Cities / Pune / RIMS International School and Junior College
RIMS International School and Junior College
Pune's oldest Cambridge school, small and family-run, suiting parents who want a settled international pathway without the scale or price of the newer campuses.
In brief
Pune's oldest Cambridge school, small and family-run, suiting parents who want a settled international pathway without the scale or price of the newer campuses.
RIMS opened in Kondhwa in 2004 as the city's first international school and junior college, and was among the first in Pune to deliver Cambridge IGCSE and A Level from 2005. It remains one of CIE's longest-standing India partners, running a single Cambridge route from early years through to Cambridge Advanced with no Indian board or IB stream alongside it. The school is owner-operated by the Rais family, with Fahim Rais as managing director and an academic head leading day to day, and it positions itself on continuity, modest class sizes and individual attention rather than facilities or breadth. A leadership change has steadied academics and administration in recent years. Families drawn to a compact, long-established Cambridge setting in the NIBM-Kondhwa belt will find it fits; those expecting expansive sports and extracurricular infrastructure, or fully transparent published costs, should weigh that against the smaller footprint.
Reviews
Parents describe a small, settled school where children get noticed, and most credit a change of principal with tightening academics and administration after a wobblier patch. The praise clusters on experienced, caring teachers and personal attention in modest-sized classes; the friction clusters on money and add-ons rather than teaching.
Positives
- Teaching and personal attention. Experienced teachers and small class sizes mean children get individual attention, with a friendly, secure feel parents tie to the school's smaller scale.
- Leadership turnaround. Families talk about academics and day-to-day functioning improving since a new principal arrived, with an approachable, student-focused tone.
Considerations
- Charges beyond the quoted package. Some parents feel costs run past the headline fee and that promised inclusions are billed separately.
- Sports and extracurricular depth. Activities like skating and table tennis are offered, but parents talk about thin coaching and limited sports development.
- Transport handling. Vendor-run transport draws grumbles, including over advance fees that parents say were hard to recover.
Leadership
Nivedita Madkikar
Dear Students, Parents, and Esteemed Members of the RIMS International School Community, It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I welcome you to RIMS International School, a place where education transcends beyond the conventional, nurturing young minds to become globally aware, responsible, and compassionate individuals. At RIMS, our mission is to create an educational environment where each child is encouraged to discover their potential, cultivate their talents, and be prepared to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving world. We are deeply committed to academic excellence, holistic development, and fostering a global mindset in all our students. In today’s interconnected world, we believe that education must be more than the acquisition of knowledge; it should be about nurturing critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and resilience. Our school offers a dynamic curriculum, integrating inquiry-based learning and a rich variety of co-curricular activities that engage students in exploring new ideas, perspectives, and ways of learning. At RIMS International School, we embrace diversity, and our community is a reflection of the global village we live in. We celebrate the richness of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, teaching our students the value of respect, collaboration, and inclusivity. We are proud of the close partnerships we foster with parents and the broader school community. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to pursue their dreams. I encourage you all to stay actively engaged in this journey, as your support is instrumental in the success of our students and school. To our students, I encourage you to continue striving for excellence, embrace every opportunity with open minds and hearts, and be unafraid to dream big. Know that you are part of a global community that believes in your potential and stands behind you as you grow into the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow. Let us continue to uphold the values of respect, integrity, and compassion as we navigate the exciting journey of education together. I look forward to witnessing your growth and celebrating your many achievements in the years to come. Warm regards, Mr. Fahim Rais Director RIMS International School