By the Education Karnataka Editorial Team · Last updated: November 2026

Quick answer: Karnataka has several schools with long histories. They include 19th-century institutions in Bengaluru, such as St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School (1858), Bishop Cotton Boys’ School (1865) and Baldwin Boys’ High School (1880), and residential schools founded after independence, such as Rashtriya Military School Bengaluru (1946), Sandur Residential School (1959) and Sainik School Vijayapura (1963). Heritage schools offer traditions, alumni networks and established cultures.

Key takeaways

• Bengaluru has some of the state’s oldest schools, dating to the 1800s.
• Several residential schools were founded in the decades after independence.
• Heritage brings tradition and alumni networks, but current quality still needs checking.
• Founding years are as publicly reported by the institutions.

Some long-established schools in Karnataka

School	Location	Founded (as reported)	Notes
St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School	Bengaluru	1858	Jesuit-run institution
Bishop Cotton Boys’ School	Bengaluru	1865	Historic boys’ school with boarding tradition
Baldwin Boys’ High School	Bengaluru	1880	Historic boys’ school
St. Joseph’s Indian High School	Bengaluru	1904	Listed in our directory
Rashtriya Military School Bengaluru	Bengaluru	1946	Defence-oriented residential school
Sandur Residential School	Sandur	1959	ICSE residential school; listed in our directory
Sainik School Vijayapura	Vijayapura	1963	Admission through AISSEE
Bethany High School	Bengaluru	1963	ICSE and ISC; listed in our directory

This is not a ranking or a complete list. Please verify current details with each school.

What makes heritage schools special?

• Traditions: House systems, ceremonies and long-standing values.
• Alumni networks that can support mentoring and careers.
• Established cultures of discipline and service.
• Historic campuses, often with architectural character.

What to check, even in a heritage school

1. Current teaching quality and support.
2. Modern safeguarding and pastoral care.
3. Up-to-date facilities, such as labs and technology.
4. Boarding availability, since not all heritage schools offer it today.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the oldest school in Bengaluru? Several schools date to the mid-1800s. St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School reports 1858 as its founding year.

Are heritage schools always better? Not automatically. History is valuable, but evaluate the school’s current quality.

Do heritage schools offer boarding today? Some do and some don’t. Check with each school.

Are admissions harder at heritage schools? Popular schools may have high demand. Apply early.

Do alumni networks help students? Strong networks can offer mentoring and opportunities.

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Need help shortlisting schools? Browse our directory of boarding schools in Karnataka and residential PU colleges in Karnataka, or message us on WhatsApp for guidance.

About Education Karnataka: a directory of residential schools and PU colleges across Karnataka, helping parents compare their options.