Garden High School (GHIS) vs South City International School
Garden High School (GHIS) and South City International School are both in Kolkata, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer Indian programmes, and South City International School also offers Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels. Published annual fees are ₹85,000 - 190,000 at Garden High School (GHIS) and ₹181,200 - 284,000 at South City International School, which puts South City International School roughly 69% higher. Garden High School (GHIS) takes pupils from 3 to 18, and South City International School from 2 to 18. Both keep typical class sizes around 20.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Indian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
2,000
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2000
Opened
2009
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Hatirsur (Rajdanga), off Rashbehari Connector. The campus comprises a main building and an annex, with air-conditioned facilities and a large playground on the premises.
Location
375 Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Located in the Jadavpur area of South Kolkata.
Stages
Stages
NURSERY DEPARTMENT: Nursery I, Nursery II & Preparatory; PRIMARY DEPARTMENT: Classes I–V; SECONDARY DEPARTMENT: Classes VI–X; HIGHER SECONDARY DEPARTMENT: Classes XI & XII.
Stages
Toddler, Lower Nursery, Upper Nursery, Kindergarten, Classes I-XII. The CISCE wing runs from Toddler to Class XII. The Cambridge wing runs from Class VI to Class XII (IGCSE and A Levels).
School type
School type
English-medium coeducational school affiliated to the CISCE for ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII).
School type
Private co-educational day school offering ICSE and Cambridge International pathways.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
Predominantly Indian students from Kolkata, with an international curriculum exposure through the Cambridge wing.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Remedial classes and additional guidance are provided for slow learners, at no extra charge; remedial may be conducted on the school premises or at a teacher's residence.
Additional learning support
Mental wellbeing support and career guidance services are available. The school emphasises a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
India; CISCE affiliation for ICSE/ISC.
Country affiliation
India. Affiliated with CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE).
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Non-denominational.
School day structure
School day structure
Nursery I: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Nursery II & Preparatory: 8:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.; Classes I–II: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon; Classes III–XII: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; some Saturdays may have different timings for XI & XII; timings may be adjusted as advised by CISCE.
School day structure
Full school day with bus pickup from around 6:05 AM and drop-off by 3:50 PM. After-school day care facility available with supervised activities.
Bus service details
Bus service details
School transport is available on specified routes.
Bus service details
Comprehensive bus service operating 7 routes across Kolkata with CCTV cameras and GPS tracking. Routes cover areas from Joka to Salt Lake. Bus service is mandatory for most students except those living within 500 metres of campus.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
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Fee details
CISCE wing quarterly tuition ranges from INR 16,500 (Toddler) to INR 30,900 (Classes XI-XII). Cambridge wing quarterly tuition ranges from INR 39,600 to INR 59,400. Admission fees range from INR 50,000 to INR 2,50,000 depending on the wing and level.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
SCIS is a day school and does not offer boarding.
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Uniform & Dress Code: Pupils must attend school in the uniform prescribed for the season; details for Nursery I to XII are in the Work Diary, and guardians should procure all items from recommended tailors to ensure uniformity and quality. Jewellery and grooming rules restrict accessories: only watches for Class IX and above; girls may wear one pair of simple earrings or ear-studs; nails must be clipped; no mehendi, hair dye, makeup, or nail polish; hair for girls must be tied if long and black hairbands or clips only; boys' hair must be above ear-level and neatly combed.
Uniform requirement
Not specifically detailed on the website. Contact the school for uniform policy.
Food options
Food options
The School Canteen offers nutritious and healthy food at competitive prices during the school day and keeps students within the safety of the school premises during recess. The administration supervises canteen policy development, menu selection, and safe food handling practices.
Food options
A canteen is available on campus providing meals for students.
House system
House system
The school uses a four-house system: Cedar House, Chinar House, Oak House, and Palm House. Inter-house competitions and activities, such as quizzes, extempore, debates, and ad-making, are held regularly.
House system
Not specifically mentioned on the website.
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
Garden High School was established in 2000 by the Satikanta Guha Foundation and is governed by that Foundation. It is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) for ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII).
Governance and ownership
Privately owned institution led by Acting Principal Rupika Nath. The Cambridge wing is headed by Ms. Angshumitra Chakrabarti (34+ years in international curriculum).
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Garden High School, Kolkata, is an English-medium coeducational school established in 2000 by the Satikanta Guha Foundation. It is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The medium of instruction is English, with Bengali and Hindi taught to preserve heritage. The school has four departments: Nursery (Nursery I–II and Preparatory), Primary (Classes I–V), Secondary (Classes VI–X), and Higher Secondary (XI–XII). The academic year has three terms; Nursery hours are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Nursery II/Preparatory 8:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., Classes I–II 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and Classes III–XII 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with XI–XII sessions sometimes held on Saturdays. A teacher-pupil ratio never exceeds 1:20, and the school uses online learning with study materials provided through the student portal as part of a blended approach when needed.
Curriculum details
SCIS offers two curriculum pathways. The CISCE wing follows the ICSE (Classes up to X) and ISC (Classes XI-XII) curriculum. The Cambridge wing offers Cambridge Lower Secondary (Classes VI-VIII), IGCSE (Classes IX-X), and A Levels (Classes XI-XII). Both streams emphasise active learning, project-based assessments, and experiential education.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
The teacher : pupil ratio never exceeds 1 : 20.
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes with close student-teacher ratios are emphasised, though exact figures are not published.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
The school has a strong track record of board exam performance with consistent toppers in ICSE and ISC examinations.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
One-on-one career counselling is available. The school hosts international university fairs and partnerships. AP, SAT, and ACT test preparation support is provided for students applying to universities abroad.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Robotics programmes are offered from Class I. STEM and AI education are key focus areas across the school.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
The school prioritises creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment with character development and lifelong learning as key goals.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
Remedial classes are provided by the school at no extra charge for additional guidance when necessary. In case of slow learners, specific tasks may be set by the teachers concerned. A pupil should not need any special help at home; guardians are asked to cooperate by ensuring regular attendance at these classes. These remedial sessions may be held on the school premises or at the residence of a teacher of the school.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Not specifically detailed. Contact the school for SEN provision information.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
Not specifically detailed. English is the medium of instruction.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
Dedicated mental wellbeing support is available for students. The school promotes character development and personal growth.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
The campus is secured with 120+ CCTV cameras. Bus transport features CCTV and GPS tracking. Walking students require an Exit Escort Card holder for pickup.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
The school premises measure about 1.75 acres. The main building has spacious, bright, ventilated classrooms, plus a seminar room, an examination/assembly hall, two music rooms, a games room, a medical room, a large well-stocked library, an art and craft room, and an audio-visual room. Fully equipped laboratories exist for physics, chemistry, biology, home science, and computer studies, and all offices, facilities, and rooms are air-conditioned. An annexe houses Nursery I to II and includes a computer laboratory, a library, and a music room, with air-conditioned Director's and staff areas. There is a playground area of about 58,000 sq ft available on campus.
Facilities overview
The 3.5-acre campus includes modern academic buildings, sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces. The campus is secured with 120+ CCTV cameras.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The campus includes a games room for indoor sports. There is a large outdoor playground spanning about 58,000 sq ft. The school participates in lawn tennis competitions, indicating tennis facilities on campus. The overall space supports physical education and outdoor activities.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities are available on the campus playground. Physical education is part of the curriculum.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
There are four science laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Home Science, each able to accommodate up to 40 students. The laboratories are spacious, airy, and well-lit. There are separate air-conditioned computer laboratories for Junior, Middle, and Senior Classes. The library is modern, fully computerised, and hosts over 17,000 books. An audio-visual room and an art and craft room provide additional teaching and project spaces. Hexagon Hall is a multipurpose, air-conditioned hall with seating for over 100 for seminars, conferences, and exhibitions.
Academic facilities
Resource centre (library), science laboratories, auditorium, music room, dance and music studio, art and craft centre, design technology centre, home economics centre, and a multipurpose auditorium.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Co-curricular activities include Activity Clubs for students at a nominal fee or free of charge. Training sessions are held on Saturdays and on selected weekdays. Group A on Saturdays offers Karate, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Roller Skating, Chess (beginners) and Quiz (Classes V–VIII). Group B on Saturdays offers Karate, Synthesizer, Roller Skating, Chess (advanced), Quiz (Classes III–IV), Violin, and Robotics (VIII–IX). Group C offers Western Vocal, Ukulele, and Robotics (V–VII); Group D covers Scouts & Guides; Group E offers Mandolin. Weekdays after school include Elocution, Nature Club, Debating, and Film Club.
Extra curricular facilities
Robotics (from Class I), STEM and AI programmes, music, dance, art and craft, design technology, sports, excursion programmes, and various co-curricular clubs.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Garden High School was established in 2000 by the Satikanta Guha Foundation. The first academic session began in April 2001. Foundation Day is observed on 18 November 2000, the day the first pupil Indrashish Chakravarti was admitted. The School is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi, for ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) examinations.
History
South City International School was established in 2009 on Prince Anwar Shah Road in Kolkata, growing to become one of the city's leading international schools with dual ICSE and Cambridge pathways.
Community
Community
Garden High School maintains a busy calendar of co-curricular and cultural events, including inclusive activities and inter-school competitions. Notable events include the Open-Door Festival for inclusivity and the Winter Carnival – Fete 2026 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. Pupils have participated in inter-school festivals and competitions such as Krishti 2024, the Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate 2024, Spellympic 2025, Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2025, and the Kolkata International Quiz Festival 2026.
Community
SCIS has an active parent engagement programme. The school hosts international university fairs and career events, building connections between students, families, and the wider educational community.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
Active parent engagement programmes are a key feature of school life. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's education.
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Garden High emphasizes pupil-centered education. The school aims to develop thinking and curiosity beyond the syllabi, training minds rather than stuffing them. It treats pupils as persons and encourages them to ask questions and verify what they are taught. The medium of instruction is English, Bengali and Hindi are taught, and the academic year is divided into three terms with continuous assessment and very little homework; remedial classes are provided when needed.
Academic & intellectual
Robotics programme from Class I, STEM and AI focus, career counselling, and university fair participation support academic growth.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Art & Craft has separate rooms for training. Students are encouraged to imagine and create their own masterpieces. They work with acrylics, watercolors, fabric painting, crafts from waste materials, and other media, guided by professional instructors who encourage observation and original ideas. Students also study and appreciate timeless works of art from India and around the world.
Arts & creative
Dedicated music room, dance and music studio, art and craft centre, and performance opportunities in the multipurpose auditorium.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
The medium of instruction is English, and Bengali and Hindi are taught. Model United Nations and cultural activities provide practice in public speaking, research, diplomacy, and global awareness. Students connect with heritage through language study and cultural programs.
Cultural & language
Confucius Classroom partnership for Chinese language and Alliance Francaise partnership for French. Bengali, Hindi, and other languages available.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Co-curricular Activities offer activity clubs that may be free or fee-based. Training sessions run on Saturdays and on select weekdays. Groups include Karate, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Roller Skating, and Chess (beginners/advanced), with additional options like Violin and Robotics; Western Vocal and Mandolin are also available, along with Scouts & Guides. Weekdays after school feature The Articulates (Elocution) and the Nature Club, with a Film Club once a month.
Social & hobbies
Multiple co-curricular clubs and activities provide social engagement opportunities throughout the school year.
Community & service
Community & service
SUPW (Socially Useful Productive Work) and Community Service are integrated into pupil development and assessment. Non-scholastic aspects are evaluated, including community service participation. The school has organized events such as a blood donation camp during its Silver Jubilee celebrations in 2025 and continues to host service and charitable activities.
Community & service
Active parent engagement programmes foster community involvement. Educational excursions and field trips extend learning beyond the classroom.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Investiture ceremonies induct the Office Bearers of the Prefectorial Board, with flags handed over and oaths taken. Career development is supported through counselling sessions with external professionals to guide studies domestically and abroad. Alumni and external experts contribute to career guidance and planning.
Leadership & professional
Career counselling services and international university partnerships help students prepare for higher education and professional life.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports and fitness are promoted through activity clubs such as Karate, Roller Skating, Chess, and other sessions scheduled on Saturdays and after school. The campus hosts wellness and cultural events, including World Music Day 2025 and Holi (Festival of Colours), fostering community and well-being. Health-related initiatives include blood donation camps and other wellness activities.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Day care facility with supervised after-school activities available. Mental wellbeing support programmes for students.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
The medium of instruction is English. Bengali and Hindi are taught with utmost care, and all efforts are made to make pupils aware of their heritage as Indians.
Language provision
English (medium of instruction), Hindi, Bengali, French (Alliance Francaise), and Chinese (Confucius Classroom) are offered across the school.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
English is the primary language of instruction. Hindi and Bengali are taught as second languages. French is offered through an Alliance Francaise partnership, and Chinese through the Confucius Classroom.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
The Confucius Classroom and Alliance Francaise partnerships provide specialist language instruction in Chinese and French respectively.
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
Consistent board exam toppers in ICSE and ISC examinations. Strong academic achievement record since founding.
Accreditations
Accreditations
The school is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi, for the ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII). The school is an English-medium coeducational institution established in 2000 by the Satikanta Guha Foundation. The motto is "Let knowledge lead to wisdom, and wisdom to emancipation."
Accreditations
Affiliated with CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) for ICSE and ISC. Accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) for IGCSE and A Levels.
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Applications for Academic Session 2026–27 are OPEN. They must be submitted ONLINE through the Admission Tree Portal. Use the 'Click Here to Apply Online' link on the Admissions 2026–27 page to access the portal. Submissions are managed through the Admission Tree Portal. 2. For assistance, contact the Admission Helpline at 9830847607 or 9830337697, available 10 AM to 6 PM. The helpline provides guidance on the online application and required information. 3. The Admissions 2026–27 page confirms the online submission via the Admission Tree Portal and provides the session details and contact options for support.
Admissions
Admissions are open for Toddler through Class XII. Mid-session admissions are accepted with fees calculated from the month of admission.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school offers a Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) under INSPIRE for students who perform in the top 1% of the ISC Class XII board at the end of the academic session ending March 2021. Recipients include Anwesa Chattopadhyay, Mayukh Shubhra Saha, Manjari Sengupta, Pradyuman Agarwal, Richik Chakraborty, Sebonti Patra, Soumyadeep Paul.
Scholarships
Not publicly detailed on the website.
Waitlist
Waitlist
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Waitlist
Not publicly detailed. Contact admissions for availability.