List Of Top 20 Boarding Schools In India

Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya
15 min readAug 30, 2023

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If you are looking for a list of top 20 boarding schools in India to find the one that will be the best fit for your child’s holistic development, we have it sorted for you. With the growing amount of educational institutions in India, it has become challenging for parents to analyse and weigh the pros and cons of schools in India. The list of boarding schools will lend a helping hand and simplify the process for you.

How to choose the right boarding school in India?

Boarding or residential schools are educational institutions built to offer academic learning while students reside on campus premises. Students get exposed to a nurturing, encouraging and mentally stimulating environment to help their holistic growth and development. While looking for the right boarding school, parents must consider the following -

  1. Infrastructure — The school infrastructure and facilities must be enough to fulfil children’s academic, lodging, dining, and physical growth requirements. It must have well-furnished dormitories, washrooms, mess, study rooms, smart classrooms, medical and sports facilities.
  2. Security — The safety of students must be of supreme importance to every top girls school in India. Surveillance cameras, wardens, and security guards help establish a disciplined environment.
  3. Academic curriculum — Different best residential schools in India are affiliated with the various state or central boards. Choose the best boarding school in India that offers a holistic curriculum based on your child’s academic needs.
  4. Global exposure — The private girls schools are practising modern education and integrating diverse teaching methods to prepare students for higher studies abroad. Cultural exchange programs provide excellent opportunities for students to know and learn more.
  5. Experienced mentors — Teachers are the guides for students that enrich them with high-class learning and teach them about life. Good residential schools in India hire skilled and experienced teachers that can bond with the students and help them transform students into learned individuals.

Which are the Top 20 boarding schools in India?

Here is a list of the top 20 residential schools in India that will help you get a better idea about residential schools in India.

1. Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya

Among India’s top 3 residential schools, SKV is a girls’ boarding school located in Gwalior, 300 km from Delhi. The history of SKV can be traced back to 1956, its founding year, where it was established by Late Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia in the presence of the first president of India, Honourable Dr Rajendra Prasad. Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya is an English medium school affiliated with the CBSE board. The vision and mission of SKV is to empower young girls by offering them a mentally, emotionally, academically, spiritually, morally, emotionally nurturing and stimulating environment. Moving towards more information about the school, SKV offers experiential learning braced with a modern education while garnishing it with Indian values and traditions. The school offers cultural exchange programs to provide global exposure to its students and enrich them with all potential opportunities.

More Details

Address- Moti Mahal Rd, opposite Navjeevan Hospital, Basant Vihar Colony, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009
Admissions- Class VI onwards
School strength- 512 students
Sports facilities- Basketball, Swimming, Table tennis, Athletics, Taekwondo, and many more.
Extracurricular activities- Fine arts, Music, Dance, Dramatics, Social service, Painting, and many more.
Alumni Testimony- Ms Richa Pandey (Miss India Iconic National Pageant), Mrs Jyotsna Brar (Former principal of Welham girls school) and many more.
Fee structure-

2. Welham Girls School

Situated in Dehradun’s lush green and serene environment, Welham is a female boarding school in India founded by Ms H. S Oliphant in 1957. Affiliated with the ICSE board, Welham Girls School has an excellent academic curriculum, clubs, and extracurricular activities to boost the physical growth and quality of girls’ education. The school’s motto, “Aartta shanti phala vidya”, believes that education aims to end suffering. Welham practises integrity, civility, humanity, and empathy. The school fosters inclusion and has its roots in Indian tradition and culture to promote girl child education. It offers a secular space where diversity is encouraged and all beliefs are respected. Welham organises foreign exchange programmes to nourish students’ cultural understanding and communication skills.

More details

Address- 12 Circular Road, Dalanwala, Dehradun 248001 Uttarakhand.
Admissions- In classes VI, VII and IX, only
School Strength- 540 students
Sports Facilities- Athletics, Aerobics, Badminton, Basketball, Hockey, Karate, Shooting, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Dance, Music, Art, Pottery, Craft, Design, Dramatics, Debate and many more.
Alumni Testimony- Ms Jyoti Mathur, Ekshu Mathur and many more.
Fee structure-

3. Ecole Globale Girls International School

Surrounded by beautiful mountains, waterfalls and a lush green landscape, Ecole Globale is among India’s best international residential schools to provide a world-class campus and technologically equipped classrooms for girls. Enriched with the latest technologies and amenities, Ecole Globale Girls International School is one of the top CBSE schools in India and envisions transforming young girls into bold, independent and learned professionals. They are open to students from diverse cultures and backgrounds to foster a unified and intelligent community for women. The vision of Ecole Globale is to provide a pool of opportunities for every child to explore and nourish their intellectual, creative and physical potential. They offer a sound and technologically stimulating environment to provide new tools for developing young girls into world leaders.

More details

Address- Sahaspur Road, Horawala, Uttarakhand 248197
Admissions- From class IV to XII
School strength- 300+
Sports facilities- Squash, Martial arts, Badminton, Shooting and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Pottery, Dance, Art and many more.
Alumni Testimony- Anshu Malini, Vidhi tiwari and many more.
Fee Structure-

4. Mayo College Girls’ School

Situated in Ajmer, Rajasthan, Mayo College is one of the best girls’ boarding school in India that is affiliated with ICSE and IGCSE boards and offers world-class education to girls. Founded in 1988, Mayo College girls’ school works with the motto of “Let there be light”, carried by dedicated and professional teachers.

More Details

Address- Mayo Link Road, nr. Mayo Lake, Nagra, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305007
Admissions- From class IV to XII
School Strength- 810+
Sports facilities- Shooting, Soccer, Equestrian, Skating, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Art and craft, Textile designing, Pottery, and more.
Fee Structure-

5. Vidya Devi Jindal School

Located in Hisar, Haryana, 150 km from Delhi, Vidya Devi Jindal School is an all-girls residential school founded in 1984 to impart inclusive and progressive education. With an excellent environment full of flora and fauna, the school is known for its academic excellence and democratic girls schooling. Its mission is to provide a multicultural environment for educating girls where they explore themselves and boost their intrapersonal skills. It is one of India’s top 20 CBSE schools aiming for academic and co-curricular excellence.

More Details

Address- 4R3X+W66, Hisar-Delhi Bypass Rd, Hisar Cantt, Hisar, Haryana 125044
Admissions- From IV to XII
Sports facilities- Taekwondo, Yoga, Volleyball, and more.
Extracurricular facilities- Sculpture, Dance, Textile designing and many more.
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.
Alumni Testimony- Kavita Thakur, Archana Sharma and many more.

6. Hopetown Girls’ School

Located amidst the serenity and greenery in Dehradun, Uttrakhand, Hopetwon Girls’ School was founded in 1999 by Mr Kamal Sehgal with the vision of developing young minds by providing them with challenges and opportunities to allow students to experiment and explore themselves. Hopetown is a famous girls’ boarding school in India that promotes secularism and values Indian traditions and beliefs. The school is affiliated with the IGCSE board and works to educate students through projects for every subject to enhance their understanding of different topics.

More Details

Address- Rajawala Road, P.O, Selakui, Central Hope Town, Uttarakhand 248011
Admissions- From class VI onwards.
Sports facilities- Badminton, Athletics, Yoga, Karate and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Pottery, Sculpting, Designing, Dance and more.
Alumni Testimony- Mahima Grover and Khusbhu Agrawal.
Fee Structure-
At the time of admission
Registration Fee — 15,000/-
Admission Fee — 75,000/-

7. Auckland House School

The school is found in the brisk and captivating view of Shimla, Uttarakhand and professes Christianity and the teachings of Jesus. Auckland house school, founded in 1836 by Lord Eden, was later sold to the school authorities in 1868 when it shifted to Shimla. It is a co-educational boarding school that works on the motto of “Altiora Peto”, which means to seek higher things and never give up on the quest for perfection. Auckland house school is dedicated to offering students spiritual, moral, intellectual and aesthetic values to upgrade the education for girls. Affiliated with the ICSE board, the school’s academic curriculum and co-curricular programmes are drafted to impart high-quality learning and build intrapersonal qualities in students.

More Details

Address- 455H+7PC, Circular Road, Longwood, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001
Admissions- From UKG to XII
Extracurricular facilities- Art, Dance, Music and many more.
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.

8. Mussoorie International School

Situated in the enchanting and ethereal land of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, 33 km from Dehradun, the school is surrounded by a variety of flora and scents all around. It was established in 1984 to foster global education rooted in Indian traditions and culture. Mussoorie International School is a residential school for girls in India strongly motivated by the “Gayatri Mantra”. It builds its students to inculcate values of tolerance, acceptance and respect. The school’s vision and mission are to transform every girl’s fearless global leaders that embody cultural and academic excellence. Affiliated with the ICSE board, Mussoorie International is well known for a sound environment enriched in values to impart deeper academic understanding.

More Details

Address- Polo Ground Sri Nagar Estate, Charleville, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179
Admissions- Girls between the age of 5 to 17.
Sports facilities- Chess, Karate, Golf, Skating and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Dramatics, Art, Sculpture and many more.
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.

9. Shigally Hill International Academy

Located on the picturesque and lush green foothills of Doon Valley, Uttrakhand, the school is among the top boarding schools for girls that is surrounded by rivers on three sides of the campus with a backdrop of the Himalayas. Shigally hill international academy was established in 2003 by Mr G.S Babra and operated under the prominent organisation of Babra Institute of Education Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya. The school serves on both CBSE and ICSE curricula and strives to instil critical, creative and cognitive thinking in to promote women leadership.

More Details

Address- Shigally Estate near shaheen bagh sigli, via Guniyal Gaon, Uttarakhand 248003
Admissions- From I to XII
Sports facilities- Chess, Carrom, Horse riding, Rugby and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Digital filming, Gardening, Pottery and more.
Alumni Testimony- Dr Yamkey Matey and more.
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.

10. Convent of Jesus and Mary

The school is located in the splendid and charming setting of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand and was founded in 1845. Over the years, it has come to be recognised as a Christianity minority institution and acts as a day school along with a residential school. The Convent of Jesus and Mary is committed to imparting girl child education rooted in social, moral and spiritual values. Affiliated to the CBSE board, the school aims to promote the holistic development of children where academic and extracurricular growth are given equal importance. Every child is taught to adjust to the modern environment and focus on personal growth to transform professionally and individually.

More Details

Address- Waverley, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248179
Admissions- For classes I to IX.
School strength- 600
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.

11. Heritage Girls School

The school is located in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and was founded in 2014 to establish an intellectually stimulating and culturally rich environment for girls to explore themselves to the fullest. Affiliated to the CBSE and IGCSE board, Heritage girls school is one of the top girls schools in India that aspires to nurture every questioning mind by allowing the girls to innovate, create and learn. They provide opportunities and sometimes challenge young girls to polish their critical thinking and boost their social and behavioural skills to promote female empowerment.

More Details

Address- NH-8, Eklingji, Rajasthan 313202
Admissions- For V to IX.
Sports facilities- Karate, Squash, Football and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Dramatics, Paintings, Dance and more.
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.

12. Vantage Hall Girls’ Residential School

Located within the sublimity and serenity of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, the school was established in 2014 to bridge perception and reality and research and action. Vantage Hall Girls’ Residential School is among the top 20 boarding schools in India that strives to identify new opportunities and commit to implementing best practices for education. Affiliated with the CBSE board, the school aims to foster a scientific temper, value-based learning, and critical thinking and provide a holistic environment for the growth and development of young girls.

More Details

Address- The Yellow Brick Road, Doonga, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007
Admissions- From III to XII.
Sports facilities- Soccer, Hockey, Swimming, Shooting, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Fashion, Art, Music, and many more.
Fee Structure- Visit for more details.

13. Bishop Cotton Girls’ School

Located in Bangalore, Karnataka, Bishop Cotton Girls’ school was established in 1865 by Rev. S. T. Pettigrew with the vision of nourishing intrapersonal skills and teaching moral values and dignity to transform every child into the best individual. It is both a day school and a residential school affiliated with the ICSE board. It aims to strive for a balance between academic and extracurricular for the holistic growth of every girl.

More Details

Address- St. Mark’s Road, Residency Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Admissions- From LKG to XII.

14. Woodstock School

Located in the evergreen and enchanting environment of Mussoorie, Uttrakhand, Woodstock School was established in 1854 and is a co-ed boarding school in India that aims to offer an exceptional education in the backdrop of a diverse international community. Affiliated with the International Baccalaureate(IB) board, the school works on an inclusive Christian tradition and strives to equip every child with the potential to achieve full leadership.

More Details

Address- Landour, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179
Admissions- From class VI to XII.
Sports Facilities- Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, and many more.
Alumni Testimony- David Rugh, Daphne Wysham and many more.
Fee structure- Visit for more details.

15. The Lawrence School

Situated in the blooming and serene backdrop of Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh, The Lawrence school is a co-ed residential school founded in 1847 and affiliated with the CBSE board. The school aims to establish leadership skills across life’s social, political, commercial and cultural spectrum by producing a self-confident, well-rounded and optimistic student personality. With a focus on high-quality academic learning, emphasis is laid on virtual learning programmes.

More Details

Address- Sanawar, Kasauli, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173202
Admissions- From class V to XI.
Sports Facilities- Hockey, Boxing, Athletics and more.
Extracurricular facilities- Music, sculpting and many more.
Alumni Testimony- Pooja Bedi (actress), Romil Bahl and many more.
Fee structure- Visit for more details.

16. Sherwood College

Located in a panoramic and picturesque view of Nainital, Uttarakhand, Sherwood College was established in 1869 and is a co-ed private residential school affiliated with ICSE and IGCSE boards. The school aims to offer a judicious mix of academics, sports and extracurriculars to balance every child’s mental and physical growth. It ensures to nourish every child with values, teachings and experimentation to transform them into polished, educated and responsible citizens.

More Details

Address- Ayarpatta, Nainital, Naina Range, Uttarakhand 263002
Admissions- From classes III to XII
School Strength- 800
Sports Facilities- Cricket, Football, Hockey, Billiards, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Dramatics, Photography, Art & Craft and more.
Alumni Testimony- Amitabh Bachchan, Ram Kapoor, and more.
Fee structure-
Application registration fees Rs.7000/-
Security deposit Rs.10,000/-
Annual fees Rs.6,20,000/-

17. Rishi Valley School

Located in the peaceful and serene environment of Chittor, Andhra Pradesh, Rishi valley school is an Indian boarding school founded by Jiddu Krishnamurti in 1926 to equip every child with technological proficiency and offer blooming opportunities, a sound environment, and advanced learning to create a total human being. The co-ed boarding school is affiliated to the ICSE board. It allows students to explore their internal and external world to cultivate a global outlook and transform children into world leaders.

More Details

Address- Rishi Valley, Chittoor District, Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh 517352.
Admissions- From class IV to XII.
Sports Facilities- Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, and Badminton.
Extracurricular facilities- Painting, Sculpting, Embroidery and many more.
Fee structure- Visit for more details.

18. The Assam Valley School

Situated in Assam’s rejuvenating and spectacular environment, the school is a co-ed private boarding school established in 1995 to impart a holistic education that entails social, physical, mental and artistic realms. Affiliated with the ICSE board, The Assam valley school is dedicated to offering opportunities for students to explore themselves to their fullest potential and grow creatively and confidently.

More Details

Address- Balipara, Tezpur, Assam 784101
Admissions- Balipara, Tezpur, Assam 784101
School Strength- 890
Sports Facilities- Archery, Tennis, Soccer, Taekwondo, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Art, Craft Design, Theatre, Music and many more.
Alumni Testimony- Bidisha Das, Parnalekha Mishra Paul and more.
Fee structure- Visit for more details.

19. The Daly College

Located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Daly College is a private co-ed residential school in India established in 1885 by Lord Dufferin. The school is affiliated with the CBSE board with a vision of fostering a democratic environment that is supportive, innovative and mentally stimulating. It aims to transform students into environmentally and socially conscious global citizens. The motto “Gyanamev Shakti”, which means knowledge is power and seeks to develop well-rounded and independent thinking and foster holistic academic learning.

More Details

Address- Residency Area, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452001
Admissions- From class IV to XII.
Sports Facilities- Hockey, Football, Shooting, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Dance, Dramatics, Music and many more.
Alumni Testimony- Raja Digvijay Singh Ragogargh, Shri Lakshman Singh and more.
Fee structure- Visit for more details.

20. SelaQui International School

Located in the charismatic and serene view of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, the co-educational school was established in 2000 with the vision of fostering values, creativity, and academic excellence. Ranking in top 20 CBSE schools in India, SelaQui International School aims to provide opportunities in all spectrums including academics, sports and extracurricular. It promotes scientific temper, experimentation and innovation to offer global exposure to every child.

More Details

Address- Chakarata Rd, Selaqui Industrial Area, Dehradun, Central Hope Town, Uttarakhand 248197
Admissions- From class V to XI.
Sports Facilities- Tennis, Football, Shooting, and many more.
Extracurricular facilities- Dance, Dramatics, Photography and many more.
Fee structure- Visit for more details.

FAQ

How can I apply to one of the top 20 boarding schools in India?

Parents willing to admit their students into any of India’s top residential schools must visit the campus or campus website and get their prospectus or dossier. This helps in filtering the best school and knowing the admission processes. Generally, the best girls’ schools take an entrance test, followed by an interview. If students qualify both these rounds, parents move towards paying the school fee.

How do the curriculums differ among the top 20 boarding schools in India?

The different schools mentioned in the list of top 20 residential schools in India are affiliated with different boards including CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and IB. While some boarding schools are affiliated with one board, others are affiliated with more than one educational board. Based on the different boards, the curriculum of schools differ.

What extracurricular activities are offered at these top boarding schools?

The common extracurricular activities among all the best boarding schools are Dramatics, Swimming, Art, Sculpture, and Pottery. Apart from this, different schools offer a range of extracurricular activities and their infrastructures are built accordingly.

What is the average cost of attending a top boarding school in India?

The average cost of attending any of the top 20 boarding schools in India is about 10 lakh and above. Boarding schools charge for admission, school uniform, school fee, and many other additional charges that sum up to approximately 10 lakh.

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Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya
Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya

Written by Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya

Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya is a CBSE-affiliated girls' boarding school in Gwalior that ranks among the top 2 residential schools for girls in India.