Frequently Asked Questions

Miri Piri Academy is committed to creating an environment for students that fosters mastery of the mind and elevation of the spirit. Our program combines rigorous academics, daily practice of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, and a strong sense of community to give each student an experience of self-mastery and leadership. Parents send their children to Miri Piri Academy to learn and practice a spiritual lifestyle, develop self-discipline and confidence, and give them the skills and the knowledge they will need to be successful in life.  

Miri Piri Academy accepts students from any country or background, regardless of language abilities. Students in grade 9 or 10 who are not proficient in English are placed in a special Structured English Immersion (SEI) program for the first school year and receive extra help so that they can catch up with their peers. By the end of the first school year, SEI students who apply themselves are generally fluent in English and able to keep up in the classroom. There is an extra fee for enrollment in the SEI program. 

Many students come to MPA from diverse faiths and backgrounds. Although the school is founded on the teachings of Sikhism, students of any race, religion or culture are welcome. While students are required to practice the Sikh lifestyle as a part of our program, there is no expectation that they will adopt the Sikh religion or practice Sikhism in their personal life. As long as a student’s religious practices and beliefs do not interfere with their full participation in the Miri Piri Academy program, they are welcome to practice any other religion while attending the school.  

MPA is in the final stages of accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization which partners with over 1500 public, independent, and international schools in the United States and worldwide to assess, support, and promote high quality education for all students through accreditation, professional assistance, and pursuit of best practices. NEASC aspires to provide a process for meaningful, ongoing whole school improvement while honoring the unique culture and context of each institution we support. Founded in 1885, NEASC has been working to establish and maintain high standards for all levels of education longer than any other accreditation agency in the United States. MPA students will graduate with the equivalent of a US high school diploma. 

The school year generally begins in August and ends in May. Check out specific Important Dates, which change yearly.

We have a medical department on campus currently staffed with a medical coordinator, three nurses, and a residential School Counsellor. We have a sick room, an isolation room and a small dentist office. In addition to offering allopathic treatments, we also have contracts with local Homeopathic and Ayurvedic practitioners. Students may book Massage, Acupuncture and Physiotherapy appointments by request on campus for a small additional fee. MPA works with some of the leading doctors and hospitals in Amritsar for our allopathic and alternative care therapies.”

Miri Piri Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, art, music, yoga, and community service. Students are required to participate in a sports program that includes football (soccer), basketball, and Kabaddi (a Punjabi wrestling sport). Students choose at least one of our fine arts programs, including classical Indian vocals, tabla, sitar, pottery and Bhangra dancing. Training in Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art, and participation in community service (Seva) programs are mandatory for all students.

Every year during winter and spring breaks, the school travels to other parts of India for vacation and sightseeing. Past trips have included Shimla, Dharmsala, and Rishikesh. Each spring we attend Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib as well as class trips to places like Rajasthan, Hemkunt Sahib and Leh, Ladakh. Twelfth-grade students also have the opportunity to go on the Senior Class Trip to countries like Australia, Malaysia, or Thailand.

Miri Piri Academy accepts children entering 9th – 11th grade who are inspired by our program and want to challenge themselves to excel personally and academically.

We are dedicated to financially assisting any student who wants to attend MPA thought payment plans and scholarships. A significant percentage of our student body receives some Financial Aid. You can apply for Financial Aid during the Application Process.

Indian residents will receive a discount of 110,000 INR. This is in lieu of Financial Aid.

The Letter of Acceptance will be issued after:

• Online application has been completed.
• Prior school transcripts and a Letter of Recommendation from the students’ most recent school have been received.
• An interview has been completed and student approved for Admission.
• The Enrollment Contract and all Policy and Liability Release Agreements have been signed and received.
• The Entrance Fee has been deposited.
• All outstanding dues and fees have been paid from previous years. 

The tuition fee does not include textbooks, outside exams, SEI Classes, spending money, or incidental expenses like extra uniforms, academic supplies, or medical and dental services.  

The sibling discount is equal to 5% of tuition, not including fees, and is applied for the youngest sibling attending. If a third sibling attends, the youngest of the three siblings may receive a 10% discount on Tuition, not including fees. If additional siblings attend, they may also receive a 10% discount on tuition.  

An Incidental Deposit to cover supplemental expenses must be made at the time of admission for all students. The funds are used to cover the following types of expenses; textbooks, extra exams, tutoring, SEI classes, medical expenses, field trips, additional excursions, extra school expenditures such as replacement of textbooks, supplies, shoes, uniforms, etc., and other incidental needs (as and when they arise). The Incidental Deposit must be replenished when it reaches the Rs. 5000 level.

Extra-spending money may be included as extra funds with installment plans or may be arranged with the accounts department at any time for payment by credit card or wire. Please inform the accounts department when extra-spending money has been sent.        

Once your child has been accepted as a student at Miri Piri Academy, an official Letter of Acceptance will be issued. This letter is necessary to apply for a visa from the Indian Consulate General. In order for your child to attend Miri Piri Academy, he or she must have a valid passport from their country of citizenship, and a Student (S) Visa issued from the Indian Consulate General in his or her State or Country. Please note that if a child arrives at our school with an Entry (X) Visa or a Tourist (T) Visa, we are unable to allow them to study at our school. Students must be a legal resident of India or have a Student (S) Visa to study at Miri Piri Academy.

Parents are responsible for making all travel arrangements for their children within the following guidelines:

Arrival and Departure Guidelines

• Students must arrive on campus during the School Arrival Window and depart during the School Departure Window. For details click here. Any student that arrives late or departs early without the express written permission of the Principal will be charged an INR 6000 Absence Fee per day. (For 2021-2022 school year, we are not accepting any students late or granting early departures due to Covid-19).
• Students may arrive and depart with the chaperoned group, or they may be picked up or dropped off at the Amritsar International Airport or the Amritsar Train Station.
• Parents are expected to book their flights and send us the itinerary at least one month before the student will be traveling.  If we do not receive an itinerary within one month of a student’s departure from Miri Piri Academy, we will book the child a one-way ticket home and bill parents accordingly.

Chaperoned Flights

To facilitate supervised travel, a chaperone is sent on a flight through a primary travel center each year. Parents will be informed about the specifics at the time of enrollment and they have the option to book their child on the flight with the chaperoned group or arrange an alternate travel plan. All students traveling on the chaperoned flight will be charged a Chaperone Fee each way.

Travel Agents

The travel agents listed below have done work with us in the past. We are providing their information for your convenience, but we cannot guarantee their quality or reliability. Verinder Chopra, Four Season Travel NY Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-212-779-9622 Gunbir Singh, Divine Destinations: Email: [email protected] Phone: 91-183-325-1515/1414 Website:www.divinedestination.com

Students are expected to bring all required items listed in the official Packing List. In case the required items are not available or cannot fit within airline luggage allowances, students may purchase required items using funds from their Incidental Deposit.

Due to Covid-19, parents may drop their child off at MPA, but aren’t allowed on campus. 

Due to Covid-19, parents are not allowed to visit during the 2021-2022 school year. 

Parents are encouraged to purchase cell phones that students can use to stay in touch with their parents and friends on the weekends and for one hour each evening during weekdays. The school can arrange the purchase of cell phones and calling cards for students from the Incidental Deposit. The school building and dorms are also equipped with Wifi internet access so students can send emails and talk during their free time.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19, student leave will not be granted. If a student needs to leave for a personal reason, we can not admit them back for the remainder of the school year.