Top 13 CBSE Schools in Chennai: A Parent-Friendly Guide

Some of Chennai’s CBSE schools have been around for decades, while others have grown with the city’s newer residential areas. Their differences show up in everything from fee structure and campus facilities to sports, clubs and academic performance. This guide to the Best CBSE Schools in Chennai brings those points together in one place. The aim is to give parents a useful starting point for comparison, not just another list of school names. Here’s a look at the schools included and what makes each worth considering.

13 Popular CBSE Schools in Chennai

School	Location	Approx. Annual Fees
Chettinad Vidyashram	Raja Annamalai Puram	₹1.2–1.8 lakh
Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB) Senior Secondary School	K.K. Nagar	₹80,000–1.1 lakh
DAV Boys Senior Secondary School	Gopalapuram	₹60,000–90,000
National Public School	Gopalapuram	₹90,000–1.2 lakh
SBOA School and Junior College	Anna Nagar	₹70,000–1 lakh
Chinmaya Vidyalaya	Anna Nagar	₹60,000–1 lakh
Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram	Kilpauk	₹90,000–1.02 lakh
Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School	Mylapore	₹90,000–1.2 lakh
DAV Public School	Velachery	₹40,000–70,000
Lalaji Memorial Omega International School	Kolapakkam	₹50,000–60,000
BVM Global	Sithalapakkam	₹60,000–82,000
Babaji Vidhyashram Senior Secondary School	Sholinganallur	₹80,000–1.3 lakh
Velammal Vidhyashram	Surapet	₹35,000–50,000

Top 13 Popular CBSE Schools in Chennai

Chettinad Vidyashram, Raja Annamalai Puram

Chettinad Vidyashram was started in 1986 and is now a CBSE senior secondary school in Raja Annamalai Puram. The school has a large campus and a fairly broad activity programme, so its profile goes beyond classroom subjects and board examinations.

Students have access to a library, science and computer facilities, sports grounds and an auditorium.
The school uses smart-board lessons for Classes I to IV and also offers computer science as part of its wider academic programme.
Sports and physical activities include cricket, basketball, volleyball, chess and yoga, with students taking part in outside competitions as well.
There is a good spread of non-academic activities: the school band, dance, music, drawing, painting, debate and Model United Nations are among them.
Students interested in public affairs can take part in the Political Science Club and the annual youth parliament.
One of the stronger recent academic examples is the school’s Children’s Science Congress project on sustainable rooftop water harvesting, which reached the national-level presentation stage.
Other recent student records include medals in swimming, skating, rifle shooting and traditional martial arts.

Feedback from parents and former students is divided. The school’s teachers, campus and activity options receive plenty of positive remarks, but there are also critical reviews concerning administration, communication and some aspects of campus management.

Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, K.K. Nagar

The K.K. Nagar branch of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan is a long-established CBSE school in Chennai. It has been operating for over 60 years and continues through Class XII. Academic work is a major part of its profile, although the school calendar also has plenty of competitions, cultural events and sports.

The school has laboratories, computer facilities, library resources and sports infrastructure for students across different age groups.
The school’s activity calendar includes music, dance, art, debates, quizzes and literary programmes.
The school also runs summer programmes and coaching activities in selected sports and cultural areas.
Students participate in inter-school quizzes, debates and Model United Nations programmes in addition to school-level activities.
Students interested in public speaking and current affairs can participate in MUN and similar programmes.

Parent and student experiences vary. Positive reviews commonly point to teaching, academics, competitions and the school’s peer environment, while recent criticism has focused on admission-related communication, management and academic pressure.

DAV Boys Senior Secondary School, Gopalapuram

DAV Boys Senior Secondary School has its campus in Gopalapuram and admits boys through the senior secondary stage. Its published school information puts considerable weight on board results and academic preparation, while the campus itself has provisions for laboratories, sports and indoor activities.

Classes are supported by 71 classrooms, laboratories, computer facilities and two separate library sections.
The school has a multipurpose auditorium that is also used for badminton and table tennis.
Students have access to cricket and football grounds and courts for basketball, volleyball and throw-ball.
The school runs PRAJYA examinations for Classes VI–XII as an additional assessment of reasoning, analytical ability and general knowledge.
NEET and JEE coaching is offered within the senior-school programme.
Board results published by the school show that every registered student passed Class X and Class XII in 2024–25.
In its 2025 sports records, students are listed with medals in high jump, triple jump, relay events, shot put and other athletics events.

The school has many positive comments for teaching and academic preparation, but the feedback is not consistent on every point. Recent public reviews also mention pressure on students and dissatisfaction with some aspects of administration and sports.

National Public School, Gopalapuram

National Public School, Gopalapuram was established in 1970 and has remained a prominent CBSE school in central Chennai. Its campus combines conventional academic facilities with dedicated spaces for technology, arts and student activities.

The school is affiliated with CBSE under affiliation number 1930006 and has Senior Secondary status.
Classes are supported by Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories as well as dedicated Mathematics, Computer Science and Art Labs.
The school library carries reading and reference material for different age groups and is also used for curriculum-related work.
Students have access to a music room and theatre room, giving the campus facilities beyond conventional academic spaces.
Its Computer Science programme runs from the primary section through the senior years and includes programming and software applications.
Leadership is given a practical component through the student council. In 2026, students from Grades VIII to XII participated in a digital voting process developed with support from the school’s Computer Science Department.
Student activities extend to MUN, performing arts and leadership programmes. The school also organises its own NPSMUN conference.
Its 2025-26 board results included a 98.6% Class X top score and a 98.8% Class XII top score. Individual students recorded centums in subjects including Mathematics, Science, Sanskrit and Business Studies.

Parent feedback is generally favourable towards the academic side of the school, although reviews also point to differences in individual experiences. The limited number of seats is worth considering for families planning an application.

SBOA School and Junior College, Anna Nagar

There is a noticeable difference between the original SBOA of 1979 and the institution operating today. The school started with eight classes and 282 students; its current campus has 195 classrooms, 16 laboratories and a student strength running into several thousand.

The school is located at 18, School Road, Anna Nagar West Extension, Chennai.
The campus has 16 laboratories and 195 classrooms, according to the school’s mandatory disclosure.
Its facilities include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Computer Labs, an Atal Tinkering Lab, library, science park and sports areas.
An athletic synthetic track with floodlights is part of the sports infrastructure.
For middle-school students, the school lists Astronomy Club, Interact Club, Scouts and Guides, NCC, NSS, JRC and RSP among its enrichment activities.
Career guidance and skill-development activities are included in the senior-school programme.
The Mathematics Department used the school’s Science Park for a practical activity on Pi Approximation Day, with senior students explaining the concept to younger classes.

The available parent reviews rate academics and safety more strongly than sports. The school also has a sizeable student population, which is worth keeping in mind alongside its extensive campus and activity options.

Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Anna Nagar

For families considering a CBSE school with a noticeable cultural and values-based component, Chinmaya Vidyalaya Anna Nagar has a distinct approach. The school started in 1989 and continues to offer classes through the Senior Secondary level from its Z-Block campus.

Located at Plot No. 5063A, Z Block, Belly Area, Anna Nagar West, Chennai.
CBSE affiliation number 1930147; the affiliation is valid through March 2028.
Science and computer laboratories, a library, cultural facilities and sports areas are part of the campus.
Sanskrit and value education are given importance alongside the standard CBSE subjects.
Board classes continue through Class XII, giving students continuity within the same CBSE school.
Music, dance, cultural programmes and inter-school competitions add to the academic schedule.

Parent reviews frequently point to good teachers and a strong academic environment. There are also comments about heavy study schedules, infrastructure limitations and occasional dissatisfaction with administrative communication.

Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk

There is quite a bit happening beyond the regular CBSE timetable at Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram. Students take part in sports, debates, dramatics, fine arts and school organisations, while the school continues to maintain a strong focus on board examination results.

Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram began in 1977 and currently caters to students from LKG to Class XII.
The school is co-educational and has CBSE affiliation number 1930044.
The campus has 148 classrooms and eight laboratories, along with library, internet and sports facilities.
NCC, Scouts and Guides, Road Safety Patrol and Interact Club are among the student programmes available.
The school says its students have represented the state and country in several sports, including swimming, skating, chess, athletics and handball.

Reviews generally speak well of the school, particularly its teachers, large playground and extracurricular activities. A recurring reservation in some reviews is that younger students may have fewer extracurricular options than senior students.

Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Mylapore

The school calendar at Vidya Mandir is unusually busy for a conventional CBSE school. Alongside board preparation, students take part in MUNs, quizzes, science fairs, sports tournaments, cultural competitions and activities such as Legal Studies.

The school is affiliated with CBSE under number 1930024 and has Senior Secondary status.
The campus has classrooms, science laboratories, computer facilities, library resources and dedicated sports areas.
The school reported strong performances at several inter-school events in 2025, including Overall Championships at CVMUN, PS Amble and PS Aurix.
Its 2025 science fair focused on sustainable development and climate change, with students presenting projects such as a fog-net water harvesting system and a UV germ detector.

Online ratings are mostly positive, although individual reviews differ on teaching style, workload and communication. The available public feedback therefore gives a mixed but generally favourable picture rather than a uniformly positive one.

DAV Public School, Velachery

The school has a fairly long history in Velachery, having started in 1990. Its current programme runs through Class XII, with the school combining regular CBSE subjects with sports and other student activities.

It is a co-educational day school following the CBSE board.
The campus has science and computer laboratories, a library, playground and indoor activity facilities.
Transport and CCTV security are listed among the available facilities.
Reviews from parents commonly mention qualified teachers and a comparatively affordable fee structure.
The Class X CBSE result has remained at 100% in the school’s published data for 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26.

The public feedback therefore gives a mixed picture rather than a clear consensus. Academics, fees and teacher support receive positive comments, while administration and the wider range of activities receive more criticism.

Lalaji Memorial Omega International School, Kolapakkam

A 22-acre campus gives Omega considerably more space than many city schools. The Kolapakkam school has been operating since 2005 and has grown into a large co-educational day and boarding school with several academic pathways.

Residential facilities are available in addition to regular day-school provision.
The campus includes facilities for academics, sports, technology and student activities.
Sports, creative activities, technology and experiential learning are included in the wider school programme.
Senior secondary CBSE students can choose Science, Commerce or Humanities combinations.
The school has separate academic contacts for its junior, middle and senior sections.

Parent feedback online is divided. A number of reviews appreciate the facilities and teachers, while some families have been unhappy with front-office interactions and bus services. This variation is worth noting alongside the school’s larger size and wider range of programmes.

BVM Global School, Sithalapakkam

The BVM Global campus at Bollineni Hillside is located on the Nookampalayam–Perumbakkam Road stretch of Sithalapakkam. It is a senior secondary CBSE school, with the current CBSE affiliation running through 2030. The school also has a NIOS option at the same campus.

Classes run from the early years through Grade 12 under the CBSE stream.
The school’s academic model gives space to projects, experiments, presentations and collaborative work along with regular classroom teaching.
Science and computer labs are available for practical work, while smart classrooms are used for technology-supported lessons.
The school has reported a recent STEM achievement from its Bollineni Hillside students, with two Grade 9 students winning the Young Scientist of Tamil Nadu STEM Challenge.
Its earlier school records also include participation in CBSE football competitions, including a team that qualified for the national level.
The school conducts sports day, annual day, cultural events and other activities during the academic year.

Parent reviews are not completely uniform. Some families appreciate the teachers, activities and learning environment, while others have raised concerns about administration and communication. The mixed feedback makes it useful to look beyond the overall rating when comparing BVM Global with other CBSE schools in South Chennai.

Babaji Vidhyashram Senior Secondary School, Sholinganallur

The campus has classrooms, science and computer facilities, a library and sports areas.
Students are encouraged to work on design and technology projects as part of their learning.
Robotics and STEM activities provide opportunities for children interested in science and technology.
Outdoor education and leadership programmes form another part of the school’s activity schedule.
Sports choices include activities such as archery and other outdoor programmes, while the school also runs performing arts activities.
Students take part in drama, photography, robotics and other co-curricular programmes.

Parent feedback is largely favourable on teachers, infrastructure and extracurricular activities. At the same time, some public reviews mention concerns around administration and communication, so experiences are not identical for every family.

Velammal Vidhyashram, Surapet

Science and computer laboratories are available for practical learning, along with library and classroom facilities.
Students are given opportunities to take part in projects, presentations and activity-based learning in addition to their regular lessons.
Sports and physical activities are included in the school programme, along with annual sports and cultural events.
The school conducts programmes for different wings and age groups, including activities that allow younger students to participate in performances and competitions.
Parent reviews include positive comments about teaching, academics and student activities, although some reviews raise concerns about communication and administrative processes.
Students take part in Olympiads, quizzes and other academic competitions.

Velammal’s academic reputation is one of the reasons it continues to attract families in the Surapet area. At the same time, the available parent feedback suggests that the school experience can vary, particularly when it comes to administration and communication with parents.

Conclusion

The schools on this list represent different approaches to CBSE education in Chennai. Some have decades of history behind them, while others have built their reputation through newer campuses, broader activity programmes or modern facilities.

There is also a noticeable difference in fees and location across the schools. Parents can use the details in this guide as a starting point and then compare the schools that fit their preferred area, budget, curriculum stage and expectations for academics and activities.