Atmiya Vidya Mandir is an international residential only school located in a rural setup about 20 km away from the "diamond city of India" - Surat [state: Gujarat (population: ~60 million), country: India] founded in 2004 by an international socio-spiritual organization named Yogi Divine Society (www.shaharidham.org). It was ranked No. 9 in India and No.1 in Gujarat respectively, by the EducationWorld Magazine School Rankings 2016. The school puts as much emphasis on the moral and spiritual development of the students as it does for academic excellence. Due to this, the school's annual calendar is full of cultural events, celebration of festivals and the creative assemblies through which specific values and qualities are demonstrated using the medium of dance, drama and music, performed by students with guidance from teachers. The most distinctive feature of the school is its striving for educating the students about the necessity of harmony (being atmiya) in the society given the extent of disparity in terms of people's attitudes, behaviors, values, habits, successes and failures. Being a place where such value education is imparted led to the school being named Atmiya Vidya Mandir (meaning, a temple of education where harmony is taught and practiced). Faculty The school also enjoys a diverse teaching staff (60% with advanced degrees) and support staff that constitutes of individuals from 4 countries and 14 states of India. Some of these individuals have left behind their well established careers in the UK and the USA in diverse fields and have stepped in as teachers for life time.