The Pakistani school that actively collaborates with the community and involves parents as architects of their children’s success
Nordic International School Lahore, an independent kindergarten, primary and secondary school in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, is actively involving parents as architects of their children’s academic success, supported by a culture of kindness to create a happy and supportive learning environment where students thrive. With research consistently showing that 80% of a child’s success is linked to parental involvement, the school has transformed into a space of family collaboration, with parent engagement encouraged at key touchpoints in their children’s learning journeys.
The school promotes a hands-on, real-world learning environment that encourages creativity and practical application of knowledge. Parents are involved from the get-go through the school app to share activities, as well as the learning behind them. Regular parenting workshops based on research-driven strategies to help parents build healthy relationships with their children are conducted, and leaders involve parents in both academic and administrative matters to ensure constant communication and connection. At the end of every unit in preschool and primary years, the school facilitates an initiative called the Exit Point, which is a celebration of learning where students showcase their projects and achievements, allowing parents to witness their children's growth, dedication, and acquired skills, reinforcing their role in the learning journey. The curriculum integrates the social, cultural, and economic context of the local community, while maintaining an international and global outlook to celebrate the cultural identities of students and their families—a fine equilibrium many international schools often overlook.
Driven by the belief that kindness leads to happier employees and students, the school has entrenched a culture of kindness to create a supportive community where all can thrive. A schoolwide initiative drives kindness across all grade levels, integrating activities with defined learning outcomes that positively impact students, teachers, and parents.
After starting with only five students, the school now has 300. The success of the approach is evident in Annual Satisfaction Scores, which sit at 4.5 out of 5. The principal, Kamil Majeed, has spoken at TEDx on Leading with Kindness, advocating for kindness as a superpower for effective leadership. He shares kindness-driven initiatives on Instagram, demonstrating the importance of creating safe spaces for students and staff.
By integrating parents in the learning journey, and actively building a culture of kindness, the school is providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where students are given agency to find their passion and achieve.
