How many bilingual schools in Bangalore
Bangalore has about six schools that meet the international definition of bilingual education, meaning at least 40 percent of subject teaching delivered in a second language across the primary and middle years, not just a foreign language lesson grafted onto an English-medium timetable. Most schools in the city teach Hindi and Kannada as second languages, but very few build the subject curriculum across both languages.
The two strongest bilingual models in Bangalore are English-Hindi and English-Spanish. The English-Hindi model is rooted in the city's growing returning non-resident Indian population who want their children fluent in Hindi without sacrificing English-medium academic content. The English-Spanish model is rarer and is anchored by one school in Sarjapur that began a pilot programme in 2022, modelled on the European Schools network.
French and German immersion schools do not exist in Bangalore, although a small handful of preschools offer French story-time as part of a broader multilingual play environment. Treat those as enrichment rather than immersion. The realistic Bangalore bilingual options are Hindi-anchored, with the one Spanish exception.
Fees and tiers
Bilingual provision in Bangalore is concentrated in the mid and premium tiers. Fees for true bilingual programmes start at INR 4 to 6 lakhs in early years and climb to INR 10 to 15 lakhs by middle school, broadly in line with the IB and Cambridge cohorts. Bilingual classes typically run smaller than monolingual ones, often capped at 18 children, which is part of the pedagogical model and explains the fee premium.
One often overlooked cost is the second-language teacher, who in Bangalore is usually recruited internationally and paid an overseas package. That sits inside tuition rather than as a surcharge. The Bangalore fees guide breaks down what bilingual schools include and exclude in their headline numbers, and explains why the same headline INR 8 lakhs tuition can mean very different all-in costs depending on whether materials and trips are bundled in.
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Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each delivers at least 40 percent of teaching in a second language across multiple year groups.
Vidyashilp Academy in Yelahanka runs a structured English-Hindi bilingual stream through middle school. Strong record on Indian university entry alongside the more global IB and IGCSE options offered in parallel.
Ekya Schools across BTM Layout, JP Nagar and Byrathi run an English-Hindi bilingual model anchored in the Indian National Curriculum Framework. Particularly popular with returning non-resident Indian families who want children comfortable with both languages by Year 5.
Greenwood High International School in Sarjapur began a phased English-Spanish bilingual stream in 2022, currently running through Year 5. Modelled on the European Schools network, with native Spanish teachers and content lessons in both languages.
Indus International School in Sarjapur runs an English-Hindi bilingual primary track alongside its IB programme, transitioning to IB language B by middle school.
Where bilingual-leaning families live
Bilingual school families in Bangalore tend to cluster around Yelahanka for Vidyashilp, Sarjapur Road and Bellandur for Greenwood and Indus, and BTM Layout and JP Nagar for Ekya. The cohort is mostly returning Indian-American or Indian-European families wanting genuine Hindi fluency rather than tokenistic exposure, plus a smaller group of Latin American expatriate families targeting the English-Spanish model at Greenwood.
Bilingual schooling pays off when sustained for at least four to five years. Children who switch in and out of bilingual programmes every two years often end up weaker in both languages, not stronger. If you cannot commit to a four year arc, a monolingual school plus weekend language classes is usually the better choice. Families considering bilingual entry should also think honestly about what language the family speaks at home, since school immersion alone rarely produces full fluency without home reinforcement.
Admissions calendar
Bilingual programmes intake mainly at the lower years, particularly Nursery and Year 1, where children can develop the second language alongside their first. Older entry points exist but are subject to a language readiness assessment. Applications for the June 2026 academic year opened between October and December 2025, and competitive bilingual streams close their main intake by late January.
For mid-year transfers, expect a 30 minute oral assessment in both languages plus a writing sample for older year groups. Schools want to confirm that the child can engage with subject content in the partner language without falling behind in core academic skills. The bilingual schools primer covers the immersion versus dual-language teaching distinction in more depth, and the comparison tool lets you weigh Bangalore bilingual schools side by side on fees, languages, and class sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How many bilingual schools are there in Bangalore?
Around six Bangalore schools meet the international definition of bilingual education, meaning at least 40 percent of subject teaching delivered in a second language across primary and middle years. Most are English-Hindi; one school runs an English-Spanish stream.
Is bilingual schooling actually effective in Bangalore?
Yes, provided the family commits to at least four to five years of continuous immersion. Children who switch in and out every two years often end up weaker in both languages. Genuine bilingual fluency requires sustained exposure across school and home.
What languages are taught bilingually in Bangalore?
Hindi is the dominant partner language in Bangalore bilingual programmes, reflecting the city's returning non-resident Indian demographic. One school in Sarjapur runs an English-Spanish pilot. French and German immersion options do not exist in Bangalore.
How much do bilingual schools cost in Bangalore?
Fees start at INR 4 to 6 lakhs in early years and climb to INR 10 to 15 lakhs by middle school. Bilingual classes typically run smaller than monolingual ones, often capped at 18 children, which explains some of the premium over standard international school fees.
Can my child enter a bilingual programme in middle school?
Yes, but late entry is subject to a 30 minute oral assessment in both languages plus a writing sample. Schools want to confirm that the child can engage with subject content in the partner language without falling behind on core academic skills.
