Hiranandani Foundation School International — Powai
Choosing the right school in Mumbai can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options in Powai. Here’s a detailed, parent-friendly breakdown of Hiranandani Foundation School International (HFSI) to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your child.
About the School
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Complete Address | HFS International (Richmond / Ridge Street), Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India |
| Founding Year | 1990 (some listings cite 1989–1990) |
| Number of Students | ~2,600 across ICSE + International wings |
| Boards/Curricula | ICSE/ISC (CISCE), IGCSE/CAIE, IB Diploma Programme |
| Classes Available | Pre-primary to Grade XII |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Between 22:1 and 30:1 depending on grade/wing |
| Co-Ed | Yes |
| Boarding Facility | No (day school only) |
| Staff Highlights | Principal: Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik (award-winning leader); experienced IB & CAIE coordinators; dedicated counselling and careers team |
| Contact Information | Emails: [email protected], [email protected]; Phones: +91 22 4966 6902 (IBDP), +91 22 2576 3000 / 2570 4884 (main lines) |
Details about School Campus
- Campus Size: Spread across two main buildings in Hiranandani Gardens (4-storey and 5-storey) with playgrounds and sports areas. Exact acreage not published.
- Facilities & Infrastructure:
- Bright classrooms with AV/interactive boards
- Science, computer, robotics, and Atal Tinkering labs
- Library and digital reading programs
- Sports: cricket, football, basketball, swimming, tennis, skating, gymnastics, and more (some niche sports like equestrian may be outsourced)
- Performing arts: dance, theatre, music, debating, MUN, and cultural festivals
- Auditorium, amphitheatre, and activity rooms
- Safety: CCTV, medical room, ambulance tie-ups
- Transport: AC buses with wide route coverage (Andheri, Marol, Ghatkopar, Thane, Mulund)
Estimated Fees
| Amount | Notes | Comments/Uncertainties |
|---|---|---|
| ₹5,000 (one-time) | Admission/Registration Fee | Reported by LeverageEdu (2024), confirm with school |
| ₹64,000 per year | Sample tuition (pre-primary) | May be outdated, confirm with admissions |
| ₹70,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year | ICSE/ISC tuition | Range from third-party portals |
| ₹2.5 – ₹4.0 lakh per year | IGCSE/IBDP tuition | Based on Edustoke (2020) and other listings |
| ₹1,500 (one-time) | Bus registration | As per Goel & Sons circular (2022) |
| Variable (quarterly) | Bus fees | Route-dependent, confirm with operator |
Caveats:
- Fees vary widely across portals and may be outdated.
- Always ask for a written fee breakup (tuition, development, exam, transport).
- International curriculum fees are significantly higher than ICSE.
Parent Feedback and Ratings
- Google Reviews: ~3.9/5 (varies by listing)
- SchoolMyKids: 4.2/5 (28 reviews)
- JustDial: 3.9/5 (499 ratings)
Positives:
“Very nurturing environment. Good for all round development. good campus.” — SchoolMyKids, Sep 2023
“Best IBDP Schools in Powai. Good facilities for IB level.” — SchoolMyKids, Oct 2022
“We’ve been part of the school since 4 years and have had a great experience so far. My girls have shown a lot of progress in both academics and extra curricular.” — MouthShut
Concerns / Negatives:
“My experience with Hiranandani Foundation School was terrible. The faculty was incompetent and the facilities were unmaintained.” — JustDial, Aug 2024
“There are challenges for both staff and students due to the principal’s leadership approach… Communication is limited.” — JustDial, Oct 2024
“One of the worst schools. The worst principal. Lower grades still ok, but higher grades pathetic. No labs are used. They don’t know the basics of IB.” — SchoolMyKids, Apr 2021
Sentiment Analysis
| Aspect | Positives | Concerns | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academics (ICSE/ISC) | Parents appreciate the strong ICSE foundation and dedicated teachers. Many students perform well in board exams. | Some parents feel higher grades lack consistency in teaching quality. A few reviews mention gaps in lab usage. | Ask for recent ICSE/ISC results and subject-wise performance. |
| International Programmes (IB/IGCSE) | Families value the IB/IGCSE exposure and career counselling. The school uses modern tools like ManageBac. | Concerns about IB coordination and university counselling have been raised. Some parents feel fees are not justified. | Request recent IB/IGCSE results and university placement data. |
| Extracurriculars & Sports | Wide range of sports and cultural activities. Students enjoy MUN, debating, and arts. | Some niche sports may not be consistently available. Access to facilities can be limited. | Ask which sports are in-house vs outsourced, and how often children get access. |
| Campus & Safety | Modern buildings, labs, and medical facilities are appreciated. Parents like the secure environment. | A few parents reported bullying and felt management was slow to respond. | Ask about anti-bullying policies and how issues are handled. |
What kind of peer group will your child have in this school?
- Age Range: From 3 years (Nursery) to 18 years (Grade XII).
- Family Backgrounds: Mostly children of professionals in IT, finance, and corporate sectors living in Powai and nearby suburbs.
- Socio-economic Profile: Predominantly upper-middle to affluent families, given Powai’s real estate and school fees.
- Child Profiles: Academically inclined, with many aiming for international universities. Students are also active in sports, arts, and competitions.
Unique things about the school
- Offers ICSE, IGCSE, and IB under one roof.
- Award-winning Beaumont Pre-Primary campus design.
- Principal Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik has received multiple leadership awards.
- Strong alumni base with over 30 years of history in Powai.
Summary for the Parent
Hiranandani Foundation School International (HFSI) is a well-established school in Powai that combines ICSE heritage with international options like IB and IGCSE. It has strong infrastructure, a wide range of extracurriculars, and a large student community.
Best suited for:
- Children aiming for international higher education.
- Families who want both academics and extracurriculars under one roof.
- Parents comfortable with higher fees for IB/IGCSE.
Strengths:
- Multiple curriculum choices (ICSE, IGCSE, IB).
- Strong infrastructure and labs.
- Wide extracurricular and sports options.
- Experienced leadership and faculty.
Potential trade-offs / Things to check:
- Leadership and communication concerns raised by parents.
- Higher fees for international programmes.
- Transport and parking issues.
- Inconsistency in higher-grade teaching quality.
Recommendations / Questions to Ask:
- Request the latest fee structure with all breakups.
- Ask for recent IB/IGCSE results and university placements.
- Clarify student-teacher ratios for your child’s grade.
- Discuss anti-bullying policies and PTA involvement.
- Verify transport routes, safety, and costs.
Admission Process for Interested Parents
- Fill out the online application form on the school website.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee (₹500–₹5,000 depending on grade).
- Submit required documents: birth certificate, previous school reports, transfer certificate, ID proofs, photos, residence proof.
- Attend interaction/assessment (varies by grade).
- Receive admission offer and pay fees.
Timeline: Admissions usually open between October–February for the next academic year. IBDP/IGCSE may have rolling admissions.
Sources
- HFS International Powai Official Website
- Hiranandani Foundation School Powai Official Website
- SchoolMyKids Listing
- JustDial Reviews
- Wikipedia
- Goel & Sons Bus Circular (2022)
- Edustoke / UniApply / LeverageEdu Listings