Choosing the right boarding school in Chandigarh is one of the most significant decisions a parent can make for their child's academic future and personal growth. With several well-established boarding schools in Chandigarh offering a range of curricula, campus environments, and fee structures, the options can feel overwhelming without a reliable guide.
Based on parent reviews, academic track record, fee value, and facilities, the 7 best boarding schools in Chandigarh are: St. Stephen's School, Guru Nanak Public School, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, The New Public School, St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School, Doon International School, and St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School.
This guide covers each school's fee structure, admission process, parent sentiment, curriculum, and key differentiators to help you make a well-informed decision for your child's future.
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St. Stephen's School, Chandigarh — a Roman Catholic co-educational institution founded in 1982, affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), with a campus spread across 4 acres in Sector 45-B.
The school follows the motto Semper Sursum ("Always Aim Higher") and has grown from a small primary school in 1982 to a full senior secondary institution, catering to over 3,000 students from Class I through XII.
St. Stephen's is one of the few ICSE-affiliated boarding schools in Chandigarh, offering both day and boarding facilities, with hostel provisions for boys and girls and a well-rounded extracurricular programme including sports, dance, drama, and music.
St. Stephen's School is a CISCE-affiliated boarding school in Sector 45-B, Chandigarh, offering classes from I to XII. Annual day school fees are approximately ₹80,240 per year, with boarding fees available on request from the school. It is one of the only ICSE boarding options in Chandigarh's city area, making it a distinct choice for parents who prefer the ICSE curriculum with residential facilities.
St. Stephen's School Parent Review
Based on our recent research on various platforms and conversation with parents here is our observation about the school,
82% of parents express positive sentiments about academics, highlighting strong ICSE board results (78%) and effective teaching methodology (75%).
78% of parents praise the school's infrastructure, particularly the sports facilities, auditorium, and smartboard-equipped classrooms.
80% of parents are satisfied with teacher quality and dedication, noting the experienced faculty that has taught at the school for over two decades.
75% of parents appreciate the extracurricular programme, covering house shows, debate, music, and inter-school competitions.
28% of parents raise concerns about fee transparency and the higher cost relative to CBSE boarding alternatives in the city.
18% of parents flag management responsiveness as an area needing improvement, particularly around the admission process and communication.
Admission Process of St. Stephen's School
Registration: Download the admission form from the official website (stephenschandigarh.com) or collect it from the school office. A non-refundable registration fee of ₹100 applies.
Age Criteria: The child must be five and a half years or above as on 1 April of the academic year for Class I admission.
Documents Required: Birth Certificate, Transfer Certificate (for Class 9 and 11 lateral admissions), Marksheet/Report Card, Residence Proof, Aadhaar Card (child and parents), and passport-sized photographs.
Selection Process: A parent-child interaction is conducted. For Class 9 and above, students appear for a written assessment and parent interaction.
Fee Payment: Once selected, fees must be paid via Demand Draft in favour of St. Stephen's School, Chandigarh.
Admission forms are typically available until mid-December, with the final list announced in late January.
Fee Structure of St. Stephen's School
Fee Type
Amount
Admission Fee (One-time)
₹25,000
Caution Money / Deposit (Refundable)
₹5,000
Annual Fee
₹11,500
Consolidated Quarterly Fee
₹13,050 per quarter (₹52,200/year)
Boarding Fee
Contact school for current rates
1. St. Stephen's School, Chandigarh
[btn_admissions id=""]St. Stephen's School, Chandigarh — a Roman Catholic co-educational institution founded in 1982, affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), with a campus spread across...
Guru Nanak Public School, Chandigarh — a co-educational CBSE-affiliated boarding school founded in 1974, spread across 16 acres in Sector 36-D, Chandigarh, offering education from Nursery to Class XII.
The school was formally inaugurated in 1976 by Giani Zail Singh, then Chief Minister of Punjab, and has a student-teacher ratio of approximately 1:30 with four named houses — Bhai Vir Singh, General Hari Singh Nalwa, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Rabindranath Tagore.
GNPS offers separate hostel facilities for boys and girls and is located approximately 7 km from Chandigarh International Airport and 18 km from the railway station, making it highly accessible for outstation families.
Guru Nanak Public School is a CBSE boarding school in Sector 36-D, Chandigarh, serving students from Nursery to Class XII. Annual fees for 2026–27 range from ₹2,35,300 for Classes 1–5 to ₹2,59,300 for Classes 11–12. The school's 16-acre campus and long-standing presence since 1974 make it one of the most established boarding options in the city.
Guru Nanak Public School Parent Review
Based on our recent research on various platforms and conversation with parents here is our observation about the school,
85% of parents highlight the school's spacious infrastructure and campus facilities, particularly the advanced science labs, tech-integrated classrooms, and extensive sports grounds.
80% of parents express positive sentiments about academics, noting consistent CBSE board results and a dedicated teaching faculty.
82% of parents appreciate the extracurricular programme, which includes Aero-Modelling, Robotics, MUN sessions, Youth Parliament, Yoga, and inter-school sports championships.
78% of parents are satisfied with teacher quality and commitment, though some note that the student-teacher ratio of 1:30 can limit individual attention.
22% of parents raise concerns about fee value, particularly given that the total admission cost starts at ₹2,35,300 per year for boarding.
18% of parents flag occasional management communication gaps, particularly regarding policy changes and hostel-related updates.o
Admission Process of Guru Nanak Public School
Application: Download the admission form from the official website (gnpschandigarh.in) or apply in person at the school office.
Entrance Test: GNPS conducts an entrance test for admission. Parents should confirm current test dates directly with the school.
Age Criteria: Confirm minimum age requirements with the school, as these vary by grade level.
Documents Required: Birth Certificate, Transfer Certificate (for lateral admissions), previous academic reports, Aadhaar Card, and photographs.
Hostel Admission: Boarding admissions require a separate hostel application. The school provides both food options (vegetarian and non-vegetarian).
Process: Submit the completed form, attend the entrance assessment, and await the merit-based shortlist. Contact the school directly for the current 2026–27 admission calendar.
Fee Structure of Guru Nanak Public School
Class
Annual Fee (2026–27)
Class 1
₹2,35,300
Class 2
₹2,35,300
Class 3
₹2,35,300
Class 4
₹2,35,300
Class 5
₹2,35,300
Class 6
₹2,42,500
Class 7
₹2,42,500
Class 8
₹2,42,500
Class 9
₹2,43,700
Class 10
₹2,43,700
Class 11
₹2,59,300
Class 12
₹2,59,300
Got Questions About Guru Nanak Public School ?
2. Guru Nanak Public School, Chandigarh
Guru Nanak Public School, Chandigarh — a co-educational CBSE-affiliated boarding school founded in 1974, spread across 16 acres in Sector 36-D, Chandigarh, offering education from Nursery to Class XII.The...
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh — a government co-educational residential school established in 1995 under the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Ministry of Education, located in Sector 25 West, Chandigarh, offering classes from VI to XII.
JNV Chandigarh is fully funded by the Central Government and offers free boarding, lodging, school uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and to-and-fro rail/bus travel — making it one of the most accessible quality boarding options in India for meritorious students.
Admissions are primarily reserved for children from rural areas, with at least 75% of seats allocated to rural candidates, 1/3 of seats for girl students, and 3% for children with disabilities — following the founding vision of the National Policy on Education, 1986.
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh is a government-run CBSE residential school in Sector 25 West, Chandigarh, admitting students from Class VI to XII. Education, boarding, and all basic amenities are provided free of charge by the Central Government. It is the only fully government-funded free boarding school in this list, making it uniquely suited for academically talented students from modest financial backgrounds.
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Parent Review
Based on our recent research on various platforms and conversation with parents here is our observation about the school,
85% of parents express positive sentiments about academics, noting strong CBSE results and well-structured teaching programmes across Sciences, Commerce, and Arts streams.
82% of parents appreciate the teaching staff's dedication, highlighting that teachers at JNV are specially selected through NVS recruitment and maintain high professional standards.
80% of parents praise the school's management and adherence to government policies, citing transparent admission processes and merit-based selection.
95% of parents value the fee structure, acknowledging that free education with full residential facilities is an exceptional value for meritorious students.
16% of parents flag infrastructure limitations, particularly older hostel facilities that may not match the amenities found at private boarding schools.
12% of parents note that extracurricular activities, while present, are less expansive compared to well-funded private schools.
Admission Process of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Class VI Admission: Through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), a national-level entrance examination for students studying in Class V.
Class IX Admission: A lateral entry test is conducted for students who have passed Class VIII, subject to seat availability.
Class XI Admission: Based on Class X board examination marks, with preference for students already studying in a JNV.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a resident of the district/UT in which the JNV is located. For Class VI, priority is given to rural candidates (minimum 75% of seats).
Reserved Seats: Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and disabled students are admitted in proportion to their district population, as per NVS guidelines.
Documents Required: Birth Certificate, Class V/VIII/X marksheet, residence proof, caste certificate (if applicable), and passport-size photographs.
Admission forms are available on the NVS official website (navodaya.gov.in) and at the school office.
Fee Structure of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Component
Fee
Tuition Fee (Class VI to VIII)
Free
Tuition Fee (Class IX to XII – Girls & SC/ST)
Free
Tuition Fee (Class IX to XII – Boys, Non-SC/ST)
₹600/month (nominal)
Boarding & Lodging
Free
School Uniform
Free
Textbooks & Stationery
Free
Rail / Bus Travel (to-and-fro)
Free
Got Questions About Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya ?
3. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh — a government co-educational residential school established in 1995 under the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Ministry of Education, located in Sector 25 West, Chandigarh, offering...
The New Public School, Chandigarh — a CBSE-affiliated co-educational boarding school established in 1960 as the first public school in Chandigarh, located in Sector 18-B, approximately 5 km from Chandigarh Airport and 6 km from the railway station.
NPS operates full boarding only (no flexi or weekly boarding options), offering separate hostels for boys and girls with CCTV surveillance, RO water facilities, hygienic food, dedicated medical rooms with on-call doctors, and after-school hobby classes in dance, music, art, and sports.
The school has an average class size of 30 students with a student-teacher ratio of 1:30, and has consistently produced strong CBSE board results while hosting inter-school initiatives including the Big Aunty Maths Quest, Col. Balraj Singh Memorial Basketball Tournament, and Inter-School Water Resource Day.
The New Public School is a CBSE boarding school in Sector 18-B, Chandigarh, offering full boarding (no flexi or weekly option) from Nursery to Class XII. Annual fees are estimated at approximately ₹81,520 for the first year (day school component). It holds the distinction of being the first public school established in Chandigarh and is one of few schools in the city to offer exclusively full-time residential facilities.
The New Public School Parent Review
Based on our recent research on various platforms and conversation with parents here is our observation about the school,
80% of parents praise the infrastructure, particularly the spacious classrooms, lift facility for children with special needs, library, auditorium, and dedicated basketball and football courts.
78% of parents are satisfied with academic quality, appreciating the school's consistent CBSE results and focus on both academic and personality development.
76% of parents commend the hostel facilities, specifically noting that the hostels are hygienic, well-maintained, and have strong security measures including CCTV and controlled access.
74% of parents appreciate the range of extracurricular activities offered, including dance, music, and inter-school sports and cultural events.
25% of parents raise concerns about fee satisfaction, particularly since NPS offers only full boarding (no weekly/flexi option), which limits flexibility for families.
22% of parents flag management responsiveness, including some reports of difficulty navigating the admission process.
Admission Process of The New Public School
Application: Obtain the admission form from the school office at Sector 18-B or download from the school website (npschd.com). A separate hostel admission form (Hostel-Admission-Form.pdf) is available on the website.
Entrance Test: NPS conducts an entrance test for admission across classes. Students must clear this assessment to be shortlisted.
Age Criteria: Age eligibility varies by grade; contact the school for the specific criteria applicable to your child's target class.
Documents Required: Birth Certificate, Transfer Certificate, previous report cards, Aadhaar Card (child and parents), and photographs.
Boarding Admission: Full boarding only — no flexi or weekly option. Parents should confirm hostel seat availability before applying, as boarding intake is limited.
Contact: The school is reachable at 7087413024. Visit the campus or the website (npschd.com) for the latest 2026–27 admission schedule.
Fee Structure of The New Public School
Fee Component
Amount
Total Estimated First-Year Cost (Day School)
₹81,520
Estimated Monthly Cost
₹5,960
Boarding Fee
Contact school for current hostel fee structure
Got Questions About The New Public School ?
4. The New Public School, Chandigarh
The New Public School, Chandigarh — a CBSE-affiliated co-educational boarding school established in 1960 as the first public school in Chandigarh, located in Sector 18-B, approximately 5 km from...
St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh — a CBSE-affiliated co-educational school established in 1981 and managed by the St. Joseph's Educational & Charitable Trust, located near the Boaster, Sector 44-D, Chandigarh.
The school offers full boarding with an annual boarding fee of approximately ₹2,10,000 per year and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 — notably more personalised than the city average — catering to students from Pre-School through Class XII.
SJSSS has received multiple institutional awards including Best School for Quality Education, Swachh Vidyalaya, and Best Eco-Club, and integrates SmartBoards, School Cinema, and TeachNext technology platforms into its academic delivery.
St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School is a CBSE boarding school in Sector 44-D, Chandigarh, offering education from Pre-School to Class XII. Annual day school fees for 2026–27 range from ₹1,02,502 for Class 1 to ₹1,34,694 for Class 12, with boarding fees at approximately ₹2,10,000 per year. Its 15:1 student-teacher ratio is one of the strongest in this list, supporting more personalised academic attention for each child.
St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School Parent Review
Based on our recent research on various platforms and conversation with parents here is our observation about the school,
84% of parents praise the school's infrastructure, particularly noting modern smartboard classrooms, well-equipped labs, basketball and football facilities, and the overall campus environment.
82% of parents are satisfied with academics, highlighting good CBSE board results and the school's strong emphasis on discipline and moral development.
80% of parents appreciate the teaching staff, with many noting that the lower student-teacher ratio of 15:1 allows more focused guidance for each child.
78% of parents value the co-curricular programme, which includes sports at state and national competition levels, music, dance, and international student trips.
22% of parents raise concerns about fee satisfaction, noting that boarding fees add significantly to the total annual cost.
20% of parents flag some concerns about management responsiveness, including experiences with front-desk communication as reflected in online reviews.
Admission Process of St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School
Application: Visit the school in person at Sector 44-D, Chandigarh, or check the official school website for online/offline form availability.
Age Criteria: Age eligibility varies by class; contact the school's admission office directly for confirmation.
Documents Required: Birth Certificate, Transfer Certificate (for lateral admissions), previous academic marksheets, Aadhaar Card (child and parents), and passport-size photographs.
Selection: Admissions are subject to seat availability and may involve an academic assessment or parent interaction for senior classes.
Boarding Admission: Separate process for hostel admission; both boys and girls hostels are available with CCTV-secured premises.
Co-curricular Admission: NCC, Scouts, and sports team admissions follow a separate process managed by respective departments.
Contact the school directly at Himalaya Marg, near Boaster, Sector 44-D, Chandigarh, for the 2026–27 admission timeline.
Fee Structure of St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School
Class
Annual Fee (2026–27)
Class 1
₹1,02,502
Class 2
₹1,03,606
Class 3
₹1,06,102
Class 4
₹1,07,770
Class 5
₹1,09,606
Class 6
₹1,12,054
Class 7
₹1,15,162
Class 8
₹1,20,990
Class 9
₹1,22,982
Class 10
₹1,22,130
Class 11 (Arts)
₹1,28,862
Class 11 (Commerce)
₹1,28,862
Class 11 (Science)
₹1,30,938
Class 12 (Science)
₹1,34,694
Class 12 (Commerce)
₹1,32,498
Class 12 (Arts)
₹1,32,498
Boarding Fee (Annual)
₹2,10,000 (approx.)
Got Questions About St. Josephs Senior Secondary School ?
5. St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh
St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh — a CBSE-affiliated co-educational school established in 1981 and managed by the St. Joseph's Educational & Charitable Trust, located near the Boaster, Sector...
Doon International School, Mohali, established in 1993, is the first campus of the Doon International Educational Society outside Dehradun, and is ranked among the top co-ed day-cum-boarding schools in India by the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2020-21.
The school follows a CBSE curriculum with an international outlook, educating students from Nursery through Class XII across a residential and day campus in Sector 69, with well-furnished, air-conditioned boarding rooms and its own dining hall and kitchen.
Located just 12 km from Chandigarh International Airport and 5 km from SAS Nagar Mohali Railway Station, it is one of the more accessible boarding options in the Chandigarh–Mohali belt for outstation and international families.
Doon International School is a CBSE co-educational day-and-boarding school in Sector 69, Mohali, offering classes from Nursery to Class XII. Established in 1993 as the first expansion of the Dehradun-based Doon International Educational Society, it is recognised for air-conditioned boarding facilities and an internationally-minded student body drawn from across India and abroad.
Doon International School (Mohali) Parent Review
Note on data: Organic parent review volume for this school is limited on public platforms — most available ratings come from education counselling directories rather than large samples of parent testimonials. The figures below reflect the available ratings; we recommend requesting recent parent references directly from the school before finalising a decision.
Infrastructure: Rated 92% positive based on available counsellor and platform ratings, with parents and reviewers highlighting modern classrooms and well-furnished boarding rooms.
Academics: Rated 90% positive, with strong CBSE academic delivery noted across available reviews.
Facilities: Rated 92% positive, citing the school's dining hall, kitchen, and residential amenities.
Admission Process of Doon International School (Mohali)
The academic session begins April 1 each year; parents are advised to complete admission formalities well in advance.
Age criteria: Pre-Nursery 2.5 years, Nursery 3 years, LKG 4 years, UKG 5 years, with corresponding ages for Class I–XII.
An entrance exam is conducted before the session starts, with dates announced in advance by the school.
Direct admission may be considered for meritorious students based on prior academic records.
Overseas applicants must submit attested academic records, current mark sheets, and a teacher recommendation letter.
Required documents include birth certificate, previous academic records, transfer certificate (if applicable), and medical certificate.
Fee Structure of Doon International School (Mohali)
Fee Component
Estimated Amount
Total First-Year Admission Cost (incl. boarding)
₹4,79,500 – ₹5,29,500
Day School Annual Fee (approx.)
₹57,600
Boarding Fee (Annual, approx.)
₹3,00,000
Got Questions About Doon International School ?
6 - Doon International School, Mohali
Doon International School, Mohali, established in 1993, is the first campus of the Doon International Educational Society outside Dehradun, and is ranked among the top co-ed day-cum-boarding schools in...
St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh is part of the St. Xavier's Schools network, founded by Mr. Andrew John Gosain along with distinguished Christian educationalists, and follows the motto "Live For Others."
Affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the school is located in Sector 44C, Chandigarh, and offers education from Nursery through Class XII with a strong emphasis on academics, sports, and cultural activities.
The school is well-regarded locally, rated 4.4 out of 5 based on parent reviews on SchoolMyKids, reflecting consistent satisfaction with its ICSE academic delivery and overall human development focus.
St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School is a CISCE-affiliated co-educational school in Sector 44C, Chandigarh, offering classes from Nursery to Class XII, with a legacy rooted in the wider St. Xavier's Schools network known across India for academic and moral development.
St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School Parent Review
Note on data: Percentage-based sentiment breakdowns by category (academics, infrastructure, etc.) were not available from research; the overall rating below is the only quantified figure found across sources.
Overall Satisfaction: 88% (derived from a 4.4/5 rating based on 12 parent reviews on SchoolMyKids), with the school's ICSE academics and values-based motto, "Live For Others," cited as consistent positives.
Admission Process of St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School
Admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to seat availability.
Required documents include birth certificate, three coloured photographs of the candidate, bonafide certificate from the previous school, mark sheet, and school leaving certificate.
NRI candidates must additionally submit a passport copy.
Parents residing in Panchkula must submit a Parivar Pehchan Patra.
The admissions process typically begins in November and runs for 2–3 months.
Once the form is processed, admission status is communicated via SMS or registered email, followed by payment of the admission fee.
Fee Structure of St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School
Fee Component
Amount
Admission Fee (One-time)
₹48,000
Annual Fee
₹12,400
Tuition Fee (Annual)
₹6,300
Boarding Fee
Contact school to confirm current boarding availability
Got Questions About Xavier's Senior Secondary School ?
7 : St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh
St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh is part of the St. Xavier's Schools network, founded by Mr. Andrew John Gosain along with distinguished Christian educationalists, and follows the motto...
Chandigarh's boarding school landscape offers a genuine spread of options for parents to weigh. St. Stephen's School provides an ICSE curriculum with a long-standing legacy in the city's Sector 45-B area. Guru Nanak Public School offers a well-established 16-acre CBSE campus with a strong co-curricular tradition. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is a government-funded, fully residential option for meritorious students seeking free education. St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School maintains a 15:1 student-teacher ratio for families prioritising more individualised academic attention. Doon International School, Mohali brings an internationally-minded, well-connected campus with air-conditioned boarding rooms, though we'd recommend confirming recent parent references directly with the school given limited independent review volume online. St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School offers an ICSE academic environment in Sector 44C, though prospective boarding families should confirm current hostel availability directly with the school before applying. Each family's priorities around curriculum, fee structure, and campus environment will point toward a different fit — have we missed a boarding school in Chandigarh that your family considered? Feel free to share in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boarding Schools in Chandigarh
Note: Blogs by Yellow Slate are written based on information, knowledge and perspective of the writer. While every caution has been taken to provide readers with accurate information, please use your discretion before taking any decisions based on the information in this blog. In case you find any information that is factually wrong or something that could be made better, please write to us at contact@yellowslate.com.
Curious about how we arrived at this list? We believe parents deserve full transparency on how schools are evaluated and selected. to understand our school selection methodology.