The Doon School, Dehradun — Full Description

The Doon School is an all-boys, fully residential school located in the Dehradun Cantonment area, on the foothills of the Himalayas. Founded in 1935 by Satish Ranjan Das and known within its community as Chandbagh, the school was established on the grounds of India's original Forestry Research Institute and has developed into one of India's best-known boys' boarding schools, with a history spanning nearly nine decades. The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), offering the ICSE and ISC curriculum, and admits boys from around Class VII/VIII through Class XII.

Heritage & Legacy

Spanning roughly 70 acres, the campus reflects nearly nine decades of institutional history, with buildings and traditions that have evolved alongside the school's academic and co-curricular programmes. Over the decades, its alumni have gone on to contribute to public service, business, academia, literature, the armed forces, and the arts, reflecting the school's long history as a residential institution.

Campus & Boarding Life (House System)

As a fully residential school, Doon organises students into a house system comprising several main boarding houses along with two holding houses for new entrants, each under the care of a housemaster who oversees students' daily routine, personal growth, and wellbeing. The house system is central to school life, fostering long-term peer relationships, inter-house competitions, and a structured framework for pastoral care throughout a student's time at the school.

Academic Facilities

The school's academic infrastructure includes well-established teaching and research spaces such as:

Dedicated biology, physics, and chemistry laboratories

A design and technology centre

An extensive library housing a large collection of books and reference material

An art and media school with an auditorium, film studio, and creative teaching spaces

Sports & Co-curricular Activities

Students participate in a wide range of sports and co-curricular activities as part of daily school life, including:

A 25-metre swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, basketball courts, and cricket, hockey, and football grounds

Athletics tracks, a shooting range, boxing, badminton, table tennis, and gymnastics facilities

Clubs and societies covering debate, dramatics, music, and social service, alongside a long-standing tradition of student-led community service initiatives

Student Life

Residential life at Doon is structured around the house system, with housemasters and tutors providing academic support and pastoral care alongside a full calendar of sports, arts, and social service activities. Inter-house events, leadership responsibilities, clubs, and community service form an important part of everyday student life.

Safety & Wellbeing

The school's Wellness Centre provides on-campus healthcare support, including medical and nursing staff, along with access to dental, physiotherapy, and nutritional support. Counselling services are also available to students, with additional specialised support arranged as needed.

Admission Process

Admission to The Doon School is based on a competitive entrance examination followed by a personal interview, with boys typically admitted into specific grade levels within defined age brackets. Exact entry points, age criteria, and examination centres should be confirmed directly with the school's admissions office, as these are reviewed periodically.

Fees

Fee structures for tuition, boarding, and related expenses are reviewed periodically and vary based on the specific terms of admission. Parents should verify the current fee schedule directly with the school's admissions office before applying.