The Guide
Sat, 16 May 2026

Cities / Bangalore / Head Start Educational Academy

Head Start Educational Academy

A small Sarjapura school built around a Montessori philosophy that runs through into the upper grades, then opens a choice of ICSE or IGCSE for the senior years. Founder-led, deliberately not chasing the international-school price tier.


Curriculum
Indian
Ages
2½ to 18
Founded
2005

A small Sarjapura school built around a Montessori philosophy that runs through into the upper grades, then opens a choice of ICSE or IGCSE for the senior years. Founder-led, deliberately not chasing the international-school price tier.

The school grew out of the Head Start Montessori pre-schools, and the Montessori thinking shapes how the lower and middle years are taught. From around Grade 4 the curriculum becomes a hybrid that prepares for either ICSE or IGCSE at Grade 10. That route suits families who want continuity from Montessori into formal schooling without jumping into a conventional Indian-board environment.

The size is modest by Bangalore standards, which is part of the appeal: families speak warmly about the closeness with teachers and the relaxed pace. The trade-off is fewer facilities and a narrower extracurricular slate than the bigger Sarjapur campuses. Best fit for families who already buy the Montessori philosophy, less so for those wanting prestige branding or expat peer numbers.


Head of school

Riad Mahmood

Riad Mahmood is the Managing Trustee and Founder President of Head Start Educational Academy. He believes in the importance of education as a journey of learning and relationships, emphasizing the process over outcomes. His passion for education and commitment to high standards inspire both staff and students.

Accreditations

  • IN_CISCE 01

Sy. 98/1, Kommasandra, Dommasandra Post, Via Sarjapura, Kommasandra, Gopasandra, Bengaluru, Kommasandra, Karnataka 562125, India

School website