Woodstock School Student Recruitment and Admissions

Woodstock School
Student Recruitment and Admissions
Questions frequently asked by parents from Christian churches and
organisations:
What does it mean for Woodstock to be a Christian School
Woodstock School was founded in 1854 as a Protestant school for girls and for over a
century, from the 1870s, was a mission school serving primarily North American
missionary families working in the subcontinent. When Woodstock became an
independent, self-governing school in the early 1970s, it was established on the basis
that it would retain its character as a Christian institution. Over the last thirty-five years,
Woodstock has developed its new role as a unique, international residential school for
students from around the world that retains a commitment to its Christian heritage and to
Christian beliefs and values.
Schools with a religious label can be controversial in the contemporary world, and the
term ‘Christian’ can mean different things to different people. In India, Christian schools
have traditionally been associated with high-quality education and committed teachers
and staff. Woodstock’s attitude to its Christian character is clear: we believe that our
students deserve to be treated as well-rounded human beings, with a spiritual dimension
to their lives. We believe it is important for young people to be free to learn about and
discuss their own and other religious faiths and beliefs and eventually to make their own
decisions about their world views and values. With this in mind, the school incorporates
activities relating to Christianity and to other religions within its daily life and programmes,
but in such a way as to recognise and respect the free choice of all students, as well as
the integrity of students from other faith and secular backgrounds.
In order to promote this view of the needs and rights of young people, the school
organises required activities, such as whole-school chapels and regular morning
assemblies, as well as a religious education programme for all, in which senior students
have a choice of courses about Christianity and other world religions. In addition, the
school offers a range of voluntary programmes about the Christian faith, as well as
making arrangements for students from other faiths to participate in their own services
and festivals when this is practicable in the school programme.
Two of our twelve Desired Student Outcomes (the school’s educational aims) make
particular reference to our objectives regarding students’ spiritual and ethical education:
A Woodstock student should be:
• Aware of the responsibilities of privilege, concerned for social justice, concerned
about the ethical implications of personal and social choices, able to make
decisions based consistently on moral values and concern for others, and
prepared to take opportunities for community service.
• Knowledgeable and respectful of the beliefs and values of the Christian religion
as well as the other major world religions.

What is the school’s attitude regarding families in Christian service
The majority of teachers and other staff are Christians, including a number of Western
staff seconded or supported by mission organisations. About one-half of our students
come from Christian families. The school’s Mission Statement clearly expresses our
purpose and, in particular, our continuing commitment to families in Christian service.
Woodstock aims to develop responsible global citizens and leaders by providing a
world-class international education, rooted in its Christian heritage and values, for a
diverse group of students, especially from families in Christian or public service, in an
Indian Himalayan environment.
What opportunities will my child have to learn about and develop
his/her own faith
At each level of the school, there are age-appropriate voluntary activities. Elementary
students have a weekly Bible club, “Friendship Club”; Middle School students have
“Quest”; and High School students have Friday Morning Bible Study groups that meet at
6.30 a.m. for study and breakfast in a staff home. In addition, there is a Sunday
afternoon Discipleship Group led by the chaplain and other staff.
What opportunities will my child have to learn about other beliefs and
interact with students from other faiths
Woodstock students come from all of the major religious communities of Asia, and the
school encourages both mutual respect and appreciation of shared and different values
and practices, as well as active enquiry and debate, a feature of the Woodstock
experience that is valued by our students as they progress through the school. In
addition, students learn about the festivals of world religions and, especially in High
School, have the opportunity to study world religions in the Religious Education
programme. Our policy on religious education is to present the beliefs and values of
other religions on their own terms and not in comparison with the school’s espoused
Christian beliefs and values.
What kind of pastoral care and support will my child receive at
Woodstock
Woodstock employs Christian residence staff who have a concern for the spiritual
growth of students in their charge. Students from Christian families are encouraged to
attend a local church or the school’s own voluntary student chapel, and there are Bible
studies and prayer times in each of the residences.
The voluntary chapel meets each Sunday evening at the residence level for worship,
prayer, and Bible teaching. This is increasingly a pastoral care base for a number of
Middle and High School students who develop relationships with the six or eight staff
who run the chapel. Elementary students in boarding attend Sunday School at Kellogg
Church each week.
Isn’t the school full of children from rich families, and is there a
conflict of values
There are students from wealthy families at Woodstock—we are India’s leading
international residential school, and all parents want the best for their children—yet,

many students from families with modest incomes also attend. Although a Woodstock
education is a privilege enjoyed by a relatively small number of students, we do not see
ourselves as an elite institution or a school for the rich. Woodstock is committed to
diversity, and while this is most obvious in terms of nationality and ethnicity, it also
extends to a commitment to economic diversity, supported significantly by our Student
Grants programme. We aim to encourage all our students to maintain a modest and
sustainable life-style regardless of their means.
Can I afford to send my child to Woodstock School
Woodstock’s fees are not affordable for everyone. The majority of Woodstock students
pay full fees, enabling the school to provide its excellent facilities and programmes.
However, we do want to ensure that well-qualified students who could benefit from a
Woodstock education and contribute to our community are not excluded for financial
reasons. We, therefore, have a well-funded Student Grants programme to which parents
may apply.
The Student Grants programme covers a percentage of the tuition and boarding fees for
students who are offered a place at Woodstock. The percentage of grant offered
depends on the family’s financial declaration and on the category of priority into which
the student falls, and ranges in general from 10-75 percent of the annual cost of
education at Woodstock, although in special cases this can be extended to 90 percent.
The grant is renewable annually subject to the family’s financial declaration and to the
student achieving the school’s expectations in terms of academics and conduct.
Parents do need to be aware that there are additional costs involved beyond the school
fee. For example, Mussoorie is in the hills, and a wider range of clothing is required than
in the cities, including cold-weather and rain wear. Formal clothes are required for
occasions like chapels, festivals, concert performances, and school banquets. Pocket
money will be needed for trips to the bazaar, for Activity Week trips, and for other special
occasions. Individual music tuition is an extra charge for those who take lessons or
participate in ensembles. Then, of course, there are the costs of return travel to
Mussoorie twice a year. The Admissions Office will be glad to discuss these matters with
you and help you plan a budget for your child at Woodstock.
Why don’t you offer 100 percent scholarships
We believe that education is a partnership between the school and parents, and we
require parents to show their commitment to obtaining a high-quality education for their
children through their financial contribution. In addition, it is our expectation that all of our
seniors go on to higher education in India or overseas, and it would be irresponsible of
us to offer places in our college-preparatory programme to students whose families are
unable also to support them through university studies.
What happens after they leave – can my children gain entry to Indian
colleges if we can’t afford overseas study
Typically, 25 percent of Woodstock’s graduating seniors go on to higher education in
India. In recent years, Woodstock students have obtained immediate entry to Indian
universities and colleges, including St. Stephens, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Jesus
and Mary College, Mount Carmel College, and Jain International University.

Woodstock offers a broad, liberal arts programme in high school. Students aspiring to a
place in a specialist institution, such as a medical college, IIT, or IIM will probably need a
further year of coaching after they leave Woodstock, like their peers from other schools.
If, however, you aspire to overseas education, there is some possibility of scholarship
funding from US colleges, particularly for the children of Christian workers, so don’t
entirely discount that option – although it is still likely to involve significant cost.
How can I find out more
Talk to people who can tell you what you want to know. Your first call should be to our
Admissions Office. If we are unable to answer your query, we will put you in touch with
someone who can. You can also talk to parents of Woodstock students who are in a
similar position to yourselves. Ask us to forward an enquiry to someone we know would
be willing to talk with you.
Finally. . .
Woodstock School isn’t the right choice for everyone. Some parents prefer their children
to stay entirely within the Indian system. Some will not be able to afford the costs, even
with support from the Grants Programme, where it is available. However, we want to
open our admissions to a wider group of people within India and beyond who are serving
their communities and whose children have the potential to make a difference in the
world.