This is what A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had to say about the role that an educator is required to play. This explains why the years that a child spends gaining wisdom in the schools are of utmost importance. Education goes much beyond the alphabets imprinted on the books and it is in this kind of education that the teachers the educationists believe in today.

Like every other major city in India, Kolkata also has a number of reputed schools, which are on a rise at present given the growing population. The students, rather their parents have a choice from umpteen numbers of schools. There is one new factor added to the educational scenario in the schools in Calcutta. Due to the recent growth in the number of schools in the city there is a tremendous competition between them to attract the aspirants. This equation is shifted in case of schools which rank higher, which are vied by the students in turn.

Among the top schools in Kolkata, the names which will definitely find a place are:

• Don Bosco School, Park Circus
  
  
• Modern High School for Girls
  
  
• La Martiniere for Girls
  
  
• St. Xavier’s Collegiate School
  
  
• Loreto House
  
  
• St. James’ School
  
  
• La Martiniere for Boys
  
  
• The Heritage School
  
  
• South Point High School
  
  
• Delhi Public School
  
  
• Calcutta Boys School

Nowadays, children begin their educational years sooner than ever before. This has also led to rise in the number of prep schools or Montessori schools in the city. These schools prepare the kids for their years of formal education apart from helping them to get admissions in some of the best schools in Calcutta.

The guiding boards for most of the English medium schools in Kolkata are:

• West Bengal Board of Secondary Education
  
• Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi,
  
• Central Board of Secondary Education

Education is also imparted in the vernacular language, Bangla, in many of the schools are all the students do not get the chance to become familiar with a foreign language. While most of the schools in the city follow morning school timings there are very few, which are day schools are get over a bit late at 4.P.M.

The Calcutta International School is the apt place for international students or those who aim to receive higher education in foreign universities. The school imparts education following an international curriculum. Admission is given on the basis of merit and performance in the interviews as well as admission test. This varies with the level in which the student is applying for admission.