An analytical piece comparing Velammal’s academic rigour, faculty strength, and infrastructure with other leading schools.
On a regular Thursday evening in Mogappair, something extraordinary happened — the Velammal Vidyalaya campus burst into celebration. One of its own, D. Gukesh, had just become the youngest-ever chess world champion, defeating Ding Liren with a final score of 7.5–6.5.
While chess may have brought them into the limelight, what truly sets Velammal apart is something deeper: a consistent culture of academic rigour, exceptional faculty and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Velammal has always been known for one thing above all: results. Not just in terms of board exam scores, but also in national-level entrance exams like NEET, JEE, NTSE, and Olympiads. The institution’s academic system is highly structured, with a rigorous timetable, clear performance metrics, and personalised student support.
Students are trained not just to score well, but to think, analyse, and lead. The school’s curriculum is aligned with competitive standards, and high achievers are given additional mentorship and coaching based on their strengths. It’s a model that has worked year after year, with Velammal consistently producing state and national toppers.
None of this would be possible without the strength of Velammal’s teaching staff. The school handpicks faculty with deep subject expertise, many of whom have experience in competitive coaching.
There’s an internal ecosystem of collaboration where teachers work together, review student data, and adapt their teaching style to match learning outcomes.
What makes the faculty here different is not just knowledge — it’s mentorship.
Students often mention how approachable their teachers are, even with large class sizes. The balance between high expectations and real support is a key reason why Velammal manages both excellence and discipline without losing the human touch.
While many schools rely solely on traditional teaching methods, Velammal has invested in building a complete learning environment.
Modern smart classrooms, fully-equipped science and computer labs, a vast digital library, and dedicated coaching centres within the campus make it more than just a school — it’s an ecosystem.
The sheer scale of Velammal allows it to bring in resources that most standalone Schools can’t match. Whether it’s mock NEET centres, in-house Olympiad prep, or career counselling facilities, the infrastructure supports every phase of a student’s journey.
Yes, Velammal has become a hub for chess talent — and rightfully so. Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are stars, and their success has roots in the school’s investment in extracurriculars like chess.
But chess is just one area where Velammal has extended its core values — focus, discipline, and long-term vision — into a skill-based space. As S. Velavan, the chess coordinator, says, “We don’t have to push our students — they want to excel. Chess only amplifies the focus and strategy they already bring from the classroom.”
In a city filled with elite schools, Velammal has carved out a niche that’s hard to replicate. Where some schools focus solely on academics and others lean into extracurriculars, Velammal does both, at scale.
Its model is not built on hype or advertising, but on structure, systems, and sustained results. Parents trust it. Students thrive in it. And institutions across the country now look to it as a blueprint for how schools can be both high-performing and deeply student-centred.