What is a Boarding School in India?

Boarding School: Key Highlights 2024

Particulars	Details
Boarding School Types	Girls Boarding, Boys Boarding, and Co-Educational
Boarding School Affiliation Boards	CBSE, ICSE, IB, NIOS and AISSCE
Boarding School’s Residential Facilities	Academic Tutorials, Sports, Dance, Music, Theatre, etc.
Boarding School Student-Teacher Ratio	25:1 to 30:1
Boarding School Grade Range	Class 1st to 12th
Boarding School Admission Period	September to March
Boarding School Annual Fees Range	Rs. 5,00,000 - 18,00,000 approx
Boarding School Extracurricular Activities	Swimming, Sports, Dance, Music, Theatre, etc.

Difference Between Day and Boarding

Educational institutions convey knowledge, learning, and wisdom and contribute to children’s holistic growth and development. It is important to look after the welfare of your child’s mental, emotional, and spiritual growth along with their academic growth. Parents must look into their child’s educational needs and choose the right type of school accordingly.

• Day schools are traditional and regular schools that operate only on weekdays, where students have been conveyed education during the daytime. The children have to sit for fixed periods with a recess in between and return to their homes by evenings mostly. In contrast, boarding or residential schools extend education with a living-in-school exposure. Students stay on campus sites, are given food and lodging facilities, and go home on weekends or during vacations. Both types of schools can either be co-educational or single-sex schools.

• While day schools contribute particularly towards educational growth, boarding schools strive to establish a balance of the overall development of your child.

• Residential schools lift students inside the campus with an advanced administration, security system, supervision, guidance, superior curriculum, facilities, and growth compared to day schools.

• Teachers are present on campus, so boarding schools offer guidance beyond school hours. While day schools close at their scheduled time, students cannot reach their teachers beyond dictated hours.

• Due to bounded studying hours at day school, students majorly engage in textbook-based learning. While boarding schools are committed more to practical learning along with theoretical knowledge. It is possible by staying together and acquiring knowledge and experiences from teachers, peers, and other staff members.

Pros & Cons of Boarding School

There are various pros and cons of a boarding school which must be considered before getting your child enrolled in any of the boarding schools. Advantages and Disadvantages of a boarding school have been mentioned below:

Pros

• Disciplined and structured way of living: Students enrolled in any of the best boarding schools in India experience a disciplined environment and learn to adapt to the systematic way of living. Everything, including their learning time, playtime, meal time, and sleep time, is well-planned. Therefore, students get into the habit of following routine and keeping everything well-maintained and clean.
• Extracurricular exposure: Students are never left to get bored when living in boarding schools. They spend their extra time playing or polishing their talents such as theatre, arts, music, dance, or sports. This keeps the boredom away and helps involve students in physical and career-driven activities.
• Health benefits: Indian residential schools pay special attention to the nutrition and diet of their students. Nutritious meals are provided at regular intervals, and the menu is rotated to fulfill every dietary need of students. Snacks are also served to break from the regular meals. Schools also include physical activities and yoga sessions for the well-being of the students.
• Academic boost: Boarding education in India is equipped with various educational boards for students to choose from. These boards play an important role in offering advanced curricula to suit the academic needs of students. The well-qualified teachers at boarding schools make learning easier and more fun for students.
• Cultural diversification: Students from all cultures and financial backgrounds are enrolled in boarding schools. Therefore there is an extreme scope for cultural exposure. Students learn about different cultures and acquire the best of every culture to form their own beliefs. It imbibes a feeling of cooperation and solidarity among students.

Cons

• Homesickness: Many students find it tough to adjust to living away from home while attending boarding school. Many students suffer homesickness regularly, particularly in the first few months or weeks of school.
• Insufficient family support: For some students, living away from home can be difficult, especially when it comes to emotional support. Students who attend boarding schools might not have as much connection with their families as those who attend day schools.
• Limited Freedom: Even though boarding schools provide for some independence, students are nevertheless bound to follow the rules and guidelines of the institution. Their freedom and capacity to choose how to conduct their daily lives may be strained as a result.
• High Price: The cost of attending a boarding school can be excessive than that of a conventional day school. Students could also have extra charges for extracurricular activities, textbooks, as well as other costs.
• Social Influence: Students who attend boarding schools may encounter pressure to do well in the classroom or on the sporting field. High tension may produce an environment that is unfavorable to learning or personal development.

Facilities Offered by Boarding Schools in India

Boarding schools offer various facilities for the holistic development of the students. These facilities are designed keeping in mind all the essentials that the students require.

Facilities and amenities offered by the boarding schools have been mentioned below:

• Lodging and hostel facilities: Indian boarding schools provide proper accommodation facilities where large batches of students can live and study comfortably. Large capacious rooms, bunk beds, study tables, almirah, cabinets, washrooms, laundry rooms, and proper lighting are provided to the students. Boarding schools maintain the health conditions in the mess at all times and follow a proper nutritious schedule to maintain the health of all students.
• Healthcare facilities: Emergency rooms, doctors, nurses, and medicines are available 24*7, keeping in mind the students’ health. Young students are active and often encounter minor accidents, so they are always provided with an on-campus medical facility.
• Surveillance facilities: Modern boarding schools in India are equipped with the latest technology for the safety of students on campus. CCTV cameras, security guards, and wardens make sure that your child’s safety is catered to and does not feel uncomfortable. Many boarding schools have special complaint cells where students can report illegal or harassment cases.
• Extracurricular activity facilities: Entertainment facilities in boarding schools help students stay away from computers after school hours and engage in recreational activities. Theatre, football courts, cricket grounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, etc., are a few of the infrastructures that help students’ overall growth.

List of Top Boarding Schools in India

Various boarding schools in India are established to cater to the needs of the students. Some of the best and top boarding schools in India have been listed below:

• The Doon School, Dehradun
• Sharda World School, Agra
• Jain International Boarding School (JIRS), Bangalore
• UWC Mahindra College, Pune
• Tula’s International School, Dehradun
• Woodstock School, Mussoorie
• Scindia School, Gwalior
• Lawrence School, Sanawar
• Welham Girls School, Dehradun
• Rishi Valley School, Chittoor
• Sherwood College, Nainital