It’s well stated by Confucius, “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace”. This statement truly correlates with the tiny town-Kalimpong. The diverse culture, rich biodiversity, scenic appeal intensified with a bit of colonial charm, Kalimpong stands as one of the charming pioneer destinations for enriching the minds through education.
Home to the oldest institutions established during and after the colonial era, the ‘top schools in Kalimpong’ has an affiliation to ICSE, WBHSE, CBSE boards. Today, the alumni from the ‘schools in Kalimpong’ remain as an invaluable asset to the society. So, we’re enlisting the ‘10 best schools in Kalimpong’.
1. Dr. Graham’s Homes School (DGH)
Established in 1900, Dr. Graham’s Homes School (DGH), a co-ed school ranks as one of the best schools in India. Affiliated to Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, the school conducts exams for both the I.C.S.E. and I.S.C. standards. Unlike other ‘schools in Kalimpong’, Dr. Graham’s Homes School stands to protect the name and vision of its founder- Reverend Dr. John Anderson Graham who envisioned of providing education to the underprivileged children so that they can live a life of dignity. Dr. Graham’s Homes maintains various departments-the workshop, the bakery, the estate, the central kitchen, the farm, and the hospital for catering the needs 1500+ students. According to a child preference, one can choose from the group of streams – Science, Commerce, and Humanities.
Address: Murray Road, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, West Bengal 734301
2. St. Augustine’s School (SAS)
St. Augustine’s School is a Catholic School established in the year 1945. The school has an affiliation with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Education, New Delhi. St. St. Augustine’s School is recommended as one of the best ‘schools in Kalimpong’ for boys and the classes are conducted from Lower Kinder Garten to XII standard.
The School focuses on the overall development of each child, ensuring them to excel in every field be it sports, education, music, and character development.
Address: 8th Mile, L.B. Road, Kalimpong- 734301
3. St. Philomena’s Girls School (SPS)
Established in the year 1928, St. Philomena’s Girls School (SPS), is one of the ‘best schools in Kalimpong’. Administered by the Cluny Nuns, the school outshines in education and extracurricular activities- be it sports, art & theatre, quizzes, etc. The School is affiliated to the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Examination with English as the medium of instruction. SPS boasts of the highest number of toppers in board exams. With the motto- excellence, harmony, truth, the school maintains a sternest discipline. SPS remains as the first girls’ school in the Darjeeling district, or even in the state, to own a pipe band.
Address: 8Th Mile, P.O-Kalimpong, Kalimpong- 734301
4. St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC)
St. Joseph’s Convent School is an English medium school for girls. It is a Catholic Institution, managed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Darjeeling and belongs to the Registered Society for Cluny Nuns of St. Joseph’s. Established in 1926 by the Cluny Sisters, SJC secures the high-ranking status amongst the ‘top schools in Kalimpong’. Initially started with the purpose to provide education for the Catholic students, the School is open to students, irrespective of religion, caste, community, etc.
Address: 8th Mile, Kalimpong
5. Scottish Universities’ Mission Institution (S.U.M.I. or S.U.M.Institution)
The Scottish Universities’ Mission Institution, popularly known as S.U.M.I. or S.U.M.Institution of Kalimpong is one of the oldest ‘schools in Kalimpong’. Established by the Scottish Missionaries, S.U.M.I. attained 133 years of its glorious existence in the year 2019. Affiliated to the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Examination, SUMI offers Science, Arts, and Agriculture in XI standard. The contribution of S.U.M.I. towards spreading education in the Darjeeling District and to a vast expanse of West Bengal is immeasurable and tremendous. The school remains endlessly enriched with the contribution of the missionaries for the spread of education, who represent the Church of Scotland.
Address: K.D.Pradhan Road, Kalimpong 734301
6. Kalimpong Girls’ High School
Affiliated to the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Examination,
Kalimpong Girls’ High School is an all-girls’ school located at close proximity with the Kalimpong town. Established in the year 1890, the school attained 129 of its glorious existence in 2019. Kalimpong Girls’ High School is administered by the Diocese of the Eastern Himalayas. Ranked as one of the best higher secondary school for girls, the School has classes starting from Nursery to XII. The students can choose from the Arts, Science, and Commerce Streams in XI standard. Kalimpong Girls’ High School provides boarding facilities as well.
Address: K.D. Pradhan Road, Opposite McFarlane Memorial Church, Mission Compound Kalimpong 734301
7. Saptashri Gyaanpeeth School
Established in the year1993, Saptashri Gyaanpeeth School was the epitome of the visions and dreams coming into reality of the distinguished personalities like Dr. Paras Mani Pradhan and Shri Madan Kumar Pradhan. This co-educational school is one of the best schools amongst the ‘list of Schools in Kalimpong ‘. Affiliated to the ICSE Board, Saptashri Gyaanpeeth aims at rendering the quality education and all-round development of the students. The school has classes starting from Nursery to Class XII. The primary and the Nursery section are called as Toddlers Preparatory School which was established in the year 1968. It was established with a vision to provide the best guidance and care for the children up to II standard. The school has 3 options for the XI-XII standard, that is, Science, Arts, Commerce.
Address: Taxari Road, Kalimpong 734301
8. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kalimpong (KV)
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kalimpong (KV) is an Autonomous institution under MHRD, Government of India. Located at a scenic and peaceful place, Kendriya Vidyalaya Kalimpong was established in the year 1985. The school has CBSE Affiliation and maintains a beautiful campus within the Kalimpong Army Headquarters Area. Since its inception, KV Kalimpong has been consistently rendering the excellent education to the students residing in Kalimpong. Kendriya Vidyalaya is one of the ‘top schools in Kalimpong’ devoted to creating well-behaved citizens by providing them with the comprehensive moral values along with logical perspective.
Address: Near Divisional Chowk(Defence Area), P.O. – Kalimpong, 734301
9. Central School for Tibetans (CST)
Central School for Tibetans (CST) was established in the year 1964 with a vision to render the best of education for the children of Tibetan immigrants. The school has affiliation under CBSE Board and has classes up to XII standard. Despite, the name and the objective, the school has been rendering education to all the children irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race, etc. Central School for Tibetans (CST) is one of the best recommended ‘schools in Kalimpong’. The school aims to enhance the educational perfection, behavioral development and helps to excel in extracurricular activities.
Address: 11th Mile, Topkhana, Kalimpong.
10. Kumudini Homes School (KHS), Kalimpong
Kumudini Homes School is one of the oldest ‘schools in Kalimpong‘. Affiliated to WBBHSE Board, Kumudini Homes School is an all-boys school that strives to create gentlemen out of boys. The school has classes from Nursery to XII standard. Apart from the academic excellence, the school has excelled in extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, music, etc. Above all, the Kumudini Homes School has the best Bagpipe Band Group in the entire Hilly region. The School inculcates a sense of patriotism, and responsibility by encouraging the students to join NCC, NSS, etc. Many of the students have participated in the Republic Day Parade in Rajpath, New Delhi.
Address: Primtam Road, Lower Bong Busty, Kalimpong
Apart from the mentioned above ‘list of Schools in Kalimpong’, the little town has other educational institutions of repute. Some of which are Vrindaban School, Rockvale Academy, Springdale, Mount Carmel, Seven Days, Kamal Jyoti, Jubilee High School, Pranami Vidya Balika, etc.
Also Read: Top 10 Schools in kurseong
