1. The Doon School, Dehradun:

The Doon School (informally Doon) is a boys-only independent boarding school in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Doon has consistently been ranked the best residential school of India by media such as BBC, The Times of India and Outlook. Although the school has often been cited as ‘Eton of India’ by media outlets, it strongly eschews the label. Doon remains a boys-only school despite continued pressure from political leaders, including former president Pratibha Patil, to become coeducational (the only thing we give it a thumbs down for).

Where:  Dehradun, Uttarakhand
For: Boys
Curriculum: ICSE till grade 10 and then either IB or ISC
Fees range: Rs. 9,70,000 (exclusive of deposit)
Info: http://www.doonschool.com/

2. Bishop Cotton School, Shimla

Over 150 years old, the Bishop Cotton School is another all-boys school that has repeatedly found itself in the topmost rankings in various lists. With a large campus, colonial buildings and high quality teaching, Bishop Cotton encourages the spirit of leading and sportsmanship (except they think it’s only worth imparting that to the boys!).

Where: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
For: Boys only
Curriculum: An independent curriculum till class 8, and from there on the CICSE is followed.
Fees range: Rs. 4,10,000 – Rs 4, 80,000
Info: http://www.bishopcottonshimla.com/

3. Mayo College, Ajmer

Royalty, civil servants, and some of the brightest minds have graduated from this independent boarding school in Rajasthan. Equipped with some of the best sporting facilities in the country, the school has several sports grounds/fields, horses to learn riding, and squash and other racket sports courts. With about five publications, it doesn’t do bad where the mind is concerned either. Again, all boys.

Where: Ajmer, Rajasthan
For: Boys only
Curriculum: CBSE
Fees Range: Boarder: Rs 5,14,000. NRI: Rs. 10,28,000,  Day scholar: 80,000
Info: https://www.mayocollege.com/

4. Rishi Valley School, Chittoor

The school has a holistic approach to education in the spirit of Krishnamurti’s pedagogical vision, as we mentioned in our list of best-known alternative schools in India. Community service and extracurricular activities are part of a student’s schooling, as are discussions, assemblies and club meetings. Rishi Valley’s setting is spectacular – some 375 acres of an independent valley, surrounded by ancient hills and tiny villages.

Where: Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
For: Co-ed
Curriculum: ICSE, ISC affiliated
Fees: Rs 4,00,000 upwards.
Info: http://www.rishivalley.org/default.html

5. Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer

Established in 1988, Mayo College Girls School has consistently ranked in the top three girls’ residential schools in the country. In direct contrast to the boys’ school, Mayo Girls focuses on music, dance and other forms of art, apart from the usual academic and intellectual pursuits.

Where: Ajmer, Rajasthan
For: Girls
Curriculum: CICSE
Fees: Rs 5,14,000
Info: http://www.mcgs.ac.in/

6. Sherwood College, Nainital

Over a 100 years old, the school is situated on a large, sprawling campus on the Ayarpata hill (one among the seven hills that surround Nainital Lake). With equal emphasis on sport, art, and academics, Sherwood College consistently delivers people of independent thought and action. It helps that the weather is great all year round.

Where: Nainital
For: Co-ed
Curriculum: CICSE
Fees range: Rs 2,50,000 to Rs 3,20,000
Info: http://www.sherwood.edu.in/

7. Welham Girls School, Dehradun

Established in 1957, it has progressed from being a school for privileged local girls to being a school that educates students mostly from North India.The school was identified as one of the top performing schools country-wide based on academic performance at the Indian School Certificate Examinations for 2013, the Indian school leaving examination conducted at the end of the K-12 system, by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations.

Where: Dehradun, Uttarakhand
For: Girls
Curriculum: ICSE, ISC affiliated
Fees range: Rs 5,25,000 to Rs 6,00,000 (exclusive of security deposit) |
Info: http://www.welhamgirls.com/

8. New Era High School, Panchgani

Inspired by the universal tenets of the Baha’i Faith, New Era incorporates the best practices that promote a dynamic process of teaching-learning and cultivates a culture that empowers its student community to strive for academic and moral excellence.

Where: Panchgani, Dist. Satara, Maharashtra

Website: https://www.nehsindia.org

9. Lawrence School, Sanawar

Founded by Sir Henry and Lady Honoria Lawrence, Sanawar is believed to be the first co-educational boarding school in the world. On the 15th of April 1847, a group of 14 boys and girls camped at the top of the foothills of the Himalayas. They lived under canvas for some weeks, anxiously waiting for the first buildings to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. Thus did Sanawar come into existence.

Where: Sanawar, Distt. Solan, Himacal Pradesh

Fees: Rs 5,40,300

Website: http://www.sanawar.edu.in/Default.aspx

10. Birla Public School, Pilani

Shishu Mandir, which was later rechristened as Vidya Niketan (Popularly known as Birla Public School) was founded by the Birla Educational Trust in 1944 under the guidance of Dr. Maria Montessori, the world acclaimed pioneer in child education. The architectural design of the junior section campus of the school bears a testimony to the great visionary, Madam Maria Montessori’s understanding of the specific needs of the growing children and her sense of aestheticism. The Institution remained a day school till 1948. In 1952, the school was made a purely residential institution. In 1953, the school was granted the membership of the Indian Public School Conference.

Where: Vidya Niketan Birla Public School Pilani

Fees: Class 3-5: Rs 361900, Class 6-8: Rs 422200, Class 9-10: Rs 437000, Class 11-12: Rs 481000

Website: http://www.bpspilani.edu.in

11. Orchid International School, Nasik

Founded in the year 2006, Orchid International School (OIS) is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate (CISCE). It aspires to provide an educational exposure, par excellence, to children. The school aims to provide a sound overall exposure to the students so that they have a good academic foundation and are good in different co-curricular as well as extra-curricular activities.

Where: Kalyani Hills’, Anjaneri-Wadholi, Trimbakeshwar Road, Nashik 

Website: http://www.school.sapkalknowledgehub.org

12. Daly College, Indore

Where: Residency area, Indore

Fees: Rs: 23,52,00 – Rs 464150

Website: http://www.dalycollege.org

13. The Assam Valley School, Balipara

The Assam Valley School was founded in 1995 by the Williamson Magor Education Trust. Spread over a sprawling 95 sylvan hectares, the school aims to prepare children for life and for global citizenship in the 21st century.

Where: Balipara, District Sonitpur, Tezpur, Assam 

Fees: Rs 217500

Website: http://assamvalleyschool.com

14. Bangalore Military School, Bangalore

Bangalore Military School (Rashtriya Military School Bangalore or King George Royal Indian Military College) is a residential school in Bangalore, Karnataka, India,[1] established on 1 August 1946. Bangalore Military School is one of the only five institutions of its kind in India; the other four being Ajmer Military School, Belgaum Military School, Chail Military School and Dholpur Military School. The cadets enrolled in these schools are known as Georgians, after their founder father King George.[2]ii

Where: No. 250/40, Near Johnsan Market, Museum Road, Bengaluru

Website: http://rashtriyamilitaryschools.in/bangalore/

Feature image source: airs.ac.in