St. John's English School
Parent InsightsSECOND CROSS STREET NEAR C P W D QTRS. BESANT NAGAR CHENNAI TAMIL NADU
If you’re a parent exploring CBSE schools in South Chennai, St. John’s English School & Junior College, Besant Nagar is likely to come up in your search. This school has been around for decades and has built a reputation for discipline, academics, and a structured environment. Let’s look at what parents should know before making a decision.
- ✦Established in 1981, one of the older CBSE schools in South Chennai.
- ✦Strong emphasis on discipline and moral values.
- ✦Compact urban campus close to Elliot’s Beach.
Summary for Parents
Overview
- •St. John’s English School & Junior College, Besant Nagar is a long-standing CBSE day school known for its structured environment, discipline, and consistent academic focus. It’s a good fit for families who value traditional schooling with a balance of academics and extracurriculars.
Best Fit For
- •Children who thrive in structured, disciplined settings
- •Students who benefit from clear academic expectations
- •Families looking for a moral-values-based environment
Strengths
- •Strong academic foundation in early and middle years
- •Emphasis on discipline and values
- •Reasonable fees for the location
- •Active extracurricular calendar
Trade-offs / Things to Check
- •Teacher quality and lab facilities in senior classes
- •Limited campus space due to urban location
- •Strict discipline may not suit every child
- •Non-refundable application fees
Recommendations / Questions to Ask
- •Ask for recent Class X and XII board results
- •Check faculty qualifications for senior classes
- •Confirm transport routes and annual costs
- •Clarify refund and admission policies
- •Inquire about student counselling and support systems
Note
- •Different schools work for different families. To understand if St. John’s English School & Junior College is the right school for your child, see How to Select a School.
School Information
Board / Curriculum
CBSE
Grades offered
Nursery - 12
Medium
English
Type
Co-ed
Students
Around 2,200 students
Student–Teacher Ratio
Approximately 17:1 overall (based on 130+ staff for ~2200 students)
Boarding
Day school only
Established
1981
Pincode
600090
Leadership & Staff
- • Over 130 teaching and non-teaching staff; Senior Principal & Correspondent: Mrs. Anitha Edison
Fees & Admissions
| Class / Category | Fee (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LKG | ₹41,600 | AY 2024–25 [Fee PDF] |
| UKG | ₹51,600 | |
| I – VIII | ₹51,100 | |
| IX – X | ₹60,800 | |
| XI (Science) | ₹53,200 | |
| XI (Commerce) | ₹43,700 | |
| XII (Science) | ₹66,200 | |
| XII (Commerce) | ₹56,700 |
• Application Fee: Non-refundable; some parents report ₹1,500
• Transport Fee: Not published; varies by route. Confirm directly with the school.
Admission Process for Interested Parents
Application Window
January to March (for the next academic year)
Process
Online registration via school website; verify email, submit form, and pay non-refundable application fee.
Eligibility
For LKG, child must be 4 years old on or before 30 June.
Documents Required
Birth certificate, address proof, parent ID, previous school records (if applicable), and passport-size photos.
Contact
044 24913215 / 044 24917411 or email sjbn81@gmail.com for admission queries.
What Parents Say
Aggregated from parent reviews across platforms. Ask these questions during your school visit.
Academics (Primary & Middle)
Positives
Parents appreciate the structured teaching and discipline. Many mention that teachers are caring and approachable in early grades.
Watch out for
Some parents feel that the academic approach is too rigid and lacks creativity.
Ask: How does the school support different learning styles in early grades?
Senior Classes (IX–XII)
Positives
Some parents note improvements in recent years and better management involvement.
Watch out for
Repeated concerns about teacher quality and lab facilities for science streams.
Ask: What are the qualifications of senior faculty, and how are labs maintained?
Extracurriculars
Positives
Parents like the balance between academics and activities. The school hosts cultural and sports events regularly.
Watch out for
A few parents feel extracurriculars are limited compared to larger campuses.
Ask: How often are inter-school competitions or events held?
Discipline & Values
Positives
The school is known for instilling discipline and moral values, which many families appreciate.
Watch out for
Some parents feel the discipline can be overly strict or old-fashioned.
Ask: How does the school handle behavioural issues or counselling?
Fees & Admissions
Positives
Fees are considered reasonable for the area.
Watch out for
Concerns about non-refundable application fees and lack of transparency during admission.
Ask: What is the refund policy and how are admissions prioritized?
Campus & Facilities
0.83 acre (urban campus)
Reviews from Other Platforms
Aggregated from public sources for reference. These are not verified by SchoolCompass.
What parents liked
"My kid is studying here from LKG. We are very happy and very satisfied with their education and extracurricular activities. Staff and faculty are very polite and well educated."
—
"My two kids are studying in St. John’s... we are very happy and satisfied... academic planning and execution is much appreciated."
—
"Reasonably priced. There are some staff who are kind and patient with kids. God-fearing, moral values upholding school."
—
Concerns raised
"If there was any school known for ruining a student’s communication skills and adding to their insecurities... school doesn’t take any responsibility to fix it."
—
"Worst school... Worst teachers in the most important classes in 11th and 12th, ill-equipped labs..."
—
"The time has come to earn money... admission forms ₹1500, no refunds… If you’re doing business, seat is confirmed."
—
What Kind of Peer Group?
Age Range
2 to 18 years, covering Play Group to Class XII.
Family Backgrounds
Predominantly urban, professional families from Besant Nagar and nearby areas.
Socio-economic Profile
Middle to upper-middle income families; fee levels reflect this demographic.
Child Profiles
Students are generally disciplined, academically focused, and active in extracurriculars.
Verified Parent Reviews
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