For most expat families, international schools in Pune are the natural place to start. The International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge IGCSE are the curricula you’ll come across most often. Some international schools also teach an Indian curriculum, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) syllabus.
A school’s name isn’t always a reliable guide to its curriculum. Quite a few Pune schools call themselves international but follow only an Indian board, so check each school’s website to see exactly what it teaches before you add it to your shortlist.
Under state law, Marathi is a compulsory subject up to Grade 10 at every school in Maharashtra, and international schools are no exception. The state government can exempt students who move to Maharashtra partway through their school years, so check with each admissions office whether your child qualifies.
Families should pick a school and a neighbourhood at the same time. Rush-hour traffic is heavy, and the roads are slower still during the monsoon from June to September. Most schools have their own buses, so check the routes before you sign a lease.
There is high demand for places at the best international schools in Pune, and admission is competitive. It’s standard procedure for schools to ask for your child’s recent reports, a transfer certificate from their previous school, their passport, and their visa. Foreign nationals may need to show proof of registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Some schools also administer tests or conduct interviews as part of the admissions process.
Most international schools in Pune start the academic year in June or August, and the schools in highest demand usually open applications between September and January beforehand. It’s always best to apply as far in advance as possible, although international schools are generally more flexible than Indian board schools about mid-year admissions.
Below is a selection of prominent international schools in Pune.
International schools in Pune
Daffodil International School
Fees at Daffodil International School are lower than at most IB schools in Pune. Its teachers hold Cambridge certification and train regularly on the syllabus and Cambridge’s mark schemes. Students also enter national olympiads in subjects such as maths, science, English, and French.
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 3 to 18 years
Curriculum: Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, and Cambridge International AS and A-Levels
Website: www.disindia.in
Indus International School Pune
The Indus Trust runs Indus International School Pune alongside sister schools in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Every student follows the trust’s Leadership Curriculum in addition to their academic studies, and some of it involves practical work outdoors. The campus spans more than 30 acres and has its own pool and sports fields.
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 3 to 18 years
Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, IB Diploma Programme, and IB Career-related Programme
Website: pune.indusschool.com
Mahindra International School
Mahindra International School opened in 1998 as the Mercedes-Benz International School and changed its name in 2019. The school is not-for-profit and was the first in India to gain accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS). Classes are small, and expat and returning Indian families make up much of the school community.
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 3 to 18 years
Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, and IB Diploma Programme
Website: www.misp.org
Symbiosis International School
Symbiosis International School is part of the Symbiosis Society, which began in 1971 as a welfare centre for international students in Pune and is now best known for Symbiosis International University. The school has its own inclusive education department for children with special educational needs. The university guidance team helps students apply for places in India and abroad.
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 3 to 18 years
Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, and IB Diploma Programme
Website: www.symbiosisinternationalschool.net
Victorious Kidss Educares
The founder of Victorious Kidss Educares based the school’s ethos on Vedanta philosophy and on Swami Vivekananda’s teachings when he opened it in 1997. Teachers bring these ideas into the IB programmes. The school also offers prenatal and postnatal education for parents.
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 6 weeks to 18 years
Curriculum: Early Years Foundation Programme, IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, and IB Diploma Programme
Website: www.victoriouskidsseducares.org
Wellington College International Pune
This is the first Indian sister school of Wellington College in Berkshire, England, and it opened in 2023. Wellington runs it in partnership with India’s Unison Group. British architects MICA designed the campus on the banks of the Mula-Mutha River.
Gender: Co-educational
Ages: 2 to 18 years
Curriculum: Early Years Foundation Stage, English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, and IB Diploma Programme
Website: pune.wellingtoncollege.in