Co-Founder Eshita Kalidindi: Bringing Harvard Research on Child Development to Hyderabad Classrooms
Hyderabad: International education in Hyderabad is taking a significant step forward as Sagebrook International School prepares to welcome its first cohort in July 2026. At the heart of the school’s vision is Eshita Kalidindi, Co-Founder of Sagebrook, whose academic journey from Harvard University to Hyderabad is shaping an innovative approach to early childhood education grounded in developmental science.
Eshita holds a Master’s degree in Human Development and Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from New York University (NYU). Her work has focused on understanding how children learn, grow, and develop during their most formative years. At NYU, she worked as a research assistant in a Social Psychology Lab studying child and adolescent mental health before dedicating her career to early childhood development and learning sciences.
Drawing on decades of global research, Sagebrook’s curriculum has been carefully designed to reflect what science says children truly need. Rather than relying on traditional instructional methods, the school emphasizes meaningful interactions, play-based learning, curiosity, and hands-on exploration.
Speaking about the philosophy behind the school, Eshita said, “Research tells us clearly what young children need. Our work is to listen carefully and build a school that actually answers.”
One of Sagebrook’s flagship programmes is Beginnings, designed for children aged 18 to 36 months. The programme encourages warm, responsive relationships between parents and children while integrating songs, stories, conversations, and everyday interactions that support healthy brain development during the critical early years of life.
The school’s Block Building Programme also plays a central role, helping children develop spatial reasoning, mathematical thinking, language, executive functioning, and problem-solving skills through open-ended construction activities inspired by decades of developmental research.
Beyond academics, Sagebrook integrates Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into daily classroom experiences rather than treating it as a separate subject. Students are encouraged to build empathy, emotional awareness, identity, collaboration, and responsible decision-making as part of everyday learning.
The school’s thoughtfully designed biophilic campus reflects the same research-driven philosophy. Natural materials, abundant sunlight, effective noise management, self-regulating classrooms, and school-wide filtered air systems create an environment that supports children’s attention, emotional well-being, and learning outcomes.
Sagebrook also benefits from international academic partnerships, including collaboration with Whitgift School in the United Kingdom. Its International Advisory Board includes distinguished education experts from leading institutions such as Harvard University, ensuring that evidence-based educational practices remain central to the school’s approach.
As Hyderabad continues to emerge as a global education destination, Sagebrook International School aims to introduce a model where scientific research directly informs classroom experiences, giving children a strong developmental foundation from their earliest years.
Admissions are now open, with Sagebrook International School set to welcome students from the Beginnings Programme through Grade 2 starting in July 2026.