hobbies and Work Experience), Music, Art Education, Physical Education and one Skill Subject are compulsory. From Class VI to Class VIII a third language is also taught.
Skill Subjects that have been introduced for Classes VI-VIII include:-
i) What to do when the doctor is not around? (Class- VI)
ii) IT, Handicraft, Mask Making, Embroidery, Food (Culinary Art) (Classes VII-VIII)
Class IX students have been offered one Skill subject as per CBSE guidelines i.e. Artificial Intelligence, Hindustani Vocal Music, Painting and Information Technology which will continue in Class X as well.
Presently the school is offering Science (Medical and Non-Medical), Commerce Stream and Humanities. Computer Education (Informatics Practices), Physical Education, Mathematics, Hindustani Music and Fine Arts are also available as optional subjects.
Classrooms and Teacher-Student ratio:
The classrooms are very modern, large and airy with proper lighting and provide the most conducive atmosphere for learning.
All classes in Pinegrove are interactive classrooms with SMART BOARDS, networked computers and projectors. The computers are networked on LAN and there is a huge repository of educational software, in various subjects and practically for every chapter in the course of study, available on the school servers. The classrooms are fitted with the latest and best equipment available so that the children get the best teaching aids to assist in making the teaching learning process most effective, through computer-aided-teaching (CAT).
The children and teachers alike take keen interest in the beautification and adornment of their classrooms.
To achieve the highest levels of academic excellence the school maintains a class-section average strength of not more than 25 pupils.
The teacher-student ratio is a fantastic 1:12.
Classrooms and Teacher-Student ratio:
The aim of computer education in the school is to get the children acquainted with the latest in computer technology and to assist in removing their introversion of the machines. The intention is to make the pupils user-friendly to technology so that they can make best use of computers in the future. Adequate exposure is given to them in Internet, hardware and software technology.
The school has installed a very powerful, highly technical, state-of-the-art computer laboratory with a provision for a computer for every child.
The computers are used for education, accountancy, and management information systems. The computers are networked on LAN with high speed servers and Multi-media capability, attached with colour printers and broadband internet connections.
The school uses the latest educational aids such as overhead projectors, touch screen interactive panels, web cameras and audio systems as well.
Library:
A well-stocked, informative library is available in both the junior and senior schools. Apple Computers for research are available for Senior Students in the Resource Centre of the Library. The library is often used by the children and has a wide variety of encyclopaedias, reference books, novels, newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. There is a good collection of CDs, DVDs etc in the audio-visual section of the library as well.
The library is very effective for broadening the horizons of the children and keeps them entertained, educated and well informed. Most important of all, it facilitates the development of the fast dying ''habit of reading''.
Laboratories:
Modern and well-equipped science laboratories are available in both schools. The Labs have the requisite essential equipment for conducting practicals for the integrated science course at the secondary school stage, and for the Physics, Chemistry and Biology practicals at the Senior Secondary Stage, as per the requirement of the new curricula and scheme of studies, laid down by the CBSE.
The students themselves have preserved a large variety of specimens in the laboratories and take keen interest in making science projects.
Evaluation System:
Over the last few years there has been a countrywide debate amongst pedagogues, parents, teachers and members of various educational boards regarding a change in the evaluation system in schools, which by and large has been received with great enthusiasm.
For the purpose of fostering competences in learners, CBSE has introduced the curriculum that encompasses seven major learning areas, which are: Languages, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences, Skill Subjects, General Studies and Health and Physical Education. To face the challenges of 21st Century the skills are inculcated in the students so that they are able to think scientifically, mathematically or artistically to face the real-life challenges in an information and technology driven world and enhance their inherent potential.
The evaluation system of Pinegrove School works purely on guidelines issued by CBSE. The nine-point grading system employed to measure the educational achievements of students are as follows: A1 (91-100), A2 (81-90), B1 (71-80), B2(61-70), C1 (51-60), C2 (41-50), D (33-40), E1 (21-32) & E2 (0-20). Keeping in mind the sole purpose of NEP, question papers are also designed as per the following format.
Competency-Based Questions
(MCQs, Case studies, Source-based integrated questions) Minimum of 40%
Objective-type Questions 20%
Remaining short/long answers (per existing pattern) 40%
Tests and Examinations:
Children are tested regularly and continuously for their academic progress, Class-work, Home-work, Class-tests, Projects, Art education, Physical Education and Work-experience along with their Thinking, Emotional and Social Skills as well. The report cards are sent to the parents three times a year to apprise them of the academic proficiency and progress of the child. To maintain the high standards of education the expectations of the school are high and generally children secure good grades.
Barring exceptional cases, where the parent requests so, Pinegrove does not hold back students in the same class upto Class VIII.
Stars:
Most parents desire good classroom performance from their children. At Pinegrove, there is profound and persistent efforts in making children perform well academically. To encourage children who excel in academics (Platinum, Gold and Achievement) STARS are awarded depending on their performance in each result.
Diamond Star:
A special star called the ‘Diamond Star’ has been introduced to encourage ‘goodness’. Evaluation of this is done collectively by heads, teachers, matrons, hobby staff, physical training staff and students alike. We in Pinegrove sincerely believe that developing the value systems and discipline in a child is far more important than developing the academic and physical traits of the personality. The school awards ‘Diamond Stars’ to selected students twice a year.
Parent-Teacher Meetings:
Continuous evaluation of the development of the students is of prime importance to both parents and teachers alike. It is in the best interest of the child that the parents and teachers form a cohesive team in working to achieve this objective. Hence, parents are constantly encouraged and are provided with opportunities to interact with the teachers and to assist and share in the progress of their children. All teachers are available for meeting parents on the afternoons of the start and end of the visiting weekends.
Tuitions:
It is imperative that children who come to a boarding school reach a level of independence and should manage to keep up with the rigorous routine without demanding extra time for achieving the desired academic standards of the class.
Nevertheless, in very special cases the school arranges extra tuition for new children, especially Non Resident Indians (NRIs). These tuition classes are generally arranged for the first academic year and in junior classes only so that they can come up to the mandatory didactic standards of the school.
Continuous extra-tuitions are discouraged as it curtails the child’s participation in other activities, which are very necessary for the development of the child and take away the very spirit and essence of a happy and fruitful childhood.
Winter Study Camp:
Pinegrove is a winter closing school and hence there is a long vacation before the children are to appear for the final CBSE Board Examination. It is reasonably unfair to expect the child and the parents to organise tuitions at home and also ensure that the child produces a good result thereafter.
Hence the school, each year, makes provision for a Winter Study-Camp for all the Board appearing students so that they get fine-tuned and well prepared for the Board Examination.
