1. What education board should I choose – ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE, IB or state board?

There is a considerable difference between all the five boards when it comes to the procedure, curriculum and examination pattern. Preference of board also varies based on the subject selection and planning of further higher education. Let us understand the speciality of each board: CBSE Board: CBSE (Central Board for Secondary Education) is a very popular, easy, student-friendly board which focuses its curriculum on the key subjects required for entrance exams to get into engineering and medical colleges. CBSE is theoretically and practically oriented to Maths and Science. CBSE has national and international recognition, however, there are very limited options for art and literature students. ICSE / ISC Board: ICSE (Indian Certificate for Secondary Education) or ISC (Indian School Certificate) has a much more comprehensive curriculum which is better than CBSE. Unlike CBSE, ICSE Board gives equal emphasis to all the subjects and has diverse options in arts, language, home science and several other domains. ICSE has a much-balanced curriculum with a blend of both theoretical and practical approach. However, with complexity in curriculum, a student might score more in CBSE as compared to ICSE. IGCSE: IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is a very precise academic board, considered to be parallel to Cambridge O level and simultaneously UK GCSE boards. IGCSE offers over 70 different streams and more than 30 vivid languages to opt from. If you plan to move to other countries or want your child to study their curriculum, IGCSE is the board for you given the similarity it has with the USA and the UK curriculum. Unlike other boards, IGCSE conducts examinations in written, oral and video formats. The board is applicable for class 9 and 10 only. IB: IB (International Baccalaureate) Board is a very complex board prevalent in 150 different countries with acceptance in most universities and schools. IB Board offers the maximum freedom in the learning journey with inclination to language studies and humanities as well. IB Board gives more emphasis to research and problem-solving ability.

2. What is the minimum to maximum budget range for the fees of the best schools in Chennai?

Chennai, being one of the most developing cities in the country, has a certain standard of living. The fee range for the best schools in Chennai varies according to the type of board, and the infrastructure and the learning facilities. The minimum fees start from ₹ 15,000 and the maximum fees for the schools would be around ₹ 2,50,000.

3. What are the extra-curricular activities provided by the best schools in Chennai?

The best schools in Chennai have their primary focus on academic excellence followed by equivalent exposure to sports, and other extracurricular activities like dance, music and instruments, robotics, coding, dramatics, pottery, painting, writing, swimming, and many such activities which foster an all-round development of the students. The students passing out from the best schools in Chennai are academically competent as well as exceptional in other extra-curricular activities. The facilities for different extracurricular activities vary according to the different schools.

4. What type of curriculum matches with the national competitive entrance examinations like NEET, JEE etc.?

The most preferred board when it comes to the curriculum which completely resonates with the syllabus pattern of national competitive entrance examinations is the CBSE Board following the NCERT curriculum. So, the students can generally prefer schools affiliated to CBSE Board for preparation of the entrance examinations for professional colleges.

5. Which boards provide an international curriculum?

Parents are highly fascinated with International schools given the alignment in the curriculum with foreign countries. The schools affiliated to IGCSE or IB boards are the ideal option for the parents who plan to migrate to foreign countries or want their child to pursue further education in foreign countries.

6. How can Edustoke help in the admission procedure of my child?

Edustoke is a pioneer school searching platform which provides you complete guidance and counselling for selecting a suitable school based on the parameters of budget for fees, comfort of location, preference of boards and curriculum. The team of expert counsellors will help you in the process of selection of schools followed by guidance on the subsequent admission procedure about the admissions tests, payment of fees, school visits, etc. to ensure that you have a hassle-free admissions process and select an appropriate school for your child.

7. Does Edustoke charge any fee or charges for the admission consultation of my child?

Edustoke assists you in selecting a suitable school for your child and provides you with a complete admission counselling from selecting the schools to admission entrance tests without any charges or counselling fee.

8. What are the admission criteria for the best schools in Chennai?

The admission criteria varies according to the type of school and board affiliation. Merit is preferred in some schools along with an entrance examination to understand how competent the candidate is for admission. In certain schools, the admission process also comprises personal interviews of the parents and the candidate along with verification of the details.

Top 42 Best Schools in Chennai With Fees, Admissions, Reviews 2025-2026

With premier educational institutions located in the heart of the city, Chennai, the capital of the state is one of the prominent education hubs in the country.
The best Schools in Chennai which provide the finest quality education to the students with equal emphasis to co-curricular activities, sports and extra-curricular activities to foster complete development of the students.
The educational institutions follow a well-defined curriculum following the CBSE, ICSE, International boards like IB, IGCSE or the State Board.
Some of the best schools in Chennai are Chettinad Vidyashram, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Army Public School, Orchid The International School, Ryan International School, Chennai Public School and Alpha International School.