Nalanda Academy

ABOUT NALANDA

Nalanda Academy is a public charter with a focus on mindfulness, STEM, and foreign languages from grades kindergarten level through Grade 3. Nalanda Academy will add a grade level each year until it reaches grade 8.
The objective of Nalanda Academy is to prepare students for future success to lead as global citizens in a rapidly changing world.

At Nalanda, our educational philosophy is to equip students with strong core knowledge, a passion for learning, and a lifelong mission to serve their community. We will achieve this by:

1- Basing our language arts curriculum on the science of reading;

2- Approaching daily tasks and activities with mindfulness; and

3- Facilitating time-tested, research-proven physical acitivities and relaxation techniques. The focus on their well-being is to help them cope with trauma, anxiety, stress, distraction and isolation of living in this complex world. Removing these barriers will open the doors to greater learning

OUR VISION

At Nalanda Academy we believe that, in addition to excellence in academics, it is crucial to inculcate a healthy and good way of life along with value-based character building early-on for an overall development of a child. Our curriculum will not only focus on intellectual and academic growth, but also on the emotional and behavioral needs of each individual child’s heart and mind. Daily activities will include participation in age-based, research-proven physical activity, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to help the next-generation avoid early burnout and remain passionate about learning. Nalanda Academy will instill a lifelong compassion in our children to serve their community. We will offer the most comprehensive and rigorous curriculum meeting the global standards and needs which infuse knowledge to make our children strong leaders in every aspect of life. Nalanda Academy foresees being a center of excellence for all, regardless of any social or economic disparities. And thus, with both academic and personal growth, we envision producing the next-generation global citizens of the highest caliber.

OUR MISSION

At Nalanda Academy our mission is to educate children to become human beings of the highest caliber with a lifelong passion to learn, compassion to serve, and knowledge to lead in every aspect of life.

Our Board Members

Dr. Raj Polavaram, is a board certified Internal Medicine physician with UNC Health and practices in Cary and Raleigh. With Dr. Raj's experience as a head of a non-profit organization, a health care expert and being connected to the community as a serving physician his connection to the community can contribute in governance and growth aspects of the school. After discussing the idea of starting a charter school with many members of the community, Dr. Raj initiated the formation of the Nalanda Academy board.

Dr. Raj Polavaram

Board Chairperson

Dr. Abanish Singh, is an Assistant Professor in Behavioral Medicine and Neurosciences at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Singh has served as a member on the Wake County Academically or Intellectually Gifted Education (AIG) Advisory Board/Committee and contributed in the rewriting of the Wake County AIG Plans for the years 2013-2016 and 2016-2019. He has also served as member, vice-president, and interim president during 2013-2016 on the Board of Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education (PAGE) of Wake County, a non-profit organization better known for organizing the regional spelling bee competition and several other gifted education activities throughout Wake County. Being a higher-education professional, Dr. Singh spent all of his career in academics, i.e., as a student, researcher, and a professor. He has a long experience in academia as well as in biomedical and behavioral medicine research. He will bring specific knowledge and skills that will significantly contribute towards and lead in strategic planning, innovations in teaching methods, enhancing research-based academic practices, and evaluating curriculum design and development.

Dr. Abanish Singh

Vice Chairperson

Ami Dāvé-Patel, originally from India, has lived in the United States for 22 years. She is a dedicated mom, wife, youth wellness coach, certified yoga instructor, AI consultant, educator and entrepreneur. Ami holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Over the past two decades, she has gained extensive experience in industries such as Health Care, Advertising, Marketing, Information Technology, Higher Education, and EdTech. Ami’s expertise lies in scaling start-ups and corporate entities through data-driven decision-making, sustainable business consulting, and leveraging AI and Machine Learning with gamification in education. Additionally, she specializes in technology curriculum design for both K-12 and Higher Education. A dedicated community leader, she is passionate about helping youth stay connected to their cultural roots through world languages, arts, and yoga. Currently, Ami serves as a Founding Board Director at Nalanda Charter Academy, a consciousness-based K-8 school set to open in 2025 in Raleigh, NC.

Ami Dave-Patel

Sandeep Aggarwal, is Assistant Director, Dean of Business, Technology, and Cultural Affairs, at Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts. Mr. Aggarwal has served the Sallie B. Howard community since 2004.He brings to the board varied experiences which include education administration, system and process building,employment-based immigration expertise, strategic budget planning, social media marketing, and student international travel. He is currently the Assistant Director at Sallie B Howard School in which he leads the business, finance and technology departments. Additionally, he oversaw the planning and construction of the new high school building from the ground up. He has also led the school's Study Abroad program in which he has organized trips since 2004 to various countries such as India, China,Australia, Cuba, South Africa, and Canada. Finally, he initiated and led an energy conservation project which saved the school a large sum of money for the last past 8 years.

Sandeep Aggarwal

Treasurer

Mr. Gopal Panchavati is a technology leader with over 27 years of experience in the industry providing thought leadership on client engagements involving digital transformation strategy, advisory, architectural design, and execution of AI, data, and public cloud initiatives. Gopal takes pride in helping organizations leverage technology to streamline and optimize their business processes and by helping them align technology initiatives to the business outcomes. He leverages public cloud, AI, and machine learning technologies to extract insights from data to help enterprises stand out in the competition. He leverages his panoramic experience in the IT space to benefit non-profit organizations like Nalanda Academy. Gopal is driving the IT Strategy for Nalanda and leading its Marketing Efforts.

Satyagopal Panchavati

Board Member

Global HR Executive, with a demonstrated track record of managing HR functions for large multi-national companies. Business oriented and results driven, collaborative, thought leader who thrives in complex and dynamic situations with experience in mature as well as emerging markets.
Expertise
A passionate global HR leader with several years of cross-functional experience, across recruitment, business HR partnerships, employee relations, compensation strategy, HR processes & strategy and M&A
A champion of employee-centric strategy to attract and retain high-performing talent, build a stronger employer brand, and drive organizational success. Led global teams to drive transformation agendas and strategic organizational initiatives

Promoter of Mindfulness; leads Mindfulness, meditation workshops for IBM Executives

Successful in building trusted relationships with external and internal stakeholders across all levels. A flag-bearer of inclusion and diversity

Manishi Deva

Markus Schmitt is a seasoned Business Innovator and Digital Thought Leader with over 27 years of experience at Siemens and Siemens Healthineers. His Leadership expertise spans AI Research, Digital Strategy, Operational Excellence, and large-scale global technology transformations, significantly contributing to the companies' worldwide success. He has a big heart and a deep passion for holistic education. His vision encompasses the development of forward-thinking global school curricula that not only prepare students for the challenges of the AI era but also instills proper character development and essential life skills. His educational philosophy emphasizes the cultivation of strong personal foundations, adaptive behavioral systems, mindfulness practices, and leadership rooted in empathy and compassion. By mentoring young minds to thrive in the age of AI and Generative AI, Markus aims to foster a new generation of leaders characterized by compassion, creativity, proactivity, and a sense of global responsibility. His ultimate aspiration is to shape individuals who transcend the roles of mere followers and consumers – to become visionary leaders, innovative creators, and meaningful contributors to society. Through this holistic coaching approach, Markus endeavors to lay the groundwork for a more enlightened and harmonious future for all of humanity.

Markus Schmitt

Board Member