Written By Anshima | Edited By Varsha & Adi | Updated on 10th Sep, 2024
Did you know that Chandigarh, the dream city of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, was designed by the renowned French architect Le Corbusier?
This city has a range of esteemed educational institutions, from top schools to colleges. However, choosing the right ICSE school can be challenging. To help you navigate this decision, this blog highlights the best ICSE schools in Chandigarh.
You’ll learn what sets them apart, what they offer, and what they look like. Be sure to read until the end to get all the details and consider visiting these schools to find the perfect fit for your child.
Quick Summary
List of Top ICSE Schools in Chandigarh:
- St. Stephen’s School: Best for holistic education.
- Tender Heart High School: Best for Co-curricular activities.
- Xavier’s Senior Secondary School: Best for its legacy.
- Strawberry Fields High School: Best for Innovative Teaching method.
Top Picks
St. Stephen’s School
Tender Heart High School
Xavier’s Senior Secondary School
Our Selection Process
1. St. Stephen’s School
1. St. Stephen’s School
What’s Special?
St. Stephen’s School is renowned for its holistic education approach.
They offer high-quality academics while also emphasising sports and co-curricular activities. The school organises a wide range of competitions, including Inter-Class, Inter-House, and Inter-School events, covering categories like English Debate, Drama, Quiz, Dance, Hindi Debate, Indian Music, Punjabi Debate, Western Music, Art, Computer, Rangoli, Creative Craft, and Eco Club.
Google Review
St. Stephen’s School has a 4.5-star rating from 444 Google reviews.
Many parents are happy with the teachers and the school’s facilities. One review mentioned the staff is very cooperative, and the academics are excellent. The school not only focuses on academics but also helps develop important skills in students.
Another review praised the school for its strong performance in both academics and sports, noting that teachers are experienced, supportive, and good at solving everyday problems. A long-time student from 2016 shared that the school has taught them essential values like teamwork, equality, and public speaking.
The last negative comment was over a year ago, showing how seriously the school takes feedback. Overall, St. Stephen’s should be at the top of your list when choosing a school for your child.
Quick Stats
- Mr. Barry Francis became the Principal of St. Stephen’s School in April 2023. Before joining St. Stephen’s, he worked at The Frank Anthony Public School in New Delhi for over 21 years. At his previous school, he primarily taught English to ISC and ICSE students, but he also taught Mathematics, History, and Geography.
- They are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) curriculum.
- They offer classes from 1st to 10th class.They offer boarding facilities also.
- The school is located near Shanti Path, Sector 45-B, Chandigarh.
What Have They Got?
- The school is on a flat 4-acre site in Sector 45-B. The four-story building design maximises space for play and landscaping. The entrance is on the quieter northwest side, and the building is oriented north-south to stay cooler in the hot climate.
- The school is well-equipped with a football ground, volleyball and basketball courts, and facilities for other games.
- The School’s library started in July 1985 with just 30 books. Today, it has over 10,000 books and multimedia equipment.
- The auditorium seats 700 people and has two balconies. It features a stage area of 50 by 40 feet for cultural activities.
- Each class goes on a mandatory picnic, giving students a chance to visit different places and interact informally with one another.
- They organise a range of competitions, including Inter-Class, Inter-House, and Inter-School events, in categories such as English Debate, Drama, Quiz, Dance, Hindi Debate, Indian Music, Punjabi Debate, Western Music, Art, Computer, Rangoli, Creative Craft, and Eco Club.
Fees
The fee structure for the 2024-2025 academic year is:
- Classes 1 to 9: ₹23,398 per quarter
- Class 10: ₹22,745 per quarter
You can view the entire fee structure on their fee structure page.
Social Media
We couldn’t find their social media accounts, but you can find more information on their school website.
Varsha & Adi’s Take
In Chandigarh, St. Stephen’s School is considered one of the best. They are widely recognized for their holistic approach to education, giving significant importance to co-curricular activities and sports. We highly recommend visiting the school to see their offerings firsthand.
2. Tender Heart High School
2. Tender Heart High School
What’s Special?
Tender Heart High School is well-known for its wide range of co-curricular activities.
They ensure students excel academically while also enjoying their school life. Options include Dance, Drama, Indian Classical Music, Chess, Carrom, Wood Craft, Cookery, and more.
Google Review
Tender Heart High School has a 4.5-star rating from 162 reviews on Google.
Many people say it’s the best school and a great place to be. The school, with about 20 years of experience, provides a friendly, family-like atmosphere where every student gets personal attention and their problems are handled with care. This caring environment helps students grow and reduces stress.
One parent, whose child was in a playgroup in 2022-23, is very happy with the quality of education. They praised Miss Preeti, Ms. Ritu, and the other staff for their excellent work. The school comes highly recommended.
Quick Stats
- They offer classes from Nursery to 10th class.
- They are affiliated with the ICSE curriculum.
- The school is located near House number 670, Sector 33B, Sector 33, Chandigarh.
What Have They Got?
- In addition to morning P.T. and games, the school offers physical training under the guidance of qualified instructors. Students can take part in Yoga, Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Karate, and Taekwondo.
- Dance, Drama, and Indian Classical Music are part of the regular curriculum. The music department also teaches patriotic and folk songs. Students learn Indian classical vocal music and enjoy folk and light music. The school has several electronic keyboards for practice.
- To spark creativity and skill in children, the school offers regular Hobby Classes. These include Chess, Carrom, Wood Craft, and Cookery.
- They have well-maintained labs for Computer, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
Fees
The school’s admission fee is around ₹45,000, and the total fee ranges from ₹77,100 to ₹77,200. For a detailed fee structure, please visit their website.
Social Media
Unfortunately, the school is not active on social media. For all information, including fees and contact details, please visit their website.
Varsha & Adi’s Take
If you want your child to enjoy school while excelling academically, be sure to visit this school. It is highly praised by parents, and the teachers are appreciated for their extensive knowledge.
3. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School
3. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School
What’s Special?
Established in 1960, Xavier’s Senior Secondary School has a long history in education and is highly regarded by parents as one of the oldest ICSE schools in Chandigarh.
The founder had a vision to make a significant contribution to education and nation-building. After over two decades of dedication and hard work, and with the blessings of the Almighty, this vision has borne fruit, resulting in the creation of four schools.
Google Review
Xavier’s Senior Secondary School holds a 4.2-star rating on Google from 330 reviews.
Many comments highlight the friendly and supportive nature of both students and teachers, especially Mrs. Roseleen David.
One reviewer praised it as one of the best ICSE schools in Chandigarh, noting its good infrastructure and systematic bus service. All buses are equipped with GPS, allowing parents to track their child’s journey. The classrooms are well-maintained, and efforts are ongoing to keep them decorated as physical classes resume.
While there have been some disappointments, there is hope that the school will address these concerns and continue to improve.
Quick Stats
- Dr. Ivorine Castellas is the Principal of the school. She holds a PhD, an M.A. in Political Science, and a B.Ed.
- They offer classes from Nursery to 12th class.
- They offer the ICSE curriculum.
- The school is located near Sarovar Path, 44C, Sector 44, Chandigarh.
What Have They Got?
- They have well-maintained labs for Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer.
- They offer co-curricular activities like Arts, Dance, Sports, Yoga, Music, and many more.
- They offer sports facilities for Basketball, Football, skating, carrom and many more.
- They organise competitions for reading, skating, karate, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and many more such competitions.
Fees
Unfortunately, the fee structure could not be found on the website. For detailed information, please contact the school directly at 0172-2607079, 0172-2601706, or 82648-83118. You can also email them at stxaviers44c@gmail.com.
Social Media
They are not active on social media, but you can visit their school website for more information. Education in a survey conducted by Education Today during the North Educators’ Summit and Awards 2022.
Varsha & Adi’s Take
If you’re looking for a long-established school with a strong reputation in education, Xavier’s Senior Secondary School is an excellent choice in Chandigarh. We highly recommend visiting this school.
4. Strawberry Fields High School
4. Strawberry Fields High School
What’s Special?
Strawberry Fields High School is renowned for its innovative and hands-on teaching methods that promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
The school also emphasises values like integrity, respect, empathy, and social responsibility, aiming to develop students into responsible citizens with strong moral character.
Google Review
Strawberry Fields High School has a 4.3-star rating on Google from 204 reviews.
One grandparent praised the school for making their granddaughter’s first day smooth and welcoming, highlighting the energetic and helpful staff and excellent cleanliness.
Other reviews note that teachers give each child individual attention, explain topics well, and regularly demonstrate their teaching methods. The school also emphasises extracurricular activities like sports and art.
Quick Stats
- They offer ICSE and IB curriculum.
- They offer classes from Nursery to 12th Class.
- They are located at Sector 26, Chandigarh.
What Have They Got?
- The school has modern infrastructure with well-equipped classrooms, science and computer laboratories, libraries, auditoriums, and sports facilities to support comprehensive learning and development.
- The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, music, dance, drama, debates, and clubs. Students have opportunities to explore their interests and talents beyond academics.
- Strawberry Fields High School organises cultural events, festivals, and celebrations, promoting cultural diversity and harmony among students.
- The school’s sports facilities include a soccer field, basketball court, tennis courts, cricket nets, and a swimming pool.
Fees
Unfortunately, the fee structure could not be found on the website. For detailed information, please contact the school directly at +91 172 279 5903/5904 or email contact@sfhs.in.
Social Media
They are active on social media, so you can check out their Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information, visit their school website.
Varsha & Adi’s Take
This school is well-known in Chandigarh and offers various curriculums, including ICSE and IB. It is recognized for its innovative teaching methods and a wide range of co-curricular activities. If this sounds impressive, visiting the school might reveal even more about what it has to offer.
Conclusion
To wrap up this blog on the best ICSE schools in Chandigarh:
St. Stephen’s School is renowned for its holistic approach to education, emphasising well-rounded development. Tender Heart High School stands out for its extensive range of co-curricular activities, including dance and sports. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School is respected for its long legacy, having been established in 1960. Strawberry Fields High School is noted for its innovative teaching methods that foster creativity and critical thinking.
Visiting these schools will give you a better understanding of their facilities and offerings, helping you make an informed decision.
So, What’s Next?
We suggest asking yourselves, What do you want for your kid? ” Make a list – the “must-haves” and the “nice-to-haves”. Also, don’t be shy – talk to everyone! Friends, neighbours, they may have some thoughts. Check online too, but remember, reviews are like opinions, everyone’s got one!
Oh, school visits! Take a tour, meet the teachers, ask questions, and see if it clicks.
Open houses are super helpful too – you’ll learn about what they teach and meet other parents. And don’t forget the money talk- school fees are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s uniforms, field trips, and the occasional surprise costs.
Stay on top of the applications, it may be followed by an interview. When it comes to interviews, just being yourself is the key, even for the kid.
But really, you can’t go wrong with any of these schools as they are the best in Chandigarh. Let us know which one you wind up enrolling your kid into!
Varsha & Adi
Hi, we are Varsha and Adi, and we’re on a mission to help parents make the right choice for their kids’ education. Picking a school is like a 10-year commitment, and we realized parents needed clear, no-nonsense info. That’s why we created Candid Schools, where you can get the real deal on schools without the fancy jargon. Our goal is simple: to give parents the info they need to make the best choice for their little ones.
