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:

Understanding ICSE Board Schools (A Comprehensive Guide)