Nagpur’s educational landscape holds more than a few institutions that have been shaping lives since the days before independence. These schools have witnessed the transformation of the city and the region, adapting their systems while staying true to the ideals of their founders.

Each institution in this article has passed the hundred-year milestone, making them among the oldest functioning schools not just in the city but in Vidarbha.

Their stories reflect the evolution of education, from missionary efforts and community initiatives to government-aided expansions. These schools have played a significant role in bringing formal education to generations of students from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

The presence of these establishments highlights the importance placed on education in Nagpur since the late nineteenth century.

1. Bishop Cotton High School, Sadar (Established 1862)

Bishop Cotton High School stands as Nagpur’s oldest surviving educational institution. It was established by Bishop George Cotton with the objective of providing education to children of European and Eurasian families during the British Raj.

Located in Sadar, the school quickly earned a reputation for a disciplined environment and a well-rounded curriculum. In its early years, the school served a small student population, focusing on basic literacy and religious instruction. Today, it continues operations with modern teaching methods while maintaining heritage buildings on its campus.

Several teachers over the decades have emphasised the school’s role in introducing structured English-medium education to central India.

2. St. Francis De Sales High School, Sadar (Established 1867)

Commonly referred to as SFS, this school was started by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. Initially operating out of Kamptee in 1867, it shifted to Nagpur in 1870 to accommodate growing student numbers.

Historical documents show that the school started with fewer than fifty students and rapidly expanded its infrastructure after relocating to Sadar. It marked its 150th anniversary in 2020, commemorating its long-standing contribution to education with events attended by alumni and community members. Past students include prominent personalities like cricketer C. K. Nayudu and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.

Its administration has retained a balance between academic rigour and extracurricular activities.

3. St. Ursula Girls’ High School, Civil Lines (Established 1857)

St. Ursula Girls’ High School was founded in 1857, making it one of the first schools for girls in central India. Starting in a private house at Sitabuldi, it moved to Civil Lines within two years as the number of enrolled students grew.

Contemporary reports indicate that it prioritised literacy and domestic skills, responding to the social norms of the nineteenth century.

Over the years, the institution introduced higher classes and later a junior college section to provide a seamless transition for its students. The school today is known for producing students who excel in academics and cultural competitions, continuing its mission of empowering girls through education.

4. St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Sadar (Established 1875)

St. Joseph’s Convent High School began under the management of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery. Its establishment aimed at providing value-based education along with academic knowledge, a principle that continues to guide it after nearly 150 years.

Records show that the convent had to expand its facilities within decades due to increasing admissions from families keen on quality English-medium education. Over time, the school became known for community outreach programmes that involve both students and staff.

Administrators often highlight that moral education is integrated into the academic curriculum, a hallmark that has persisted through generations.

5. St. John’s High School, Mohan Nagar (Established 1880)

Founded in 1880, St. John’s High School started as a Hindi-medium offshoot of the SFS mission, created specifically to serve Indian Christian children.

The red-brick building, which still forms the main administrative block, was completed in the late nineteenth century and has become an architectural icon. The school earned a reputation for affordability without compromising educational quality, attracting students from diverse backgrounds across Vidarbha.

As enrolments grew, St. John’s added classrooms and extracurricular facilities while continuing to operate in its original location. Teachers and staff recount stories of past batches who have maintained lifelong connections to the institution.

6. New English High School, Mahal (Established 1885)

New English High School was established in Mahal in 1885 as a pioneering effort to introduce English education to a predominantly Marathi-speaking community.

In its formative years, the school focused on blending English instruction with Marathi cultural values to ease the transition for first-generation learners.

Early photos of the campus show a modest structure which gradually expanded as new classes were added. Today, it accommodates students up to the junior college level while retaining architectural elements dating back to the Victorian era. Educators at the school describe a tradition of encouraging students to excel in both academics and sports.

7. Patwardhan High School, Sitabuldi (Established 1885)

Popularly known among residents as “Lokanchi Shala,” Patwardhan High School began as a municipal effort to provide affordable education to working-class families of Sitabuldi.

Local historians have noted the school’s steady growth despite limited resources during the British period, as it gained support from community leaders. The addition of a junior college wing in the twentieth century further expanded opportunities for students who otherwise might have discontinued education after school.

Over the years, Patwardhan High School has continued to provide instruction in both Marathi and English, adapting its curriculum to changing educational standards.

8. Saraswati Vidyalaya, Dharampeth (Established 1894)

Saraswati Vidyalaya was founded in 1894 by Bahadur Vasudev Mudaliar, who began with just seven students. Archival records highlight that the school’s growth was driven by community contributions and a shared belief in the need for widespread literacy.

By the early twentieth century, the institution had expanded to accommodate several hundred students and included more advanced subjects in its syllabus. Teachers often point to the school’s legacy of alumni who have excelled in politics, academics, and sports.

Saraswati Vidyalaya has crossed 130 years and remains a prominent educational institution in Dharampeth.

9. Dadibai Deshmukh Hindu Mulinchi Shala, Mahal (Established 1915)

Dadibai Deshmukh Hindu Mulinchi Shala was started in 1915 under the guidance of publisher Dadasaheb Ogale, inspired by Lokmanya Tilak’s vision for empowering girls through education. Located near Gandhi Gate in Mahal, the school aimed specifically at providing quality education to girls from economically weaker families. Initial records show that the school began with classes up to the fourth standard, gradually adding higher grades over the years. In 2015, it celebrated its centenary with cultural programmes and a gathering of alumni. School administrators highlight that the Marathi-medium instruction has helped preserve cultural identity while promoting literacy.

10. J. N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School, Empress Mills Area (Established 1920)

J. N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School was founded in 1920 with the support of the Tata family. It was established to provide education to Parsi girls in Nagpur, a community that placed high importance on female education even before independence.

In 1926, the school moved to its current campus, which was purpose-built and remains in use today. Managed by community trusts, the school extended its curriculum over the years to include junior college courses.

Administrators underline the continued commitment to inclusivity and quality education as core values guiding the institution.

These schools form a significant part of Nagpur’s educational heritage and reflect how diverse efforts laid the foundation for widespread schooling across the city. Many of these institutions have inspired the establishment of newer schools in Vidarbha, setting standards in teaching, discipline, and community engagement. The consistent evolution of their curricula and infrastructure demonstrates how these schools have remained relevant through colonial rule, independence, and into the modern era. Interviews with senior teachers and alumni provide recurring references to the strong emphasis placed on holistic education, combining academics with cultural and moral instruction.

These insights underline how schools over a hundred years old have not only survived but also continued to contribute meaningfully to Nagpur’s academic landscape.

In many ways, these schools have shaped and reflected the social changes that Vidarbha experienced during the last century. The varied founding stories, from missionary initiatives to community-funded endeavours, show that a commitment to education transcended social divisions. Educators at several of these institutions note the continued importance of adapting to current educational demands while preserving traditional values.

Such adaptability has allowed them to nurture thousands of students who have gone on to make contributions in diverse fields across India and abroad. The stories of these schools are reminders of how institutional dedication to education can impact society across generations without losing sight of core principles established at the time of their founding.