1. Can I visit Boarding School before the admission of my kids?

Yes, you can. In fact, you must. Unlike a day school, your child would live in the boarding school and any parent would want to make sure that their child is in a safe, secure, hygienic, and comfortable place which would be instrumental in his mental and physical development. The school visit is a very important part of the edustoke counseling process, and we ensure that all the parents who are being assisted by us, have their visits planned with all permissions taken.

2. How much do boarding schools cost?

The annual fee range, for boarding schools, is very wide. Privately run and managed boarding can have an annual fee for the junior class (grade 5 or less) as low as 1 lakh per annum and goes all the way to 20 lakhs per annum. Besides annual fees, there are additional costs such as travel and other expenses, which again vary enormously from school to school. A school with a fee of 1 lakh per annum, generally, can provide only very basic boarding lodging facilities. At the other end schools charging 10Lakhs and above usually provide the best possible boarding and lodging facilities, usually multiple curriculum choices and a very wide variety of sports. However, we should mention that an annual fee is not necessarily a good indicator of a school's overall quality (it is only a reasonable indicator of infrastructure provided). It is however reasonable to expect that, with good boarding and lodging, ample sports facilities, and good teachers a school would have to charge somewhere between 4 to 8 lakhs to meet all expenses. This answer will not be complete, without mentioning government boarding schools. There are 550+ Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 20+ Sainik and Military Schools which provide education completely free of cost with almost all expenses taken care of. Entry into these schools through entrance exams.

3. Which is the best boarding school in India?

Several institutions can lay claim to that title and there would be no name or list of the best which cannot be contested and spark debate or controversy. Many ranking and awards that have come up lately (and more get added to the list each year) which publish raking across multiple categories (and categories also increase every year to accommodate more and more schools) which offer some insights, however there no neutral independent entity with no commercial relations with schools that exists to definitely pass best and worst school judgment with any objectivity. While we all agree that some schools do a better job than others, in India, which has 1500+ boarding schools, finding the best one across all parameters would not only be very difficult, it may be impossible. So each set of parents has to find the best one which suits their needs and aspirations. Some things that a parent must keep in mind: i) Budget: Don’t go overboard, there is little correlation between expense and output desired. ii) Academic output: Ask for the past three years' results if you want an academically rigorous environment. iii) Look at infra in detail and objectively: There are certain sports and activities which appear attractive on paper but have very little value practically.

4. What are the benefits of attending a boarding school?

Boarding schools offer some unique developmental opportunities not available in day schools to the same extent. Boarding school students invariably turn out to be more independent, more self-confident, and have better social skills. Children from diverse backgrounds living together in a boarding school are exposed to a much wider set of experiences that community day schools rarely have. Boarding schools have a 24X7 curriculum which gives them the ability to include far more activities and events in the school calendar leading to better overall development including leadership qualities. Sports and outdoor activities are an integral part of the day, something city day schools struggle to provide.

5. Are boarding schools in India safe?

Well, contrary to the doubt boarding schools are very safe for both girls and boys. The best boarding schools in India ensure the right precautions are taken for the children. From surveillance cameras across campus, hostel, and gate to guards and wardens taking care and supervising the children’s space, they create a secure and homely environment for children. The dorms are more like a small family so that they don’t feel homesick. Moreover, the residential schools also have on-campus medical facilities to manage any mishappening or medical emergency effectively. From thermal temperature monitoring to sanitization of areas, they are prepared to keep children safe in their homes away from home.

6. What are the eligibility criteria for admissions in boarding schools?

The eligibility criteria for admissions in boarding schools differ from one institution to another. While some schools enroll students based on academics, others have entrance tests and/or personal interviews in their admission standards. This is mentioned in the application circular of the respective schools. After applying, the school informs the syllabus of entrance tests, schedule, etc. in detail. The final admission list is prepared only after considering all the involved factors.

7. Do boarding schools prepare children for national entrances like NEET or JEE?

Boarding schools understand how essential it is to start preparing for higher studies while students are in school. For this reason, many residential schools offer the facility of in-house preparation for the national and international entrance examinations. Some schools put extra charges besides school fees for these classes for the students who enroll in the courses. While other schools have this included in the school curriculum itself. These school integrated programs are taught by the best faculty from the country who excel in particular fields of studies.

8. What are the co-curricular activities offered in boarding schools?

Since students reside on the campus to study and practice other developmental activities. Boarding schools carefully draft their curriculum in such a way that proper time and attention is given to extracurricular and sports activities. The residential schools employ expert coaches and teachers for the students to pursue and opt for the activities of their choice. It depends on the school to school if the activities are included in the school fee or are charged extra based on the choice made. Although the sports and curricula available in a particular school vary from one to another, the popular sports include swimming, horseback riding, athletics, baseball, basketball, soccer, archery, etc. Similarly, the co-curricular include art and craft, painting, music, pot making, student clubs, public speaking, debates, etc. Many students of school represent at the national level in both spheres with the proficient training they receive in boarding schools.

9. What curriculum do boarding schools follow?

The main motive behind boarding school education is preparing the students for a better future incorporating the best of academics, skills, and moral learnings. While all schools follow a particular curriculum, the boarding schools in India follow either of the educational boards: ● CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education ● CISCE: Council For The Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE for 10th and ISC for 12th) ● State Board ● IB: International Baccalaureate ● CIE: Cambridge Assessment International Education

10. How often can I talk to my child or visit them?

It is not easy for both parents to send their children away for studies. Boarding schools allow the students to talk to their families, however, the frequency of calls differs from one school to another. As boarding schools are imperative for a child's overall development, spending proper time with family is also essential. To have a balanced approach to this, students visit their homes on vacations. The schools provide winter and summer vacations, besides students can also visit their homes during festivals.

Top 23 Best Girls Boarding Schools in India 2023-2024

Boarding or residential schools work towards curating a learning journey solely towards building a strong foundation for the students for their professional and personal journey ahead.
With gender exclusivity options for girls or boys, boarding schools become a convenient option for parents as quality learning easily accompanies self-discipline.
Some of the best girls boarding schools in India are Welham Girls School, Mussoorie International School, Mayo College Girls School, Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Vidya Devi Jindal School, Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls Public School, Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School for Girls, and Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls Public School.
The infrastructural amenities for the best girls boarding schools in India specifically inclines to safety, security and hygiene parameters and facilities also include providing healthy and hygienic meals.
There is specific emphasis on imparting the finest education according to the board affiliation, but the best girls boarding schools in India also have a striking balance amid academics, sports and other extracurricular interests of the students.