My son studies in Bal Shikshan Mandir EMS; we've found it to be a good school in general. However, he's still in the first standard so dont take my word for it.

We chose it for three primary reasons:

1. Its been around for a long time, and has a decent reputation.
2. Has a playground and kids are allowed to use it after-hours as well.
3. Location - We live in mayur colony, and school is located there

Abhinav vidyalay was also possible since we got admission there as well; but overall I found it overrated and the distance to school (karve road running down the middle) put us off choosing it.

I have studied in Bal Shikshan Mandir right from Jr.KG to 10th. But its been time since I passed out (2002). However, my experience there was very nice. The class capacities being small, teachers can give personal attention to each student. The quality of teachers is very good. The facilities were good enough even then and must have surely improved. The school environment helps to inculcate social and cultural values in students.

Here is a list of schools I had compiled a while back near Aundh/Baner which are not very far from Kothrud area also

1. The Orchid school, CBSE (upto Std V)
2. Indira National School CBSE
3. Vidya Valley, ICSE
4. Gurukul CBSE
5. St Joseph's Pashan
6. Millennium National School
7. BG Academy
8. Vikhe Patil CBSE
9. Blue Ridge
10. DAV Public School
11. Sanskriti School
12. Daffodil International - IGCSE
13. Mercedes Benz School
14. Loyola's / St Joseph's SSC
15. World Wisdom School
16. GIIS
17. Akshara

Another one I would suggest is Vidya Valley school. It is in Sus Gaon, which is a little distance away from Kothrud, but:

• It's a very nice school
• Kids don't really mind the longish bus ride

(Note: my kids go there from Aundh)

My daughter is in Sevasadan and I am quite satisfied by the quality of teachers, the school discipline and the quality of the student body.

Your current list looks good for Kothrud. Sri Sri Ravishankar school is going to move to Forest Trails Bungalow Scheme in Bhugaon, well outside Pune, next year (at least that's what I heard -- please check).

Abhinav is clearly overrated -- It breeds more competition and less collaboration among its students. The students get homework right from Jr KG and they are often overworked.

Millenium is a day school -- everything including sports, homework, 2 meals happens in the school itself. Many US returnees are studying in Millenium.

Saw your blog. You seem to have passion for writing in Marathi. Why wouldn't you consider a good Marathi medium school for your child? To learn in the language of his local area / mother tongue is considered the right things by most real educationists. There are many good options in Pune for Marathi schools, and additionally they will teach English too, right from KG.

Only good school in this part of pune is Loyala.Others are in camp area.Baki sab bakwas.