Parents may find it challenging to find the right boarding school for their kids with plenty of options available. Boarding/residential schools in India are ideal for kids whose parents do not live in the country or have busy jobs that make it difficult to concentrate on their children. You have to account for the safety and security of your kids a lot more than a regular school. It can be a daunting task for most parents. We understand your plight, and we are here to help. Here are some of the best residential schools that you may consider for your child.

Best Boarding And Residential Schools in India

1. The Doon School, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Doon School is situated in the heart of the valley, Dehradun. It is a well-known institution for boys. Established in 1935 by Satish Ranjan Das, a cousin of the freedom fighter Chittaranjan Das, it continues to be the best boarding schools in India. This school is affiliated to ICSE. Infrastructure:

Library Auditorium Science laboratories Design and technology center Rose Bowl amphitheater Dining hall Multipurpose hall Music school and dance studios Wellness center

Facilities: Medical care with 24-bed facility, with specialized dentists and physicians, Free counseling service. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Boxing, Squash, Tennis, Golf, Badminton, Volleyball, Trampolining, Yoga, Drama/theater, Excursions – adventure travel and educational tours, Workshops and exhibitions, Night outs, Activity clubs based on interests. Contact Info: The Doon School Mall Road, Krishna Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 Telephone: +91 135 2526406/ 9719638840 website: www.doonschool.com

2. Mayo College, Ajmer, Rajasthan

One of the best boarding schools in India for boys, Mayo College is affiliated to CBSE and is a perfect blend of academic excellence, sports, music and theater, art and craft. It grooms the child’s personality and is famous for its disciplined and well-organized environment. Infrastructure:

Boarding house Environment park Equestrian Library Mess Museum Oman guest house Science laboratories College store College cafe College temple Dining hall Multipurpose hall Medical clinic

Facilities: Hygienic food, Provides travel services to children and parents. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Boxing, Swimming pools, Gymnasium, Golf course and cricket stadium, Badminton, Volleyball, Hockey, Soccer, Artificial rock climbing and, trampoline, Reading rooms, Students exchange program, Mid–term treks and exhibitions, Adventure and education clubs. Contact Info: Mayo College Srinagar Road, Ajmer PIN – 305008 Rajasthan, Tel – 91-145-2661154,2664393 Fax – 91-145-2660697 website:  www.mayocollege.com

3. Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Standing up to its principal motto of “Overcome evil with good,” Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, has been a remarkable boarding school in India for boys. Founded in 1859 by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, this is one of the oldest schools in India. The ‘house system’ originated here. The four gentlemen who helped the school after the great fire of 1905 were honoured by naming the houses after them. The school also runs a learning center for non-resident, mentally-challenged children from Shimla. It is affiliated to the CBSE board. Infrastructure:

Lawren gate Canning gate Linlithgow house for staff The dormitory houses War memorial Museum Swimming pool Irwin hall Parks Library Chapel Laboratories Dining hall Medical care

Facilities: Lecture halls, Resource centers, Transport. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Fine arts, Music, School and band choir, Uniform services, Club activities, Badminton, Volleyball. Contact Info: Bishop Cotton School Shimla BCS Ward No.19, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Postal Code: 171002 India Telephone: +91 177 2620880 Website: bishopcottonshimla.com

4. Rishi Valley School, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Rishi Valley Education Center is run by Krishnamurti Foundation, India. It is located in a sheltered valley in the interior of rural Andhra Pradesh, about 15km from the nearest town, Madanapalle, and about 140km north-east of Bangalore. The junior and middle school, with around 190 students from classes IV to VIII, provides a flexible curriculum, free from the pressure of examinations. This creates an atmosphere conducive to innovative teaching and a rich range of learning, whereas the senior school, with 160 students from classes IX to XII, is affiliated to the ICSE and ISC examination boards. Infrastructure:

Seminar halls Institute for bird studies and natural history Well-equipped library Boarding facilities Lodging facilities Dining hall Outpatient clinic Labs

Facilities: Evening gathering “Astachal”, Resource centers, Transport. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Throw ball, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Athletics training, Coaching camps, Tournaments. Contact Info: Rishi Valley School Rishi Valley P.O. – 517 352 Madanapalle Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India Telephone: +91 8571 280086 website: www.rishivalley.org

5. St. John’s International Residential School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

St. John’s Academy is a unique residential school in India with a difference and aims to impart education for life. Apart from academic excellence, the school plays an important role in instilling social values and developing overall personality of a child. It is affiliated to CBSE board. Infrastructure:

School transport Cafeteria Internet browsing center Industrial washing and laundry system Hair dressing and salon Laboratories for maths, arts and science Well-equipped library Boarding facilities Dining hall St. Johns medical center Separate non-vegetarian and vegetarian kitchens with attached dining halls

Facilities:

More than ten physical education and five special coaches for sports Well equipped audio-visual department with LCD projector Career guiding center, Travel desk for ticketing and escorting services, School broadcasting system

Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Kho-Kho, Ball badminton, Shuttle Badminton, Kabaddi, Lawn tennis, Eight-lane athletic track, Music: guitar, veena, tabla, drums and choral singing, Brass band training, Indoor stadium. Contact Info: St.John’s International Residential School Palanjur, Nazarethpet Post On Chennai-Bangalore National Highway Chennai- 600123 Telephone: +91 44 26811551 / 26810512 website: www.sjirsindia.com

6. Welham Girls School, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Welham Girls School, Dehradun, inculcates of Indian culture and tradition in its students. The school aims at developing in them a sense of discipline and a spirit of service and fair play. The school brings together girls from varied backgrounds and socially diverse groups and instills in them a belief so strong that they learn to appreciate this diversity. It is affiliated to ICSE board. Infrastructure:

Dormitories Junior and senior girls separate hostels Day boarding School transport Infirmary Highly equipped laboratories Library Resource center Mess

Facilities:

Live learning, including educational trips to other countries and institutions Well-equipped audio-visual department for studies, Workshops.

Sports and extra-curricular activities: Athletics, Aerobics, Hockey, Volleyball,Basketball, Karate, Table tennis, Yoga, Lawn tennis. Contact Info: Welham Girls’ School No. 19 – Municipal Road, Dalanwala Dehradun – 248001 Telephone: +91 135-2657223, 2659690 website: www.welhamgirls.com

7. The Scindia School, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

The Scindia School for boys aims to build the child’s academic skills as well as their overall personality. The school strives to nurture the boys through their formative years, and place them on a path of life-long learning. It is affiliated to the CBSE board. Infrastructure:

Residential school Day boarding Dining facilities Information technology School shops Career cell Health center Shukla memorial open air theater Oval field

Facilities: Astachal, Exchange programs, Enhanced technologies. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Archery, Horse riding, Shooting, Football, Hockey, Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Cross country, Table tennis, Squash, Lawn tennis, Swimming, Skating, Adventure sports, School clubs and societies, Tournaments. Contact Info: The Scindia School, The Fort, Gwalior – 474008 Madhya Pradesh, Telephone: +91 751 2480750 website: www.scindia.edu

8. The Daly College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh

The Daly College was established in 1905 by Sir Henry’s son, Sir Hugh Daly. The school’s motto “Gyanamev Shakti” or Knowledge is power requires no elaboration and states their clear motive to create global citizens. It is affiliated to CBSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

118.8-acre lush green campus Temple Mosque Craft technology design center Laboratories Cafeteria Auditorium Hospital The Darbar Hall constructed by the Holkars Scindia Pavilion Vikram House Jhaveri Green Center

Facilities: Recording studio, Physiotherapy lab, Ramesh Mittal learning center, Kalukheda shooting range, Transporation, Sanjay Aggarwal resource center. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Tennis Academy, Eight squash courts, Nine basketball courts, Two volleyball courts, Skating rink, Gymnasium, Badminton, Tennis table, Three soccer and hockey pitches, 400m athletics track, 25-lane indoor shooting range, Dance and Indian music, English and Hindidramatics, Band, Fine arts, sculpture and pottery, Woodcraft and photography, Electronics, bamboo craft and needle work. Contact Info: The Daly College, Residency Area, Indore – 452001 Telephone: +91 0731 2719000, 2719001, 2719023 website: www.dalycollege.org

9. St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling, West Bengal

St. Paul’s School was founded in Calcutta and later shifted to Darjeeling to provide an exhilarating environment amid the Himalayas. The school makes the boys think big and strive for great things in life. It is affiliated to ICSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

Houses Dormitories Day boarding School transport The chapel The rectory Cafeteria Laboratories Junior and primary wings Laboratories for maths, arts and science Well equipped library Boarding facilities Catering and dining services Gardens, lawns, and planted forest trees Cybernetics

Facilities: Qualified doctors, Tennis and other sports courts, Playgrounds. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Squash, Lawn tennis, Rock climbing (mandatory), Hobbyclub, Art and craft, Indian and Western music, Model making and photography, Wood and lathe work, Textile design, Cooking and philately. Contact Info: St. Paul’s School P.O: Jalapahar Darjeeling, Pin: 734103 West Bengal, India Telephone: +91 354 2252334 website: www.stpaulsdarjeeling.com

10. Sarala Birla Academy, Bangalore, Karnataka

Sarala Birla Academy is a premier educational institution for boys. The school aims at striving to equip each child with life skills that help in their all-round development. It helps them grow, enables them to rise to their maximum potential and build their intellectual curiosity. It is affiliated to ICSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

Spacious classrooms Boarding houses School transport Cafeteria Library Laboratories Dining hall Sports department Gym Healthcare and medical facilities Counselling General store

Facilities: Training workshops, Championships, Conferences, Exchange program, Prose and poetry. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Film appreciation club, Photography club, Public speaking, Various clubs. Contact Info: Sarala Birla Academy Bannerghatta, Jigni Road Bangalore 560083 Telephone: +91 80 41348201 website: www.saralabirlaacademy.org

11. Assam Valley School, Balipara, Assam

Assam Valley School is one of the finest co-educational boarding schools in North-East India. The school aims to prepare children for life and creates an environment which fosters sensitivity towards nature. It imbibes a sense of responsibility and encourages mutual help among the children. The school is affiliated to ICSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

High-end campus Boarding house Day boarding School transport AVS library Estate Administration Laundry Stores Maintenance Cafeteria Dining hall Pastoral care Medicare

Facilities: School vehicle and farm equipment for daily operations and estate upkeep. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Marathons, Ball badminton, Shuttle badminton, Squash, Lawn tennis, Gymnastics, In-house adventure camp ‘Hollong’, Music: guitar, veena, tabla,drums and choral singing, Brass band training, Archery, Horse riding, Socialand educational clubs, Appreciation societies, Indian music, Colloquium. Contact Info: Assam Valley School, Balipara District Sonitpur, Tezpur, Assam 784101 Telephone: +91 96780 74320/ 74321/ 74322/ 74323/ 743255 website: assamvalleyschool.com

12. Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

The Rashtriya Indian Military College has a long history. Founded in 1922 by Prince Edward VIII, the Prince of Wales, it has the reference to old Indian tradition of ‘guru and sishya’ and this relationship of mutual love and reverence has formed the basis of this college’s ethos. Nested in the foothills of Shivalik in sylvan surroundings of the Doon valley, this school is affiliated to CBSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

138-acre campus Heritage building in Tudor style Mess and dining hall Spacious classrooms Playfields Courts Swimming pool Library Computer center Cyber cafe Day boarding

Facilities: Computer center, Cyber cafe, Scholarship, Medical facilities. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Cricket, Hockey, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Athletics, Boxing, Lawn tennis, Squash teams, PT , Inter-ection competitions, Excursions. Contact Info: Rashtriya Indian Military College Garhi Cantt, Dehradun – 248003 Uttarakhand Telephone: +91 135 2752083 website: rimc.gov.in

13. Sherwood College, Nainital, Uttarakhand

Sherwood College aims at developing a curriculum which attempts to recognize and encourage student’s talent at different stages of his/her life. It strives at achieving fluency in English language and ensures efficient and effective delivery of the teaching/learning process. The school is affiliated to ICSE board. Infrastructure: Dormitories Mess food and cafeteria Courts and playfields Laboratories Well equipped library Dining hall Medical centre Facilities: Swimming pool, Squash courts, Badminton and tennis courts, Internet. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Hockey, Basketball, Badminton, Tennis, Art and craft, Sculpture and glass painting, Pottery making,oilpainting, batik, tie and dye, Photography, Indian music (instrumental and vocal), Western music (string instrumentation, piano) choral singing. Contact Info: Sherwood College, Ayarpatta Nainital-263002 Uttarakhand Telephone: + 91 5942 236361 website: www.sherwood.edu.in

14. Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Chinmaya International Residential School aims at the all-round development of children, who can grow up into global citizens. This residential school gives the students a chance to absorb and understand Indian culture and heritage with a sense of respect and gratitude to one’s country. It is affiliated to CBSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

Dormitories Healthy food Internet browsing center Laboratories Well-equipped library Dining hall Health and medical care center Auditorium Gymnasium

Facilities: Laundry service, Standby power supply. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Jogging, Yoga, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Water polo, Badminton, Adventure sports such asmountaineering, trekking, rock-climbing, Lawn tennis, Athletics, Softball, Baseball, Clubs and societies, Social service programs, Educational tours. Contact Info: The Chinmaya International Residential School Nallurvayal Post, Siruvani Main Road, Coimbatore-641 114, Tamil Nadu Telephone: +91 422 2613303 /2613300 website: www.cirschool.org

15. Lawrence School, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

The mesmerizing Lawrence School is situated in the lap of Mother Earth and is a renowned coeducational institution in Ooty. Its motto is to nurture every child in an informative and caring environment. It is affiliated to CBSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

Cafeteria Laboratories Well-equipped library Dining hall Medical center Synthetic courts Swimming pools Hockey field Weight training rooms Indoor badminton courts

Sports and extra-curricular activities: Football, Cricket, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Archery, Billiards and snooker, Shuttle badminton, 400m athletic track, Lawn tennis, Cross country, Horse riding field , Squash, Indoor stadium. Contact Info: The Lawrence School, Lovedale Ootacamund, The Nilgiris Tamil Nadu – 643003 Telephone: +91 423 2442552 website: www.thelawrenceschool.org

16. Lawrence School, Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh

A coeducation boarding school, surrounded by forests with pine, deodar and other conifer trees, was established in the year 1847 by Sir Henry Lawrence and his wife Honoria. The motto of this top boarding school lies in molding children into good human beings with hallmarks of values, compassion, empathy, self-service, honesty, diligence and commitment. It is affiliated to CBSE curriculum. Infrastructure:

Seven boarding houses for girls and boys Dormitories Spacious classrooms Hospital Laboratories Well-equipped library Digital library Dining halls Round square Playgrounds and courts for different sports and activities

Facilities: Regular counselling, Healthy meals, Mandatory usage of digital libraries to get the children acquainted with newest technologies, Parker Hall, school’s resource center provides, easy access to archival memorabilia. Sports and extra-curricular activities: Boxing, Cricket, Hockey, Squash, Basketball, Soccer, Badminton, Athletics, Table tennis, Gymnastic, Rifle shooting, Clubs and societies, Activities including weaving, ceramics, fashion designing, Indian classical music and dance, art, carpentry, photography, bulge and brass bands, sculpture and paper recycling. Contact Info: The Lawrence School Sanawar, Distt. Solan Himachal Pradesh India- 173202 Telephone: +91 1792 261208 website: sanawar.edu.in

17. Singapore International School

Singapore International School is built in an 8-acre campus. It is a residential boarding co-educational school offering classes from primary to XII. The average teacher to student ratio in the school is 1:5. It follows two international curricula. The IGCSE program in classes IX and X leads to the Cambridge exam at the end of class X and also prepares students for the two-year IBDP curriculum in classes XI and XII. Infrastructure:

Spacious and smart classrooms Library Amphitheatre Indoor stadium

Facilities:

Cafeteria Boarding Transport for day scholars

Sports and extra-curricular activities:

Sports such as football, basketball, badminton, athletics, table tennis, lawn tennis, and karate. The school also offers arts and crafts, sculpting and pottery classes.

Contact info: On National Highway No. 8, Post Mira Road, Dahisar, Mumbai – 401104 Telephone: +91 22 28285200 / 1 / 2 / 3 Website: www.sisindia.net Disclaimer: “The list of schools has been taken from various surveys done by third-party print and online publications. MomJunction was not involved in the surveys nor it has any business partnerships with the schools covered in the list. This post is not an endorsement of the schools and parents’ discretion is advised in selecting a school.”