Being one among the oldest cities in India, Tamil Nadu has always been on the forefront in education. Chennai, the capital, is known for its premier schools that are highly sought out my not only from the people in the state but also nationwide.
The schools in Chennai are affiliated with CBSE, CISCE or Tamil Nadu State Board. In this age of competition, parents have become aware of the importance that proper education of their child.
But in a city of an estimated hundred or more schools, it can be a difficult choice. Below is the compilation of the top ten schools in Chennai in no particular order.
The list below is purely subjective and has been made on the basis of factors including infrastructure, teaching methodology, location, co-curricular activities organized and general academic facilities.
Here is the list of 10 Best Schools In Chennai:
Chettinad Vidyashram
Chettinad Vidyashram was founded in 1986 by the esteemed Dr. Mrs. Meena Muthiah. It is located in Rajah Annamalaipuram, Chennai. It is affiliated with CBSE and has about 10000 students in classes from kindergarten to higher secondary.
The school was established by Dr. Muthia with the aim of combining both arts and culture with education and making learning accessible to everyone, regardless of their caste, creed, and region.
It follows the CBSE board with English as the main language and the options of pursuing any two other subjects among Hindi, Tamil, Sanskrit, French, German and Telugu as their secondary and third language.
The school has around 800 faculty and a student-teacher ratio of around 12:1 for student-specific interaction. The curriculum tries to inculcate both modern scientific technology as well as traditional Indian cultural values into a student.
The school includes smart boards and special Educomp system for primary classes. The facilities include fully air-conditioned classrooms, audio-visual rooms, a well-stocked library, dining halls with meal system, computer labs, science labs and a health clinic for students with medical issues.
The school provides buses and vans for transportation which includes trained drivers and GPS alert systems. Chettinad Vidyashram Puts special focus on cultural and co-curricular activities for a well-rounded development of the students.
The students can choose activities including music, dance, Tanjore art, crafts, instruments like violin and flute as well as sports like Cricket, Tennis, Football, Volleyball, and Basketball.
Address: Chettinad House, Rajah Annamalaipuram, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai
Phone: 044 2493 8040
SBOA school & Junior college
The SBOA school and Junior college was founded in 1979 by the State Bank of India Officers Association run SBIOA Education Trust. Founded on the International Year of the Child, the school is located Annanagar, Chennai. It is affiliated with CBSE and has around 9960 students from classes nursery to XII. The school was established to cater to the students who wish to pursue their studies in affiliation with the central board (CBSE).
The main motto of the school is to bring about a full mental, physical and spiritual development among the children by imparting a comprehensive and liberal education.
The school administration is divided on the basis of academic, co-curricular and extracurricular activities ensuring the overall development of the students.The school offers facilities like a math lab, computer lab, science labs, reading and brainstorming corner for the students.
It also has a health center with a medical assistant at all times in case of any kind of illness.The academic council of the school is led by the principal. This department decides, at the beginning of each term, the strategies for implementing new methodologies of teaching.
The school further provides extra classes for those who learn slowly, by arranging for personalized coaching classes, night schools as well as classes during vacation. The students are trained to participate in state-level competitions in cricket, football, basketball, and other activities.
Address: 18, School Rd, D-Sector, Anna Nagar West Extension, Chennai
Phone: 044 2615 1145
Maharishi Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School
The Maharishi Vidya Mandir is one of the top schools in Chennai. It was ranked A tier school by EduRaft and one of the top co-ed day schools in India by EducationWorld C-fore survey 2013. The school was established in the year 1983 to honor Maharishi Mahesh Yogiji.
It is located in Chetpet Chennai. The school is affiliated to CBSE and holds classes from standard I to XII. Since the school follows the principle of knowledge being structured within our consciousness, the curriculum includes compulsory Yogasana, Meditation, and Pranayama along with a focus on a balanced diet for the students.
The school aims to teach the students proper social behavior and discipline of mind during their formative years, which will help them become better citizens of tomorrow. There are around 1000 students enrolled in the school and 268 faculty members.
The school facilities include large and spacious classrooms, computer and science labs with modern technologies, audio-visual rooms, a well-stocked library, etc.
The students are encouraged to take part in activities like Bharat Natyam, sports, Carnatic music, karate, etc. The activities are streamlined into activity hours and students can opt for two or more of them.
The school has various clubs to encourage learning and group participation including entrepreneurship club, quiz club, English club, science & technology club, media club, fashion designing club, fine arts club, etc.
The school organizes OSLA aka Only Success Leadership Academy school programme. This programme teaches students skills like speed reading, mind mapping, memory power, interpersonal skills, personal goal setting, motivation skills, time management, and public speaking, etc.
The school pays special attention to the transcendental meditation classes where the students learn yogasana and pranayama.
This has been integrated into the curriculum to aid the mental and physical well-being of the students as the regular practice has proven to improve learning ability, memory power, receptivity, power of expression, creativity and improves physical and mental health and social behavior.
Address: No. 28, Inside Maharishi Gardens, Dr. Gurusamy Swamy Road, Chetpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600031
Phone: 044 2642 7088
D.A.V. Boys Senior Secondary School (CBSE)
The Dayanand Anglo Vedic boys’ senior secondary school, founded in 1970, is one of the most coveted schools in Chennai. It was established and is managed by the Tamil Nadu Arya Samaj Education Society.It is one of the seven D.A.V schools in Chennai.
The school is well known for its exemplary academics and its impeccable discipline. Every year the school has the honor of getting an invitation to send its academically accomplished students to watch the Republic Day’s Parade from the Prime Minister’s box.
With the student-teacher ratio of 1:40 The school aims to provide a comprehensive education that would enhance the academic achievement of each and every one of its students.
It focuses on increasing skills like communication, social behavior, moral values, attitude, and personality growth, etc. The Vedic philosophy forms an important part of its curriculum.
The school has all modern amenities that aid in learning like large and well-ventilated classrooms, science and math labs, computer labs, a well-stocked library, a sports field, etc.
The school expends its resources on developing interests among children for various co-curricular activities. Students are encouraged to participate in activities like karate, dance, and music, yoga, work experience, drawing, and painting.
Regular competitions in debating, quiz, essay writing, short-story writing, etc. are held among students both intraschool as well as inter-school. The school is also known for its NCC and Boy scouts programme with the reputation of producing seven nationally top-ranked NCC Cadets.
Address: 212-213, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Gopalapuram, Chennai
Phone: 044 2835 2866
Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School
The Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan was established in the year 1958 by the efforts of an enterprising group of housewives with the support of the Nungambakkam Ladies Recreation Club.
The testimony of the hard work and the quality of education can be seen from the way the small school of 13 children studying under a thatched roof on the terrace grew into one with more than 8000 students and over 500 staff members.
The school presently has three branches situated in three different locations for the convenience of the students and parents. The school aims to provide students with academic excellence along with teaching them the importance of their rich cultural heritage and moral values.
It tries to develop in students the feeling of community, service mindedness, self-esteem, and interpersonal communication.
The school has large and spacious smart classrooms, a well-stocked library, state of the art science and computer labs, social science labs, etc. The school is among the top CBSE schools in Chennai, not only for its academic aptitude but also for its focus on the overall development of the student.
It provides personalized spaces for activities like dance, art, music, yoga, etc. Various extra-curricular activities like cricket, basketball, karate, yoga, Indian vocal music, art & drawing, classical dance forms, roller skating, etc. Are offered to the students as part of their curriculum for the healthy development of mind, body, and spirit.
Address: 29 Alagiri Sami, PT Rajan Rd, K. K. Nagar, Chennai
Phone: 044 2366 3165
Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT
The Kendriya Vidyalaya was established in the year 1964 with the help and patronage of the management of IIT Chennai. The school is affiliated with CBSE and holds classes from standard I to XII.
The school’s excellence can be seen in its growth from 250 students and 10 faculty members to 1607 students and 64 teachers respectively. The school is located within the sprawling campus of IIT, surrounded by lush greenery.
The school has one of the best managements, infrastructure available among various schools in Chennai. There are 37 spacious classrooms, state of the art science labs, three computer labs, a computerized library, an auditorium with LCD projectors, AV room, art room, music room, a resource room, etc. for the providing the best facilities for its students.
There is a counseling room provided to take care of mental health among the students. Special infrastructure is built to encourage physical fitness. the school has large volleyball, cricket, tennis, basketball as well as football grounds.
Kendriya Vidyalaya also focuses on learning different languages. To aid that it implements the practice of the instructions being offered in both English and Hindi medium as well as the option to rake languages like Sanskrit as a side language.
The students of the school are known to be active participants in math and science Olympiads as well as organizers of various charity and awareness programs. The students are also encouraged to participate in NS and become scouts and guides to learn basic survival skills.
Address: Bonn Avenue, Chennai
Phone: 044 2257 9410
St Bede’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School
St Bede’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School for boys was founded in the year 107 as a school for minorities in India, gradually growing to accommodate students from all walks of society. Located in Santhome, Chennai, the school is run by the Salesian Fathers of Don Bosco.
It provides boarding facilities to the student’s boys belonging to the Catholic, Anglo Indian community. Situated between the Santhome Cathedral on the left and the Russian embassy on the right, the school is a true image of the Anglo-Indian society of the 1900s.
The school holds classes from standard I to XII. It currently has around 2267 students and 56 well qualified and professionally trained faculty members.
The teachers are hardworking and dedicated to bringing about the overall healthy development of the students. The school organizes annual religious retreats as well as animation programmes for both students and willing parents.
Various cultural programs like Debates, Elocution, Dramatics, Fashion Shows, Fancy Dress, Dance, Music, Singing, Drawing, Painting, and Quizzes held regularly. The students are encouraged to actively take part in various clubs nurtured by the school.
These clubs include Dramatics Club, Science Club, Blue Cross Club, Philately Club, Sports Club, National Service Scheme, Junior Red Cross, Scouts, Road Safety Patrol, etc. Sports is another major part of education in St Bede’s.
Students participate in games like football, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics on school and national level and often come back with various awards.
The infrastructure of the school includes large and airy classrooms, auditorium overlooking the Bay of Bengal, an audio-visual hall, two state-of-the-art computer labs, three science laboratories, a well-furnished library, a chapel, a prayer room, and a canteen.
Address: 37, Santhome High Rd, Santhome, Chennai
Phone: 044 2498 3450
Good Shepherd Convent Matriculation School
The Good Shepherd School for girls in Chennai was established in 1925 in honor of St. Mary Euphrasia, who established convents around the world to help socially marginalized girls of her time. The school is run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
The school follows the principle of education set my St Mary Euphrasia, in which she talks about how education should allow the fullest development of the best characteristics present in an individual psychologically, physically, intellectually, socially, aesthetically and spiritually.
The school is located in College Road, Chennai and has primary, secondary and higher secondary standards. The school is affiliated with CBSE and is counted as one of the Christian Religious Minority Institution.
The school aims to bring about education as well as re-education in both formal and nonformal context among the diverse cultures. The aim to help the students become intellectually alert, emotionally balanced, morally sound, spiritually oriented, socially committed and culturally enriched.
The students are taught kindness, compassion, sense of justice, diligence and interest in academic learning. The school focuses on academics, co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities and well as sports to bring about the total development in the students.
Sports like Kho-Kho, Basketball, Badminton, Throwball, and Tennis are encouraged through regular competitions.
Address: 32, College Rd, Subba Road Avenue, Nungambakkam, Chennai
Phone: 044 2827 6729
Sishya School, Adyar
The Sishya School was founded in 1972 by the efforts of one man, the late KI Thomas. The school is located in Adyar, Chennai and is affiliated with CISCE. The school is divided into four sections offering education ranging from nursery to XII standard.
the school aims to foster learning by activity-based education to encourage curiosity and thought process along with co-curricular activities. The school focus on creating an open-minded and prejudice-free atmosphere for nurturing the children.
Individual attention to every child is prioritized. The current strength of the school is around 1200 students and 100 faculty members, providing an ideal student to teacher ratio.
The school has modern infrastructure including spacious classrooms, auditorium, sports fields, a state-of-the-art library with a multimedia section and audiovisual room, fully equipped laboratories for Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science as well as a canteen.
The school provides professional training and qualified coaches for activities like swimming, throwball, volleyball, basketball, football, table tennis, golf, cricket, and chess, the students can also opt for yoga and aerobics of not interested in other physically rigorous activities.
The school has established various clubs including dance, drama, singing, debates, elocution, etc. to encourage the student to pursue their own talent and interest.
Address: New No. 2, 2nd St, Padmanabha Nagar, Chennai
Phone: 044 2491 2652
Sushil Hari International Residential School
Established in 2001, the Sushil Hari International Residential School is a part of a group of schools providing quality education from Montessori to higher secondary.
The school boasts of world-class infrastructure, highly qualified teachers and various other modern amenities necessary for education. The school aims to make learning enjoyable rather than a forced obligation.
It also provides residential hostels for boys and girls with canteen, laundry, exclusive study spaces. The school is located among greenery and is surrounded by parks to help provide a clean, pollution free environment for the students.
The school is affiliated to the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) from standard I to XI and Tamil Nadu State Board for Grade VI and XII.
Students are encouraged to learn through hands-on experience, including being taken to markets and banks to learn about market and finances. The higher classes have the ability to opt for e-learning through CDs and DVDs available in the libraries.
The school also organizes lectures by experts in their field, bringing a different perspective and allowing the students to become more enthusiastic and confident in the fields that they are interested in.
Free tutoring can be availed after school, where students can either opt for teachers or student volunteers to help them with their course. Focus is also given to various cultural activities and sports in competitions and fairs held annually.
Address: Sri Ramarajaya Campus,Off, Kelambakkam – Vandalur Rd, Kelambakkam
Phone: 044 2741 4000
