Even before the advent of modern education boards, smart classrooms or online learning, some schools in India were open for business. They saw dramatic changes in the way children learned during colonial rule, Indian independence, and in the centuries that followed. They are constantly changing but still maintaining the highest educational standards.Most of these schools were founded with humble goals: to educate orphans, children of soldiers or local residents. They are now renowned for their academic standards, rich traditions and alumni who have left their mark on public life, business, science and the arts.Here are five of the oldest schools in India that still enjoy enduring fame:
1. St. George’s Anglo-Indian High School Chennai(1715)
In 1715, when St. George’s High School was founded, the British Raj was still many years away from its rise to prominence in India. The institution, formerly the Madras Male Orphan Asylum, is more than three centuries old and is widely regarded as the oldest continuously functioning school in India.More than 300 years have passed, and the school in Chennai is still accepting batches of new students and continuing the tradition passed down from generation to generation.The school’s Hall of Fame page mentions S. Venkataraghavan (cricket player/umpire), Dr. R. Chidambaram (scientist), M. Bakthavatsalam (political leader) and Justice S. Ranganathan as its famous alumni.
2. St. John Westley Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli (1763)
St John Westley Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli (1763)
St. John’s Vestri Anglo-Indian High School is a part of the Tiruchirappalli education system and has a history of over 260 years. The school is run by the Church of South India and has maintained a tradition of quality education while keeping pace with the times.
3. Sanawar, Lawrence School (1847)
Sanawa, Lawrence School (1847)
Situated amidst the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Lawrence School, Sanawar is famous for its location and history. Founded in 1847 by Sir Henry and Honoria Lawrence, it is one of the oldest boarding schools in Asia.Over the decades, the school has developed a reputation for combining academics with outdoor education, sports, leadership programs and character building, making it one of the most respected boarding schools in India.Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Maneka Gandhi, Omar Abdullah and Veer Das are the most famous alumni.
4. bishop cotton school Shimla(1859)
Bishop Cotton (Shimla)
Founded in 1859, Bishop Cotton has long been recognized as Asia’s oldest boys’ boarding school. Located in the cedar forests of Shimla, it is the alma mater of generations of students and is known for its academic excellence and all-round development.Today, the school attracts students from across India and abroad and remains one of the top boarding schools in India.Famous figures who have studied here include tech tycoon Nandan Nilekani, author Ruskin Bond, musician Lucky Ali, scientist Raja Ramanna and former Tennessee Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
5. Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack (1851)
Cravenshaw College, Cuttack (1851)
Ravenshaw College School There are not many schools that have left such an indelible mark on the educational history of Odisha. The institution was founded in 1868 and later played an important role in the establishment of Ravenshaw College (now Ravenshaw University).For more than 150 years since its founding, the school has been known for its academic legacy and contribution to shaping generations of students in the region.Its distinguished alumni include Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Biju Patnaik, among others.
