A boarding school imparts education for students who live on the premises instead of a day school. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board," i.e., lodging and meals. As they have existed for ages and now are spread across many countries, their functions vary greatly. Traditionally, students stayed at the school for the term's length. However, some schools permit returning home on weekends. Some are exclusively for boys or girls, while others are co-educational.

How Boarding Schools Gain Importance in India?

Boarding schools have replaced the traditional concepts of education. It has introduced a new dimension in the field of learning. The idea of boarding schools in India is quite significant. There are several reasons why these Boarding Schools are gaining importance in India and have become a top choice of every parent & child nowadays. Presently the trend is changing as parents from working-class families prefer these Boarding Schools.

Some of the reasons are :

• Students can focus better on their studies because television, video games, phones, and other distractions are limited.
• Young scholars usually perform better academically because they live in an environment conducive to learning.
• Ideal for parents who live in a non-child-friendly environment.

Top 10 Boarding Schools in India

Admissions are open at a majority of these boarding schools for the academic session 2023. These boarding schools provide students with the best education from every perspective.

1. The Doon School Dehradun

 Best Schools in India

Doon School specializes in all-boys boarding education for students aged 12-18. The school is probably the only ‘All India’ school with applications from almost every state each year and from Indian families overseas. Established in 1935, The Doon School is an entire boarding school for boys only and not simply a school that welcomes boarders. The school’s ambience provides all boys with enough open space where they can live and learn. In addition, all boys can seek advice from the teaching staff, the Wellness Centre, and the school counsellor on the school campus throughout the seven-day week. It is ranked as thebest boarding school in India by BBC, Times of India, and The New York Times.

2. Welham Girls’ School Dehradun

Widely regarded as the best boarding school in India for girls, H.S Oliphant came into existence in 1957. Affiliated to both ICSE and ISC, it is one of the most prestigious schools for girls in India. The academic year commences in April, and the Final Examinations are conducted in March of the following year. For the grade X ICSE exams, the school offers a wide choice of discipline options. Apart from the compulsory subjects, including English, Mathematics, Hindi, Social Studies, and Science, students must select at least one skill-based topic for the Council Examinations. The choice includes Yoga, Kathak, Computer Applications, Bharatnatyam, Vocal Music, Music, Art, Instrumental, and Home Science. They also have a student exchange program associated with two International schools to introduce girls to different cultures and systems.

 3. Rishi Valley School Chittoor

Krishnamurti Foundation, India, runs Rishi Valley Education Centre. Regarded as one of the leading residential schools in India, Rishi Valley School provides a different educational environment that enables young pupils to develop intellectual capacities and evolve in other dimensions of their being. It has a flexible curriculum for classes IV to VIII, free from the pressure of exams. It is affiliated to ISC and ICSE Boards for students of grades IX-XII. They have seven sister schools, Rajghat Besant School, Varanasi, and The Valley School, Bengaluru. Rishi Valley School is a member of the Indian Public School's Conference (IPSC).

4. Woodstock School Mussoorie

Often considered one of India's best boarding schools, especially for international students, Woodstock School is a co-ed school, operating for 160 years. It can be listed among the oldest boarding schools in Asia, established in 1854. It was also declared as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in 2019 for students from grade V-XII and both diploma and middle year programs.

 5. Mayo College Ajmer

It was founded in 1875 by Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo and the Viceroy of India from 1869-72. Mayo College is one of the oldest boys-only boarding schools in India. Students aged 9-18 are admitted to this college every year. It is affiliated with CBSE at both HSC and SSC levels. Hence, it is often called college. It is one of India's best sports activities, including Shooting, Tennis, Squash, and Cricket.

6. Lawrence School Sanawar

Affiliated to CBSE and regarded as one of India's most prestigious co-ed boarding schools, this school was established in 1847 by Sir Henry and Lady Honoria Lawrence. Initially, the school was for the orphaned children of British soldiers and other white children. Its construction was endorsed by Lawrence and other British officers and Maharaja Gulab Singh, who donated a sum of nearly a lakh of rupees to this school's foundation, who was also the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. It conducts a competitive entrance exam followed by an interview for enrollment in classes VI-XII.

7. Scindia School Gwalior

 

Scindia School is one of the most famous and one of India's best boarding schools for boys. The Scindia School, originally the Sardars' School, was founded in 1897 by the visionary HH Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia. Located on the magnificent Gwalior Fort, it caters only to royal children. However, the school later ended that clause in taking students from classes VI-XII from all classes. According to Education World Magazine, in 2014, it ranked as the 3rd best boys school in India.

8. The Bishop Cotton Boys’ School Bangalore

Bishop Cotton School came into existence in a humble house on High Grounds on the 19th of April, 1865, with Mr G. Reynolds as its first Headmaster. The school moved to its current location in 1871. The current premises at St. Mark’s Road in the heart of Bangalore were acquired in 1871 on credit from one Mr Puttman for the sum of Rs. 47,500/-. It took four years to settle the account. Bishop Cotton Boys’ School believes that an educational institution is one where an individual is tuned for all time, where pupils learn how to work together and be a part of society.

9. Sherwood College Nainital

It was established back in 1869 by Dr.Condon, H.S Reid, and others under the Rt, Rev. Robert Milman. Sherwood College is a co-ed boarding school in the beautiful city of lakes, Nainital. The school’s motto is Mereat Quisque Palmam (Latin), translated as Let Each One Merit His Prize in English. Sherwood College is divided into two parts, the Dixon Wing for students studying in grades VII-XII and the Horsman Wing for students in III-VI grades. According to facts, around 300 alumni of Sherwood College were on Active Service in World Wars I and II.

10. Lovedale School, Ooty

 

In 1913, the school's name was changed from Lawrence Asylum to Maj Gen Sir Henry Lawrence Memorial School. On being given royal patronage in 1922, The authority changed the school's name in 1925 to the Lawrence Memorial Royal Military School. In 1949, soon after Indian independence, the school was handed over to the Government of India's civilian authorities; subsequently, the school's name was changed to The Lawrence School, as it is known today. As the school's is location is Lovedale, the school is also called "Lovedale".The school's motto is "Never Give In."