Top Boarding Schools in Lucknow 2026
Lucknow, the "City of Nawabs" and capital of Uttar Pradesh, has a rich tradition of elite education that spans nearly two centuries. Home to La Martiniere College — one of the oldest and most distinguished residential schools in Asia — Lucknow's boarding schools combine colonial heritage with modern academics, producing some of India's finest civil servants, military officers, lawyers, and business leaders.
1. La Martiniere College, Lucknow (Boys)
About the School
La Martiniere College Lucknow (est. 1845) is India's most historic and prestigious boys boarding school — older even than The Doon School by 90 years. Founded under the will of French general Claude Martin and built inside his personal palace, Constantia, the school is a UNESCO heritage building of extraordinary beauty. Affiliated to ISC/ICSE, La Martiniere Lucknow Boys consistently ranks among India's top 5 schools. Its alumni include two Field Marshals (Sam Manekshaw and K.M. Cariappa studied here), Bollywood stars, Supreme Court judges, Governors, and generations of India's elite. The school is a joint campus — boys and girls sections operate separately on the same historic estate.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition + Boarding: Rs 6-9 Lakh per year
- One-time admission fee: Rs 2-3 Lakh
- Security deposit: Rs 75,000 (refundable)
Facilities
- UNESCO-listed Constantia Palace campus — one of the world's most beautiful school buildings
- Cricket ground, football pitch, squash courts, swimming pool, athletics track, basketball
- ISC-standard science and computer labs, digital classrooms
- Library with 50,000+ volumes, heritage archives dating to 1845
- Chapel, music rooms (piano, violin, choir), art studio, professional theatre
- Multiple boarding houses with experienced housemasters and resident tutors
- Medical centre with resident doctors and nursing staff
Board: ISC/ICSE | Type: Boys Boarding (Class V–XII) | Estd: 1845
2. La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow
About the School
La Martiniere Girls College Lucknow (est. 1869) is the girls section of the historic La Martiniere institution, situated in another heritage building on the same estate. One of India's most respected girls boarding schools, La Martiniere Girls offers ISC/ICSE curriculum and is celebrated for academics, arts, music, and producing confident, articulate women who lead across all fields. The school maintains the same high standards and heritage ethos as the boys college.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition + Boarding: Rs 5-8 Lakh per year
- One-time admission fee: Rs 1.5-2.5 Lakh
Facilities
- Heritage campus in Lucknow's historic Constantia estate
- Sports: tennis, basketball, badminton, swimming, athletics
- ISC science labs, computer centre, library
- Chapel, music conservatory, art studios, dance rooms, theatre
- Girls boarding houses with experienced housemistresses and matrons
- Medical clinic with female nursing staff
Board: ISC/ICSE | Type: Girls Boarding (Class I–XII) | Estd: 1869
3. Colvin Taluqdars College, Lucknow
About the School
Colvin Taluqdars College (est. 1860) is a historic boys boarding school in Lucknow originally established by the British for the sons of Taluqdars (landed nobility) of Oudh. Today affiliated to ISC/ICSE, the school occupies a picturesque campus on the banks of the Gomti River. Known for outstanding academics, cricket, and cultural activities, Colvin is one of north India's most prestigious boarding schools and consistently produces ISC toppers and army officers.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Tuition + Boarding: Rs 4-7 Lakh per year
- One-time admission fee: Rs 1-1.5 Lakh
Facilities
- Heritage campus on the Gomti riverbank with cricket pavilion and sports grounds
- Cricket ground, football, hockey, squash, swimming pool
- ISC science labs, computer centre, library with 25,000+ volumes
- Chapel, music rooms, art studio, drama stage
- Boys boarding with house system and experienced housemasters
- Medical room with resident nurse
Board: ISC/ICSE | Type: Boys Boarding (Class V–XII) | Estd: 1860
4. Loreto Convent, Lucknow
About the School
Loreto Convent Lucknow is a prestigious girls ISC school managed by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters). Known for its nurturing atmosphere, strong academic results, arts, and cultural activities, Loreto Convent has boarding facilities and is one of the most sought-after girls schools in Uttar Pradesh. The school has a century-long tradition of producing accomplished women in education, medicine, law, and public service.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Day School: Rs 60K-1 Lakh per year
- Boarding: Rs 2-3.5 Lakh per year (additional)
Facilities
- Heritage campus in central Lucknow
- Sports courts, swimming pool, yoga hall
- Science labs, computer centre, library
- Chapel, music rooms, art room, dance studio
- Girls boarding with housemistresses and medical support
Board: ISC/ICSE | Type: Girls Day + Boarding (Class I–XII)
5. City Montessori School (Boarding), Lucknow
About the School
City Montessori School (CMS) Lucknow holds the Guinness World Record as the world's largest school by student enrolment. With over 56,000 students across 20+ campuses, CMS is a unique CBSE institution with boarding facilities at select branches. CMS is renowned for CBSE results, world peace education, and producing global citizens. Its boarding programme at the Rajendra Nagar and Gomti Nagar campuses is increasingly popular.
Fees (Annual, 2026)
- Day School: Rs 40K-80K per year
- Boarding: Rs 1.5-2.5 Lakh per year (additional)
Facilities
- Multiple modern campuses across Lucknow
- Sports facilities, computer labs, science labs, libraries
- Boarding at select campuses with housemasters and dining
- World peace education, MUN, public speaking programmes
Board: CBSE | Type: Co-ed Day + Boarding (Class I–XII) | Note: World's largest school (Guinness Record)
Admission Process — Lucknow Boarding Schools
- La Martiniere: Registration July–October. Highly competitive entrance test (English, Maths, GK) + interview. La Martiniere Boys admits ~80 students per year across classes. Apply 1-2 years in advance for Class V.
- Colvin Taluqdars: Registration August–November; written test + interview.
- Loreto & CMS: Registration October–January; standard entrance test and interview.
- Documents: Birth certificate, Transfer Certificate, previous 3 years marksheets, character certificate, medical fitness certificate.
- Boarding Seats: Confirm boarding hostel availability separately — day seats are more plentiful than boarding slots.
FAQs — Boarding Schools in Lucknow
Q1. Is La Martiniere Lucknow one of India's best boarding schools?
Yes. La Martiniere College (est. 1845) is one of India's oldest and most prestigious boarding schools. Its UNESCO-listed Constantia Palace campus, ISC results, and extraordinary alumni network place it firmly among India's top 5 residential schools.
Q2. What is the difference between La Martiniere Lucknow and La Martiniere Kolkata?
Both are part of the La Martiniere group under the bequest of General Claude Martin. Lucknow (est. 1845) is older and known for the Constantia Palace campus. Kolkata (est. 1836) is equally prestigious. Both follow ISC/ICSE curriculum.
Q3. Is Lucknow a good city for boarding school education?
Yes. Lucknow has a rich boarding school tradition, excellent connectivity (Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport), UPSC coaching ecosystem, and historically significant schools that rank among India's finest.