Best Schools in Bengaluru: Top CBSE, ICSE and International Schools for 2026
By Satyavadan Prakhya · November 2, 2026 · 6 min read
Bengaluru has some of India's oldest heritage schools and many of its newest international ones. With families spread from Whitefield to Electronic City, choosing a school is as much about location as reputation.
Note: this list is based on long-standing reputation, board results and national rankings such as EducationWorld – it is not an official ranking, and schools change. Always check fees, admissions and the latest results on each school's official website and visit before deciding.
What to know about schools in Bengaluru
- Boards: ICSE and CBSE are both strong; many international schools offer Cambridge and the IB. The Karnataka state board is also widely followed.
- Academic year: usually starts in June; popular schools open admissions as early as September–November.
- Location: East and South Bengaluru have many international schools; central Bengaluru has the heritage schools.
Heritage and top day schools
| School | Why parents shortlist it |
|---|---|
| Bishop Cotton Boys' School and Bishop Cotton Girls' School | Founded in the 1860s; two of the city's best-known schools, strong in debating, sport and academics. |
| National Public School (Indiranagar, Koramangala and other campuses) | A CBSE group with consistently top board results. |
| Baldwin Boys' and Baldwin Girls' High Schools | Long-established schools with a strong local reputation. |
| Mallya Aditi International School | Progressive school offering ICSE, ISC and Cambridge. |
| Inventure Academy | Known for project-based learning and Cambridge and ICSE programmes. |
International and boarding options
| School | Why parents shortlist it |
|---|---|
| The International School Bangalore (TISB) | Day and boarding school offering the IB and Cambridge. |
| Greenwood High International School | Popular international school with ICSE, Cambridge and IB pathways. |
| Canadian International School and Stonehill International School | IB schools favoured by globally mobile families. |
| Sarala Birla Academy | Ranked India's #1 boarding school in EducationWorld 2025-26. |
| Vidyashilp Academy | Well-regarded for academics and sport. |
Admission tips
- Map your daily route at school hours before you choose.
- For IB or Cambridge, check university results abroad, not only grades.
- Ask about waiting lists – top schools fill quickly.
The bottom line
Bengaluru's best schools range from 150-year-old heritage campuses to new IB schools. Decide on the board, then let location narrow the list.
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