Cradle to AbleParents in Mumbai often ask which school is the "best". There is no single answer, because the right school depends on your child, your budget, your commute and the board you want. This list gives you ten schools that appear again and again in published rankings and school profiles, so you have a sensible place to start.
How we chose these schools
We looked at the Times School Survey 2025 (Mumbai, by curriculum category) and EducationWorld India School Rankings (2025-26 and 2026-27, as reported in the press). We picked schools that showed up most consistently, and we kept to schools that general families can apply to. These sources use different methods and categories, and some school claims are the school's own, so a school appearing here is a reason to look closer, not a guarantee.
The 10 schools
1. Dhirubhai Ambani International School
- Area: Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
- Board: IGCSE and IB Diploma
- Classes: Check the entry class (the school's homepage listed senior classes)
Opened in 2003, the year of its IB authorisation. EducationWorld named it India's top 'Ivy League' international day school in 2025-26, and the Times 2025 survey placed it first (joint) in the international curriculum category.
2. Oberoi International School
- Area: Goregaon East and Jogeshwari East
- Board: IB (PYP, MYP, Diploma)
- Classes: Nursery to Grade 12
One of the first IB schools in Mumbai. EducationWorld named it India's top 'Ivy League' international day school in 2025-26 and 2026-27.
3. The Cathedral & John Connon School
- Area: Fort, with an infant section in Malabar Hill
- Board: ICSE, ISC, IGCSE, IB Diploma and AP
- Classes: Nursery to Class 12
Founded in 1860. The senior school building has stood since 1896. EducationWorld 2025-26 placed it in the top 'Ivy League' day-school category.
4. Aditya Birla World Academy
- Area: Tardeo, Gamadia Colony
- Board: A-Level and IB Diploma
- Classes: Nursery to Grade 12
Uses its own PRIME framework for emotional development. EducationWorld 2026-27 named it India's top international day school, and the Times 2025 survey placed it first (joint) in international curriculum.
5. Jamnabai Narsee School
- Area: JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle West
- Board: ICSE and ISC
- Classes: Pre-school to Class 12
The Times School Survey 2025 placed it joint first in the ICSE category for Mumbai. The school's founding year is given as 1971 in Wikipedia only.
6. Bombay Scottish School, Mahim
- Area: Mahim West
- Board: ICSE and ISC
- Classes: Junior KG to Class 12
Dates from 1847, when it began as the Scottish Female Orphanage in Byculla. The Times 2025 survey placed it second in the ICSE category.
7. Campion School
- Area: Cooperage Road, Fort
- Board: ICSE; the school also lists IGCSE and Cambridge programmes
- Classes: Check the entry class
A Jesuit-run boys' school founded in 1943. EducationWorld 2025-26 named it India's top boys' day school. Its boards are changing, so confirm them.
8. JBCN International School, Parel
- Area: Parel
- Board: IB (PYP, Diploma) and Cambridge IGCSE
- Classes: Nursery to Grade 12
The Times 2025 survey placed it second in the international curriculum category. Sources disagree on its founding year, so we leave that out.
9. Ecole Mondiale World School
- Area: JVPD Scheme, Juhu
- Board: IB (PYP, MYP, Diploma)
- Classes: Playschool or nursery to Grade 12
An IB World School since 2004, per the IB directory. The Times 2025 survey placed it joint second in the IB category.
10. Utpal Shanghvi Global School
- Area: JVPD Scheme, Juhu
- Board: Cambridge/IGCSE and A Levels
- Classes: Pre-primary to Class 12
Run by the Juhu Parle Education Society, which dates to 1982. The Times 2025 survey placed it first in both the national and international curriculum categories.
How to shortlist for your child
- Start with the board and the journey. Decide whether CBSE, ICSE/ISC, IB or Cambridge suits your plans, and check whether the school runs from nursery to Class 12 so your child does not have to change schools.
- Count the commute. A long daily bus ride is tiring for a young child. Distance can also count in admission.
- Visit, and ask about a normal day. Ask about class size, how teachers handle children who are shy or struggling, how much homework young children get, and how the school talks to parents.
- Ask what the admission interaction involves. Under the Right to Education Act, schools cannot screen children or parents at admission for Class 1 onward. For nursery, rules differ by state, so ask.
- Apply to more than one. Seats are limited and admission rules are strict, so keep two or three choices.
- Check the exact campus. Many schools have several campuses with different boards, classes and fees.
Who is not on this list
No CBSE school is in this list. We could not verify the top-ranked CBSE school's details, so we left it out rather than guess. Schools in Thane and Navi Mumbai also appear in Mumbai rankings but are not included here. A school missing from this list is not a mark against it. There are many good schools in Mumbai that did not appear in the sources we used.
Is your child close to starting? Read when your child is ready for kindergarten before you apply.