Boarding schools in India have always been considered as the most premium form of education, providing students with a rigorous academic curriculum, a plethora of extracurricular activities, and an opportunity to develop their character and personality. Boarding schools in India have a long and prestigious history, dating back to the British colonial era. These schools are known for their excellent academic standards, discipline, and holistic approach to education.

In this blog, we will explore the top 10 boarding schools in India based on their rankings, infrastructure, academic curriculum, extracurricular activities, and overall reputation.

1.The Doon School, Dehradun

Founded in 1935, The Doon School is one of the most prestigious and oldest boarding schools in India. Located in the picturesque city of Dehradun, the school has an idyllic campus spread over 70 acres. The Doon School is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, excellent faculty, and wide range of extracurricular activities. The school has produced many notable alumni, including politicians, entrepreneurs, and artists.

2.Mayo College, Ajmer

Mayo College is one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in India, founded in 1875. Located in the historic city of Ajmer, the school has a sprawling campus spread over 80 acres. Mayo College is known for its academic excellence, rich heritage, and diverse extracurricular activities. The school has produced many notable alumni, including politicians, sportsmen, and artists.

3.The Lawrence School, Sanawar

The Lawrence School, Sanawar, founded in 1847, is one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in India. Located in the picturesque hills of Himachal Pradesh, the school has a sprawling campus spread over 139 acres. The Lawrence School is known for its excellent academic curriculum, wide range of extracurricular activities, and strong focus on character development.

4.Welham Girls' School, Dehradun

Founded in 1957, Welham Girls' School is one of the most prestigious boarding schools in India for girls. Located in the scenic city of Dehradun, the school has a beautiful campus spread over 30 acres. Welham Girls' School is known for its excellent academic curriculum, supportive faculty, and wide range of extracurricular activities.

5.Bishop Cotton School, Shimla

Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, founded in 1859, is one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in India. Located in the beautiful city of Shimla, the school has a sprawling campus spread over 56 acres. Bishop Cotton School is known for its academic excellence, rich heritage, and diverse extracurricular activities. The school has produced many notable alumni, including politicians, sportsmen, and artists.

6.Rishi Valley School, Chittoor

Founded in 1926, Rishi Valley School is one of the most unique and innovative boarding schools in India. Located in the scenic valley of Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, the school has a sprawling campus spread over 350 acres. Rishi Valley School is known for its holistic approach to education, emphasis on experiential learning, and focus on sustainable living.

7.Scindia School, Gwalior

Scindia School, Gwalior, founded in 1897, is one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in India. Located in the historic city of Gwalior, the school has a sprawling campus spread over 110 acres. Scindia School is known for its academic excellence, rich heritage, and diverse extracurricular activities. The school has produced many notable alumni, including politicians, sportsmen, and artists.

8.St. Paul's School, Darjeeling

St. Paul's School is a prestigious co-educational boarding school located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. It was founded in 1823 by Dr. John William Ricketts as an all-boys school and was later opened to girls in 1975. The school has a rich history and has produced many eminent alumni, including politicians, artists, writers, and sports personalities. It follows the ICSE and ISC syllabus and offers education from Kindergarten to Class 12. St. Paul's School is known for its excellent academic standards and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, dance, and drama. 

9.Woodstock School, Mussoorie

Woodstock School is a renowned co-educational international boarding school located in the scenic town of Mussoorie in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The school was founded in 1854 by British Christian missionaries and has since grown to become one of the most respected international schools in India. Woodstock School offers an American-style education with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, catering to students from Kindergarten to Class 12. The school has a diverse student body, with students from over 30 countries, making it a truly global community. 

10.The Lawrence School, Lovedale

The Lawrence School, Lovedale is a prestigious co-educational boarding school located in Lovedale, near Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The school was founded in 1858 by Sir Henry Lawrence, a British soldier and administrator, and is named in his honor. The school offers education from Class 5 to Class 12 and follows the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC) curriculum. The Lawrence School, Lovedale is known for its academic excellence and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and community service.