Schooling and childcare in New Delhi

The sector

The American Embassy School and the British School are in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic area, with the French and German schools nearby; Gurgaon has its own international options including Pathways, Lancers and The Shri Ram School among others. Alongside them sits a deep Indian private sector following CBSE, ICSE or state boards, taught in English, at a fraction of international fees and with genuinely strong academic outcomes.

• Diplomatic-belt schools: AES, BSN, and the French and German schools.
• Gurgaon: a growing set of IB and Cambridge schools serving the corporate population.
• Indian private schools: CBSE or ICSE, English-medium, far cheaper, highly competitive entry.
• The Indian academic year starts in April; international schools usually in August.

Applying

Apply directly and early, with reports from the last two years. Some embassy-linked schools give priority to particular communities or to diplomatic and employer-sponsored families, so ask about priority categories before assuming a place is open. Indian private school admissions can be competitive and may involve assessments and interviews for the family as well as the child.

• Documents: passports, visa, birth certificate, immunisation record, two years of reports.
• Ask about priority categories and employer-linked places.
• Indian private school entry can be competitive and involves the parents too.
• Note the differing academic-year start dates when timing a move.

The commute and the air

Two factors shape the housing choice: the school bus route, as everywhere, and the air. Schools in Delhi suspend outdoor activities and occasionally close entirely during severe pollution episodes, and their indoor air arrangements differ — some have filtered halls and sports domes. It is a fair question to ask on a school tour.

• Bus routes and realistic collection times define the family neighbourhoods.
• Ask what the school does during severe air-quality episodes.
• Some schools have filtered indoor sports facilities; it is worth knowing which.

In order

1. 1Decide between an international and an Indian private school, and note the academic year each runs.
2. 2Ask embassy-belt schools about priority categories before applying.
3. 3Apostille birth certificates and gather two years of reports and immunisation records.
4. 4Apply directly to several schools and book assessments and interviews.
5. 5Choose the home around the school bus route, then ask how the school handles severe air days.