In the city of Pune, which is well known for its cultural and educational heritage, Vidya Mahamandal is an educational institute, imparting quality education to about Two Thousand students from varied backgrounds every year for the last many years.

Vidya Mahamandal Sanstha was established on 1st December 1961 by a small group of enthusiastic youths, who had very different ideas and views about giving education with an objective of an all-round development of the child as a good human being.

The dream was timely supported by late Shri. G. L. Apte, an eminent lawyer and writer who donated a huge piece of land on Apte road in the memory of his father late shri. Laxmanrao Apte. He was the president of the Pune municipality and was a famous lawyer of his time. Our trustee late Shri. Vasantrao Apte is the grandson of Laxmanrao Apte was one of the founder members.

Today we witness a total of Seven educational offshoots of the Vidya Mahamandal standing on a campus big enough to house them all, but the beginning of this giant institution was small and humble. The Vidya Mahamandal made its forty into the educational field by establishing the "Vidya Mahamandal Prashala" in the year 1962. Initially, the classes of this school were held in the tiny garage belonging to the Apte Family, while the school building was built. Late Balasaheb Bhole and the Late Madhavrao Apte, well-wishers of the Vidya Mahamandal, gave priceless help by providing financial support for the building, which was completed in the year 1968.

In the year 1968, with the initiative of late Mrs. Sharayu Vasant Apte, the Pre-Primary School Sharada Balak Vihar was established. Later Mrs. Manik Apte also took initiative by working as a teacher in the school. For as many as thirty five years, both of them took immense efforts and pioneered child education in such areas of Pune like Pulachi Wadi, Shirole Vasahat, Patil Vasti and Police Line, where education itself was a novelty.

The year of 1972 proved to be a historic year for the society. The erstwhile editor of "Sakal" a renowned daily newspaper Late Nanasaheb Parulekar visited Vidya Mahamandal and he unveiled the new name of the school, which was henceforth called as "Laxmanrao Apte Prashala". He appreciated and paid tribute to the efforts and contribution of the Vidya Mahamandal Sanstha to the educational field and urged the members to spread their efforts and contribute in different ways to society.

The Vidya Mahamandal endeavours to educate not only school students, but also the civil society various activities like tree plantation, Dedication Centers, providing food and shelter to pilgrims and so on. Thus through such activities, Vidya Mahamandal is constantly striving to realize the vision of the founder members that of an educated and culturally aware civil society.

The undisputed dedication and excellent team work of executive members has made it possible for the institute to serve the society through the following branches.

      Sharda Balak Vihar (Pre-primary)
      Sharda Vidya Mandir (Primary)
      Laxmanrao Apte Prashala (High School)
      Sayam Prashala
      Laxmanrao Apte Junior College (Science and Commerce)
      Vidya Mahamandal's Vocational Training and Research Centre for Deaf and Dumb Students.
      Educational resource and research center
      Guidance Center for Various Competitive Entrance Examinations

Looking at the growing needs, the institute has now raised two floors of their existing building and one more five-storied building. With this there is a very good facility for library, equipped laboratories and computer laboratories. The founder members of Vidya Mahamandal namely late P. G. Vaidya, late N. C. Joshi, late V. G. Apte and late M. D. Paranjape set to work with zeal. Their ardent efforts paid off in a very short time. Encouraged and pleased with this progress, the late Gopalrao Apte once again donated his family land, this time 13000 sq. ft. to the Vidya Mahamandal Sanstha.

Late P. G. Vaidya a visionary educationalist the pioneer of school, with his few friends such as Late M. D. Parajape, Late N. C. Joshi started a school in 1962. The classes were held in any vacant place available. Like garage, under a tree or on a heap of sand.

Late P. G. Vaidya, founder & first head master put his heart & soul in development of school with his foresight dedication & love for children hence the school was flourished.

Inspired by school’s success Vidya Mahamandal started Laxmanrao Apte Junior College in 1975, with bifocal courses such as electronic, computer & paramedical. Jr. College has maintained an excellent record. 105 (no. of student) students have figured in the merit list of Pune HSC board. Now it is the first preference for students.

Thousands of students today are studying in various educational wings of Vidya Manhamandal.

QUALITY EDUCATION

VIDYA MAHAMANDAL has not only educated thousands of students and spread the message of importance of education, but has also given priority to provide quality education to its students. The Junior College ranks at the topmost position in Maharashtra.

Till date, sixteen students from VIDYA MAHAMANDAL have received the RASHTRIYA PRANDYA Scholarship, Twenty three students have received the 4th and 7th standard scholarship, and Six students the international Olympiad.

The students have not only proved their merit in the academic sphere, but have also displayed their talent in various creative fields such as television, films and music. As many as Five students from VIDYA MAHAMANDAL have received the prestigious Sa Re Ga Ma award. The renowned recipient of the Hind Kesari Award Yogesh Dodake is also an ex-student of the institute.