List of Best ICSE Boarding Schools in India 2026-2027

Expert Comment : Established in 1935, The Doon School is a premier all-boys boarding school in Dehradun. The school follows the ICSE, IB, IGCSE, and Doon School curriculum. It offers admissions in classes VII and VIII only. The Doon School, boasts a picturesque campus with state-of-the-art facilities to foster a well-rounded education. The school’s dynamic pedagogy focuses on enriching the intellectual and creative interests of young boys to ensure that they succeed in both professional and personal endeavours. It is renowned for fostering critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and independent thinkers.

Expert Comment : Rishi Valley School, founded in 1926 by the renowned philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, is tucked away near Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh. It’s a co-educational residential school that follows the ICSE and ISC boards, and it’s all about holistic learning. Spread across 375 acres of a beautiful valley, the school has 20 hostels, a rural education center, and a health facility, all designed to blend academics with a love for nature.

Expert Comment : Welham Girls’ School is located on the Municipal Road, Dehradun, India. This all-girls premier boarding school was founded in 1957 by H. S. Oliphant. The school is affiliated to two boards. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) is an Indian board and Cambridge Assessment International Examination (CAIE) which is an international board. It offers classes from VI to XII. However, admissions are available in classes VI, VII, and XI only. Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun is situated on a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art facilities, promoting educational excellence through a challenging curriculum and global exposure. The school’s academic approach is unique and focused on nurturing young women. It supports social, emotional, mental, and intellectual development. Welham Girls’ School encourages women to be independent, strong, resilient, and the best versions of themselves.

Expert Comment : Bishop Cotton School (BCS) is among the finest all-boys boarding schools in India. Located in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, the school follows the CISCE board (ICSE for Class 10 and ISC for Class 12). It offers admissions from Grade IV to Grade XII. BCS Shimla was started in 1859 by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton. The school has a sprawling campus surrounded by green forests, huge mountains, beautiful landscapes, and picturesque scenery to support an inspiring learning environment. Its purpose-driven pedagogy and world-class facilities are aimed at raising strong, independent, resilient, skillful citizens who can thrive in the modern 21st-century world.

Expert Comment : Located in the Nilgiris Hills, Ooty, The Good Shepherd School is a fully residential international co-educational school with a vision of ensuring the overall development of students in the most peaceful settings along with modern state-of-the-art infrastructure and educational curriculum. Started in 1977, the school boasts of its sprawling 150 acres of campus, providing a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and started following an international curriculum in 1995, thereby offering IGCSE, ICSE, and IB curricula.

Expert Comment : Unison World School (UWS) is counted among the best all-girls boarding schools in India. It was founded in 2007 and is located at the Mussoorie Diversion Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The school accepts admissions from Grades 6 to 12. UWS is affiliated with the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and Cambridge International Education (CIE) boards. Its stimulating educational approach enhances student development significantly. Unison World School stands out for its learner-centric approach which caters to the students’ needs at different levels. The school campus is safe, nurturing, and enriching. It provides outstanding facilities to raise confident, resilient, skillful, and cultured women who are ready to face the modern world's challenges.

Expert Comment : Offering quality education to students from classes IV to XII, Mayo College Girls School (MCGS) was founded in 1988. It is a premier all-girls boarding school located on the Mayo Link Road, Ajmer, Rajasthan. The school is affiliated with the CISCE and CAIE boards. MCGS is based on a campus that offers world-class facilities in academics, co-curricular, and boarding. The school operates under the aegis of the Mayo College General Council. Its balanced educational pedagogy encourages students to explore their innate capabilities and nurtures them to pursue their dreams. Mayo College Girls School in Ajmer provides a safe environment conducive to personal growth and quality learning.

Expert Comment : Established in 1999, Hopetown Girls’ School is one of the best boarding schools in India. This all-girls boarding school is located on Rajawala Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Purpose-driven pedagogy and quality academics contribute to the school’s excellent reputation. Hopetown Girls’ School has a beautifully landscaped campus with state-of-the-art facilities to promote holistic education. It follows the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), ICSE, and IGCSE curricula. Admissions are available from classes 6 to 12. Hopetown Girls’ School prepares students for different competitive exams like JEE, CLAT, NEET, CUET, and IPM.

Expert Comment : Located amidst the pristine hills of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, Mussoorie International School (MIS) is one of the best all-girls boarding schools in India. The school was started in 1984 and follows the CISCE, CAIE, and IB curricula. MIS accepts new students from class I to class XII. The school’s pedagogy encompasses value-based education. It strives to inculcate Indian values and traditions among students while maintaining international academic standards. The school has been ranked number 1 for its pastoral care services. Its spacious campus is exemplary and serves as a beacon of diversity, inclusivity, academic excellence, and holistic development.

Expert Comment : Commenced in 1995, Sahyadri School is a Krishnamurti Foundation School located in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The school is situated in Tiwai Hill amidst the valley of the Bhima River, enclosed by lush green forests and idyllic valleys. The school campus has a rich biodiversity, fostering a strong connection between students and nature. Sahyadri School is a co-educational residential school, following the ICSE curriculum and starts admitting children from class 4. It promotes technology- and innovation-based education. The residential facilities of the school are exceptional, such as spacious rooms, healthy food, pastoral care, and 24/7 surveillance for safety.

Expert Comment : St. George's College in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand was established in 1853. It is affiliated with the Indian School Certificate Examinations Board (CISCE). This all-boys boarding school offers admissions from classes IV to IX and XI. St. George's College campus is wrapped by the majestic Himalayan ranges. The school’s comprehensive pedagogy promotes lifelong learning. It strives to inculcate core Christian values in students while preserving the local ethos. St. George's College in Mussoorie stresses the holistic development of children and empowers them to be confident and responsible global citizens.

Expert Comment : Distinguished as one of the best all-boys international boarding schools in India, Sarala Birla Academy (SBA) is located in Bangalore, India. The school is based on an expansive campus offering state-of-the-art facilities like interactive classrooms, well-stocked libraries, designated labs, experienced staff, and extensive sports complexes. It was established in 2004 by Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla to honour his grandmother, the late Dr. Sarala Birla. SBA Bangalore accepts admissions from classes V to XII. The school’s strategic educational approach is widely recognized. It strives to integrate essential life skills among students while preparing them for the challenges of the modern world. Sarala Birla Academy fosters diversity and inclusivity through diverse curricula, including ICSE, CAIE, and IBDP.

Expert Comment : Established in 1869 as the Diocesan Boys School, Sherwood College is located in Nainital. The school is affiliated with the CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) board and provides quality education from classes III to XII. It is based on a massive green campus situated amidst the Shivalik ranges. Sherwood College is a co-educational residential school. Its state-of-the-art educational approach fosters leadership and global citizenship among young students. The school boasts an excellent academic and co-curricular infrastructure to support a well-rounded education.

Expert Comment : Established in the year 2001 by Sunny Gupta director of Wheezal Labs, one of the biggest homoeopathic combinations unit in northern India, the school offers modern education based on the Vedic principles.The school is affiliated by the ICSE Board, New Delhi, which conducts the ICSE (Std. 10) and ISC (Std. 12) examinations. As required by the CISCE, the subjects for ICSE and ISC examinations are taught creatively by a faculty that is experienced and highly qualified.

Expert Comment : Affiliated with the CISCE board, The Peepal Grove is a co-educational residential school and alternative school in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The school was founded in 1991 by Sri Mumtaz Ali. The campus spans over 30 acres and is nestled in the Gongivari Palli village, Sodam mandal, surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque landscape. The school admits children from Grades IV and follows a modern educational approach to promote curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The online applications for The Peepal Grove School open in September, and the academic year begins in June.

Expert Comment : Vellore International School (VIS) is from the house of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), one of the top 20 engineering institutions in India, which is home to 50,000 students from 50+ countries.VIS is located in a sprawling campus adjacent to the 1500 acres of Thaiyur Reserve Forest, yet close to Chennai, within 5 km from major IT parks, OMR.

Expert Comment : Located on a purpose lush green campus, Ebenezer International School (EISB) is a premier co-educational day cum residential school in Electronic City, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The school follows diverse curricula, including IBDP, IBPYP, IGCSE, and CISCE. Its student-centred instructional approach strives to raise caring, compassionate, and talented citizens to make a positive change in society. EISB was established in 2006 and provides admissions from nursery to grade X and XI. It prepares students to pursue higher education in the world's prestigious universities by offering world-class university placement programs.

Expert Comment : Col Brown Cambridge School (CBS) is an all-boys school located in Dehradun. The school was established in the year 1926. It is affiliated with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board. The school provides admissions from grades IV to XII. CBS Dehradun follows an advanced pedagogy to nurture young minds and produce skillful global leaders. The school has a beautiful campus equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It provides an enriching learning environment tailored to the unique educational requirements of children. Col Brown Cambridge School Dehradun is well-renowned for its excellence in education, sports, and community service programs.

Expert Comment : Wynberg-Allen School is a co-educational residential school in Mussoorie. The school was established in 1888. It is known among the country’s oldest educational institutions. Wynberg-Allen School accepts new students from classes I to IX and XI. The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) board. It is based on a beautiful campus and offers outstanding facilities for quality education and extensive co-curricular activities. Wynberg-Allen School’s dynamic educational framework ensures each child attains high standards of academic excellence and holistic growth.

Expert Comment : Started in 1995, The Assam Valley is a premier co-educational boarding school in North East India. The school has adopted a forward-looking pedagogy and places a strong emphasis on creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and holistic development. Affiliated with the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE) Board, AVS offers a stimulating learning environment and prepares children to thrive in the modern world. Spread over an area of approx. 235 acres, The Assam Valley School campus is nestled at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and is surrounded by lush greenery and tea hills. The school admits children from class IV (9+ years old).

Expert Comment : Montfort Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School is a premier and legacy residential school started in 1917 with the aim of bringing a change in existing education infrastructure. The school serves its prime motive of imparting quality education blended with sports, games and other co-curricular activities that lead to the complete development of an individual.

Expert Comment : Inaugurated in 1869, All Saints College is an all-girls day cum boarding school in Nainital, Uttarakhand. The school offers modern infrastructure and a 36-acre purpose-built campus to promote contemporary education. Its academic pedagogy is deeply focused on imparting high-quality instruction while instilling Christian values in students. All Saints College is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) board. Admissions are accepted from classes I to XII. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities like audio-visual rooms, modern computer labs, designated Science labs, excellent sports areas, art and craft centers, and exclusive educational programs to nurture students holistically.