To create a community in which every individual can discover their true human potential.
Our Story
At North Star International Academy, Wagholi, Pune, education is about building strong academic foundations while giving children the experiences, encouragement and support to discover what they are capable of.
To develop the belief and courage to pursue the pathway they choose.
Nirmala Memorial FoundationFrom a small seed to a huge banyan tree.
Nirmala Memorial Foundation was established in 1984. Late Shri Thakorbhai Desai founded the Trust in the fond memory of his beloved wife, Late Smt. Nirmala Desai. Shri Thakorbhai Desai was a State Awardee for Best Teacher by the State Government of Maharashtra. Under his Chairmanship, the Trust made its humble beginning with a Gujarati-medium school in the slum pockets of Khot Dongri at Malad (East).
Within a short span of time, the school gained glory by achieving 100% results at the SSC examination, and there was no looking back for the institution. Late Shri Thakorbhai Desai was ably supported by Director Smt. Aruna Desai, who has always been the strongest pillar in the development of the institutions under this Trust.
Today the Trust has grown to include an English-medium school, junior colleges, degree colleges with various self-financing courses, skill development courses and a B.Ed college. A progressive, enlightened and dynamic management has steered the institutions all along, extending unswerving support to committed teaching and non-teaching staff.
The vision of providing quality education to the economically deprived children of society has always been the main motto of the Trust.
Four decades, one direction
Institutions of the Nirmala Memorial Foundation
A network of schools and colleges across Mumbai's western suburbs — and now Pune.
Malad (East), Mumbai 3
- Nirmala Memorial High School
- Nirmala Memorial Foundation Junior College of Commerce and Smt. Shanti Devi Shukla Junior College of Science
- Nirmala College of Commerce
Kandivali (East), Mumbai 5
- Nirmala Memorial Foundation Junior College of Commerce and Science
- Nirmala Memorial Foundation College of Commerce and Science
- Nirmala Memorial Foundation College of Education
- D. S. Shukla College of Commerce and Science
- Nirmala English School
Wagholi, Pune
North Star International Academy
The next chapter of the Foundation's journey — a CBSE school for children from Nursery onwards.
Legacy continues
The Foundation's educational journey is now carried forward under Chairman Dr. Denis Desai, together with its Trustees and leadership.
North Star International Academy represents the next chapter of that journey in Pune.
Meet Our LeadershipLeadershipLearn well. Grow well.
North Star brings together institutional experience, school leadership and educational expertise around one common purpose: creating an environment in which children can learn well and grow well.
Smt. Aruna Desai
An educator at the heart of the Foundation.
A former mathematics teacher, Smt. Aruna Desai has remained closely involved in the development and strategic direction of institutions under Nirmala Memorial Foundation. Her own background as an educator continues to inform the Foundation's approach to education.
Ms. Jiji James
“Every student matters.”
NSIA's approach recognises individual differences, inclusion and mental wellbeing, with a learning environment designed to reduce unnecessary stress while encouraging independent thinking, participation and parent engagement.
- Thematic learning
- Project-based learning
- Hands-on activities
- Role play
- Dramatisation
- Flipped learning
- Portfolio-based work
Ms. Priyanka Rai
Ms. Priyanka Rai is an accomplished educator and academic administrator currently serving as the Vice Principal and Head of the English Department at North Star International Academy in Wagholi, Pune. With a career dedicated to fostering student growth, academic excellence, and linguistic competency, she plays a vital role in shaping the school’s academic standards and holistic development frameworks.
CampusSpaces designed around how children learn.
A school campus matters not because of how many rooms it has, but because of what those spaces allow children to do.
At North Star, learning spaces are designed to support academics, creativity, technology, physical development and interaction.
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01Learn
Classrooms and academic learning spaces support conceptual understanding, interaction and active participation.
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02Exploration Zones
Technology, STEAM and robotics experiences give students opportunities to experiment, build and solve problems.
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03Performing Arts
Music, dance, drama and creative spaces provide opportunities for expression and performance.
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04Sports & Athletics
Outdoor turf, basketball and indoor activity spaces — sport that extends from fitness into teamwork, discipline, leadership, confidence and sportsmanship.
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05Play Zones
Younger children have access to spaces intended for movement, play and exploration.
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06
Feel Secure
- CCTV surveillance
- Monitored transport
- Staff supervision
- In-house nurse
Not simply spaces children occupy.