Delhi Public School or DPS, as it is commonly called, is one of the best-known school brands in the country. With over 150 schools spread across various cities in India and 10 other countries, the brand's recall value among respondents of the HT-C fore school survey in Faridabad was very high.

A close look at the functioning of DPS Faridabad, which topped the list of ten best schools in the city, went a long way in understanding why the school that imparts education to over 4,000 students under the CBSE board is a favourite among teachers and parents in Faridabad.

DPS Faridabad scored high in segments pertaining to the competence of its faculty (8.3 out of 10) and the range of courses it offers against the fees it charges (7.6).

It would be unwise to disregard the DPS-brand factor while evaluating the strong positive response the school garnered. But the role of teachers was an aspect that almost all respondents of the survey spoke about.

Shail, mother of Raghav Gupta (Class 12) chose to send her second child to DPS, though her elder son was studying in a different school.

Talking about the positives of DPS Faridabad, she says, "The teachers here are better. Children are… used to tests, so they don't feel the pressure during board exams."

Jooni Nauriyal, one of the teachers, has taught Physics in the school for 12 years. One who alludes to cricket run rates to explain the meaning and concept of velocity in the classroom, Nauriyal says "as a teacher you have to be thorough with your subject".

The school also trains teachers and some senior students in playing the role of counsellors to help children discuss issues they can't normally talk about at home.

For Nauriyal, this is the most unique aspect of her work. "We are supplementing the role of parents …I have never done this in other schools," she says.

Started in 1995, DPS Faridabad now has a total of 4,168 students. While they are taught to stay a cut above competition, values also find an important place in their learning, says Stalin Malhotra, Director of DPS, Faridabad.

“Sensitivity towards people is (also) important. If some of our students go on to become doctors or lawyers some day, they must have a strong sense of ethics."

But there is always room for improvement.

Inside sources say the school's student-teacher ratio (22 students per teacher) is not the best in town.

Parents have allegedly had to carry their child's photograph when they go to meet a teacher to help him or her identify their child.

Another fact that did not go down too well with the parents was that parent-teacher meetings are held only twice a year.