Bombay International School is among the longest serving international schools in the city, with roots going back to 1962, and it is listed on our Mumbai city hub as one of the established South Mumbai options. Known affectionately as the small school with a big heart, it teaches from the early years to Grade 12, running the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, the Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma. It is one of the more accessible international schools in the city on fees.
This profile is an independent reference page. GlobalSchoolGuide does not accept payment for coverage, and Bombay International School appears here because it is a real school relocating families ask about, not because it paid to be listed. We researched the facts below from the school and public sources at the time of writing, and mark anything we could not confirm as not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
Bombay International School moved to an international curriculum over the past two decades while keeping the intimate scale it is known for. The IB Primary Years Programme runs to Grade 5, an integrated middle school follows, and from there students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE in Year 10 before moving into the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11 and 12. The first IGCSE cohort graduated in 2012 and the first IB Diploma cohort in 2013, so both senior pathways are now well established.
The combination of an inquiry led primary programme, the globally recognised IGCSE and the IB Diploma gives a coherent route from the early years to university entry. The small size is part of the appeal for families who want their child known by name rather than lost in a large cohort. Parents weighing the senior route can read our IB curriculum guide to see how the Diploma is structured and who it suits.
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Bombay International School fees
Bombay International School appears among the more accessible international choices on our Mumbai international school fees guide, below the premium tier set by the largest international campuses in the suburbs. For families who want a recognised IB and IGCSE pathway without the very highest tuition in the city, it is one of the names worth shortlisting. Treat the figures as bands rather than a quote, and confirm the current schedule with the school, since tuition is revised every year and rises through the senior school.
Tuition is only part of the budget. Expect a one time admission or registration charge payable when a place is taken, and for some families a refundable deposit. Examination fees for the IGCSE and the IB Diploma fall due in the relevant years and are billed separately, and optional school transport across South Mumbai adds to the annual figure. Use our compare tool to line the school up against others on cost before you decide.
Admissions
Admissions centre on the main intake at the start of the academic year, with places in the early years confirmed in the months beforehand. The school asks for recent school reports and, depending on the year group, an interaction or readiness check to confirm the right grade and, for the senior school, suitability for the IGCSE or Diploma. The early years and the start of primary are the natural entry points where most places open up.
Because the school is deliberately small, places in established year groups can be limited, so families relocating to Mumbai are advised to apply early and ask directly about availability and waiting lists for their child's grade. The admissions team is used to handling enquiries from families still abroad and planning a move into the city.
Location and who goes there
The school sits at Babulnath near Grant Road, in the dense southern stretch of the peninsula close to Malabar Hill and the Marine Drive seafront. The location suits families living in South Mumbai who prefer a school within the old city rather than a commute north to the suburban campuses, and the compact site reflects its South Mumbai setting.
The intake blends Indian families choosing an international pathway with expatriate households posted to the south of the city, many living around Malabar Hill, Churchgate, Colaba and the Marine Drive corridor. For the wider picture of where international families settle across Mumbai and the schools near them, see the Mumbai city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Bombay International School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended Bombay International School, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Bombay International School fees?
Bombay International School is one of the more accessible international options on our Mumbai fees guide, below the top tier set by the largest international campuses. A one time admission charge and optional transport apply on top of annual tuition, and IGCSE and IB Diploma examination fees fall due in the senior years. Confirm the current schedule with the school, as tuition is revised each year.
Is Bombay International School a good school?
Bombay International School is one of the oldest international schools in the city, established in 1962, and an authorised IB World School running the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma. Whether it is the right fit depends on your child's stage, your budget and your preferred curriculum. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does Bombay International School follow?
The school runs the IB Primary Years Programme to Grade 5, an integrated middle school, Cambridge IGCSE in Year 10 and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11 and 12.
When do Bombay International School applications open?
Admissions run for the main intake at the start of the academic year, with places in the early years confirmed in the months beforehand. The school is small, so families are advised to apply early and ask about availability in their child's grade.
Where is Bombay International School located?
The school is at Babulnath near Grant Road in South Mumbai, close to Malabar Hill and within reach of the Churchgate and Marine Drive residential corridor.
