"Nothing is more rewarding than the opportunity to shape the minds and lives of young children." Nita M. Ambani

We set out on an exhilarating journey in the year 2003, with the goal of providing children a unique learning experience, to create an environment that enables them to enjoy the learning process and bring out their full potential; that prepares them to work independently and as part of a team; that inspires them to be lifelong learners; that empowers them to engage with the forces of change and grow as responsible citizens and good human beings. In April, 2008, our school has completed five years of this pioneering journey, exemplifying our earnest endeavour to help our children develop an all-round personality.

We pass on to every child in the school the noble aspirations which inspired us to start this school. We, at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, ardently believe that children should be encouraged to aim high and guided to do their best in everything they do. This, in essence, is the school's motto: 'Dare to Dream … Learn to Excel'.

With the aim of offering a blend of nationally and internationally acclaimed educational opportunities ranging from classes LKG to 12, our school prepares students for the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) examinations, and is also a member of the Cambridge International Primary Programme.

Our goal is to equip children to think and act critically and to be creative in their responses. At the same time, we like them to be aware of their history and be appreciative of the traditions of our civilization. We encourage them to be aware of alternative views of the world and be perceptive and supportive of the world around them. Thus, we synthesize internationally acclaimed pedagogical practices with India's rich educational and cultural heritage.

Beyond a single-minded pursuit of academic excellence, we focus on children's all-round development. We see academic excellence as an outcome of what we do every day here. We believe that education should enable children to develop a wholesome personality. While focusing on their areas of interest, it should also offer them the opportunity to explore a wider horizon and empower them to deal successfully with turbulence of the rapidly changing times. Education should infuse in them qualities of diligence and practicality to enable them to effectively apply to the real-life situations what they learn.

All activities within the classroom or outside aim at nurturing creativity; fostering observation, inquiry and critical reflection; building confidence and self-esteem; shaping character and inculcating abiding values of tolerance and compassion; and appreciating diversity and internationalism.

A school is known for what its students achieve. The first four batches of our IB Diploma students have done exceptionally well in the board examinations, averaging 36 points. Candidates have gained admissions to prestigious universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, U Penn-Wharton, Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics, to name a few. They have received full scholarships at Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Princeton, among others. Students have also gained admissions to universities in Singapore, Hong Kong and Germany, as well as in India. Our students from the Class of 2008 have earned admission offers from 18 of the world's top 25 universities (World University Ranking by the 'Times Higher Education Supplement').

The first three batches of our IGCSE and ICSE students also earned superb results. In the IGCSE Class of 2008, 45% of all grades achieved were A*s (95% or better); and 85% were A's (85 to 94%) and above; two-third of our ICSE Class of 2008 scored above 90%.

The Dhirubhai Ambani International School Model United Nations (DAIMUN) plays a key role in fostering students' leadership potential and commitment to civic engagement. In 2006, our school received affiliation to The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) which marks a significant achievement for us, being the only school from India and the whole of South Asia to achieve this honor.

Education is about recognizing the needs of humanity. Children must grow up with a sense of care and concern for society and the environment. Therefore, the school encourages a wide spectrum of activities including service to the community through the Creativity, Action and Service Programme and the Socially Useful Productive Work Programme. In 2007, we celebrated our Annual Day as 'The Great Indian Mela', a musical event to celebrate India's 60 years of Independence, as well as a fete to raise funds for the many NGOs that our students support and work with. Through this fun-filled event they served a great cause - a significant amount was collected and donated to the NGOs, in addition to the sales these NGOs made at the event by selling their products. This spirit of caring is resonated in the school's institutional efforts to facilitate the education of children in slum areas through the "Dhirubhai Ambani International School Akanksha Centre".

In 2008, the school earned Regional Membership of 'Round Square' - a global organization that aims to develop every student as a whole person, founded on international understanding, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership, and service. This year our school also received Regular Membership of the Council of International Schools (CIS), which marks another milestone in our efforts to deliver the highest standards in education and continually improve the outcome of student learning.

In keeping with our philosophy of providing opportunities for the overall development of children, in 2008 we have launched the Dhirubhai Ambani International School Study & Activity Center at Matheran. Set in a lush green 18-acre campus, with sports, recreation and study facilities, it serves as a base for outdoor pursuits for our children and faculty, and for engaging with neighboring villages in their development.

Parents aspire to provide the best of education for their children: a firm foundation in knowledge and skills and enduring values. Parents are therefore integral to the realization of our goals for students. A continuous, creative partnership amongst parents, teachers and the school staff is the source of the impressive strides made by the school in so short a time.

This year is very special for us as it marks the 75th Birth Anniversary of Shri Dhirubhai Ambani - whose life and achievements continue to inspire us. We rededicate ourselves to his magnificent vision and indomitable spirit, as we step on to the next phase of the school's quest for excellence.

Our students' accomplishments and our ability to attract teachers who have extensive experience in national and international curricula is a testimony to our belief in and practice of merit. Parents' overwhelming trust in what we do has always been a great inspiration. As our school continues to define new benchmarks to make a difference in the lives of our children, and through them, to make the world a better place for everyone, we look forward to building on this excellence.

We welcome you to Dhirubhai Ambani International School, to a world of learning in enjoyable ways, to a world where every child is challenged to grow to his or her full potential.

Nita M. Ambani