Few cities in India are as closely linked with boarding education as Dehradun. If you're weighing up boarding schools in Dehradun, you'll find everything from century-old institutions with famous alumni to modern campuses with swimming pools, riding and shooting ranges. The choice is wide, which is good news, but it also means you'll want a clear way to compare.

Our list covers 39 schools with boarding. Below, we explain how they differ, what they cost, when children usually start, and how admissions work.

Boarding schools in Dehradun at a glance

39 schools: 18 fully residential and 21 that also take day scholars
Gender: 3 for boys, 6 for girls and 30 co-ed
Boards: 25 CBSE, 14 ICSE/ISC and 5 with IB or Cambridge
Indicative fees: about ₹60,000 to ₹16,54,000 a year

Three kinds of boarding schools in Dehradun

Heritage schools

The Doon School (1935), Welham Boys' (1937), Welham Girls' (1957) and Colonel Brown Cambridge School (1926) are the city's long-established names. They admit at fixed entry classes through their own entrance tests, and competition for places is stiff.

Newer residential campuses

Since 2000, several large campuses have opened on the edges of the city, mostly along Chakrata Road. SelaQui International (2000) sits on 52 acres, Tula's International (2013) on 22 acres, and Ecole Globale (2012), for girls, near Sahaspur. Most follow CBSE, and several add Cambridge.

Mid-range and affordable options

Not every family needs a premium school. 24 of the 39 boarding schools in Dehradun on our list start below ₹3 lakh a year, including Scholars Home, Summer Valley School, Grace Academy and the sponsor-supported Him Jyoti School for girls.

What's the right age to start boarding?

Many school guides suggest that children between about 8 and 13 settle into boarding most easily. In practice, readiness matters more than age. A child who is independent, sleeps well away from home and is curious about boarding life will usually adapt faster than one who is anxious about it.

Entry points at boarding schools in Dehradun:

From Class 1: 20 schools list Class 1 as their starting class
From Class 4: 10 schools, including Welham Boys', Colonel Brown and Tula's
From Class 6: Welham Girls', SelaQui and Him Jyoti
From Class 7: The Doon School

What do boarding schools in Dehradun cost?

Fees range from about ₹60,000 to ₹16,54,000 a year, the widest spread of any school type in the city. The Doon School's published 2026-27 fees are ₹14,54,000 for ICSE/ISC and ₹16,54,000 for the IB. Most mid-range residential schools sit between ₹2 lakh and ₹6 lakh.

Ask what the fee includes: boarding, meals and laundry are usually covered, but uniforms, travel and trips often aren't
Check one-time charges: admission fees and refundable deposits can add a significant amount in the first year

How admission works

The process is broadly similar across boarding schools in Dehradun, though each school sets its own details:

Registration: online or by form, often months before the session
Documents: birth certificate, Aadhaar, report cards, transfer certificate and, at many schools, a medical fitness certificate
Entrance test: usually English, maths and reasoning, pitched at the child's level
Interaction: a conversation with the child and parents

Some schools give priority to siblings of current students or children of alumni, so mention this when you apply if it applies to you. Several schools, including The Doon School, also offer scholarships or fee support; ask what's available and what the criteria are.

Questions to ask before you choose

How many children does each house parent look after, and who is on duty at night?
What is the school's anti-ragging and anti-bullying policy, and how are complaints handled?
What medical care is on campus, and which hospital does the school use?
How often can parents call and visit, and how do home weekends work?

Boarding schools in Dehradun by location

Central Dehradun: The Doon School on its Chandbagh campus, plus Welham Boys', Welham Girls' and Colonel Brown in Dalanwala
Chakrata Road and Selaqui: SelaQui International, Tula's International and DPSG Selaqui, with Hopetown at Rajawala and Ecole Globale near Sahaspur
Mussoorie Diversion Road, Malsi and Purkul: The Aryan School, The Pestle Weed School, Kasiga School and The Indian Public School
Sahastradhara Road: Doon Imperial, Seven Oaks, Shiwalik International and Him Jyoti

Location matters less for boarders than day scholars, but it affects travel at the start and end of term and how easily you can visit.

How we put this list together

We include schools based on their board affiliation, standing in the city, campus facilities and the options parents ask us about most. Fees are indicative annual figures drawn from school websites and published listings. They change every year and usually leave out one-time admission charges, so please confirm the latest figure directly with the school. Last updated: September 2026.

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