History of St Stanislaus International School
St Stanislaus International School began in 2016, in response to the need for an international curriculum expressed by the alumni of St Stanislaus High School. St Stanislaus High School, from its inception in 1863, always followed the Maharashtra State Board (SSC) curriculum.
The International school received approval from the Department of Education (Mantralaya) to set up classes from Grades 1 to 12 in 2015. Accordingly, the school began with grades 8,9,10 in June 2016 and by June 2021 had set up classes from Grade 1 to grade 10. The school is affiliated to Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), registration number IN029.
It was the German missionary fathers who laid the foundation of Jesuit education at St. Stanislaus. Known for their administrative skills, they infused strong moral values, disciplined children with love, believed in responsible freedom and creative expression.
St. Stanislaus began as an orphanage in 1863, housing 140 native orphans under the stewardship of Fr. Joseph Weber. One solitary house, a large square building (the old St. Peter’s Church), partly two storeyed, half church, half residence with a 100 x 75 ft. hall above the Chapel, served as a study hall, refectory and classrooms with a couple of residential rooms for the fathers.
At various times down to 1885, new plots were added to the original grounds and new buildings erected. In 1867, a second storey was added to the old building. In 1873 an outlying wing was added for use as the boy’s refectory and infirmary. In 1904, the back wing, parallel to a part of Waroda Road was erected to provide classrooms and a dormitory for borders. In 1913, the DeMello House facing Waroda Road was purchased and used as an infirmary. At the same time, the Bombil Wadi plot was bought in order to extend the playground eastwards.
After World War I, the jurisdiction of the German fathers ceased and a new era of Spanish fathers began. The school, which started as a primary institution, got its status of a High School in 1925 – 26. The first batch of 7 candidates was sent up for the matriculation exam in 1926. With inflation on the rise and the growing demand for a Jesuit education, the management faced an economic and spatial problem. In the early 70’s the fathers were forced to close down the boarding and the dormitories and instead converted them into classrooms for day scholars.
The goal of Jesuit education, also called the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm is best understood in the light of the ‘Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola’, the patron saint of the Jesuits. St. Stanislaus believes in providing a holistic education. The objective is to groom ‘men and women for others’.
