Online preschool
Nursery, KG1 and KG2
One or two hours of live, active learning each day, with a consistent homeroom facilitator who gets to know your child across the school year.
Explore Online Preschool- Next cohorts · Sep 2026 · Jan 2027 · Jun 2027
- Registered School No.IA702
- Affiliation No.94883
Online school from Nursery to Grade 12
Live teaching, recognised Indian and British curriculum pathways, and a school day designed to give your child structure, support and greater flexibility.
- NIOS for Grades 9–12
- Cambridge International School IA702
- Pearson Edexcel Online School 94883
21K School is a registered online Cambridge International School and an approved Pearson Edexcel Online School. Indian-pathway learners follow an NCF-informed programme through Grade 8, with NIOS available for Grades 9–12.
- IA702Registered Cambridge International School
- 94883Approved Pearson Edexcel Online School
- NIOSfor Grades 9–12 on the Indian pathway
- 25,000+learners registered from 78 countries and 46 nationalities, as of 1 September 2026
As featured in
All press coverageWhen online school may be the right fit
Online school can be a strong fit for families who need greater flexibility, continuity through travel or relocation, or access to a curriculum that is not available locally. It may also suit learners balancing school with sport, performing arts or another serious commitment.
At 21K School, flexibility does not mean learning without structure. Learners attend scheduled live classes, complete assignments and projects, receive feedback and take part in a wider school community.
Online school is not the right fit for every family. Younger children need an active Learning Coach, and every learner needs a suitable device, reliable internet and a consistent home routine.
A complete school experience, delivered online
Live classes are the anchor of the school week. Around them sit the platform, the feedback and the community that make it a school.
Live teaching with active participation
Our teachers, whom we call facilitators, explain, question, listen and adapt during scheduled live classes. Learners discuss, practise, collaborate and present rather than only watching a screen.
One place for the school week
The learning platform brings together classes, assignments, resources, feedback and progress information so learners and families can keep track of what comes next.
Progress parents can see
Assessment, facilitator feedback and structured reporting help families understand what the learner has secured, where support may be useful and what should happen next.
Community beyond classes
Assemblies, projects, celebrations, peer activities, online events and selected in-person experiences give learners opportunities to participate and build relationships.
Online school programmes, nursery to Grade 12
Online primary school
Grades 1 to 5
Choose an Indian or British pathway, with around three hours of live, interactive classes each school day—from home.
Explore Online Primary SchoolOnline middle school
Grades 6 to 8
Choose an Indian or British pathway, with around four hours of live, interactive classes each school day—from home.
Explore Online Middle SchoolOnline high school
Grades 9 to 12
Choose a NIOS, Cambridge International or Pearson Edexcel pathway, supported by live classes, flexible subject choices and structured Board and examination preparation.
Explore Online High School
Two pathways: Indian or British curriculum
Indian pathway
Nursery to Grade 12
Indian curriculum and NIOS. Read how the Indian pathway is built, grade by grade.
- Pre-Primary: age-appropriate early-years programme
- Grades 1–8: NCF-informed Indian curriculum
- Grades 9–10: NIOS Secondary
- Grades 11–12: NIOS Senior Secondary
- Live classes, structured assessment and facilitator support
NIOS certification and examinations follow NIOS requirements. The certificate is issued by NIOS, not by 21K School.
British pathway
KG 1 to Grade 12
Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel, two distinct awarding organisations with their own structures. Read what the British pathway covers at each stage.
- Cambridge Early Years
- Cambridge Primary
- Cambridge Lower Secondary
- Cambridge IGCSE
- Cambridge International AS & A Level
- Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level for relevant Senior School programmes
Choose a school pathway, Indian or British. You can then extend the experience with FLOWW and 21K Learning Garages, which sit alongside both pathways rather than replacing them. Learning Garage participation may involve separate registration, location restrictions and fees.
NCF, NIOS or Cambridge: Which board suits your child?
Scroll the table sideways to compare every column
| NCF-informed (Grades 1–8) | NIOS (Grades 9–12) | Cambridge (Primary to A Level) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recognition in India | The framework every national and state board follows, set by NCERT | A national board under the Ministry of Education, Government of India | Recognised by Indian universities; check the specific course's own eligibility rule |
| Recognition abroad | Not a leaving certificate | Accepted where an Indian board certificate is accepted | Recognised by universities in more than 90 countries |
| Subject flexibility | Set curriculum for the grade | Five subjects to pass, with one or two languages; two extra subjects allowed for a fee | Wide subject choice at IGCSE and AS & A Level |
| Exam pattern | School assessment only | Public examinations twice a year: April–May (Block 1) and October–November (Block 2) | Fixed international examination series |
| Board exam grades | None | Grade 10 (Secondary) and Grade 12 (Senior Secondary) | Grade 10 (IGCSE) and Grade 12 (A Level) |
| Best suited to | Every learner up to Grade 8 | A learner who wants an Indian certificate with a flexible exam calendar | A learner aiming at an international university, or a family that moves |
Where CBSE is the better fit. 21K School is not affiliated with CBSE, and an NCF-informed curriculum is not a CBSE affiliation. If your child needs a CBSE certificate specifically — because a school they may transfer back into requires it, or because an entrance route your family is set on names that board — a CBSE school is the right answer.
Our registrations and how to verify them
21K School is a registered online Cambridge International School, registered school number IA702, and an approved Pearson Edexcel Online School, centre number 94883. Both numbers are printed as text, so you can copy them straight into each organisation's own finder.
Cambridge and Pearson each maintain a public school or centre finder, and the link beside each certificate goes directly to it. The NIOS certificates page holds the NIOS certificates of recognition and approval.
Cambridge Assessment International Education
Registered School No.IA702
- Registered Cambridge International School
Certificate of RegistrationView original (opens in a new tab)Find us on Cambridge InternationalSearch the school finder for "Online" and look for 21K School.
Pearson Edexcel
Affiliation No.94883
- Approved Pearson Edexcel Online School
Approved Online Centre markView original (opens in a new tab)Find us on PearsonUse the centre finder and search for centre number 94883.
What a 21K School day looks like
Classes run Monday to Friday. Live classes are the anchor of the school day, not the whole of it: projects, reading, independent work, movement and activities happen away from live sessions.
- Nursery: one hour of live classes per day
- KG1 and KG2: two hours
- Primary School: approximately three hours
- Middle School: approximately four hours
- Senior School: subject-based timetable across defined operating windows
Grade 5, primary
About three hours of live classes. The morning batch runs 9:30 am to 12:40 pm IST, with the same span at 11:10 am, 1:40 pm or 3:20 pm where it is offered. Live subject classes with a break between sessions, then set work and reading away from the screen.
Grade 9, senior school
A subject-based timetable. The morning window runs 9:30 am to 5:40 pm IST, or 11:10 am to 7:20 pm. NIOS Secondary and Senior Secondary classes run five days a week, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm IST. The window is wider than Primary's because subject choice widens; a learner is not in live classes for the whole of it.
Webcams and audio stay on during class, so facilitators can see and hear how each learner is taking part. Outside live classes, the school day is not designed as screen time.
Batch timings and class size
Class timings and class-size options vary by grade, pathway and availability. The admissions team will confirm the options available for your child.
The windows below are in Indian Standard Time:
- Morning
- Mid-Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
| Grade band | Morning | Mid-Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Primary (Nursery) | 9:30 – 10:30 | 11:30 – 12:30 | 13:30 – 14:30 | 15:30 – 16:30 |
| Pre-Primary (KG1 & KG2) | 9:30 – 11:30 | 11:30 – 13:30 | 14:30 – 16:30 | 15:30 – 17:30 |
| Primary (Grades 1–5) | 9:30 – 12:40 | 11:10 – 14:20 | 13:40 – 16:50 | 15:20 – 18:30 |
| Middle (Grades 6–8) | 9:30 – 13:30 | 11:10 – 15:10 | 13:40 – 17:40 | 15:20 – 19:20 |
| Senior School | 9:30 – 17:40 | 11:10 – 19:20 | – | – |
Two limits worth knowing before you pick
- All four windows exist for Nursery to Grade 8 only. Senior School runs two, and NIOS Secondary and Senior Secondary classes run 9:30 am to 5:30 pm IST, five days a week.
- A batch with fewer than ten learners may be merged with another.
Families in the Gulf, Singapore, the United Kingdom and North America pick the window that lands in their own waking hours; the 9:30 am IST start is early evening in North America and late morning in the Gulf.
- Class of 2424 learnersOur full-size class, with engaging group dynamics and collaborative learning opportunities.
- Class of 2020 learnersEnhanced attention with a smaller group for more personalised interaction with teachers.
What parents say
These are named Google reviews of 21K School, published with an aggregate rating on our own reviews page. We have not restyled them, shortened them or written new ones.
Read all of them, with the screenshots and the video testimonials, on 21K School online reviews.
Rated 4.4 out of 5, from 636 Google ratings
“My son has been studying at 21K School for 3 years now and will continue for the next year as well. Top notch study materials relevant to the skills needed for future, excellent teachers who are always supporting and paying lots of attention to every individual student, flexible timings, less homework, more hands-on projects, minimal exam stress and loads of fun activities. Students usually get a lot of time to spend on things they love to do, be creative and innovative, and more importantly learn to think and question. I would highly recommend 21K School to parents who want their children to become independent, future-smart, broad-minded and learn hands-on skills that really matter in life.”
Sagnik Mrated 5 of 5 on Google “Great concept, much better than most of private schools. Children gets very focused study time. Schools have been able to hire great teachers as they have flexibility of remote working - I found their online teachers much more qualified and experienced than the ones in private schools of Bangalore charging 2-3L. My daughter loved all the teachers and enjoyed learning. Children get extra time which can be used for extracurricular activities. No worry of safety and wasting of commute time.”
saurabh shekharrated 5 of 5 on Google “My daughter is studying in 21k online school since KG-2. We are thankful to 21k for providing quality online education at affordable fees and taking extra care in overall child development with focus on academics. The class teachers and supporting staff are excellent. Overall greatly satisfied with 21k schooling experience. I strongly recommend 21k school to everyone who is looking out for online school platform.”
Sunil Bmrated 5 of 5 on Google “21K Online School has been a fantastic choice for our family, offering an excellent blend of flexibility and quality education. My daughter, who is in Grade 11, absolutely enjoys her classes and actively participates in the engaging activities and discussions. The curriculum is thoughtfully structured, and the online platform is easy to navigate, making the whole experience seamless for both students and parents.”
Thomas Alenkunnapuzharated 4 of 5 on Google
Awards and recognition
2025–26
Best Online School in India Award
Trailblazer Award, ET TECH X · HITEX, Hyderabad
21K School received the Trailblazer Award at ET TECH X 2025–26, recognised as the Best Online School in India at HITEX, Hyderabad.
2025Global Sustainability Awards 2025
Global Sustainability Awards, SDG Award Ceremony, Delhi
2024Best Curriculum School Award
Star Education Awards
20242024 HolonIQ South Asia EdTech 100
HolonIQ
Where our learners go after Grade 12
314+ learners have now graduated from 21K and gone on. Six of them, by name and institution:
Debarshi Sen
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
New York
Known for his academic brilliance and passion for cricket, Debarshi, an alumnus of British Senior School, is currently pursuing Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.
Dhruvika
National Law School of India University
Bengaluru
Known for her keen interest in the field of law, Dhruvika, an alumna of Indian Senior School, is pursuing LLB at the prestigious National Law University in Bengaluru.
Nitya V
Indian Institutes of Technology
Hyderabad
Known for her stellar results in Board and national-level entrance exams, Nitya, an alumna of Indian Senior School, is currently honing her creative flair for design at IIT Hyderabad.
Amit Khanna
London Business School
London
Known for his academic excellence, Amit, an alumnus of Indian Senior School, has joined the elite London Business School, where he is preparing for a global career in business.
Hafsa Ashraf
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology
Chennai
Known for her enthusiasm in science, Hafsa Ashraf, an alumna of British Senior School, is currently pursuing Aeronautical Engineering at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.
MK Nithyaa
Vellore Institute of Technology
Vellore
An alumna of 21K Indian Senior School, she is currently channelling her artistic sensibilities pursuing a diploma in Architecture at the esteemed Vellore Institute of Technology.
Online school fees in India, 2027–28
Published, grade by grade, in Indian rupees. Fees for a learner resident in India start at ₹64,800 a year on the Indian pathway and reach ₹2,18,300 for the senior British years. The current Fees page sets out programme-specific fees, inclusions, payment options and additional charges.
- Paying the year in full at admission takes ₹3,000 off tuition for Nursery to KG 2 and ₹5,000 for Grades 1 to 12.
- Instalment plans are also available.
15 grades — scroll inside the table
Every figure in the table is the annual total of these lines, billed together:
- Tuition
- Learning support
- Assessment
- Textbooks (shipping is charged separately)
- The activity programme
- The Cambridge Learner Fee, on the British pathway only
- Board registration and examination fees. These are payable directly to the examination centre where your child registers, are set by the board and are revised every year. They are not part of the fee above.
- The registration fee and the admission fee paid at enrolment, which are separate from the annual fee.
- A third language. Arabic, French, ESOL, Japanese and Spanish can be taken as a second or third language for an additional fee.
- Extra NIOS subjects. Two additional subjects may be taken from any group for an additional fee, as per NIOS norms.
Paying the year in full at admission earns the Annual Payment Benefit on tuition; instalment plans are also available. Both are shown against every grade in the table.
How admission works
Enquire and talk it through
Tell us the grade and pathway you are considering. An admissions advisor will explain the curriculum, the learning model, placement and fees.
Register
Complete the registration form and pay the registration fee to open your Parent Hub account.
Grade placement
Where the grade requires it, your child takes a placement assessment. The admissions team then confirms the grade, pathway, batch and, in Senior School, subjects.
Confirm the seat
Submit the required documents — birth certificate, photographs and, for Grade 2 and above, previous progress reports — with a transfer certificate where there is one, and pay the fee.
Onboarding and the first class
Once the documents are verified, your child is enrolled, receives a learning kit and joins their batch as the academic calendar sets out.
Admissions timeline for 2026–27
What: Registration for the 2026–27 session
When: Open now, Nursery to Grade 11. Seats are first-come, first-served, subject to availability
What: Grade placement age rule
When: Decided by your child's age as of 30 September in the year of entry
What: NIOS Secondary admission, Grade 10
When: Minimum age 14 as of 31 July for the April–May block, or 31 January for the October–November block
What: NIOS Senior Secondary admission, Grade 12
When: Minimum age 15, on the same two dates
What: NIOS examination entry, April–May block
When: 21 November to 20 December without late fee; to 31 December with ₹100 per subject; to 10 January with a ₹1,500 consolidated fee
What: NIOS examination entry, October–November block
When: 21 May to 20 June without late fee; to 30 June with ₹100 per subject; to 10 July with a ₹1,500 consolidated fee
What: 21K academic year
When: Aligned to the April–May (Block 1) NIOS examinations for Years 10, 11 and 12
A Senior Secondary candidate must leave a minimum gap of two years from the year they passed Secondary. Where that gap is short, NIOS allows a maximum of four subjects in the next two examination series.
Book a call with our admissions counsellor
The admissions team can answer the questions a brochure cannot: which pathway suits your child, which grade they would join, what the school day would look like and what the year will cost. They will also tell you if online school may not be the right fit for your family.
Frequently asked questions
What is an online school in India?
An online school provides a complete school programme online: scheduled live classes taught by facilitators, assignments and projects, assessment and feedback, and a wider school community.
What approvals and curriculum pathways does 21K School offer?
- Cambridge. 21K School is a registered online Cambridge International School (IA702), offering Cambridge programmes from Early Years to International AS & A Level on the British pathway.
- Pearson Edexcel. 21K School is an approved Pearson Edexcel Online School (centre 94883), offering Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level for relevant Senior School programmes.
- NCF-informed curriculum. Indian-pathway learners in Grades 1–8 follow an NCF-informed curriculum. 21K School is not affiliated with CBSE.
- NIOS. Indian-pathway learners in Grades 9–12 prepare for the NIOS Secondary and Senior Secondary examinations. NIOS certification and examinations follow NIOS requirements.
Is an online school's certificate valid in India?
It depends on the awarding body. At 21K School the Grade 10 and Grade 12 certificates come from NIOS on the Indian pathway, and from Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel on the British pathway, not from 21K School itself.
How do I choose between the Indian and British pathways?
Neither pathway is universally better. The right choice depends on the learner's previous schooling, age, preferred subjects, assessment style, future location and possible university destination. An admissions counsellor can talk it through with you.
How does 21K School work?
Learners attend scheduled live classes, Monday to Friday, taught by facilitators. Live class time grows with age: one hour a day for Nursery, two hours for KG, approximately three hours for Primary School and approximately four hours for Middle School, while Senior School follows a subject-based timetable. Assignments, projects, reading and independent work happen away from live sessions, and the learning platform keeps classes, resources, feedback and progress in one place.
How much does 21K School cost?
Fees vary by grade, pathway, class-size option and, in Senior School, subject choices. Visit the current Fees page for programme-specific fees, inclusions, payment options and additional charges.
How do I pay the fees?
Pay only through the authorised 21K School payment portal, Parent Hub or an official payment link from 21K School; the payment partner shown at checkout can vary. Interest-free instalment options are available according to the applicable fee schedule, and cash or direct bank transfers are not accepted. The Payment options page explains each method and what to do if a payment is not confirmed.
How do I enrol my child?
Book a call with the admissions team, then register, complete grade placement where the grade requires it, submit the documents and confirm the seat. The steps are set out under How admission works on this page.
What does my child need at home?
A suitable device, reliable internet, a quiet place to learn and a consistent home routine. Younger children need an active Learning Coach, usually a parent or carer.
Do I have to sit with my child?
Not always. How much support a learner needs depends on their age, independence and learning needs. Younger children need an active Learning Coach during the school day.
How does 21K School support different learners?
Facilitators adapt their teaching during live classes, and learners who need it can receive additional academic help. Tell the admissions team about your child's needs before you enrol, so they can confirm what support is available for that grade and pathway.
Can my child switch from a regular school mid-year?
Often, yes. It depends on the grade, previous records, curriculum and readiness, and the admissions team will guide the transition.
Will my child have friends?
Yes. Learners get to know each other through live classes, group work, projects, clubs, assemblies, online events and selected in-person experiences.
How many hours a day will my child be in live classes?
Nursery learners have one hour of live classes a day, KG1 and KG2 two hours, Primary School approximately three hours and Middle School approximately four hours. Senior School follows a subject-based timetable.
Are classes recorded?
Recordings may be available for revision, subject to programme and school policy.
Can we choose our class timing?
Class timings and class-size options vary by grade, pathway and availability. The admissions team will confirm the options available for your child.
Which grades can we register for right now?
21K School offers programmes from Nursery to Grade 12. What is open at any time depends on the grade and pathway, so the admissions team will confirm the options for your child.
Can NRI and expatriate families enrol?
Yes. Families living outside India can enrol on either pathway. Class windows are in Indian Standard Time, and the admissions team will help you choose one that suits your time zone.
What if we want a transfer certificate later?
The process depends on the programme and your circumstances. The school team will help with the procedure and the paperwork.
Do you teach CBSE?
No. 21K School is not affiliated with CBSE. The Indian pathway follows an NCF-informed curriculum to Grade 8, with NIOS for Grades 9–12; the British pathway follows Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel programmes.
Online school across India
Families join us from all over India. These are the cities with a page of their own, written for families there:
We also teach families across Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Delhi NCR, Gujarat, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. If your city is not listed, the admission process, the fee and the timetable are exactly the same.