Understanding ICSE Board Schools (A Comprehensive Guide)
Understanding ICSE Board Schools (A Comprehensive Guide)
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board is one of the prominent educational boards in India, known for its rigorous curriculum and holistic approach to education. In this blog:
- Explore the unique features of ICSE schools.
- Compare them with other educational boards
- Provide statistical insights
- Discuss the curriculum advantages that ICSE students want to enjoy.
When comparing ICSE with other educational boards like CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), IB (International Baccalaureate), and state boards, several key differentiators emerge:
|
Feature |
ICSE |
CBSE |
IB |
|
Curriculum Depth |
Comprehensive |
Focused on Science/Math |
Internationally oriented |
|
Assessment Method |
Grading with projects |
Two-term evaluations |
Global rubric |
|
Language Emphasis |
Strong focus on English |
Less emphasis on languages |
Emphasis on multiple languages |
|
Recognition |
International |
National |
International |
Number of ICSE Schools Over Time:
|
Year |
Number of ICSE Schools |
|
2014 |
1,900 |
|
2024 |
2,695 |
ICSE Schools in India
As of 2024, there are 1900+ ICSE-affiliated schools across India, showing steady growth from around 1,800 schools in 2014.
State-wise ICSE School Distribution in India (Major States)
- Maharashtra: 305 schools
- West Bengal: 154 schools
- Karnataka: 186 schools
- Kerala: 106 schools
- Tamil Nadu: 175 schools
- Uttar Pradesh: 124 schools
- Delhi-NCR: 124 schools
- Gujarat: 115 schools
Source: https://candidschools.com/icse-schools-in-india-a-state-wise-list/
ICSE Schools in Major Indian Cities
ICSE Schools in Mumbai: Mumbai hosts around 78 ICSE-affiliated schools known for their academic excellence and holistic approach to education.
Top 10 ICSE schools in Mumbai:
|
School Name |
Annual Fees (2024-25) |
Academic Performance |
Competitive Exam Success Rate |
|
Cathedral & John Connon School |
₹4.8-5.2L |
Board Result: 99.8% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 15% |
|
Bombay Scottish School |
₹3.8-4.2L |
Board Result: 99.5% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 18% |
|
Campion School |
₹3.5-3.8L |
Board Result: 99.6% |
JEE Adv: 10%, NEET: 16% |
|
Villa Theresa High School |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 98.9% |
JEE Adv: 8%, NEET: 12% |
|
Greenlawns School |
₹3.8-4.0L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 9%, NEET: 14% |
|
Jamnabai Narsee School |
₹4.2-4.5L |
Board Result: 99.4% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 13% |
|
Jasudben ML School |
₹3.5-3.8L |
Board Result: 98.8% |
JEE Adv: 7%, NEET: 15% |
|
St. Mary's School (ICSE) |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 99.1% |
JEE Adv: 9%, NEET: 11% |
|
Arya Vidya Mandir |
₹3.8-4.1L |
Board Result: 99.3% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 16% |
|
Activity High School |
₹3.0-3.3L |
Board Result: 98.7% |
JEE Adv: 8%, NEET: 12% |
ICSE Schools in Kolkata: Kolkata has approximately 82 ICSE schools, maintaining the city's legacy of quality education with a strong emphasis on literature and arts.
Top 10 ICSE schools in Kolkata
|
School Name |
Annual Fees (2024-25) |
Academic Performance |
Competitive Exam Success Rate |
|
La Martiniere for Boys |
₹2.8-3.2L |
Board Result: 99.7% |
JEE Adv: 15%, NEET: 14% |
|
La Martiniere for Girls |
₹2.8-3.2L |
Board Result: 99.8% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 16% |
|
St. Xavier's Collegiate School |
₹2.5-2.8L |
Board Result: 99.6% |
JEE Adv: 16%, NEET: 15% |
|
Don Bosco School, Park Circus |
₹2.2-2.5L |
Board Result: 99.4% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 13% |
|
Loreto House |
₹2.4-2.7L |
Board Result: 99.5% |
JEE Adv: 10%, NEET: 12% |
|
Modern High School for Girls |
₹2.6-2.9L |
Board Result: 99.3% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 14% |
|
St. James' School |
₹2.3-2.6L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 12% |
|
South City International School |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 99.1% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 15% |
|
St. Thomas' Boys' School |
₹2.2-2.5L |
Board Result: 98.9% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 13% |
|
Calcutta Girls' High School |
₹2.1-2.4L |
Board Result: 99.0% |
JEE Adv: 9%, NEET: 14% |
For a complete list of ICSE schools in Kolkata, visit Best ICSE Schools in Kolkata
ICSE Schools in Bangalore: Bangalore features 66 ICSE schools, known for blending traditional academic excellence with modern teaching methodologies.
Top 10 ICSE schools in Bangalore
|
School Name |
Annual Fees (2024-25) |
Academic Performance |
Competitive Exam Success Rate |
|
Bishop Cotton Boys' School |
₹3.5-3.8L |
Board Result: 99.6% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 16% |
|
Bishop Cotton Girls' School |
₹3.5-3.8L |
Board Result: 99.7% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 15% |
|
Baldwin Boys' High School |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 99.4% |
JEE Adv: 15%, NEET: 14% |
|
Baldwin Girls' High School |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 99.5% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 16% |
|
Frank Anthony Public School |
₹3.0-3.3L |
Board Result: 99.3% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 15% |
|
St. Joseph's Boys' High School |
₹2.8-3.1L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 13% |
|
Clarence High School |
₹2.9-3.2L |
Board Result: 99.1% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 14% |
|
Cathedral High School |
₹2.7-3.0L |
Board Result: 99.0% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 15% |
|
St. Paul's English School |
₹2.6-2.9L |
Board Result: 98.9% |
JEE Adv: 10%, NEET: 13% |
|
Sophia High School |
₹2.8-3.1L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 12% |
ICSE schools in Delhi:
Top 5 ICSE schools in Delhi
|
School Name |
Annual Fees (2024-25) |
Academic Performance |
Competitive Exam Success Rate |
|
Frank Anthony Public School |
₹3.5-3.8L |
Board Result: 99.5% |
JEE Adv: 15%, NEET: 17% |
|
St. Thomas' School |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 99.4% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 15% |
|
Mater Dei School |
₹3.0-3.3L |
Board Result: 99.3% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 14% |
|
Cathedral School |
₹2.8-3.1L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 13% |
|
St. Xavier's School |
₹3.1-3.4L |
Board Result: 99.1% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 16% |
ICSE schools in Chennai:
Top 5 ICSE schools in Chennai
|
School Name |
Annual Fees (2024-25) |
Academic Performance |
Competitive Exam Success Rate |
|
Sishya School |
₹3.2-3.5L |
Board Result: 99.6% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 18% |
|
St. Michael's Academy |
₹2.8-3.1L |
Board Result: 99.4% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 16% |
|
Chettinad Vidyashram |
₹3.0-3.3L |
Board Result: 99.3% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 15% |
|
Lady Andal School |
₹2.9-3.2L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 14% |
|
San Academy |
₹2.7-3.0L |
Board Result: 99.1% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 15% |
ICSE schools in Pune:
Top 5 ICSE schools in Pune
|
School Name |
Annual Fees (2024-25) |
Academic Performance |
Competitive Exam Success Rate |
|
St. Mary's School |
₹3.0-3.3L |
Board Result: 99.5% |
JEE Adv: 14%, NEET: 16% |
|
Bishop's School |
₹2.8-3.1L |
Board Result: 99.4% |
JEE Adv: 13%, NEET: 15% |
|
St. Helena's School |
₹2.6-2.9L |
Board Result: 99.3% |
JEE Adv: 12%, NEET: 14% |
|
Hutchings High School |
₹2.5-2.8L |
Board Result: 99.2% |
JEE Adv: 11%, NEET: 13% |
|
St. Vincent's High School |
₹2.7-3.0L |
Board Result: 99.1% |
JEE Adv: 12% |
📚 ICSE Curriculum Language and Subject Options
ICSE offers one of the most comprehensive curriculum structures in India, with a strong emphasis on language proficiency and analytical skills.
Core Subjects (Classes 1-10)
Languages
- English (First Language) - Compulsory
- Second Language Options:
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- French
- German
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Tamil
- Telugu
Science Group
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Environmental Science
- Computer Science
Mathematics
- Advanced Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Statistics
- Commercial Mathematics
Humanities
- History & Civics
- Geography
- Economics
- Commercial Studies
Additional Subjects
- Art
- Music (Indian/Western)
- Physical Education
- Technical Drawing
- Home Science
- Environmental Applications
- Economic Applications
- Commercial Applications
Unique Features of ICSE Education
- Strong focus on practical knowledge
- Emphasis on critical thinking
- Detailed answer writing skills
- Research methodology
- Project-based learning
- Public speaking
- Creative writing
- Scientific analysis
- Wide acceptance by foreign universities
- Strong foundation for international education
Parent Reviews and Testimonials
-
"The depth of ICSE curriculum has given my child a strong foundation. The detailed study of subjects, especially English, has improved her analytical and communication skills significantly." - Parent from Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai
-
"ICSE's balanced approach to academics and extra-curricular activities has helped my son develop into a well-rounded individual." - Parent from La Martiniere Boys, Kolkata
-
"The rigorous ICSE curriculum prepared my daughter well for her studies abroad. She found the transition to an international university much smoother." - Parent from Bishop Cotton Girls' School, Bangalore
You can check for more information about more parent reviews here:
