Top 10 Famous ICSE Schools in India 2026

ICSE schools are known for strong English, detailed syllabus, project work, practical learning, literature, science, mathematics, history, geography, arts, and overall personality development. Parents often prefer ICSE schools when they want their children to build language confidence, analytical thinking, presentation skills, and a strong academic base for higher studies.

The ICSE exam is conducted at the Class 10 level by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, while ISC is conducted at the Class 12 level. CISCE describes ICSE as a general education examination through English medium, and ISC as a two-year course after ICSE or an equivalent Class 10 examination.

India has many reputed ICSE schools, especially in cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune, and Delhi. Some schools are famous for heritage, some for academics, some for sports, some for boarding, and some for all-round exposure. This list is not an official ranking, but a practical guide to some of the most famous ICSE schools in India in 2026.

1. The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai

The Cathedral and John Connon School is one of the most famous ICSE schools in India. Located in Mumbai’s Fort area, the school has a strong reputation for academics, discipline, communication skills, co-curricular activities, and premium urban schooling. The school offers ICSE and ISC, along with international programmes like IGCSE, IBDP, and Advanced Placement, which gives students both Indian and global academic exposure.

The school is known for its high academic culture and polished student environment. Its campus includes fully air-conditioned classrooms, computerised libraries, and modern sports facilities. This makes it a strong choice for parents who want an ICSE school with modern infrastructure and international exposure.

Address: 6, Purshottamdas Thakurdas Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400001, Maharashtra.

Best facility: Air-conditioned classrooms, computerised libraries, modern sports facilities, ICSE/ISC and international curriculum exposure.

2. Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, Mumbai

Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, is one of Mumbai’s most respected ICSE and ISC schools. It has a long legacy and a strong academic image among parents. The school’s official page highlights outstanding ICSE and ISC performance, including a national-level rank mention with 99.6% in ICSE and 99.5% in ISC.

The school is popular because it combines academics with discipline, co-curricular exposure, communication skills, and a strong school culture. Its Mahim location also makes it one of the most recognised schools in Mumbai. Parents who want a reputed ICSE school with a balanced academic environment often consider Bombay Scottish as a strong option.

Address: Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai – 400016, Maharashtra.

Best facility: Strong ICSE/ISC academic performance, disciplined school culture, co-curricular exposure, and central Mumbai reputation.

3. Campion School, Mumbai

Campion School, Mumbai, is one of India’s most famous boys’ ICSE schools. Founded in January 1943, the school describes itself as one of India’s premier ICSE boys’ schools. Located in the Fort area of Mumbai, Campion has built a strong image for academics, discipline, leadership, sports, public speaking, and all-round development.

The school is especially suitable for parents who want a boys-only ICSE school with old institutional value and a serious academic atmosphere. Campion is also known for its achievements in competitions, spelling bee events, sports, and leadership activities.

Address: 13 Cooperage Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001, Maharashtra.

Best facility: Boys’ ICSE education, leadership culture, inter-school competitions, sports exposure, and strong Mumbai heritage.

4. St. Mary’s School, Pune

St. Mary’s School, Pune, is one of the most reputed ICSE and ISC schools in Maharashtra. The school’s official curriculum page says students appear for the ICSE and ISC examinations at the end of Classes 10 and 12, and the school also focuses on a holistic balance between academics, creativity, and physical activity.

The school is known for academic strength, discipline, cultural activities, sports, and overall development. Its official page also announced a 100% pass rate in ICSE and ISC board examinations, which adds to its academic reputation. For parents in Pune, St. Mary’s remains one of the strongest ICSE school names.

Address: 5B, General Bhagat Marg, Camp, Pune – 411001, Maharashtra.

Best facility: ICSE/ISC academics, creative activities, physical education, disciplined campus culture, and strong board-result record.

5. La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata

La Martiniere for Boys is one of the most historic and famous ICSE schools in India. The La Martiniere Kolkata institution has a long legacy, and its boys’ school is known for academics, discipline, leadership, house culture, public speaking, sports, and strong alumni value. The school’s senior section page lists ICSE subjects for Classes IX and X, showing its CISCE academic structure.

La Martiniere for Boys is especially good for parents looking for a heritage boys’ school with strong English-medium education and a polished Kolkata school culture. Its location and long-standing identity make it one of the most recognised ICSE schools in eastern India.

Address: 11, Dr. U.N. Brahmachari Street, Kolkata – 700017, West Bengal.

Best facility: ICSE academic structure, heritage campus culture, leadership activities, house system, sports, and strong alumni reputation.

6. La Martiniere for Girls, Kolkata

La Martiniere for Girls is one of the most prestigious girls’ ICSE schools in India. Established in 1836, the school says it has nearly 3,000 students from Lower Nursery to Class XII and is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations.

The school is famous for academics, discipline, personality development, public speaking, cultural exposure, and girls’ leadership. It is one of the strongest names for parents looking for a reputed girls’ ICSE school in Kolkata. The school’s long legacy and consistent reputation make it a major name in Indian school education.

Address: 14, Rawdon Street, Kolkata – 700017, West Bengal.

Best facility: Girls’ education environment, ICSE/ISC curriculum, leadership activities, cultural exposure, and strong heritage value.

7. St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata

St. Xavier’s Collegiate School is one of Kolkata’s most respected boys’ schools. Administered by the Jesuits, the school has a strong reputation for discipline, academic performance, values, debating, cultural activities, and all-round development. Its official page mentions that the school is administered by the Society of Jesus, while school listings identify it with ICSE and ISC affiliation.

The school is especially known for its intellectual culture and strong student confidence. In 2025, it also won the Best School Trophy at the All India Frank Anthony Debate organised by CISCE, showing its strength in communication and debating.

Address: 30, Mother Teresa Sarani, Kolkata – 700016, West Bengal.

Best facility: Jesuit education, debate culture, English communication, academic discipline, and strong Kolkata school legacy.

8. Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Bengaluru

Bishop Cotton Boys’ School is one of the most famous boys’ ICSE schools in India. The school offers ICSE at Class 10 and ISC at Class 12, with Science, Commerce, and Humanities options at the higher secondary level. It has a long legacy and is known for academics, boarding, discipline, sports, leadership, and character-building.

The school highlights a large campus, excellent infrastructure, and a strong residential/day-school environment. Its facilities include cricket, football and hockey fields, tennis and basketball courts, sports complex, swimming pool, badminton, table tennis, billiards, squash, gymnasium, and laboratories.

Address: 15, Residency Road, Bengaluru – 560025, Karnataka.

Best facility: 13–14 acre campus, sports complex, swimming pool, laboratories, library, boarding/day-school setup, and boys’ leadership environment.

9. Bishop Cotton Girls’ School, Bengaluru

Bishop Cotton Girls’ School is one of India’s most famous girls’ ICSE schools. The school has more than 160 years of heritage and highlights ICSE and ISC toppers on its official page, showing its continued academic focus. Located on St. Mark’s Road, it is one of Bengaluru’s most recognised girls’ schools.

The school is known for academics, discipline, confidence-building, leadership, values, and all-round exposure. Its official contact page confirms its central Bengaluru address. For parents looking for a girls-only ICSE school with heritage and academic seriousness, Bishop Cotton Girls’ School remains a top name.

Address: #1, St. Mark’s Road, Bengaluru – 560001, Karnataka.

Best facility: Girls’ ICSE/ISC education, heritage campus, academic culture, leadership exposure, and central Bengaluru location.

10. St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Bengaluru

St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Bengaluru, is one of the most respected boys’ ICSE schools in South India. The school states that it offers ICSE at Standard 10 and ISC at Standard 12, and it is associated with CISCE. Managed by the Bangalore Jesuit Educational Society, the school has a strong identity in academics, values, sports, discipline, and holistic education.

The school has modern science and computer labs, playing fields, a sports complex for indoor games, a heated pool, auditorium, food court, canteen, and a well-stocked library. Its facilities make it a strong choice for parents who want serious academics along with sports and co-curricular development.

Address: 27, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560025, Karnataka.

Best facility: Science and computer labs, sports complex, heated pool, auditorium, library, and Jesuit value-based education.

Conclusion

India has many reputed ICSE schools, but Cathedral and John Connon, Bombay Scottish, Campion, St. Mary’s Pune, La Martiniere Boys, La Martiniere Girls, St. Xavier’s Kolkata, Bishop Cotton Boys, Bishop Cotton Girls, and St. Joseph’s Boys are among the most famous names in 2026.

The right ICSE school depends on the child’s city, academic level, co-curricular interest, boarding need, gender preference, and family budget.

Before admission, parents should check CISCE affiliation, fee structure, teachers, safety, transport, facilities, board results, sports, activities, and overall school environment.