About Us

A legacy of learning. A future of possibilities. The story began in 1959, when two teachers, K.S. and Mariamma Varkey, opened a small campus in the UAE. Their purpose was simple: to make quality education accessible and give children the opportunity to build a better future.

A GEMS Millennium School community gathering
  1. 1

    A global community of learners

    From those beginnings, Education has grown into a global community of campuses, educators, learners and families. Across countries, cultures and curricula, one belief continues to connect them: every child deserves to be seen, supported and encouraged to realise their potential.

  2. 2

    Global experience, Indian context

    In India, brings together global educational experience and a deep respect for the country's culture, values and aspirations. Strong academic foundations are supported by opportunities to question, create, collaborate and grow in confidence.

  3. 3

    We see genius in every child

    That genius may be revealed through a question, an original idea, an act of kindness, a creative expression or the determination to try again. Our role is to recognise it, nurture it and help it find its way.

  4. 4

    A campus opening in April 2027

    Millennium School, Varanasi, opens in April 2027 as a CBSE campus for learners from the age of 2+ onwards, offering Pre-K to Grade 8 at launch, with a design that supports future grade expansion.

    • ›The CBSE curriculum with strong academic foundations
    • ›Learning environments for Early Childhood, STREAM, the arts, sport and well-being
    • ›Facilitators who respond to how each learner progresses
    • ›A community built on Care, Excellence, One Team and Always Learning
  5. 5

    Curiosity is where learning begins

    Children learn to make connections, apply what they understand and approach unfamiliar situations with confidence. In a world that continues to change, the ability to remain curious may be one of the most important capabilities a child develops.

Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS EducationFrancis Joseph, CEO of GEMS Education India

Education is not only about academic achievement — it is about preparing young people to thrive in a fast-changing world.

Sunny Varkey is the founder and chairman of Education, one of the world's largest privately owned kindergarten to Grade 12 school operators, with a global network of schools educating students from over 175 nationalities.

He also set up the Varkey Foundation, which launched the Global Teacher Prize and serves as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for education.

Sunny Varkey
Chairman & Founder, Education
Our vision

Our vision is to provide an exceptional quality education to meet the needs of an international community.

Our mission

To develop creative and compassionate global citizens with transformative capabilities to build co-agency with diverse communities and take mindful, responsible action towards a better tomorrow.

Our core values

Care

We listen, understand and act with empathy.

Excellence

We set high standards and work towards our personal best.

One Team

We collaborate and place the larger purpose before ourselves.

Always Learning

We remain curious, reflective and open to improvement.

Our Facilities

A campus designed around how children learn. Set on five acres, Millennium School, Varanasi brings together early years, creative, technological and sporting spaces, from Montessori and Eurisko labs to a skating rink and running track.

Montessori, Eurisko and the toy library
Early Years

Montessori, Eurisko and the toy library

Designed around the scale, movement and curiosity of very young learners, with prepared spaces that invite independence and imagination.

  • ›Montessori Lab with didactic materials for independent, hands-on learning
  • ›Eurisko Lab, a discovery zone for heuristic play
  • ›Toy library of toys, puzzles and games for learning through play
Robotics, science and computing
Labs

Robotics, science and computing

Purpose-built labs where learners investigate, code, design, build and test their own ideas, bringing science, technology and engineering together through the design cycle.

  1. 01Robotics Lab
  2. 02Physics, chemistry and biology labs
  3. 03Computer lab
Library

The library

A quiet, well-stocked library where children read, research and study beyond the classroom. Our aim reaches past fluency: children should fall in love with reading itself.

The library
The Atelier and the stage
Atelier

The Atelier and the stage

The Atelier is the creative heart of the school, where the hundred languages of childhood are expressed in clay, colour, light, movement, sound and drama.

  • ›Art studio for pottery, painting and craft
  • ›Music, and Indian and western dance
  • ›Multi-purpose auditorium for assemblies and performances
Sport, play and the outdoors
Sport

Sport, play and the outdoors

Our sports programme is built on Panchakosha Vikas, developing body, breath, emotion, intellect and spirit together, with yoga woven through the curriculum as an everyday mindful practice.

  • ›Running track
  • ›Skating rink
  • ›Football court and cricket pitch
  • ›Open-air amphitheatre
  • ›Kids' play area
Coming soon

Our Team

Team profiles will be published as appointments are confirmed.