Cities / Mumbai / Bombay International School
Bombay International School
Founded in 1962, Bombay International School is a boutique IB continuum school in Gamdevi, South Mumbai, offering IB PYP, Cambridge IGCSE, and IB Diploma to around 450 students. Ranked 8th nationally, it is known for small class sizes and a…
In brief
BIS is a parent-cooperative school in Babulnath, founded in 1962 by parents who wanted something different from what South Mumbai then offered. Around 450 students from age 3 to 18 running PYP, an integrated middle school, then IGCSE and the IB Diploma.
The school is run by a Governing Body of trustees, founder members, elected parent representatives and the principal, and parents lead clubs across the year. The compact campus sits in the Gilbert Building on Babulnath 2nd Cross Road, with a junior section on Marine Lines. Annual fees sit around INR 4 to 8 lakh, well below the BKC heavyweights.
Families describe small classes, a familial culture, and strong IGCSE results, with around 84 percent A or A* in 2024. The alumni network of more than 1,500 across 39 countries is real, with current Diploma students in regular contact with alumni at universities abroad. The Diploma load is heavy and some students need outside support to balance studies and activities. Best fit for South Mumbai families wanting an old-Bombay community school feel rather than a marquee international campus.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years to Grade 5 (IB PYP) | 3 | Annual | ₹420,000 |
| Grade 6 to Grade 8 (Middle School) | 11 | Annual | ₹540,000 |
| Grade 9 to Grade 10 (Cambridge IGCSE) | 14 | Annual | ₹640,000 |
| Grade 11 to Grade 12 (IB Diploma) | 16 | Annual | ₹840,000 |
| Application Fee | One-time | ₹5,000 |
Reviews
- BIS sits in online discussion as a respected South Mumbai IB and IGCSE school, named alongside Cathedral, Campion and JB Petit when families list SoBo's elite options.
- forum threads note the parent-led governance (the board is elected from current parents) and the small-class, low-pressure ethos as distinguishing features. One parent comparing schools for a Fort-area family asked specifically how BIS compares with Campion and GD Somani for kindergarten admission.
- The school draws frequent mentions in Mumbai IB Diploma comparisons against DAIS, Oberoi, Aditya Birla and Jamnabai, with parents asking about average IB scores and top-30 university placements.
- One recurring negative: a complaint that BIS lunches are vegetarian-only, which one parent framed as part of a wider trend in Mumbai elite schools rather than a BIS-specific issue.
- Directory reviews on SchoolMyKids and Justdial cluster positive, citing the high teacher-to-pupil ratio, the parent-led kitchen and SRC, and IGCSE results around 84 per cent A*/A in 2024.
Head of school
K V Arjun Rao
Welcome to Bombay International School, a school started in the year 1962 with a commitment to excellence in education. BIS was started as a dream – a dream envisioned by our Founder Members, who were a group of parents aspiring towards a liberal and secular education for children in the city. Our learning community of students, faculty and parents strives to uphold the values of our founders as well as appreciate the necessarily evolving nature of the school. Learning takes many forms at BIS. Each student discovers their own potential as they explore a wide range of learning opportunities. Being a small school, there are several opportunities for each individual to explore, hone and exhibit their unique talents. We encourage all our students to be resilient and take responsibility for their own independent learning and development. The most crucial message to send out to all of our students is the fact that every idea will be encouraged and supported. Unique initiatives imagined and executed by students have now become part of BIS tradition and critical to student life. Strong pedagogical practice, a robust coaching and training model with access to high quality professional development has helped establish a significant reputation for BIS teachers. Course design focused on critical thinking, development of analytical skills and most crucially, on the establishment of solid grounding in academic reading and writing has an impact on our students. This environment, which focuses on the complete development of the learner, fosters outstanding academic achievement and is consistently ranked in academic league tables, benchmarked against some of the best schools in the world. Our excellent results in the IGCSE and IBDP board examinations testify to the exceptional quality of our teaching staff, who create a challenging and stimulating learning environment. Our recent graduates have often received scholarships and gained admission to top universities in India & overseas. Parents support the school in a number of ways — both informally, and through a variety of Committees in significant areas of school administration. They work alongside teachers, students and administrators to foster a caring and collaborative community striving to make a difference. It is my absolute honour to be the Principal of BIS and to welcome you all to our school.
Academic results
- India Ranking 2025 8th nationally (CCLP Worldwide)