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If you’re considering a residential school in North India that blends academics, values, and international exposure, Akal Academy Baru Sahib is one you’ll want to look at closely. This summary pulls together facts, parent reviews, and practical details so you can make an informed decision.

About the School

Field	Details
Complete Address	Akal Academy Baru Sahib, Via Rajgarh, Teh. Pachhad, District Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh — PIN 173101 (sometimes listed as 173107 in CBSE SARAS)
Founding Year	1986 (Kalgidhar Society); current institution opened 22 July 2001
Number of Students	~1,550 (including ~150 NRI students) SchoolMyKids
Boards/Curricula	CBSE (Affiliation 630029), IB PYP (since 2013), Cambridge Assessment (CAIE)
Classes Available	Nursery to Grade XII
Student-Teacher Ratio	~1:30 (based on ~48 teachers reported)
Co-Ed	Yes
Boarding Facility	Yes, fully residential with hostel and mess
Staff Highlights	Principal: Dr. Neelam Kaur (MBBS); IB-trained PYP staff; experienced visiting faculty
Contact Information	Phone: +91 98160 33303 / 33304 / 33305 / 98164 00510 / 98164 00625; Toll-free: 1800-180-7755; Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Details about School Campus

Campus Size: ~400 acres
Facilities & Infrastructure:
- Academic: IB PYP classrooms, Atal Tinkering Lab, robotics, science labs, computer labs, library (~35,000 books).
- Boarding: Hostels (AC and non-AC), dining halls, medical clinic with resident doctor.
- Sports: Football, cricket, tennis, athletics, gymnasium, swimming, horse-riding, indoor stadium. Hosted CBSE North Zone tennis events.
- Arts & Events: Auditorium, amphitheatre, orchestra, TED-Ed talks, cultural festivals.
- Safety: Boundary walls, CCTV, AC buses. Some parents raised concerns about hostel surveillance.

Estimated Fees

Category	Amount (AY 2023)	Notes
IB (Nursery–KG)	₹1,04,886 (school fees) + ₹65,500 (mess) + ₹15,500 (hostel)	Books/stationery extra (~₹7,200–9,700)
IB (Grades 1–5)	₹1,15,544 (school fees) + same as above	Total ~₹2.06–2.31 lakh
Cambridge/CBSE (Middle–Senior)	₹1.5–3.2 lakh (older listings)	Confirm with admissions
First Instalment at Admission	₹90,000 (Indian students); ₹1,90,000 (NRI)	As per 2023 PDF
Transport	AC buses for day scholars; extra charges for tours/events	Not centrally published

Important notes:

Fees vary by board and grade.
Hostel, mess, and activity charges are billed separately.
Always confirm the latest fee schedule with admissions.

Parent Feedback and Ratings

Google Reviews: ~3.9–4.3 (varies by listing)
SchoolMyKids: 4.3/5 (49 ratings)
Yellowslate: 3.9/5 (126 reviews)
Edustoke: 2.9/5 (smaller sample)

Positives (direct quotes):

“Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, is one of the most renowned educational institutions in North India, known for its emphasis on academic excellence, value-based education, and spiritual development.” — Amit (Yellowslate, 16 Mar 2025)

“My kids are getting world class value based modern education along with spiritual rejuvenation. I am absolutely blessed to spend my life here.” — Zone 1 Baru Sahib (Yellowslate, 10 Mar 2025)

“My two sons were students of Akal Academy, by its education now one is Captain in merchant Navy and other is senior art director in Mumbai’s Mudra Company.” — Gurjit Bindra (Yellowslate, 04 Oct 2024)

Concerns (direct quotes):

“Good food is provided but there no privacy for students they have to live in camera surveillance in hostels also and children are not allowed to eat food of their own will…” — 11th-H (Yellowslate, 13 Nov 2024)

“Not a very good school as I have experienced facilities provided by this school are not much good.” — Manjeet Kaur (Yellowslate, 13 Mar 2024)

“Their staff salaries are delayed nearly one month late every time so please make it fast because they also have families and other financial needs.” — Ajit Automobiles Workshop (Yellowslate, 20 May 2023)

Sentiment Analysis

Aspect	Positives	Concerns	Questions to Ask
Primary (IB PYP)	Parents appreciate the inquiry-based learning and holistic development. The IB PYP authorization adds credibility and structure.	Fees for residential IB primary are high, and some parents feel young children have limited autonomy in a strict boarding setup.	How does the school balance discipline with freedom for younger children? What support systems are in place for homesickness?
Middle & Senior (Cambridge/CBSE)	Families value the choice of multiple boards and strong sports/cultural exposure. Alumni outcomes are often highlighted positively.	Some reviews mention inconsistent faculty retention and administrative delays.	What is the teacher turnover rate? How are Cambridge/CBSE teachers trained and supported?
Extracurriculars & Sports	The school hosts major tournaments and offers diverse activities like orchestra, TED-Ed talks, and equestrian sports.	Parents note that specialized sports and competitions come with extra costs, which can add up.	What is included in the standard fee? How much extra should parents budget for sports and cultural activities?
Boarding & Hostel Life	Many parents like the structured, disciplined environment and the sense of community.	Concerns about CCTV surveillance and lack of privacy are repeated in reviews.	What are the hostel privacy policies? How often can parents visit or call their children?

What kind of peer group will the child have in this school?

Age Range: 3 to 18 years, with a full K–12 boarding environment.
Family Backgrounds: A mix of rural-origin students (due to the Kalgidhar Society’s mission) and fee-paying families, including NRIs.
Socio-economic Profile: Middle to upper-middle class families, with some scholarships for meritorious students.
Child Profiles: Children who thrive in structured, disciplined environments, enjoy sports and cultural activities, and are open to spiritual/value-based education.

Unique things about the school

Among the earliest IB PYP-authorized schools in North India (since 2013).
Offers CBSE, IB, and Cambridge curricula on one campus.
Strong cultural and spiritual programs rooted in Sikh values.
Hosts regional and national sports events, including CBSE tournaments.

Summary for the Parent

Akal Academy Baru Sahib is a large, fully residential school in Himachal Pradesh that combines international curricula (IB PYP, Cambridge) with CBSE, all within a values-based environment. The campus is vast, the extracurricular opportunities are rich, and the school emphasizes discipline and spirituality alongside academics.

What kind of child will this school work for best:

Children who can adapt to boarding life and structured routines.
Students who benefit from inquiry-based learning in early years.
Kids who enjoy sports, cultural activities, and community events.

Strengths:

Multi-board flexibility (IB, Cambridge, CBSE).
Large, well-equipped campus with diverse facilities.
Strong emphasis on values and discipline.
Active sports and cultural calendar.
Alumni success stories across professions.

Potential trade-offs / Things to check:

High fees, especially for IB and boarding.
Hostel privacy and CCTV surveillance policies.
Extra costs for specialized sports and activities.
Staff retention and administrative efficiency.
Medical facilities and emergency protocols.

Recommendations / Questions to Ask:

Request a detailed, updated fee breakdown (including hidden costs).
Clarify hostel rules, privacy, and communication policies.
Ask about teacher training and turnover rates.
Review medical facilities and emergency response systems.
Check food menus and complaint redressal processes.

Admission Process for Interested Parents

When: Forms open from December; academic year starts in April.
Eligibility: Nursery admission at age 3+; entrance tests for Grades 1–12.
Process: Entrance assessments (English & Maths), parent counselling, medical checks.
Documents Required: Transfer Certificate, previous report cards, birth certificate, Aadhar, photos, medical fitness certificate, parent ID.
Fees at Admission: First instalment of ₹90,000 (Indian students) or ₹1,90,000 (NRI).