What happens when students feel like the traditional school system doesn’t align with their future ambitions? Enter ‘dummy schools’ - an alternative institution where students get access to a flexible attendance system with minimal in-person classes, allowing them to prepare for competitive exams. There has been a growing demand for such institutions, especially among students who want to prioritize preparation for entrance exams like JEE and NEET.

The increasing popularity of this trend poses a serious question for schools today - ‘How can we keep our students engaged and enrolled?’. To stay competitive, schools must look beyond conventional approaches and redefine the student experience in a way that keeps them hooked to learning.

In this newsletter, we dive into actionable strategies to help your school enhance its offerings, create a dynamic learning environment and retain more students.

While dummy schools are not legally recognized in India, they fulfill all board-mandated formalities on behalf of students, allowing them to qualify for board exams without regular attendance.

According to the dummy school model, students skip regular classes to focus entirely on exam preparation, whereas conventional schools emphasize structured learning, social interactions, daily attendance and a well-rounded curriculum. This difference creates two distinct student learning experiences. However, mainstream schools prepare students holistically by focusing on social, emotional, and intellectual growth.

So, amidst the lure of dummy schools, how can modern schools retain their students? Here are four proven strategies to keep students engaged and committed to learning:

	Focus on Personalized Learning Paths Offer flexible project-based learning modules such as coding challenges for tech enthusiasts, and environmental projects for nature lovers, to make concepts relevant and exciting for students. Allowing students to customize the learning experience by choosing their subject of interest keeps them engaged while strengthening their connection to school.
	Provide Enhanced Support for Competitive Exam Prep Schools can set up targeted classes, host guest lectures by experts, provide mentorship opportunities, and conduct mock exams that simulate real test environments. With the Extramarks School Integrated Program (SIP) , schools can offer an all-in-one solution, complete with interactive content, adaptive practice tests, personalized feedback, and AI-driven performance analytics, empowering students to prepare for competitive exams like JEE and NEET, within the school framework.
	Focus on Mental Health & Well-being Introduce mindfulness programs, resilience-building activities, stress management workshops, or peer support groups to help create a safe space for students. These practices foster a supportive environment, helping students feel valued, which strengthens their connection to school.
	Prioritize Real-World Skills & Applications Boost student engagement by focusing on teaching practical skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. Schools can offer financial literacy workshops, coding boot camps, or public speaking courses, giving students hands-on experience. By linking education to real-world application, schools create a dynamic learning environment.

The future of education depends on every school’s ability to innovate and adapt. A flexible teaching approach paired with integrated learning modules gives students both structure and freedom, appealing to modern learning preferences. Let’s redefine learning to ensure that mainstream schools remain the first choice for new-age learners!