Bombay Scottish School is one of the institutions relocating families come across early when they research the city, and it appears on our Mumbai city hub as one of the established names. Founded in 1847 by Scottish missionaries and now run as a coeducational day school, it follows the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum across campuses at Mahim and Powai. It is worth being clear from the outset that this is an ICSE school rather than an international curriculum school, a distinction that matters for families who expect to move abroad again.
This profile is an independent reference page. GlobalSchoolGuide does not accept payment for coverage, and Bombay Scottish appears here because it is a real school parents 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 Scottish follows the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum, set by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. ICSE is an English medium Indian board with a reputation for breadth and strong language and humanities content, and it culminates in the Grade 10 ICSE examinations. This is the school's defining feature for relocating parents: it is firmly an Indian curriculum school, not an International Baccalaureate or international programme school, so a child enrolled here follows the national route rather than a globally portable qualification.
That suits families settling in Mumbai for the long term, or Indian families abroad returning home, more than highly mobile expatriate households who may relocate again mid school. Families who instead need an internationally recognised pathway should compare the IB and IGCSE schools in the city; our IB curriculum guide explains how that route differs from ICSE and why portability matters when another move is likely.
Comparing ICSE against an international route?
Model fees across ICSE, IGCSE and IB schools into one annual figure with our free fee calculator before you shortlist.
Bombay Scottish School fees
As an ICSE day school, Bombay Scottish sits well below the international curriculum schools on our Mumbai international school fees guide. Indian board schools charge a small fraction of what the IB and IGCSE international campuses ask, which is part of why long settled and value conscious families value the school so highly. Treat any figure as a band rather than a quote, and rely on the school's published schedule, since fees are revised each year and the international school benchmarks on our fees guide are not the right comparison for an ICSE school.
Beyond annual tuition, expect a one time admission charge when a place is taken, along with the usual extras for uniforms, books, activities and any optional transport. There are no IB or IGCSE examination fees here, since the senior route is the ICSE board, which keeps the all in cost low against the international alternatives. Use the fee calculator to set the ICSE figure beside the IB and IGCSE schools you may also be weighing.
Admissions
Bombay Scottish follows the Indian academic year that begins in June, and the principal entry point is junior kindergarten, where most places are offered. Admission at this stage is heavily oversubscribed, reflecting the school's standing, and the process is confirmed in the months before the June start. The school asks for the standard documentation and, at the entry stage, an age appropriate interaction rather than a written test.
Places in established year groups higher up the school are scarce and depend on a child leaving, so mid year and later entry cannot be relied upon. Families relocating to Mumbai who have set their sights on Bombay Scottish should apply as early as possible and ask the school directly about any availability in the grade they need, since demand consistently exceeds supply.
Location and who goes there
The original school sits on the Mahim sea face in central Mumbai, a landmark site occupied since 1878, while the second campus opened at Powai in the eastern suburbs in 1997 to serve the growing residential and technology hub around the lake. The two locations give families in very different parts of the city access to the same ICSE programme and ethos.
The intake is overwhelmingly local, drawn from established Mumbai families rather than the internationally mobile community, which is part of what makes it a different proposition from the city's international schools. Expatriate families who choose it tend to be those settling for the long term or wanting Indian curriculum immersion. For the full landscape of where international families settle and the international schools near them, see the Mumbai city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Bombay Scottish 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 Scottish, 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 Scottish School fees?
As an ICSE day school, Bombay Scottish sits well below the international curriculum schools on our Mumbai fees guide and is far more affordable than the IB and IGCSE names in the city. Annual fees, a one time admission charge and optional extras apply, and the published schedule is the reliable source. Confirm current figures with the school, as fees are revised each year.
Is Bombay Scottish School a good school?
Bombay Scottish is one of the oldest and most respected schools in the city, founded in 1847 and known for strong ICSE results. Whether it is the right fit depends on whether you want the Indian ICSE curriculum rather than an international programme, alongside your child's stage and where you live. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does Bombay Scottish School follow?
Bombay Scottish follows the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum, affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. It is an ICSE school rather than an international curriculum school, which matters for families planning to move abroad again.
When do Bombay Scottish School applications open?
Admissions follow the Indian academic year that starts in June, with the main intake at the junior kindergarten entry point confirmed in the months beforehand. Places in established year groups are scarce, so families should apply early and ask about availability.
Where is Bombay Scottish School located?
The original campus is on the Mahim sea face in central Mumbai, and a second campus opened at Powai in the eastern suburbs in 1997.
