Boarding schools are institutions where students reside entirely away from their homes, living in boarding hostels and experiencing all activities.
The term “boarding” refers to room and board, which includes lodging and meals provided to the students.The primary motto of these boarding schools is to provide students with education and instill discipline in them.In India, the concept of residential schooling dates back to around 5000 BC during the Vedic era.
During that time, students used to reside in the house of their Guru (teacher), where they were taught various subjects, cultures, and disciplined lifeBoarding schools have now replaced this traditional ancient concept of education.This schooling system has gained importance due to changes in Indian society, such as the rise of nuclear families and working-class parents.
Additionally, the easy availability of technological distractions at home for young kids has become detrimental to their overall development.As a result, many parents now consider boarding schools as the best environment for their children to learn and achieve better academic performance.Here is a list of the Top 10 Boarding Schools in India:
1) Doon School
Doon school was established in 1935 in Dehradoon, Uttarakhand.It is a boarding school exclusively for boys aged 12-18. institution is affiliated with ICSE and ISC.Applications are received from all over India and even from Indian families living overseas.
The school has received recognition as the Best Boarding School in India by The New York Times, Times of India, and BBC.The school provides an environment conducive to young students’ overall learning.It offers lush green open spaces, a wellness center, and a top-class teaching faculty.Additionally, a school counselor resides on the campus throughout the week to provide guidance to students.
Notable alumni include Rajiv Gandhi, Naveen Patnaik, Bunker Roy, Amitav Ghosh, Prannoy Roy, Aroon Puri, etc.The annual fee for this boarding school is ₹ 11 lakh.
2) Welham Girl’s School
This school in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, was established in 1957 by H.S. Oliphant and is considered the best boarding school for girls in India.
The school is affiliated with ICSE and ISC, providing a prestigious education for its students.To ensure a well-rounded education, the school offers a wide variety of discipline options, including mandatory skill-based topics like Yoga, Computer Applications, Art, Vocal Music, Dance, Musical Instruments, etc., for the Council Exam.
As part of their commitment to global exposure, the school facilitates student exchange programs with two international schools, promoting cultural diversity and different learning systems.Notable alumnae of this school include Kareena Kapoor, Brinda Karat, Meira Kumar, Deepa Mehta, Radhika Roy, among others.For those seeking admission to this esteemed institution, the annual boarding fee is ₹6.75 lakh.
3) Rishi Valley School
Established in 1926, the school is located in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.
It is considered one of the top residential schools in India and operates under the Krishnamurti Foundation.This co-educational boarding school is affiliated with both ICSE and ISC.
The school aims to provide a nurturing environment that fosters intellectual growth and holistic development.From classes IV to VIII, students are relieved from exam pressures with a flexible curriculum.Rishi Valley School is part of the Indian Public School’s Conference and has seven sister schools, including The Valley School in Bengaluru and Rajghat Besant School in Varanasi.
Several notable alumni have attended this school, such as Aditi Rao Hydari, Nachiketa Mor, Neelam Sanjeev Reddy, and Varun Gandhi.To attend this boarding school, students must pay an annual fee of ₹4 lakh.
5) Mayo College
Established in 1875 in Ajmer, Rajasthan, by Richard Bourke, sixth Earl of Mayo and the Viceroy of India, this is one of India’s oldest boarding schools.t is exclusively a boys-only boarding school, admitting students between the ages of 9 and 18.The school is affiliated with CBSE at both the High School and Senior Secondary levels.Sports activities are a prominent part of the school’s offerings, including Tennis, Shooting, Cricket, Squash, Basketball, and Horse Riding.Notable alumni of this prestigious institution include Indra Sinha, Amit Goyal, Vivek Oberoi, and Admiral Sunil Lanba.The annual fee for attending this boarding school amounts to ₹ 11.5 lakh.
6) Lawrence School
Established in 1847 in Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh, by Sir Henry and Lady Honoria Lawrence, it stands as one of India’s most prestigious boarding schools.Being one of the oldest schools in Asia and India, it has a rich history and heritage.This co-educational school is affiliated with CBSE, and prospective students undergo a competitive entrance exam followed by an interview for admission.
The school prefers Class V as the entry point for students.Originally, it catered to orphaned children of British soldiers and other English students.For the foundation of this school, Maharaja Gulab Singh, the first Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir, made significant donations.Among its notable alumni are Sanjay Dutt, Ajeet Bajaj, Pankaj M Munjal, and Amarinder Singh.Parents seeking admission should be aware that the annual fee for this boarding school is ₹ 5.83 lakh.
7) Scindia School
Established in 1897 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, by visionary HH Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, it is one of India’s most renowned boarding schools.This prestigious institution is situated on the captivating Gwalior Fort and is among the oldest all-boys boarding schools.Initially, it exclusively enrolled royal children, but later it opened its doors to students from all social strata, offering admission from class VI to XII.Affiliated with CBSE, the school provides modern smart classrooms and follows the English medium of instruction.Some of the notable alumni of this esteemed institution include Capt. Amit Sinha, Air Chief Marshal PC Lal, Anurag Kashyap, Salman Khan, and many others.For those seeking admission, the annual fee for this boarding school amounts to ₹12 lakh.
8) The Bishop Cotton Boys School
This school, established in 1865 in Bangalore, Karnataka, is dedicated to the memory of the Bishop of Calcutta George Edward Lynch Cotton.In 1871, the school was relocated to its current location on St. Mark’s Road.The primary focus of the school is to teach its pupils how to work together and actively participate in society.It is an English medium school and is affiliated with ICSE and ISC.Adjacent to St. Mark’s Road, there is a sister school known as Bishop Cotton Girls School.Some notable alumni of this prestigious institution include Nandan Nilekani, Philip Wollen, Lucky Ali, Feroz Khan, Varun Agarwal, Dr. Raja Ramanna, and Admiral Vijay Singh Shekhawat.The annual fee for this boarding school amounts to ₹4 lakh.
9) Sherwood College
Established in 1869 in Nainital, Uttarakhand, by Dr. Condon, H.S Reid, and others, this is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious co-educational boarding schools.The school is affiliated with CISCE and IGCSE and boasts a faculty of 200 members.Divided into two parts, the Horse Wing accommodates grades III to VI, while the Dixon Wing houses grades VII to XII.Participation in extracurricular activities like sports, Indian and Western Music, debating, theatre, and fine arts is compulsory for all students.Notable alumni include Amitabh Bachchan, Kabir Bedi, Rahul Johri, Major Somnath Sharma, and Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, among others.With an annual fee of ₹ 5.6 lakh, this boarding school offers a top-notch education and enriching experiences to its students.
10) Lovedale School
The school’s original name is The Lawrence School. It was formerly known as Lawrence Memorial Royal Military School in 1925. Established in 1858, it is a co-educational boarding school in Lovedale, Tamil Nadu. Major General Henry M. Lawrence founded the school. Lovedale is a small town situated in the Nilgiri Mountains.Due to its location in Lovedale, the school is famously known as Lovedale School. It is divided into three sections: Preparatory School for class V, Junior School for classes VI-VIII, and Senior School for classes IX-XII.The school has produced notable alumni, including Honourable Justice A.K Jayasankaran Nambiar, Anand Mahindra, C Vijayakumar, Akshay Khanna, Ram Charan, Gul Panag, and others.For boarders, the annual fee for this school is ₹ 4 lakh
