About
Dapoli Education Society: A Legacy of Excellence Since 1880
History
Our Roots: The SPG Mission Era
The story of our institution began in 1880 when the London-based ‘Society for the Propagation of the Gospel’ (SPG Mission) established an English medium school in Dapoli. Led by missionary Alfred Gadney, the school flourished in the cool, temperate climate of Dapoli—then a prominent British military station.
Starting with just four classes, the school evolved into a full-fledged High School by 1889. At a time when modern education was rare, it was one of only three high schools (Ratnagiri, Dapoli & Alibaug) serving the vast region of Ratnagiri and Colaba (encompassing modern-day Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg districts), earning a prestigious reputation within the Bombay Presidency.
History
A People’s Movement: The Birth of Dapoli Education Society
When the Mission decided to close the school in the early 20th century, the local community—led by two generations of alumni—refused to let the flame of knowledge die.
On July 6, 1928, the Dapoli Education Society was founded. Led by the visionary Dr. P.V. Kane (an illustrious alumnus, future Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University, and Bharat Ratna awardee), the society raised ₹18,000 through crowd funding to purchase the school and its premises from the Mission.
In honor of their beloved teacher, Alfred Gadney, the “Mission High School” was renamed Alfred Gadney High School (A.G. High School). Under the new management, the school shifted from a missionary focus to an environment rooted in nationalistic values and holistic development.
A Legacy of Excellence & Progressive Values
From its earliest days, the school was recognized for its holistic approach to education, particularly in Fine Arts and Physical Education:
A Prestigious Distinction: During the British era, when the price of gold was a mere ₹18 per tola, the school was one of a select few in the entire Bombay Presidency (stretching from Karachi to Karwar) to receive a special annual grant of ₹50 for excellence in Drawing/Fine Arts.
Pioneers in Co-education: Long before gender equality in education was the norm, historical records show that girls have been studying at this school since as early as 1921.
A Cradle of Legends
For over a century, our institution has been a cornerstone of Indian education, excelling particularly in Physical Education and the Arts. Our alumni list reads like a roll call of national heroes:
Bharat Ratna Dr. P.V. Kane (Legal Scholar)
Sane Guruji (Pandurang Sadashiv Sane – Freedom Fighter & Author)
Wrangler Raghunath Purushottam Paranjape (Mathematician)
Revolutionary Ganesh Gopal Athalye
Brigadier Nijanand Vishnu Bal
Padmashri Bhiku Ramji Idate
The school has also been graced by visits from legendary figures such as Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, B.G. Kher, and N.C. Kelkar.
Dapoli Education Society Today: From KG to PhD
Today, the Dapoli Education Society stands as a leading educational pillar in Konkan, offering quality education across multiple campuses:
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A.G. High School: Currently the largest secondary school in the Ratnagiri district.
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Dapoli Urban Bank Senior Science College: A prestigious institution within the University of Mumbai.
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Rural Outreach: Providing high-quality education in rural areas like Ade, Pajpandhari, and Umbarle.
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Future-Ready: From Nursery to PhD, we continue to expand through skill development, technical education, and modern curricula.
students
MOST TRANSFORMATIVE COLLEGE
years of history
History
In 1919, a group of visionaries sought a new and evolved model of education, one providing the intellectual and creative freedom to tackle the most pressing issues of the day.