17 Best Boarding/Residential Schools In India

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.

Supervision and safety are essential factors that parents must consider as you have to account for the safety and security of your kids a lot more than a regular school. The Indian government has put in place policies and regulations that require all residential schools to maintain high standards of safety, education, and care, and the best schools in the country go above and beyond to meet these requirements while also ensuring transparency and accountability in their operations.

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.

In This Article

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 and is regarded as one of the top 10 boarding schools in India.

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 and one of the best hostel schools 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 and inclusivity. 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, improve their academic performance, 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, including socialization and independence. 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 that fosters sensitivity towards nature. It imbibes a sense of responsibility and encourages mutual help among the children, creating a close-knit community. 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. One of the top boarding schools in India, the motto of this 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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the advantages of attending a boarding/residential school in India?

Attending a boarding/residential school may allow fewer distractions and more focus on studies, teach students to live with people from various cultural backgrounds, and encourage participation in various activities. It may help in the overall development of good character (1).

2. What facilities and amenities are provided at boarding/residential schools in India?

Residential schools may provide housing/hostel facilities, security, medical care facilities, classrooms with technology support, entertainment (music room, games, TV), and sports and extracurricular activities.

3. What criteria should parents consider when selecting a boarding school for their child in India?

When selecting a boarding school for their child, parents should consider its academic reputation, facilities, hostels, food quality, staff, curriculum followed, and extracurricular activities. Additionally, if parents can go personally to the school to examine its environment and talk with their teachers, it would help make a decision.

4. How do boarding schools in India ensure the safety and well-being of their students?

Generally, 24-hour CCTV cameras are set up around the whole school with security guards for patrolling. In the hostels, housemasters, nurses, and mental health counselors are available round the clock for effective management.

5. What is the average class size in boarding schools in India?

The top boarding schools in India have an average of 12 students in a class.

6. How do boarding schools in India support the emotional and psychological well-being of their students, especially when they are away from their families?

To support students in emotional and psychological well-being, boarding schools provide counseling services, organize group activities, schedule routine home visits, and arrange monthly parent-teacher meetings.

The above list includes the best boarding schools in India and their infrastructure and facilities. A child in a residential school spends a substantial part of their growing years away from home. So their safety and comfort are of prime importance. It is crucial to opt for a school that boasts of quality teachers and ample opportunities for sports, extra-curricular activities, and the child’s personal growth. You may also visit the schools personally or arrange for someone reliable to talk to the faculty, staff, and students and find out more about the entrance exams, admission procedures, and fees. Connect with parents and guardians of such students or alumni so that you make an informed decision.

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.

Key Pointers

  • Bishop Cotton School in Shimla boasts a comprehensive infrastructure, including well-equipped laboratories, libraries, dormitories, and dining halls.
  • St. John’s International Residential School in Chennai and Mayo College in Ajmer, Rajasthan, offers various sports and extracurricular activities, including football, cricket, hockey, volleyball, and basketball.
  • Welham Girls School in Dehradun promotes diversity and inclusivity by bringing together girls from varied backgrounds and fostering a sense of community.
  • Assam Valley School in Balipara promotes environmental awareness and sensitivity and fosters a sense of responsibility towards nature among students.

Cannot decide which residential school in India is the best for your child? Use this video to learn about the top schools, their values, and student-teacher ratio.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Advantages of boarding school.
    https://www.mma-tx.org/why-mma/advantages-of-boarding-school/
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