Complete Guide to CBSE Day Boarding School Admissions: What to Expect and How to Apply
Posted by Strategic Communications, JGI Group on 9 Oct 2023

If you are a parent who is looking for a holistic education for your child, then a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated day-boarding school will be an ideal choice for your child’s learning endeavours! A day-boarding school encompasses study hours that exceed a normal day school, which helps your child get more time to interact with peers, improve his or her self-confidence, and nurture skills in extracurricular activities. However, if you are unsure of what to expect and how to apply to these day-boarding schools, then our blog will help you! Read on.

Research the Best Day Boarding Schools

The first and foremost step in applying to any day-boarding school is to find out whether it is an appropriate one to enrol your child in. You can begin your research by considering your child's needs and preferences, such as accessibility to commute, reputation, and others. It is also very important that you assess the school’s environment, curriculum, faculty, extracurricular activities, and fees before making the final decision. You can use online resources, school directories, and recommendations from friends and family to create a list of potential CBSE-affiliated day-boarding schools around you.

Check your Child’s Eligibility Criteria

According to the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP), the 'foundational stage' spans five years of education, catering to children aged between three and eight. This stage comprises three years of preschool education and two years of early primary education, comprising grade-I and grade-II studies. Therefore, you must review the eligibility criteria of each school on your list as the majority of schools now have age restrictions for different grades. For example, your child needs to be six years of age or older to enrol in grade 1, whereas your child needs to be three years old on or before June 1, 2023, to begin their preschool education.

Visiting Schools and Submitting an Application

Once you have shortlisted the best day-boarding schools, you must take the initiative to schedule an interview and visit the school. You need to cross-check the school’s learning environment, safety, and other factors to ensure that your child receives the best education. Once you have decided on a boarding school for your child, you must fill out an application form from the college website or through offline means. You must check the deadline to submit the application on time. Alternatively, remember to keep all the required documents ready such as government proofs, prior educational certificates, migration certificates, and others so that the procedure can be carried forward seamlessly.

Faculty and Staff Interaction

As already mentioned above, unlike other conventional schools, your child will be staying for extended hours in a day-boarding school. It is very important to know about the teachers and staff. Well-trained faculty and staff are more likely to provide high-quality education, individualised care and support to each child. Hence, you must interact with the faculty and staff and assess if your child will feel comfortable communicating and confiding in them during their school hours.

Acing the Entrance Exams

The majority of day-boarding schools have their own ways of accepting applicants every year. Entrance examinations are conducted by the majority of the day-boarding schools to determine whether your child is capable of handling a day-boarding curriculum. The entrance examination consists of written tests where general-subject-related questions or other aptitude questions are asked to verify that applicants have sound cognitive skills and are ready for specific academic programmes or levels. If your child qualifies for the entrance examinations, then he or she has to attend a personal interview (PI) round with the school authorities. The personal interview is used to evaluate your child's interaction skills and mental preparedness for enrolling in a day-boarding school.

Way Forward

In conclusion, if you are a parent seeking holistic education for your child, a CBSE-affiliated day-boarding school is an excellent choice that offers extended study hours to foster interaction, self-confidence, and extracurricular skills. You must remember to research and select the best day-boarding school that aligns with your child's needs and assess eligibility criteria to complete the admission process. You must also visit schools, and engage with faculty and staff to ensure a comfortable learning environment for your child. Additionally, you should prepare your child for entrance exams and interviews, as these steps are pivotal in determining their readiness for a day-boarding curriculum. By taking these steps, you can provide your child with an educational experience that is not only academically enriching but also conducive to their overall growth and development.