Orchids The International School, Bengaluru
| Orchids The International School, Bengaluru | |
|---|---|
 A file photo of one of the Orchids School campuses in Bannerghatta in 2023 | |
| , | |
| Information | |
| Established | 2013 (Nagarbhavi campus) |
Chairman | Jai Decosta |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Classes | Nursery — Grade 12 |
| Language | English |
Campus type | Day school |
| Affiliations | Central Board of Secondary Education, Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board |
| Website | www |
Orchids The International School, Bengaluru (also known as ORCHIDS Bengaluru) is a co-educational chain of private K-12 schools operating multiple branches in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
As of 2025, the chain has around 30-32 branches in the city, with varying affiliations to the Central Board of Secondary Education, Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board.
History
In the 2010s, the ORCHIDS school chain started expanding in Bengaluru with multiple branches in neighbourhoods like Nagarabhavi, Mahalakshmi Layout, Haralur Road, Magadi Road, Mysore Road, Panathur and Sahakarnagar etc.[1] The schools are run under trusts like AVV Educational Trust, Sri Radhakrishna Educational Trust, MB Shivakumar Seva Trust,Spandana Educational Trust, Ramanashree Pratishthana, Bangalore North Education Society, Udaya Education Society, Pragathi Charitable Trust and RT Nagar Educational Trust. After COVID-19, the network expanded to more than 30 branches in the city by the mid-2020s[2].
Academics and curriculum
ORCHIDS schools follow curricula aligned with CBSE, ICSE, or state board standards, depending on the branch's affiliation. The schools offer STEM-related activities including coding, robotics, astronomy sessions, and project-based work. Students learn programming using Python and tools such as Pygame and OpenCV and participate in astronomy events such as “Go Cosmo – Universe Unleashed” and activities linked to National Space Day (India).[2]
The schools provide two assessment levels in subjects such as Science, Social Science, and Mathematics in line with CBSE assessment reforms, with diagnostic tests and differentiated assignments. Reading and arithmetic skills are monitored using benchmarks referenced in the Annual Status of Education Report. Some branches include Kannada instruction alongside English in accordance with state bilingual education policies.[2]
Controversies
Affiliation and operations
Several branches including Nagarabhavi, Mahalakshmi Layout and Panathur were accused in 2022–2023 of claiming CBSE affiliation without approval.[3][4] Protests by parents led to FIRs, notably in January 2023, for admitting students and teaching CBSE syllabus beyond permitted levels[5]. The Karnataka education department ordered inspections across branches.[6] The school stated that all branches had state board permissions; that CBSE affiliation processes take 3–4 years and were delayed by COVID-19; that admissions were transparent;[7] and that currently all those schools have obtained full affiliations.[8]
Student fees
In December 2024, the Mysore Road branch was accused of allegedly confining students over unpaid fees, triggering complaints to education and child protection authorities. The school denied the allegations.[9]
Regulatory action
Multiple branches received notices, and some were temporarily shut or faced first information reports for unauthorized operations.[10][11][12][13] The school stated it re-applied for permissions, relocated students where needed and emphasised transparency in admissions.[14]
Gallery
BTM Layout campus
Makali campus
Whitefield campus
References
- ↑ "Orchids The International School Expands its footprint with 4 new branches in Bengaluru – India Education | Latest Education News | Global Educational News | Recent Educational News". indiaeducationdiary.in. Archived from the original on 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- 1 2 3 G, Shubhangi (30 November 2025). "Skills, STEM, and Being 'Future-Ready': A Study of ORCHIDS The International School in Bengaluru's Regulated Pedagogy". Columbia University Libraries. Retrieved 2026-03-05 – via EBSCO.
- ↑ I, Anagha; Raj, Sagay (2023-01-31). "Case against Bengaluru school over fake CBSE affiliation". India Today. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "Protest against another Orchids school in Bengaluru over lack of CBSE affiliation". The Hindu. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ↑ "Stir against second city Orchids school over fake CBSE affiliation". Hindustan Times. 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ "Fake CBSE affiliation: Parents continue to protest against B'luru school". Hindustan Times. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "After FIR, Bengaluru's Orchids school says Covid delayed CBSE affiliation, admission fully transparent". The Indian Express. 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "Takes 3-4 years to get affiliation: Orchids school amid fake CBSE affiliation row". Hindustan Times. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "Shocking! Private school in Bengaluru locks students in dark room over non-payment of fees | Today News". Livemint. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "Bengaluru's Orchids school booked for flouting Karnataka education norms". The Indian Express. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ Belur, Rashmi. "One more FIR against Orchids school in Bengaluru". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ Eva, Donna (2022-07-23). "One more branch of Orchids school shut". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "FIR against Orchids The International School". The Hindu. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ↑ "School gets notice for shifting students to another branch without parents' consent". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
Notes
Campuses
Locations of approximately 38 Orchids The International School campuses in Bengaluru (numbered legend provided)
