Top 10 Schools in Chennai: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Criteria for Choosing the Best Schools in Chennai

Chennai is renowned for its educational landscape, offering a plethora of schools catering to both CBSE and ICSE boards. The city is home to some of India’s top-ranked schools, such as Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Chettinad Vidyashram, and Sishya School, known for their academic excellence, holistic development programs and modern infrastructure. According to recent statistics, Chennai boasts over 350 CBSE-affiliated schools and around 100 ICSE schools, attracting students from across the country.

While students and parents from across the nation are getting attracted to most of the schools in Chennai, there are some criteria that one should be double checking before finalizing a particular school. Those are-

• Academic excellence- should have a strong academic track record on all the boards.
• Well-structured curriculum and board affiliation.
• Top-notch faculty and teaching quality.
• The school should not compromise on infrastructure and facilities.
• The school should have a focus on extra-curricular activities.
• Proximity to major transportation hubs and your place of stay.
• Opt for schools that encourage parental involvement through meetings, updates, etc.
• The particular school should ask for a reasonable fee.
• Should have a good reputation and alumni success stories.

10 Top-Rated Schools in Chennai

Most people look for the list of the 10 top-rated schools in Chennai, to narrow down the search. To make things easier for you, here is the list along with their respective features and approximate fee structure-

Name	Features and Curriculum	Fee Structure*
Ryan International School	Curriculum: CBSE Top-notch classrooms, labs, and infrastructure for extracurricular activities.	Rs. 8000/- per month
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Anna Nagar	Curriculum: CBSE Well-structured curriculum and outstanding academic records	Rs. 40,000/- to 74,000/- per annum
Maharishi Vidya Mandir	Curriculum: CBSE Opened in 1983, it focuses on Yoganas, Prayanama and Transcendental Meditation	Rs. 1,25,000 per annum
National Public School	Curriculum: CBSE Unique Personality development program	Rs. 8000/- per month
Chettinad Vidyashram	Curriculum: ICSE Modern infrastructure	Rs. 1,50,000/- to Rs. 2,50,000/- per annum
Orchids The International School	Curriculum: CBSE Modern facilities with a focus on extracurricular activities	Rs. 8,500/- per month
Chennai Public School, Anna Nagar	Curriculum: Montessori and CBSE Experienced faculty and top-notch facilities for sports and other activities	Rs. 2,50,000/- per annum
Army Public School	Curriculum: CBSE Holistic learning environment with utmost disciplined practices	Rs. 38,400/- per annum
Sishya School	Curriculum: ICSE Smart classrooms, advanced labs, and the latest infrastructure for extracurricular activities.	Rs. 1,50,000/- to Rs. 2,50,000/- per annum
Vaels International School	Curriculum: ICSE and IGCSE With a 5-acre campus, they boast a comprehensive curriculum	Rs. 1,75,000/- per annum

*Please note that the fee structure given above are approximate values and can vary according to time, standards, and additional costs such as admission and other miscellaneous costs. 

Best Living Options for Top Schools in Chennai for Students

Grabbing the best PG living options near your favorite school in Chennai might get tricky, especially when you are new to the town. Given below are some renowned localities where you can do your initial planning because almost all top schools in Chennai reside in and around these localities-

Names of localities	Top Schools in Proximity	Rental charges [2 to 3 BHK] per month
Adyar	The Hindu Senior Secondary School, St. Patrick’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School etc	₹35,000 – ₹60,000
PG in Anna Nagar	SBOA School, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, DAV Senior Secondary School, etc	₹30,000 – ₹55,000
Thiruvanmiyur	Nellai Nadar Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Vels Vidyashram Senior Secondary School	₹30,000 – ₹55,000
T. Nagar	Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Ramakrishna Mission School, etc	₹35,000 – ₹60,000
PG in Nungambakkam	Good Shepherd Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Loyola Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School	₹35,000 – ₹65,000
PG options in OMR	Vaels International School, Hiranandani Upscale School, etc	₹25,000 – ₹55,000

Look, it’s okay to get confused at first, but there is always a way out, right? Well, the formula here might be Stanza Living for you. A smart housing platform that gives curated results based on your sorting criteria. Additionally, their team is available round the clock to hear about your pain points and doubts. You can also book a 3D virtual tour where you get a taste of the apartment of your choice listed on their website, from the comfort of your home. That will duck your effort and time, won’t it? 

Conclusion

The top schools in Chennai are a testament to the tier II and tier III cities in India, where each one of them has something or the other to offer. Today and in the days to come, parents and students alike are poised to prefer Chennai as one of the top destinations because of its quality literacy culture along with standard hospitality and holistic living experience.

FAQs

What extracurricular activities are offered by the best schools in Chennai?

From extra-curricular activities like football, cricket, basketball, tennis, etc, to art and cultural activities like music, cultural dances, and interesting excursions, everything is promoted by the best schools in Chennai. 

How do I choose the best school for my child in Chennai?

To choose the best school for your child, get a school which-

• Proximity to your place
• Practice well-structured curriculum
• Focus on extra-curricular activities
• Has an affordable fee
• Has experienced teachers
• Has top-notch infrastructure
• Quality community and peer groups

Which board is the best for my child?

Choosing a board for one’s school depends on his/her future academic and career plans. While ICSE focuses on English language and literature, CBSE on the other hand makes a comprehensive curriculum that has a detailed inclusion of science and mathematics. Additionally, if someone wants a more theoretical approach with a focus on the STEM field, he or she can also go for the CBSE board. 

Which are the best residential areas near top schools in Chennai?

The best residential areas near the top schools in Chennai are- 

• Adyar
• Anna Nagar
• Besant Nagar
• Thiruvanmiyur
• Velachery
• T. Nagar
• K.K. Nagar
• OMR 
• Nungambakkam
• Mylapore
• Alwarpet

How early should I apply to these schools?

You should start planning your research a year before the intended admission year. Most top schools in Chennai release their application forms around October to December for the following academic year (which usually starts in April or June).

The window for submitting applications is often brief, typically spanning a few weeks to a month. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the school’s official website or contact their admission office for precise dates.