South City International School vs The Cambridge School (TCS)
South City International School and The Cambridge School (TCS) are both in Kolkata, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes. South City International School also offers Indian, and The Cambridge School (TCS) also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge International AS Levels. Published annual fees are ₹181,200 - 284,000 at South City International School and ₹123,504 - 192,504 at The Cambridge School (TCS), which puts South City International School roughly 47% higher. South City International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and The Cambridge School (TCS) from 3 to 18. Both keep typical class sizes around 20.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Indian Curriculum
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
2,000
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2009
Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
375 Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Located in the Jadavpur area of South Kolkata.
Location
7 & 7/1 Satyendra Nath Majumder Sarani, Calcutta 700026, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Stages
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).
Stages
Kindergarten – Class 5 (Cambridge Primary); Class 6–8 (Cambridge Lower Secondary); Class 9–10 (IGCSE); Class 11–12 (Cambridge A Levels)
School type
School type
Private co-educational day school offering ICSE and Cambridge International pathways.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Predominantly Indian students from Kolkata, with an international curriculum exposure through the Cambridge wing.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Mental wellbeing support and career guidance services are available. The school emphasises a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
India. Affiliated with CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations) and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE).
Country affiliation
India
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
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.
School day structure
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Bus service details
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.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
Fee details
Application fees
- Document verification & application fee: INR 2,500 (payable when documents are verified during the application process). The application fee is either adjusted against fees payable on admission or refunded if admission cannot be granted.
One‑time admission fee and published monthly tuition (by class)
- Nursery: Admission fee INR 40,000; Monthly tuition INR 6,667. Per term (6 months): INR 40,002; Per year (12 months): INR 80,004. - Lower KG: Admission fee INR 40,000; Monthly tuition INR 6,667. Per term (6 months): INR 40,002; Per year (12 months): INR 80,004. - Upper KG / Class I: Admission fee INR 40,000; Monthly tuition INR 6,667. Per term (6 months): INR 40,002; Per year (12 months): INR 80,004. - Class II: Admission fee INR 35,000; Monthly tuition INR 7,833. Per term (6 months): INR 46,998; Per year (12 months): INR 93,996. - Class III: Admission fee INR 35,000; Monthly tuition INR 7,833. Per term (6 months): INR 46,998; Per year (12 months): INR 93,996. - Class IV: Admission fee INR 35,000; Monthly tuition INR 7,833. Per term (6 months): INR 46,998; Per year (12 months): INR 93,996. - Class V: Admission fee INR 30,000; Monthly tuition INR 10,667. Per term (6 months): INR 64,002; Per year (12 months): INR 128,004. - Class VI: Admission fee INR 30,000; Monthly tuition INR 10,667. Per term (6 months): INR 64,002; Per year (12 months): INR 128,004. - Class VII: Admission fee INR 30,000; Monthly tuition INR 10,667. Per term (6 months): INR 64,002; Per year (12 months): INR 128,004. - Class VIII: Admission fee INR 25,000; Monthly tuition INR 13,667. Per term (6 months): INR 82,002; Per year (12 months): INR 164,004. - Class IX: Admission fee INR 25,000; Monthly tuition INR 13,667. Per term (6 months): INR 82,002; Per year (12 months): INR 164,004. - Class X: Monthly tuition INR 13,667; No new admissions except from the same board. Per term (6 months): INR 82,002; Per year (12 months): INR 164,004. - Class XI: Admission fee INR 20,000; Monthly tuition INR 13,667. Per term (6 months): INR 82,002; Per year (12 months): INR 164,004. - Class XII: Monthly tuition INR 13,667; No new admissions except from the same board. Per term (6 months): INR 82,002; Per year (12 months): INR 164,004.
Note: the per‑term and per‑year amounts above are calculated from the published monthly tuition (per term = monthly × 6; per year = monthly × 12) and the school's session timetable with session fees payable in April and October.
Other fees and included / excluded items
- Session fee: INR 3,000 payable twice a year (in April and October) for all classes; total session fees per academic year: INR 6,000. - Inclusions: Tuition fees (as published) include the cost of books, remedial classes, and all co‑curricular activities, except out‑of‑city excursions. - Exclusions: Cambridge board examination fees for Classes X, XI and XII are not included; those examination fees vary annually and are charged separately. - Uniform, transport, and other incidental costs: the school's published fee schedule does not list separate amounts for uniforms or transport; these items are not shown as included in the published tuition schedule. Transport arrangements are not clearly published.
Boarding fees
- No boarding or hostel fees are published; the school does not publish a boarding/hostel provision in the published admissions and fee material.
Refunds and withdrawal terms
- Application fee handling: the application fee is adjusted against fees payable on admission or refunded if admission cannot be granted. - General refund policy: Fees once paid are non‑refundable. - Withdrawal notice: For withdrawing students a three‑month notice is required or payment of fees for three months in lieu of notice; all issued books must be returned on withdrawal.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is published as a monthly amount; the school charges a session fee twice a year (April and October). The published schedule therefore reflects monthly billing with session fee installments at the start of each half of the academic year. Per‑term and per‑year calculations above follow from the published monthly tuition and the twice‑yearly session fee schedule.
Accepted payment methods
- The school's published admissions and fee pages do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, bank transfer or cheque) in the publicly published fee material. Contact the admissions office for the school's current accepted payment methods and bank/payment details. Contact details published by the school: +91‑89022‑12250; +91‑82320‑42019; info@thecambridgeschool.ac.in.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
SCIS is a day school and does not offer boarding.
Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Not specifically detailed on the website. Contact the school for uniform policy.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
A canteen is available on campus providing meals for students.
Food options
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House system
House system
Not specifically mentioned on the website.
House system
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Governance and ownership
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).
Governance and ownership
The Cambridge School is led by Founder Director Mr. Sarojesh Mukerjee; coordinators of different school sections report directly to him.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
Cambridge Primary (Kindergarten–Class 5), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Class 6–8), Cambridge IGCSE (Class 9–10), and Cambridge A Levels (Class 11–12) are offered, providing a seamless Cambridge curriculum from Nursery to Class 12. Cambridge IGCSE in five subjects including English Language is equivalent to the secondary school qualification of any Indian board. Languages taught include Hindi or Bengali in early grades, with French offered from Class V onward (Hindi/Bengali and French appear in Classes VI–VII).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes with close student-teacher ratios are emphasised, though exact figures are not published.
Student teacher ratio
1:20
Exam results
Exam results
The school has a strong track record of board exam performance with consistent toppers in ICSE and ISC examinations.
Exam results
Many international Class XI and XII students have received the Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards for achieving the highest marks in India among Cambridge-registered schools across Science, Business Studies, and Humanities.
Higher education progression
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.
Higher education progression
TCS students are routinely admitted to Indian higher-education institutes including Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Presidency University, and Medical College, Kolkata, with further admissions to St. Xavier's College, Loreto College, and Shri Shikshayatan College. Globally, graduates have attended institutions such as the London School of Economics, Imperial College London, and the University of Cambridge (UK), and universities in the US including the University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of New Hampshire, and Rutgers; Knox, Wooster, and Claremont Colleges. The school also notes admissions in Canada, Australia, China, and Singapore.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Robotics programmes are offered from Class I. STEM and AI education are key focus areas across the school.
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
The school prioritises creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment with character development and lifelong learning as key goals.
Social & emotional learning
The Cambridge School emphasizes values-based learning and a strong moral code, which fosters advanced inferential, interpretational, creative, and co-relational thinking. Empathy and interpersonal skills are developed early, alongside leadership, communication, and independent thinking. Co-curricular activities and events such as Winterfest, talent shows, film reviews, public speaking, and analytical writing exercises broaden social-emotional growth and teamwork. The aim is to nurture well-rounded individuals through experiences that build confidence, collaboration, and service.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
Not specifically detailed. Contact the school for SEN provision information.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Not specifically detailed. English is the medium of instruction.
English as an additional language
English Language / ESL is listed for IX–X; XI–XII offers English Language and English Literature.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Dedicated mental wellbeing support is available for students. The school promotes character development and personal growth.
Mental wellbeing
Beyond academics, The Cambridge School offers a diverse range of co-curricular activities, including Robotics, Art, Drama, Cricket and Football training, and Creative & Contemporary Dance, which support holistic development. These activities are paired with ongoing events such as Winterfest, Winterfete, Common Ground, and Mélange that cultivate leadership and teamwork. The school's approach encourages practical application, experiential learning, and community involvement, contributing to students' well-being.
Safeguarding
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
Safety and security are top priorities, overseen by a dedicated committee of teachers and guardians. Fire drills are conducted once every term to prepare for emergencies.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
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.
Facilities overview
The Cambridge School operates from two adjacent, fully refurbished buildings on Satyendra Nath Majumder Sarani in Calcutta. Classrooms and key facilities are air-conditioned. The campus includes spacious courtyards that double as play areas for students. Fire drills are conducted once per term to ensure safety.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Sports facilities are available on the campus playground. Physical education is part of the curriculum.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
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.
Academic facilities
The Cambridge School offers Cambridge IGCSE and International A-Level qualifications from Nursery to Class 12. It is registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education, the University of Cambridge's exam board. It conducts board examinations on its own premises, a first for Calcutta and West Bengal. It is also registered with the College Board, USA.
Extra curricular facilities
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.
Extra curricular facilities
Co-curricular activities include Robotics, Art, Drama, Cricket and Football training, and Creative and Contemporary Dance. New co-curricular activities are introduced regularly. The school hosts annual events such as Winterfest, Winterfete, Common Ground, and Mélange, and the Cambridge School Talent Show is held monthly.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
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.
History
The Cambridge School, Calcutta (TCS) offers Cambridge IGCSE and International A-Level qualifications from Nursery to Class 12. It is Calcutta's oldest and largest Cambridge-affiliated international school. The Founder Director is Mr. Sarojesh Mukerjee. The school operates from two adjacent buildings on Satyendra Nath Majumder Sarani in South Central Calcutta, with air-conditioned classrooms and spacious courtyards. It is registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education and with the College Board, and board examinations are conducted on campus.
Community
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.
Community
The Cambridge School Kolkata emphasizes holistic development with a qualified faculty and a values-based learning culture. It offers co-curricular activities such as Robotics, Art, Drama, Cricket and Football, and Creative and Contemporary Dance, with new activities introduced regularly. The school hosts annual events such as Winterfest and Winterfete, and also runs a panel discussion (Common Ground) and Mélange, plus a monthly Talent Show that fosters leadership and teamwork. Alumni report placements at prestigious universities and companies in India and abroad.
Parent teacher association
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.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Robotics programme from Class I, STEM and AI focus, career counselling, and university fair participation support academic growth.
Academic & intellectual
Co-curricular activities include Robotics, Art, Drama, Cricket and Football training, and Creative and Contemporary Dance. Public speaking sessions, film reviews, and analytical writing exercises are part of student life, alongside events based on topical issues. New co-curricular activities are introduced regularly to keep students engaged. The Cambridge School emphasizes the practical application of theoretical knowledge through experiential learning.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Dedicated music room, dance and music studio, art and craft centre, and performance opportunities in the multipurpose auditorium.
Arts & creative
The Cambridge School offers co-curricular activities in Art, Drama, and Creative and Contemporary Dance. Film reviews and public speaking sessions are part of student life, alongside events based on topical issues. Winterfest and the monthly Talent Show provide platforms to showcase talents. Creative expression is fostered through a range of arts-based activities.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Confucius Classroom partnership for Chinese language and Alliance Francaise partnership for French. Bengali, Hindi, and other languages available.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Multiple co-curricular clubs and activities provide social engagement opportunities throughout the school year.
Social & hobbies
The Cambridge School hosts a monthly Talent Show. Winterfest, Winterfete, and Mélange are annual events that engage students in drama and other activities. Public speaking sessions and film reviews are part of student life. These activities help develop leadership and teamwork skills.
Community & service
Community & service
Active parent engagement programmes foster community involvement. Educational excursions and field trips extend learning beyond the classroom.
Community & service
The Cambridge School organizes events that build awareness of topical issues and provide opportunities for community service. The annual events provide platforms to interact, learn, perform community service, and showcase talents.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Career counselling services and international university partnerships help students prepare for higher education and professional life.
Leadership & professional
Events develop leadership and team-building skills. Panel discussions such as TCS Common Ground and other events foster communication and professional skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Day care facility with supervised after-school activities available. Mental wellbeing support programmes for students.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Cricket and Football training are offered as part of the co-curricular program. Creative and Contemporary Dance are also part of the arts offerings. The campus operates from two adjacent buildings with air-conditioned classrooms and spacious courtyards that double as play areas.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English (medium of instruction), Hindi, Bengali, French (Alliance Francaise), and Chinese (Confucius Classroom) are offered across the school.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
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.
Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
The Confucius Classroom and Alliance Francaise partnerships provide specialist language instruction in Chinese and French respectively.
Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
Consistent board exam toppers in ICSE and ISC examinations. Strong academic achievement record since founding.
Awards
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Accreditations
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.
Accreditations
Cambridge Assessment International Education — The Cambridge School is registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education, the exam board wholly owned by the University of Cambridge. College Board, USA — The Cambridge School is registered with the College Board (School Code: 671093).
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions are open for Toddler through Class XII. Mid-session admissions are accepted with fees calculated from the month of admission.
Admissions
1. Guardians must complete the Registration Form, which can be downloaded from here, and submit the filled-in form along with scanned copies of academic reports to admissions@thecambridgeschool.ac.in. 2. After submission, documents are verified and an application fee of INR 2500 must be paid. This step moves the application toward the admission review. 3. Candidates will be invited for an admission review and may be required to take admission tests (for Class VIII and above). The tests assess proficiency in English and Mathematics, and candidates for Science subjects, Economics, and Mathematics will be evaluated accordingly. 4. Those residing outside Kolkata will be reviewed via WhatsApp video call (preferred) or phone interview. Following the admission review and tests, selected candidates will be advised to collect, complete, and return their Admission Forms within a week. The application fee is either adjusted against the fees payable upon admission or refunded if admission cannot be granted for any reason. Admissions are open for Primary Classes and AS Levels (Class XI). Limited seats may occasionally be available in other classes due to withdrawals. Merit-based exceptions will be considered.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Not publicly detailed on the website.
Scholarships
The Cambridge School offers several scholarships: The Young Achiever Scholarship at IGCSE (Instituted in 2008) awarded to students with the highest academic achievements at IGCSE (Class X); all tuition fees waived for one academic year. The Scholarship in Business is awarded to students achieving the highest marks in the Class XI final examinations in the Business stream. The Scholarship in Science is awarded to students achieving the highest marks in the Class XI final examinations in the Science stream. The Scholarship in Humanities is awarded to students achieving the highest marks in the Class XI final examinations in the Humanities stream.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Not publicly detailed. Contact admissions for availability.