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St. Paul's School, Darjeeling

Parent InsightsProfile inferred

P.O. Jalapahar, Darjeeling 734103, West Bengal, India

Annual Fee

Fee details will be updated soon.

ICSEBoysNursery - 12Ratio Not publishedAround 600 studentsBoarding available

Deciding on a boarding institution for your youngster is a major milestone, particularly when considering an establishment with the legacy and prestige of St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling. Below is a comprehensive, parent-centric overview of the school's offerings, feedback from the parent community, and essential points to investigate prior to submitting an application.

  • One of the oldest schools in India, frequently referred to as the 'Eton of the East'.
  • Provides access to niche sports like rock climbing with experts from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and Eton Fives.
  • Boasts a distinguished alumni base including names like Jamling Tenzing Norgay, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, and Vishnu Som.
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School Overview

St. Paul's School, Darjeeling is a Boys ICSE-affiliated school located in Darjeeling, India. It offers classes from Nursery - 12. Fee details are available by contacting the school directly. Parent reviews can be submitted on EduTribe to help other families shortlist this school. Notable highlights: One of the oldest schools in India, frequently referred to as the 'Eton of the East'.; Provides access to niche sports like rock climbing with experts from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and Eton Fives.; Boasts a distinguished alumni base including names like Jamling Tenzing Norgay, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, and Vishnu Som..

Quick facts

Board
ICSE
Fees
Contact school for fee details
Grades
Nursery - 12
Type
Boys
City
Darjeeling

Highlights

  • One of the oldest schools in India, frequently referred to as the 'Eton of the East'.
  • Provides access to niche sports like rock climbing with experts from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and Eton Fives.
  • Boasts a distinguished alumni base including names like Jamling Tenzing Norgay, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, and Vishnu Som.
  • The campus has served as a filming location for movies such as Barfi!, Main Hoon Na, and Petta.

Board / Curriculum

ICSE

Grades offered

Nursery - 12

Medium / Languages

English, Bengali

Type

Boys

Students

Around 600

Student–Teacher Ratio

Not published

Boarding

Yes

Pincode

734103

Leadership & Staff

  • Rector: Peter Lepcha; long-standing tradition of experienced housemasters and subject specialists

Campus & Facilities

Not officially stated, but spread across multiple estates (Jalapahar, Dawkins, Terpsithea) with large colonial-era buildings and open fields.

Classrooms: Separate Primary, Junior, and Senior wings.Boarding Houses: 12 houses named after historical figures and mountaineers.Sports: Cricket, football, hockey, tennis, badminton, squash, basketball, volleyball, athletics, cross-country, Eton Fives, and rock climbing.Medical: Infirmary and historic Lefroy Hospital (since 1914).Cultural: Chapel (built 1933–35), music and drama programs, Boy Scouts, and hobby clubs.

What Kind of Peer Group?

Age Range

Ages 6–18, distributed across the Senior, Junior, and Primary wings.

Family Backgrounds

Mainly comprised of affluent families from India, alongside students hailing from Bhutan, Nepal, and other SAARC nations.

Socio-economic Profile

Generally affluent to upper-middle class, consistent with the requirements of a private boarding school.

Child Profiles

Energetic, athletic boys who excel in a regimented, disciplined setting. Those who rely heavily on constant parental presence may require an adjustment period.

Fees & Admissions

Class / CategoryFee (₹)Notes
Boarding & Tuition (Class II–X)₹4,15,000Annual
Boarding & Tuition (Class XI–XII)₹4,30,000Annual
Development Levy (New Students)₹24,000One-time
Standard Charges₹17,000–₹23,000Varies by class
Adjustable Imprest Account₹28,000–₹46,000Refundable balance
Admission Fee₹50,000One-time
Retention Fund₹25,000Refundable
Sports Fee₹6,000Annual

Figures are from official PDFs on the school website for AY 2025.

There are separate PDFs for Indian, SAARC, and FERA categories.

Always confirm the correct category and year before paying.

No transport fees listed, as this is a full boarding school.

Admission Process for Interested Parents

Application

Registration forms are accessible for download on the official school website.

Entrance Tests

Tests are held every Saturday via an online format (Mathematics from 5–6 PM, English from 3–4 PM).

Timeline

The school accepts applications year-round, with entrance assessments held on a weekly basis.

Documents Required

Required items include photographs, medical history, a birth certificate, and previous academic records.

Fees

Please refer to the latest PDF documentation for the exact admission and registration fees.

Contact

Contact via +91 9046003127 / 3128 / 3129 or email admissions@stpaulsdarjeeling.edu.in.

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Parent Insights

What parents and Edutribe's research say about this school.

Overview

  • St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling is a traditional all-boys boarding institution celebrated for its emphasis on discipline, athletic participation, and a robust academic heritage.
  • The school provides a well-defined environment that fosters independence and character, though the demanding schedule and premium fee structure may not be an ideal fit for every student.

What kind of child will this school work best for

  • A young man who thrives in sports and outdoor activities.
  • A student capable of adjusting to the independence and schedules of residential life.
  • A family prepared to meet the necessary financial obligations.

Strengths

  • A prestigious legacy and an influential alumni network.
  • Outstanding athletics and programs focused on the outdoors.
  • A structured residential model that encourages self-discipline.
  • A scenic, historic campus located in the hills.

Potential trade-offs / Things to check

  • Significant annual costs combined with additional charges.
  • Rigorous disciplinary standards may not align with every pupil's needs.
  • Limited public availability of recent academic performance data.
  • Potential for communication delays during the busy admissions period.

Recommendations / Questions to Ask

  • Verify the specific fee bracket (Indian/SAARC/FERA) that applies to your situation.
  • Inquire about current student-to-teacher ratios and recent board examination results.
  • Discuss the availability of pastoral support and resources for boys experiencing homesickness.
  • Assess the quality of medical facilities and the response plan for emergencies.
  • Get clarity on policies regarding withdrawals and refunds before proceeding with payment.

New-age school fit

Strengths, support, and learning fit

Discovery signals help parents look beyond board, fees, and location — including inclusion support, child strengths, sports, arts, STEM, entrepreneurship, and learning approach.

Profile inferred: these signals are derived from available school information and are not yet verified claims. Please confirm directly with the school before making admission decisions.

Profile inferred

Known For

Areas this school appears to emphasise based on available profile information. Please confirm details directly with the school.

Sports-focused

Possible fit

Performing arts-focused

Possible fit

Arts-focused

Possible fit

Outdoor/nature learning

Possible fit

Academic-focused

Possible fit

Inclusion Support

Signals about special educator access, counselling, IEP support, accessibility, and school readiness for diverse learners.

Profile inferred

Counsellor

Yes

Medical room

Yes

Learning Approach

How the school appears to approach teaching, assessment, pressure, and child fit.

Profile inferred

Best suited for

Children who benefit from outdoor and nature-led learning

Sports

Sports focus, coaching, participation, and specific sports available.

Profile inferred

Sports focus

Strong

Athletics

Strong

Badminton

Strong

Basketball

Strong

Cricket

Strong

Football

Strong

Tennis

Strong

Detected football, cricket, basketball, tennis, badminton, athletics from existing profile text.

Arts & Performing Arts

Visual arts, music, dance, drama/theatre, productions, and dedicated creative spaces.

Profile inferred

Arts focus

Strong

Performing arts focus

Strong

Music

Strong

Drama / theatre

Strong

Detected theatre, music from existing profile text.

Questions to ask this school

Use these during a visit or admissions call to verify the fit signals before you decide.

  • How often can a child meet the special educator or counsellor, and is support built into school hours or charged separately?
  • For sports, who is the coach, how many sessions happen each week, and do students participate in inter-school tournaments?
  • For music, are there dedicated teachers, regular classes, and annual productions or exhibitions?

What Parents Say

Aggregated insights from parent feedback. Ask these questions during your school visit.

Academics (ICSE/ISC)

Positives

The institution maintains a long-standing reputation for high-quality academic training and experienced faculty.

Watch out for

Parents have noted a lack of transparent, updated data regarding recent board examination scores.

💬

Ask: Request detailed statistics on recent ICSE/ISC results and performance across subjects.

Sports & Outdoor Activities

Positives

Boasts high-quality sports infrastructure with regular activities, including unique sports like rock climbing and Eton Fives.

Watch out for

Feedback occasionally mentions difficulties in maintaining facilities during the monsoon season.

💬

Ask: Inquire about how athletic programs are adapted during inclement weather.

Boarding & Pastoral Care

Positives

The school offers a structured routine overseen by experienced housemasters, which helps cultivate student independence.

Watch out for

Some younger students might find the strict discipline challenging or experience homesickness.

💬

Ask: Ask about the available counseling and pastoral support systems for managing homesickness.

Fees & Administration

Positives

The fee structure is clearly documented and accessible via the website.

Watch out for

Total costs—ranging from ₹5–6 lakh annually—along with various levies, can be substantial; administrative response times can be slow.

💬

Ask: Request a full breakdown of recurring and one-time fees and confirm the school's refund policy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fee structure at St. Paul's School, Darjeeling?
Fee details are not yet published on EduTribe. We recommend contacting the school directly or checking their official website.
Which board does St. Paul's School, Darjeeling follow?
St. Paul's School, Darjeeling is affiliated with the ICSE board.
What grades does St. Paul's School, Darjeeling offer?
St. Paul's School, Darjeeling offers classes from Nursery - 12.
Is St. Paul's School, Darjeeling co-educational?
St. Paul's School, Darjeeling is a Boys school.
Where is St. Paul's School, Darjeeling located?
St. Paul's School, Darjeeling is located at P.O. Jalapahar, Darjeeling 734103, West Bengal, India, Darjeeling.
Does St. Paul's School, Darjeeling have boarding facilities?
Yes, St. Paul's School, Darjeeling offers boarding facilities.

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