Choosing a school is not just about academic results or the curriculum. Parents should also consider whether children have enough opportunities to play, create, communicate, participate, and discover their interests. This is why sports and extracurricular activities can be an important part of choosing the right school.
If you are looking for the Best CBSE School in Lucknow, Birla Open Minds International School, Shaheed Path, offers an approach to education that combines academics with physical, creative, social, and personal development. The school provides education from the preschool level through senior secondary and focuses on the overall development of its students.
Why Sports and Extracurricular Activities Matter in School
The development of a child does not just happen within the four walls of the classroom. Sports, performances, arts and other such activities offer the children an opportunity to develop skills that complement their academic skills.
Continuous involvement in such activities can help the children develop skills such as:
- Collaborative skills and cooperation with others
- Effective communication and confidence
- Managing time and discipline
- Creative thinking and expression
- Decision-making and leadership skills
- Physical health and healthy habits
Even the curriculum guidelines of CBSE recognize the significance of co-scholastic education. The curriculum guidelines of CBSE cover a wide range of topics like arts education, physical education, yoga, sports and other activities.
Sports Opportunities at Birla Open Minds International School
Sometimes sports can give lessons that cannot be taught in any books. One needs to communicate with teammates, follow the rules, learn to cope with victories and failures, and keep improving.
The school, Birla Open Minds International School, Shaheed Path, provides not only physical education classes but also different sports activities. According to the official website of the school, the students can take part in activities like basketball, skating, Taekwondo and shooting, among others.
Moreover, the school has previously organized sports tournaments. One notable example is the SPECTRA Inter-School 3X3 Basketball Championship 2025, conducted in collaboration with Abbas Basketball Academy and Sports. The tournament featured Under-14 and Under-17 categories for both boys and girls, with participation from several schools across Lucknow.
The school also encourages students to take part in different sports and competitions. Students have participated in events like the Uttar Pradesh Open Taekwondo Championship 2026 held at KD Singh Babu Stadium. Along with Taekwondo, the school offers training and opportunities in skating, shooting, kho kho, kabaddi, and table tennis (TT). The campus also has a mini soccer field and provides various indoor sports and activities, helping students stay active, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills.
For parents, it is a good opportunity to find out whether the school offers its students the opportunity to be involved beyond classroom activities.
Extracurricular Activities That Encourage Creativity
However, it is not all children who express themselves in academia and/or athletics. There are children who can express themselves through music, dance, painting, public speaking, leadership and teamwork.
One example would be Birla Open Minds International School, which offers such extracurricular activities as performing arts such as dance and music, visual arts such as artwork and craft work, and physical activities such as yoga and sports.
Such extracurricular activities may give students the chance to try something new and at the same time learn something useful.
For instance, participating in the school performance means that the students will have to prepare and cooperate. Drawing will make them notice details and think creatively. Public speaking will teach them how to express their opinion.
What is important is not that the students become professional artists, athletes and performers. What is important is that the students have a chance to find out what they like.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Effective school education is one that also comprises activities bridging classroom learning and practical learning.
Some of the recent happenings at Birla Open Minds International School, Shaheed Path, include learner led conferences, field trips, leadership activities and inter-school competitions. Learners have been engaged in activities related to recitation, recycled arts, mock news casting and Shark Tank presentation.
Activities like these help encourage students to use the knowledge they gain rather than just memorize it.
Recently held by the school is the Investiture Ceremony 2026-27 which comprised marching past, conferring of badges and swearing-in ceremony, providing learners with the opportunity to experience leadership in a school environment.
The school also organizes cultural and literary events to help students showcase their talents beyond academics. One of its major events is the SPECTRA Inter-School Cultural and Literary Fest, where students from different schools participate in competitions that promote creativity, communication, teamwork, and confidence.
What Parents Should Look for in a CBSE School
When comparing the Best CBSE School in Lucknow, parents should look beyond a school’s name or promotional claims. A better approach is to evaluate how the school supports a child’s complete development.
Consider these questions:
1. Does the school offer regular sports?
Look for opportunities that allow children to participate consistently rather than treating sports as an occasional event.
2. Are extracurricular activities available for different interests?
A good activity programme should give children options beyond academics and competitive sports.
3. Do students get opportunities to participate?
Facilities alone are not enough. Ask whether students regularly take part in competitions, performances, clubs, events and other activities.
4. Does the school encourage leadership and communication?
Activities such as student leadership programmes, presentations, public speaking and inter-school competitions can help children develop confidence.
5. Is academic learning balanced with other areas?
Sports and extracurricular activities should complement academics rather than compete with them. The aim is to create a balanced learning experience.
Why Location Matters for Lucknow Families
For parents living around Shaheed Path and nearby areas, location can also be an important consideration when selecting a school. Daily travel affects a child’s routine, so families often look for a school that is accessible while also meeting their academic and developmental expectations.
Birla Open Minds International School is located at Plot No. 5, Avadh Vihar Scheme, Baraulikhalilabad, Shaheed Path, Lucknow – 226002, Uttar Pradesh. The school currently lists admissions for the 2026–27 academic year and has a CBSE affiliation number of 2134194 on its website.
A Balanced Approach to School Education
An ideal school is that which helps a child develop not just academic skills. They should also be provided opportunities to exercise, create, communicate, collaborate and be responsible.
While looking for the Best CBSE School in Lucknow, Birla Open Minds International School, Shaheed Path, offers a blend of academic curriculum, sporting activities, performing arts, visual arts, leadership programs and experiences.
Some of the recent happenings at the school, such as basketball tournaments and Taekwondo participation by the children, as well as organizing their own conferences, participating in inter-school competitions and other leadership programs, indicate how learning can go beyond classrooms.
In the end, the selection of an appropriate school depends upon the needs, interests and aspirations of one’s child. Campus visits, discussion about curriculum and activities, and interaction with the admission officers can all help in making the right choice.
