The 158-year-old St Michael's High School in Patna has emerged as the institution most students from across the state prefer for their Plus Two.

Around 2,500 students, who passed their Class X boards from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Certificate for Secondary Education (ICSE) and Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), applied for admission to around 385 seats at the school. The institution increased the number of seats from 50 to 55 in every section this year but also reduced a section in the science stream. There are five sections in the science stream and two in commerce, each having 55 students.

A number of applicants have secured 10 Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) - the highest score for CBSE boards. There are students who have an aggregate of 95 per cent from the ICSE board.

The entrance exam had objective-type questions and students answered the test on OMR sheets. Sources said around 60 per cent of the aggregate would be taken into consideration during publication of the final merit list (for CBSE and BSEB). The entrance test will make up for the remaining 40 per cent.

The school has shortlisted candidates after going through their marksheets and they will be called in for an interview. The list for ICSE students has been released. Classes are expected to start by the end of this month.

School principal Father Armstrong Edison said the school was known for holistic education and had maintained the standard for many years. "Selecting students for Class XI was a Herculean task for us as the number of applicants was large," he said. "Quality of education, discipline, modern facilities, consistent academic performance, highly qualified teachers and the reasonable fee structure are among the few factors which attract a lot of students to our school."

The school has come up with several new initiatives:

Two activity clubs:

The school will start a social activities club and a cultural and fine arts club. It had started two clubs last year too - the international relations club and the eco club, in collaboration with non-government organisation Tarumitra.

The social activities club includes study tours and social service. This helps students become good samaritans. Students will be able to raise relief funds for underprivileged children and people hit by natural calamities. The cultural and fine arts club will help students hone their extra-curricular activities. The club has different recreational activities for students, inclusing dance, music, handicraft workshops and painting.

"Both clubs run under the principal's supervision and the guidance of teachers," said a teacher at the school. "Students take part in these activities during the vacations too."

Additional security

The school has set up more gates and installed closed circuit television cameras at each one of them. There is a separate gate for the extension counter of UCO Bank on the school premises. This will ensure that outsiders wishing to visit the bank so not enter the school.

Modern methods:

The school started a computer-based programme called Mindspark to help students who are weak in mathematics and language skills. The programme helps students follow a scientific path to learning and helps teachers identify the problem zones in every student. The software helps in holistic education and is for students between classes VI and XII.