GEMS Education, one of the world’s largest private school operators, has announced the launch of GEMS Modern Academy in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The new campus will offer families a choice between the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes on a single site, combining a nationally recognised Indian pathway with a globally oriented international option.
Located at Vellakinar in Coimbatore, the school will open its doors to the first cohort of students in the academic year 2027–28. Admissions began on 20 October 2026. The Coimbatore campus joins the GEMS Modern Academy network, which already includes the highly regarded parent school in Dubai and an existing campus in Kochi, Kerala. GEMS Education also operates other brands in India, including GEMS Millennium Schools and GEMS School of Excellence, with more than 15 schools across the country.
Coimbatore has developed into one of South India’s most dynamic urban centres, known for manufacturing, engineering, textiles, healthcare and a rapidly growing technology sector. The city is home to families with strong aspirations for their children’s education. GEMS Education said the new school has been designed with these learners and their community in mind, bringing the organisation’s global academic standards and operational experience to the region while remaining rooted in local values.
Also Read: GEMS Education Launches 'GEMS Genius' Scholarship Program
The dual-curriculum model is intended to give parents genuine choice. Students will be able to follow the structured, rigorous CBSE programme or the inquiry-led IB pathway (subject to authorisation by the International Baccalaureate Organization). Both tracks will operate within a shared culture of high expectations, care and character development. GEMS Education described the approach as education that is “rooted in Coimbatore and connected to the world,” positioning the school as a potential milestone for quality schooling in Tamil Nadu.
At the core of the GEMS philosophy is a teacher-first, child-first approach. The organisation maintains that the real strength of a school lies in the quality of teaching and learning rather than infrastructure alone. At GEMS Modern Academy Coimbatore, teachers will be supported as professional leaders, and every decision will prioritise meaningful learning experiences and the holistic development of each child academically, socially and emotionally.
Francis Joseph, India CEO of GEMS Education, said: “Coimbatore is a city of enterprise, innovation and strong family values, and we are delighted to bring GEMS Modern Academy here. By offering both CBSE and IB under one roof, we give parents genuine choice, with education that is rooted locally and connected globally. Our aim is to create a future-focused learning environment where every child is known, challenged and inspired to reach their full potential.”
Mrs Molly Cyril, Member of the School Governing Board, added: “We are proud to open the doors of GEMS Modern Academy to the families of Coimbatore. Backed by GEMS Education’s legacy of more than 65 years in delivering high-quality education, our school will combine academic excellence with creativity, wellbeing and a strong sense of values. Whether students choose the CBSE or IB pathway, they will be prepared for success in an increasingly interconnected world.”
GEMS Education was founded in 1959 in Dubai by two Indian teachers and now educates more than 200,000 students from over 176 nationalities across more than ten countries. The organisation employs over 20,000 staff, including more than 10,000 educators and school leaders representing 112 nationalities. Over the decades it has educated more than 500,000 students and offers a wide range of curricula, including IB, British, Indian (CBSE/ICSE/State), Cambridge and American programmes.
In recent years GEMS students have gained places at more than 2,000 universities in 71 countries, including all eight Ivy League institutions in the United States and all 24 Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom. In the past four years alone, more than 3,500 GEMS graduates have attended the world’s top 100 universities, over 2,200 have progressed to Russell Group universities, nearly 2,000 have enrolled at the world’s top 50 universities, and more than 60 have joined Ivy League institutions.
The organisation’s stated mission is to put quality education within the reach of every learner. It combines academic rigour with character development, wellbeing, innovation and partnerships with families and communities. Through its growing network and philanthropic work, GEMS aims to equip young people to become leaders, innovators and positive contributors in their communities and beyond.
The launch marks another step in GEMS Education’s expansion in India and reflects the growing demand among Coimbatore families for schools that balance strong national curriculum foundations with internationally recognised pathways. By placing both CBSE and IB options under one roof, the new academy seeks to give parents flexibility while maintaining consistent standards of teaching, care and holistic development.
