Amrita Vidyalayams are a chain of value based schools which are managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math. Many years ago, as Amma pondered over the calamity that humanity is headed for due to the dearth of values, a group of devotees from Kodungallur, Kerala, approached Her with an appeal to start a school in their home town. Perceiving in this a means to influence future generations by restoring value-based education for children and to guide the world towards peace and harmony, She agreed. Thus the first educational endeavour of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math came into existence on June 1, 1987 with the establishment of an English medium school at Kodungallur named AMRITA VIDYALAYAM (AV).
Gradually, more Amrita Vidyalayam schools were started in many other places as well, both within Kerala and outside the state. Most of the schools in Kerala are affiliated to the CBSE. One school in Kerala is affiliated to ICSE. Most of the AV schools in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra follow the curriculum of the respective state educational departments and boards.