Top Boarding Schools in Lonavala 2026
Lonavala, the popular hill station in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, is located at 622 metres on the Deccan Plateau and is easily accessible from both Mumbai (96 km) and Pune (65 km). While not as historically famous as Dehradun or Darjeeling, Lonavala and its surrounding Sahyadri belt have become increasingly popular with parents seeking residential schools with a green, peaceful campus within reach of the two largest cities in Maharashtra.
1. Nalanda Vidyaniketan (Boarding)
About the School
Nalanda Vidyaniketan near Lonavala is a residential CBSE school set in the lush Sahyadri hills. The school provides a value-based holistic education combining academics with yoga, arts, and outdoor learning. Particularly popular with families from Mumbai and Pune who prefer a green residential setting, Nalanda focuses on minimising screen time and encouraging nature-oriented learning alongside CBSE academics.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition + Boarding: Rs 2.5-4.5 Lakh per year
- One-time admission fee: Rs 50,000-1 Lakh
Facilities
- Lush green campus in the Sahyadri hills near Lonavala
- Organic farm, nature trails, bird sanctuary walks
- Cricket, football, basketball, badminton, yoga hall
- Science labs, library, computer centre
- Co-ed boarding with separate wings, 24x7 supervision
- Dining with nutritious vegetarian meals
Board: CBSE | Type: Co-ed Boarding (Class VI–XII)
2. Doon International School (Pune-Lonavala Belt)
About the School
Doon International School is a CBSE residential school in the Pune-Lonavala belt offering quality boarding education in a hillside setting. The school emphasises academics combined with sports, personality development, and competitive exam preparation for JEE/NEET alongside board curricula. Popular with families from Maharashtra, Goa, and south India.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition + Boarding: Rs 2-3.5 Lakh per year
- JEE/NEET coaching integration available
Facilities
- Campus near Lonavala with monsoon-season greenery
- Cricket, football, volleyball, badminton courts
- Science labs with JEE/NEET-level equipment
- Library, computer labs, digital classrooms
- Full boarding with nutritious meals and medical support
Board: CBSE | Type: Co-ed Boarding (Class VIII–XII) | Focus: JEE/NEET
3. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Pune (Lonavala Region)
About the School
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) is a government residential school system offering free quality CBSE boarding education to talented rural students. The JNV in the Pune district, near Lonavala, offers an outstanding value proposition — free tuition, boarding, meals, and uniforms for students who clear the Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (NVST). JNVs consistently produce top CBSE results and many IIT/NIT admissions nationally.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition: Free (Government funded)
- Boarding, meals, uniform: Free for all students
- Minor miscellaneous charges may apply
Facilities
- Government residential campus with sports grounds
- Science and computer labs, library
- Full boarding with dining, medical room
- Competitive exam preparation integrated into curriculum
Board: CBSE | Type: Co-ed Boarding (Class VI–XII) | Fees: Free
4. Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Vidyaniketan (Khandala Area)
About the School
This residential school near Khandala in the Lonavala belt is part of a charitable education trust offering CBSE curriculum in a residential setting. The school caters to students from Pune, Mumbai, and the Konkan coast, offering a moderate-fee boarding option in a safe, green Maharashtra hill environment.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition + Boarding: Rs 1.5-3 Lakh per year
- Scholarships available for meritorious students
Facilities
- Green hillside campus with sports courts and fields
- CBSE science labs, library, computer room
- Full boarding with supervised accommodation
- Cultural and extracurricular programmes
Board: CBSE | Type: Co-ed Boarding (Class V–XII)
Top Boarding Schools Near Lonavala (Surrounding Belt)
| School | Location | Board | Fees (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis International School | Pune (50 km) | IB/CBSE | Rs 8-14 Lakh |
| Indus International School | Pune (55 km) | IB | Rs 18-22 Lakh |
| St. Peters School Panchgani | Panchgani (50 km) | ICSE | Rs 5-7 Lakh |
| Podar International School | Panchgani (50 km) | CBSE/IB | Rs 5-14 Lakh |
Admission Process
- Registration: October–January for most schools; some accept rolling admissions
- Entrance Test: Written test in English, Math, and Science for most schools
- JNV Admission: Via NVST (Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test) — given in Class V for Class VI entry
- Documents: Birth certificate, TC, previous marksheets, Aadhaar, medical certificate
- Visit: Lonavala is easily accessible from Mumbai and Pune — campus visits strongly recommended
FAQs
Q1. Is Lonavala a good place for boarding schools?
Yes. Lonavala offers a green, peaceful setting within easy reach of Mumbai and Pune. The cool climate and natural surroundings make it an ideal location for residential schooling, and parents can visit easily on weekends.
Q2. Are there IB schools in the Lonavala area?
The Lonavala belt does not have major IB schools directly in town, but nearby Pune (55-65 km) has excellent IB boarding options like Indus International School and Symbiosis International School.