Dhirubhai Ambani International School vs Hiranandani Foundation School International (HFS)

	D Dhirubhai Ambani International School Mumbai, India	H Hiranandani Foundation School International (HFS) Mumbai, India
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₹170,000 - 1,470,400	Fees / year ₹64,000 - 370,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Indian Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Montessori Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,064	Pupils 2,610
Typical class size	Typical class size 6	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2003	Opened 2008
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400098, India	Location Richmond Street, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai 400 076, India. The school is located on Richmond Street in Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. The address is HFS International Powai, Richmond Street, Powai, Mumbai 400 076.
Stages	Stages ICSE Secondary Programme for Classes VIII–X (ICSE being phased out; last batch in March 2026), IGCSE Secondary Programme for Classes VIII–X, IB Diploma Programme for Classes XI–XII	Stages Pre-Primary; Cambridge International Primary (grades I-V); Cambridge International Secondary (grades VI-IX); International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (XI-XII).
School type	School type ICSE, IGCSE, and IB Diploma Programme international curricula	School type International school (day). The school offers Cambridge International Examinations (CAIE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Centre; inclusive environment with individualized learning approaches; College Counselling; Student Care Services; ICT in the Classroom	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation India	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure CAIE Grade 1–10: 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.; IBDP: 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Nursery to Senior KG: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Regular) or 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Full Time).
Bus service details	Bus service details The School operates 24 bus routes; details on routes, pick-up and drop-off points, time schedules, and bus charges provided at admission; no plans to extend bus routes	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & registration fees - Registration (application) fee: INR 8,000 (one-time, payable at time of application). - Non‑refundable admission / initial payment: paid at the time of accepting an offer. For new admissions the first‑year admission/initial payment levels reported for recent sessions are: LKG–Class VII: INR 170,000; Classes VIII–X: INR 448,000; Classes XI–XII: INR 965,000. These figures are treated as the first‑year total (admission + first instalment of tuition/charges). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term breakdown) - LKG to Class VII - Annual total (reported): INR 170,000. - Payment pattern (per the school's term/quarter rules): - Term I (due on admission / before start of year): 50% of annual = INR 85,000. - Remaining 50% of annual tuition (INR 85,000) is collected in two equal quarterly instalments during Term II: INR 42,500 + INR 42,500. - Classes VIII to X (IGCSE/secondary group) - Annual total (reported): INR 448,000. - Payment pattern: - Term I (due on admission / before start of year): 50% of annual = INR 224,000. - Remaining 50% of annual tuition (INR 224,000) is collected in two equal quarterly instalments during Term II: INR 112,000 + INR 112,000. - Classes XI to XII (IB / senior secondary) - Annual total (reported): INR 965,000. - Payment pattern: - Term I (due on admission / before start of year): 50% of annual = INR 482,500. - Remaining 50% of annual tuition (INR 482,500) is collected in two equal quarterly instalments during Term II: INR 241,250 + INR 241,250. (Note: the school's published billing model separates an annual tuition component and a "term fee" component; the school requires the Term I tuition and Term I term‑fee to be paid in advance on acceptance, and the remaining tuition is collected in two equal quarterly instalments in the second term. The per‑term instalment amounts above follow that payment rule applied to the reported annual totals.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and charges for school bus service and lunch are payable quarterly; the term fee is payable half‑yearly. The school publishes specific quarterly payment windows (for example: June 12–18, September 12–18, December 12–18, March 12–18 for the academic year cycle used for IGCSE/IB; ICSE dates follow a similar quarterly schedule). Parents of newly admitted students normally pay the Term I amounts in full before the academic year begins. - Late payment penalties: INR 50 per day for payments overdue up to 10 days; INR 100 per day for delays beyond 10 days. - Accepted payment methods: fees are required to be paid online through the DAIS parent portal; the school also has used third‑party online payment gateway options and accepts cheques / demand drafts / pay orders drawn in favour of the school when specifically instructed. (The parent portal / gateway is the primary channel for fee collection.) Boarding fees - Boarding is not a published standard offering for the DAIS main campus; DAIS operates as a day school. No boarding fee schedule is published for regular residential provision. Other costs and recurring charges - In addition to the annual tuition totals above, parents are responsible for costs that typically include: school lunch, school transport, compulsory educational trips and excursions, examination / board fees, university / college application charges, books, stationery and school uniform. These items are billed separately or charged as additional services when applicable. Refund and withdrawal policy - Notice and documentation: parents must submit a “Notice of Intention to withdraw pupil” form plus a signed letter requesting withdrawal. The School Leaving Certificate is issued only after clearance of outstanding dues and return of school property. - Refund rules for withdrawals communicated before the scheduled start of the academic year: - Withdrawal on or before 90 days before commencement: 100% refund of the Tuition Fee paid. - Withdrawal less than 90 days but on or before 45 days before commencement: 50% refund of the Tuition Fee paid. - Withdrawal less than 45 days before commencement: no refund of Tuition Fee. - Term Fee refunds follow the same 100% / 50% / nil bands relative to 90 / 45 day cutoffs; amounts paid for school transport and school lunch paid prior to commencement are refundable. - After the academic year or term has commenced, no refunds of Tuition Fee, Term Fee or other charges are made for any term, whether or not the student attends classes, if parents communicate withdrawal or the child leaves before the end of that term. Fee payment options and instructions - Primary channel: the DAIS parent portal (online payments). - Other channels that have been used/mentioned in fee circulars or parent communications: school‑provided online payment links (payment gateway), and in limited circumstances cheque / demand draft / pay order drawn in favour of the school. The school has used ICICI Eazypay for online collections. Parents should follow the payment instructions on the school's admission offer / fee notice when making payments. Summary (what parents should budget for in the first year) - One‑time/initial: registration application fee (INR 8,000) plus the non‑refundable admission / first‑year initial payment equal to the Term I amount (50% of the published annual total for the child's year group). - Recurring in‑year: the remaining tuition instalments (two equal quarterly payments that together equal the second 50% of annual tuition), term fee instalments as scheduled, and separate charges for lunches, transport, trips, uniforms, books and examination/college application fees.	Fee details Application / Registration fees - Admission / registration (one-time): ₹5,000 (reported for Pre‑Nursery / Nursery admissions). Tuition fees by year group (reported figures and available public figures) - Pre‑Nursery / Nursery: Tuition ₹64,000 per year; plus one‑time admission/registration ₹5,000 for a new admission (total first‑year cost reported as ₹69,000). - Primary, Middle and Senior (day school, IB / IGCSE): Annual tuition commonly reported around ₹270,000 per year for day students (this figure is quoted as the standard annual fee for the IB/IGCSE day school offering). - Additional recurring/annual charges reported separately: an "other fees" component of approximately ₹100,000 per year is listed by sources alongside the annual tuition figure; this item is reported separately from the tuition line. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school follows an academic session that is listed as April to March. Specific term/semester billing cycles and exact due dates for tuition instalments are not published in a publicly accessible fee schedule. - The school's parent/teacher platform / mobile app supports online fee payment functionality for families. For payment queries the school provides an Accounts telephone number and Accounts email address. Boarding / hostel fees - The school is a day school; no hostel / boarding facility is offered and therefore no boarding fees apply. Other costs and typical additional charges (as reported) - Transport: Transport/bus service is provided; transport charges are route and service dependent and are reported as an additional charge (no universal published amount found). - Miscellaneous / "other fees": A separate "other fees" line of about ₹100,000 per year is reported by some sources (this has been listed independently of the tuition figure). - Uniforms, text books, exam fees, activity fees and similar ancillary charges are commonly applied by schools of this type; however, a public, line‑by‑line schedule for uniform / books / exam fees and per‑grade breakdowns was not available in the public fee information found. Refund information - No explicit, publicly posted refund policy or refundable security / caution deposit schedule (for example amounts, refund conditions or timelines) was found in the public fee information available. Details on refundability of any deposits or on fee refund conditions are therefore not available in the public material reviewed. Fee payment options - Online payment via the school's parent/teacher portal or mobile app is supported. The school's Accounts office contact details (telephone and email) are published for billing and payment queries; these channels are used for fee communications and payment coordination. Specific online payment methods (net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, demand draft) are not itemised in a publicly posted fee document. Brief summary of findings and missing public details - Publicly available sources consistently identify the school as a day school (no boarding) and quote a commonly cited annual tuition for the IB/IGCSE day school of approximately ₹270,000 per year. Sources also report a separate "other fees" component of about ₹100,000 and a Pre‑Nursery/Nursery tuition + admission example of ₹64,000 + ₹5,000. - A full, official line‑by‑line fee schedule showing: per‑grade tuition for every year group, term‑wise instalment amounts and due dates, published amounts for transport by route, uniform/textbook charges, security deposit/caution money and the school's formal refund policy were not found in the public materials reviewed. The school's published pages and the available third‑party listings provide partial figures and summary annual amounts rather than a comprehensive, itemised, per‑term fee schedule.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school prescribes a uniform for all students; details of the uniform and the system for their procurement are provided upon admission.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system Tiger House is one of four houses; the other houses are Lions, Jaguars, and Panthers. The house system fosters rivalry and teamwork, with a House Cup awarded to recognize achievement.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is led by a Dean and Chief Executive Officer, supported by a leadership team including a Head of Learning, Head of Student Life, and Head of ICSE and Partnerships & Well-being. It operates alongside Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS) as part of the DAIS network.	Governance and ownership The school is governed by trustees from the Hiranandani family. Late Dr. L. H. Hiranandani is the founding father. Trustees include Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani and Mr. Surendra Hiranandani. The Head of School is Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details DAIS is an English-medium, K-12 school. Lower KG to Grade 7 uses an integrated curriculum of national and international boards. Grades 8 to 10 offer ICSE or IGCSE; Grades 11 and 12 pursue the IB Diploma Programme. It is authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and is pursuing IB World School authorization. It is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).	Curriculum details The school offers Cambridge International Primary (grades I–V) and Cambridge International Secondary (grades VI–IX) under Cambridge International Examinations. Cambridge qualifications provide learners with a global passport to success and lead seamlessly from primary through to secondary and pre-university years. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for XI–XII. The school is affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and with Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). The IBDP includes a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) component to foster creativity, activity and service. The mission emphasizes international mindedness through critical thinking and inquiry-based learning.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 6:1	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results In Class of 2021, 106 graduates; 104 full IB Diploma candidates; 103 full IB Diploma recipients; 17 students achieved 45/45 on the IB; IB average score 41.1/45.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression DAIS graduates have attended universities worldwide, including Amherst College, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, McGill University, University of Toronto, University of Sydney, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Nanyang Technological University.	Higher education progression The counseling team helps students enroll into universities around the globe.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented The school encourages students to develop their hidden talents through vocational subjects, greater interaction and non-academic exercises.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school provides flexible, inclusive and child-centred support to all pupils facing difficulties. The Student Care Services Centre offers both learning support and counselling services. The Centre helps students understand their difficulties and equips them with skills and strategies to cope with them in effective ways. Parents discuss their child's specific situations with the team to support progress at home. Counselling includes group work to support wholesome development and educational needs are identified by assessment through standardised tests.	Social & emotional learning Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is a central pillar of social and emotional learning, helping students become responsible, compassionate citizens. Creativity covers arts and imaginative activities beyond the regular curriculum. Activity includes expeditions, sports, and physical activities. Service involves community or social service, including work with NGOs. The school provides counseling to help students refine their plans and apply to universities globally; Spectra promotes mental wellbeing.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school provides learning support and counselling services to pupils facing difficulties regardless of formal diagnosis. The learning support includes classroom support, accommodations per board criteria, group academic support and individual support through individualized education plans (IEP). The school seeks special arrangements and authorization from boards so assessment conditions do not disadvantage students. The team coordinates with teachers to provide supportive classroom activities that relate to students' educational and personal needs. Apart from deployment of trained para-educators, counselors and clinical psychologists to work with the students, the school has provision for alternative learning materials, special equipment and technology as part of the Individualized Education Programme (IEP). They also consult with teachers and Heads about issues and concerns involving students, as needed or as requested.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school provides counselling services to support students' mental wellbeing. The counselling services are part of the Student Care Services and include both group work for wholesome development and individual support. Group counselling helps with adjustment in school, and assessments identify educational needs and personal concerns. The team includes trained counselors and clinical psychologists who work with students to address emotional and behavioural challenges. The school collaborates with teachers to implement strategies that support students' emotional development, and parents engage with the team to support wellbeing at home.	Mental wellbeing Spectra, a mental health awareness festival, was conducted to promote mental wellbeing among students and staff. The counseling team supports students by helping them clarify ideas and plan university enrollment.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school commits to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children through the DAIS Inclusion Policy. The Student Care Services team includes guidance counsellors and special education needs teachers who work with class teachers and parents to provide safeguarding and appropriate support. Transition meetings ensure students move across sections and curricula with ease, and educators are aware of learning needs. In-house psycho-educational evaluations identify educational needs and inform safeguarding-related supports. Safeguarding is embedded in day-to-day operations as part of the school's policy framework.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is located in Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai, with an open school design and a Wi‑Fi enabled campus. It has IT-enabled, multimedia classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories for Computer, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. The campus features a multipurpose auditorium and a modern Centre for Performing Arts, and special activity rooms for Art, Music (Western & Indian), Dance, Drama and Yoga. There are purpose-built play areas for pre-primary and primary, and sports facilities including basketball, tennis, table-tennis, badminton, cricket and Judo, plus an AstroTurf football field. The Learning Centre contains 38,200 books, 40 journals and magazines, 1,600 multimedia resources, and 16 online databases; the Medical Centre, two dining halls, a cafeteria, energy conservation measures, and modern security systems complete the facilities.	Facilities overview The school offers sound infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories, wide open spaces, a plethora of sports, recreational activities, challenging competitions, and career days. The school premises include an auditorium and classrooms that provide a conducive atmosphere for dynamic and focused discussions. The school has modern and well-equipped science and computer laboratories with support from teachers and a lab coordinator for experiments. Spacious classrooms, corridors, and a play area contribute to student comfort and learning. Students are encouraged to participate in activities that broaden their interests and develop a team spirit.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Sporting facilities include basketball, tennis, table-tennis, badminton, cricket and Judo. There is an AstroTurf football field on campus. The facilities support a broad program of sporting activities.	Sports facilities The school has a sports ground and changing rooms for outdoor sports activities. It supports outdoor sports including cricket, football, swimming and basketball. The facilities are designed to enable practice and competition across these activities.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities IT-enabled classrooms with multimedia projectors support lessons across subjects. The school has state-of-the-art laboratories for Computer, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. The Learning Centre houses 38,200 books, 40 journals and magazines, 1,600 multimedia resources, and 16 online databases. The campus is Wi‑Fi enabled to support digital learning.	Academic facilities The school has modern science and computer laboratories with instruction and support from subject teachers and a lab coordinator to facilitate experiments. The premises include an auditorium and classrooms that support dynamic, focused discussions. There are spacious classrooms, corridors and play areas that contribute to a conducive learning environment. The facilities support a broad range of curriculum pathways offered by the school.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Special Activity rooms are provided for Art, Music (Western & Indian), Dance, Drama and Yoga. The Centre for Performing Arts and a Multipurpose Auditorium host performances and school events. The cafeteria has an ultra-modern kitchen and two dining halls.	Extra curricular facilities Students are encouraged to participate in activities that broaden their interests. Recreational activities include cross country races, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and athletics. The school participates in inter-school and intra-school competitions. Career days involve visits to factories, government organizations, banks, private firms, pharmaceutical companies and research centers.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Established in 2003, Dhirubhai Ambani International School is a K-12 co-educational international day school in Mumbai. It is affiliated to CISCE (Council for the Indian Certificate Examinations) and CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education), and prepares students for the ICSE and IGCSE Year 10 examinations; for Years 11 and 12, the IB Diploma Programme is offered. DAIS is accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), and is a global Round Square member, THIMUN Affiliate, associate member of NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools), and ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association) member; it is recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School. The student body comprises 1,087 students with 187 teachers (including 27 expatriates), and a teacher-student ratio of 1:6. The school is recognised as India's premier international school and among the top IB schools globally.	History The inception of HFS International from HFS took place in early 2008. The school aims to shape children not only into global professionals but also good citizens. Late Dr. L. Hiranandani is the founding father of HFS International. Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani and Mr. Surendra Hiranandani serve as Trustees. The Principal and Head of School is Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik.
Community	Community DAIS has an Alumni Impact Program that networks current students with alumni to learn and grow, with a dedicated alumni network. Active alumni exceed 1,700 and span more than 16 countries, with many pursuing higher education and others working as professionals or entrepreneurs. Alumni work with leading companies globally, and the school highlights alumni achievements and testimonials across diverse fields.	Community The school has been awarded the British Council International School Award and is affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik, Head of School, was honoured with the Indo European Excellence Award — Lifetime Achievement Award in Educational Excellence. The school was recognized as the top school in the international curriculum category and received the Times Education Icon award. Asia One Greatest Brands & Leaders Award 2024 was presented to the Head of School, and SAIBSA awarded HFS International for participation in NES International Science & Technology Festival 2022-23.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school has a parent body and plans to capitalise on it for partnerships and school initiatives. The Partnerships plan lists capitalising on the parent body as a key objective to deepen engagement within and beyond the school community. Parental involvement is encouraged through activities that connect parents with students, including internships and leadership opportunities for current students, with resources such as an Alumni Engagement Team and software like Univariety to support community connections. Calendared time is allocated for developing community links, with responsibility assigned to SLT, CAS Leads, Round Square Leads, the College Counselling Team, HODs, and core alumni members.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual DAIS offers a K-12 program with ICSE or IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. The IB Diploma Programme core includes Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay. IB subjects span Groups 1–6, including English, language acquisition (French, Hindi, Spanish), and courses in business, economics, geography, psychology, the sciences, mathematics and the arts. DAIS supports global learning through Modern United Nations conferences, the school's own DAIS MUN, TEDxYouth@DAIS, and Round Square exchanges, alongside overseas exchanges.	Academic & intellectual HFSMUN is organized as a Model United Nations conference with hundreds of delegates; the 2024 HFSMUN edition drew 400 participants from across India. The school also participates in quizzes and academic competitions through QuizDP, which has helped students gain entry to prestigious universities. The school emphasizes non-academic and vocational activities beyond the core curriculum to develop students' hidden talents.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The IGCSE programme includes Art & Design and Drama, while the IB Diploma Programme includes Visual Arts, Theatre Arts and Music. In Primary School, Fine Arts, Western and Indian Music, Dance, Yoga and Speech and Drama support creative development. Kindergarten introduces Fine Arts and language arts through art, music, drama and movement to nurture creativity.	Arts & creative Speech and Drama is designed for Grades I through VIII and includes a host of drama activities and exercises to develop listening, speaking, and movement skills. The program uses readers' theatre, drama exercises, tongue twisters, poems, role play and skits. Examinations in Speech and Drama and Communication Skills are conducted with Trinity College. Creativity is interpreted as a broad range of Arts and other activities outside the normal curriculum.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The language of instruction is English. In the IB Diploma Programme, Group 1 includes English Language and Literature, and Group 2 includes French, Hindi and Spanish. The IGCSE programme offers First Language English, Second Languages such as Hindi, French and Spanish, and Marathi as a compulsory Third Language. ISTA overseas exchanges and Round Square conferences broaden intercultural understanding.	Cultural & language The school fosters international mindedness and intercultural understanding as a core facet of its ethos. This emphasis on international mindedness is integrated into the school's mission and daily practice. HFSMUN 2024 further promotes global awareness and leadership through a Model United Nations conference.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Co-curricular offerings include non-sporting clubs such as Art, Debate, Model United Nations, Photography, Robotics and Reading Club, as well as sporting activities like basketball, football, cricket and tennis. Speech and Drama, Music, Dance and Yoga support creative and expressive development. PSHE and student-care provisions foster social and emotional learning and well-being.	Social & hobbies Social and hobbies activities include expeditions and participation in individual and team sports and physical activities outside the normal curriculum, such as karate and boxing. The programs encourage students to engage in extracurriculars beyond academics and develop teamwork and personal interests.
Community & service	Community & service Community service begins at grade one and continues through year 12, with activities in villages, slums and NGOs. Students visit centers for underprivileged children, old-age homes and orphanages to support those in need. Community service is an integral part of the DAIS programme from early grades onward.	Community & service Service is community or social service (working with an NGO). The school encourages involvement in community service projects as part of its holistic education approach. These activities aim to cultivate social responsibility and civic engagement among students.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student leadership opportunities include councils and leadership programmes. DAIS hosts the DAIS Model United Nations (MUN) and TEDxYouth@DAIS, with additional exposure through Round Square conferences and ISTA exchanges. The College Counselling Team guides students in university choices and applications.	Leadership & professional The school provides leadership opportunities such as a Student Council with annual Investiture ceremonies. Investiture ceremonies and student leadership activities are showcased in school galleries. The school also hosts TEDx Youth@HFSI events to develop leadership and public speaking, and HFSMUN offers diplomatic leadership experiences.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing PSHE (Physical, Social and Health Education) supports well-being and is complemented by a Learning Support Team and access to individual counselling. The school offers a structured sports and physical education program with a range of team and individual sports, field trips and outdoor activities. The environment is described as safe, secure and focused on student well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school runs a structured sports education program with a full-time coach, equipment, and year-round coaching, including a multi-sport format. Sport options include basketball, football, cricket, mini tennis, taekwondo, table tennis and swimming. Every student in grades 1–10 has one weekly PE session (about 30 minutes), and after-school sessions run through the Hiranandani Sports Studio Time with dedicated coaches.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction for core subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Hindi is taught as a Second Language from Primary Level, while Marathi is introduced in Class 1. Gujarati is offered as an after-school language; Gujarati or Marathi are studied up to the Secondary Level. In Middle School, French and Spanish are taught as foreign languages.	Language provision Languages offered across the Cambridge curriculum include English, Hindi, Marathi, French, and Spanish. For Cambridge Primary Grades I–III, Group 1 languages are First Language English, Hindi, and Marathi. For Cambridge Primary Grades IV–V, English and Hindi are compulsory, with French or Spanish as additional language options. For Cambridge Secondary 1 (Grades VI–VIII), English is compulsory alongside Hindi, French, or Spanish. For Cambridge Secondary 2 (IGCSE IX–X), English, Hindi, French, or Spanish are available as language options.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Times School Survey 2025 ranks DAIS No. 1 in Mumbai in Top School - International Curriculum; Cambridge School Recognition Awards 2025: Sustainable Schools Award winner; Education World ranks DAIS No. 1 in Ivy League International School category for 2025–26; Microsoft Showcase School for 2025; The Economic Times: Prestigious Learning Institutes of India 2025; Education Advisers UK ranks DAIS 9th among IBDP schools worldwide; EducationToday ranks DAIS No. 1 in Maharashtra and Mumbai for 2025; HSBC Hurun Education Global Highschool Rankings 2025: 5th in Top 10 global schools outside the US/UK (DAIS is the only Indian school featured). The school has maintained high rankings across multiple independent rankings from 2020–2025. DAIS continues to be recognized for IB results and global engagement. DAIS has archived results and achievements dating back to 2019–2024 as shown in the Awards & Achievements section. Round Square: DAIS joined Round Square in 2008 as a Regional Member; Global Membership granted in April 2010; IDEALS integrated into curriculum and student life. DAIS hosts RS conferences and participates in RS events. - turn6view0; turn11view0	Awards Times Education Icon award (as noted in site); Asia One Greatest Brands & Leaders Award 2024 (Head of School honoured)
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations British Council International School Award IBO (International Baccalaureate) affiliation CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) affiliation
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admissions for academic year 2026-27. Eligibility for Class VIII (IGCSE): the student must have successfully completed Class VII and been promoted to Class VIII from a recognized school. Eligibility for Class XI (IB Diploma): the student must have successfully completed Class X from a recognized secondary education board. Instructions for filling out the online Application for Admission: use the latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer (IE10 or above). You can download the DAIS Admission Mobile App from the Play Store or the App Store. Your registered email ID on the Admission portal serves as your Login ID, and you should use this login ID to complete the form. If applying for more than one child, use the same login credentials for each child. The password must be at least 8 characters with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. User Registration: the registered email ID is the login ID; when registering the mobile number, select the country code and enter the number. All communications from the School concerning admissions are sent ONLY to the registered mobile number and email ID. Ensure the names of the student and parents on the online application match the birth certificate; if there is no middle name, the field may be left blank. Photograph: a recent passport-size colour photo (size 5.5 cm x 4.5 cm) on a white, red, or blue background; full-face with eyes open; file size not exceeding 5 MB; accepted formats are PNG, JPG, JPEG, TIF, or TIFF. Documents to be uploaded for IGCSE Class VIII: self-attested birth certificate; self-attested copies of school reports for the last three academic years and the current academic year (AY 2025-26); a Personal Statement up to 500 words (written by the student) outlining academic and co-curricular interests, achievements, and how studying at DAIS would help; self-attested documents of achievements may be uploaded on the Additional Information page. Documents to be uploaded for IBDP Class XI: self-attested birth certificate; self-attested copies of school reports for the last three academic years and the current academic year (2025-26); Personal Statement up to 500 words; self-attested certificate/report evidencing completion of Class X; self-attested documents of achievements may be uploaded on the Additional Information page. File size for each document: up to 5 MB; documents must be uploaded in PDF, JPG, JPEG, TIF, or TIFF formats; every page must be self-attested by a parent or guardian. DOC files can be uploaded to the Additional Information page for both IGCSE Class VIII and IBDP Class XI forms, and multiple files (up to 10 files) of 5 MB may be uploaded per item. Printing the Application for Admission: use the Printing Options, set Layout to Portrait, Paper Size to A4, and Margins to None, then print. Note: the School reserves the right to amend admissions policies and procedures; submitting a completed Application for Admission does not guarantee admission, which remains subject to seat availability and the school's discretion. The Admissions page also includes an Academic Calendar and test/interview schedules. Academic Calendar 2026-27: IGCSE Classes VIII to X and IB Diploma Programme Classes XI and XII begin on 10 August 2026; there are summer and Diwali/Christmas breaks. IGCSE Class VIII Aptitude Test and Parents' Interaction: all registered applicants who meet eligibility will be invited for the Aptitude Test; Aptitude Test date shown as 11 October 2025 (Saturday); shortlisted candidates will be invited for an Interaction in the last week of November 2025; these dates are indicative and may be changed by the School. IB Diploma Programme (Class XI): Admission Test (Stage I and Stage II) and Interactive Session; Stage I is a 1 hour 30 minute multiple-choice test (Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, English); Stage II is a 3-hour descriptive test (English, Mathematics, and an Elective Paper); shortlisted candidates after Stage II are invited to an Interactive Session; Stage I test date shown as 4 October 2025 (Saturday); Stage II test shown as 8 November 2025 (Saturday); Interaction with Students in the first week of December 2025; these dates are indicative and may be changed. Information Session dates for Class XI (IB DP) and Class VIII (IGCSE) are listed (e.g., 22 September 2025, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.); webinar links are sent to registered applicants. The above dates and schedules are indicative and may be changed at the School's discretion. Printing and printing-related notes and the deadlines for admission are subject to change. For further details, refer to the admissions information published for the 2026-27 cycle.	Admissions 1. Choose the correct application form under Application Forms: IBDP Admission - XI & XII; Cambridge International Primary grade I-V; Cambridge International Secondary grade VI-IX; Pre-Primary Admission. The IBDP form is for XI–XII, the Cambridge Primary form covers grades I–V, the Cambridge Secondary form covers grades VI–IX, and the Pre-Primary form covers Toddler, Nursery, JR.KG and SR.KG. Admission is open for Nursery to CAIE IX in 2026-27, and IBDP XI–XII in 2026-28. 2. Complete the form's sections: A. Personal Data of Student; B. Academic Record; C. Other Information; D. Subjects Chosen (for IBDP); E. Personal Data of the Parents; F. Attachments of Any other achievements. The Personal Data section requires title, student name, grade of admission, residential address, residence telephone, mobile number, place and date of birth, nationality, and student email. The Academic Record section asks for the name and address of the last attended institution; the Other Information section requests details on sports and cultural events; the Attachments section allows up to four attachments with a maximum of 2 MB each. For IBDP applicants, Group 1–6 subject selections are listed, with a minimum of 6 subjects and three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). 3. Attach required documents and review subject choices: Attachments may include marksheets or certificates as attested copies; the maximum file size per attachment is 2 MB. The Cambridge Primary / Cambridge Secondary forms also require attachments as part of the submission. 4. Submit the Registration Form and note the admission outcome: Submission of Registration Form doesn't guarantee admission. For inquiries, contact Admissions Enquiries at +91 86579 54016 or +91 (22) 4966 6902 / 4966 6900; you may also reach the school at the Richmond Street, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai 400 076 address or via the listed emails.
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