Best International Schools in Mumbai: 2026 Guide for Families

Quick answer: which are the best international schools in Mumbai? The strongest options are the American School of Bombay in BKC, Oberoi International School in Goregaon, DSB International School and Bombay International School in South Mumbai, and Aditya Birla World Academy in Tardeo. Annual tuition runs from roughly 6 lakh to over 30 lakh rupees, and most offer the IB Diploma.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Many Mumbai schools call themselves "international", yet only a handful combine a long track record, a genuinely international student body and a recognised route to universities abroad. This guide to the best international schools in Mumbai focuses on those few, and on the families each one suits best.

"Best" depends on what you need. A diplomat on a short posting needs credits that transfer cleanly; a German family may want lessons in German. We have picked five schools that stand out for different reasons and explain who each one suits.

Why Mumbai, and where the schools actually are

Mumbai is India's financial capital, home to the Reserve Bank, the stock exchanges and many consulates and multinational offices, which is why its international schools are so often full.

Geography matters more here than in most cities. The city is a long, narrow peninsula, and a journey of fifteen kilometres can take an hour at rush time. South Mumbai (Malabar Hill, Breach Candy, Tardeo, Babulnath) has the highest rents and three of our five schools. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the central business district, holds the American Consulate, and families often rent in nearby Bandra or Santacruz. Further north, Powai and Goregaon offer newer towers, more green space and lower rents.

New metro lines have cut some journeys, but choose the school and the home together, and test the commute at 8am before you sign a lease.

Curricula you will find at the top schools

The leading schools in Mumbai mostly teach international programmes rather than the national CBSE or ICSE boards. The main options are:

International Baccalaureate (IB): the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, widely accepted by universities in India and abroad.
Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels: a subject-based British route, often used in Grades 9 and 10 before the IB Diploma, or continued to A-Level.
American curriculum: a US-style programme with credits and a high school diploma, useful for families moving between American schools.
German curriculum: taught in German, allowing children to move back into the German system without losing a year.

The best international schools in Mumbai, and who they suit

American School of Bombay

ASB is the school most relocating corporate and diplomatic families look at first. Founded in 1981 at the American Consulate, it teaches Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 on two sites fifteen minutes apart: an elementary campus at Kohinoor City in Kurla and a secondary campus in BKC. Children follow the IB Primary Years Programme to Grade 5, then a US curriculum accredited by the Middle States Association, and older students can take the IB Diploma or an ASB diploma. Pupils come from close to fifty countries, and learning support is unusually deep, with psychologists and therapists on staff. It is also the most expensive school here. Best for: families on international postings who value continuity with American or IB schools elsewhere.

Oberoi International School

Oberoi International School in Goregaon East is the natural choice for families living in the western suburbs or Powai. It runs two campuses, one at Oberoi Garden City off the Western Express Highway and one on the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road, with more than 1,500 students from over 25 countries. The school is authorised for the IB, and between its two campuses it offers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes, with Cambridge IGCSE also available. The modern buildings give space for sport that is hard to find further south. Best for: families who want the IB from age three to eighteen without a long drive into the city.

DSB International School

DSB began as the German school of Bombay and is now a not-for-profit, co-educational day school on Bhulabhai Desai Road in South Mumbai, serving students aged 3 to 18. It keeps two sections. The German Section still teaches a German curriculum in German, ideal for German-speaking families on fixed-term contracts. The International Section, opened in 2000, teaches in English and leads to the IB Diploma. Students come from more than 30 countries. Best for: German-speaking families, and anyone who likes a smaller, community-minded school in the south of the city.

Bombay International School

BIS opened in June 1962 with 90 children in six rooms and a terrace, founded by Indian and expatriate parents who wanted a liberal, secular school. It is still run as a parent co-operative with parents on the Board of Governors. It has around 580 students. Teaching follows the IB Primary Years Programme to Grade 5, Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10 and the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12. The main campus is at Babulnath, with primary grades in Marine Lines. Best for: families who want small classes, an involved parent community and a South Mumbai address.

Aditya Birla World Academy

ABWA, founded in 2008, is the youngest school here and sits at Gamadia Colony in Tardeo. It teaches from Nursery to Grade 12 and is recognised by both Cambridge International and the International Baccalaureate, so students choose between A-Levels and the IB Diploma after Grade 10. That choice is rare in the city and suits students who prefer depth in three or four subjects. The school reports a teacher to student ratio of about 1 to 8. Best for: ambitious local and returning Indian families weighing A-Levels against the IB.

Fees at Mumbai's top international schools in 2026

Fees vary enormously. At the schools above, annual tuition runs from roughly 6 to 15 lakh rupees at the more modest end, roughly 10 to 20 lakh at the mid to upper tier, and roughly 20 to 35 lakh or more at the American School of Bombay, where secondary grades cost the most. Fees rise with each stage, and corporate packages often cover tuition, so check what your employer pays.

Expect these extras on top of tuition:

Application or registration fee, usually non-refundable.
Admission or enrolment fee, charged once when a place is accepted.
Refundable security deposit, sometimes several lakh at the top schools.
School bus, priced by distance.
Meals, where the school runs a kitchen or canteen.
Uniforms, sports kit and devices such as a laptop from middle school.
IGCSE, A-Level and IB Diploma exam fees, trips and residential camps.

One legal change this year is worth knowing. The Income-tax Act, 2025 came into force on 1 April 2026, replacing the Income-tax Act of 1961. Taxpayers on the old regime can still claim tuition fees for up to two children within the overall 1.5 lakh deduction limit; the default new regime does not allow it.

Practical tips before you apply

Start early and keep a back-up. The best known schools are often full in popular grades, especially Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 6. Apply to two or three schools at once and get any waiting-list place in writing.

Match the curriculum to your next move. If you expect to leave Mumbai in two or three years, pick the programme your child will find in the next city.

Visit in term time and ask direct questions. Ask about average class size in your child's grade, teacher turnover, the share of international students, support for children learning English and university destinations for recent graduates.

See how Mumbai's schools compare nationally

To compare these schools with others across the country, see our ranking of the best schools in India.

More guides to schools in Mumbai

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best international school in Mumbai for expat families?

There is no single winner. The American School of Bombay suits families expecting a US-style school with the IB Diploma, Oberoi International School suits those living in the western suburbs who want the full IB, and DSB suits German-speaking families. Visit two or three, ask about places in your child's grade and weigh the commute honestly.

How much do international schools in Mumbai cost per year?

Tuition at the leading international schools ranges from roughly 6 lakh to more than 30 lakh rupees a year, depending on the school and grade. On top of that, budget for an admission or registration fee, a refundable deposit, bus transport, meals, uniforms and exam fees in the final years, which can add a further 1 to 3 lakh.

When should we apply to an international school in Mumbai?

Most schools run their main admissions window between September and January for an August start, but several accept applications year round when places exist. Popular entry grades such as Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 6 fill early, so apply around nine to twelve months ahead and keep school reports, passports and vaccination records ready.