Overview

Lawrence School Sanawar, established in 1847, is among the most renowned and oldest schools in Asia. It is located in Kasauli Hills in the district of Solan in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Sanawar is approximately an hour’s drive from Chandigarh.

It is one of the oldest surviving residential schools on the Asian sub-continent. The campus is set in a forest of pine, deodar, and other coniferous trees that covers an area of 139 acres at an altitude of 1750m. The school was founded by Sir Henry Lawrence and his wife Honour.  

The school slogan, “Never Give In”, fosters confidence in its students and inspires resilience to overcome all challenges. Sanawar made history in May 2013 when it emerged as the first school in the world to send a team of seven children to climb Mount Everest.

About Lawrence School Sanawar

One of the oldest coed boarding schools in India is the Lawrence School Sanawar. It is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE). The school’s pupils come from diverse backgrounds.

The school’s purpose is to raise children into gentlemanly folks who are civilised and disciplined. The Lawrence School promotes an environment focused on the wellness of the children who live and learn there.

Lawrence School Sanawar Campus

The School is situated in forested area of pine, deodar, & other coniferous trees, over a 139 acre plot, at 1750 meters altitude. One of the newer buildings is the dining hall, which serves 3,00+ meals, from breakfast to dinner. There is also a solar-heated swimming pool and squash courts within this indoor sports facility.

The Parker Hall now serves as the school’s learning resource center with easy methods to access archive artefacts and other resources. The classroom block is titled Birdwood. Campus has various playing fields equipped with excellent quality sports gear for students.

Students can play a assortment of games and sports, including cricket, hockey, soccer, basketball, squash, lawn tennis, badminton, table tennis, athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and rifle shooting.

Lawrence School Sanawar Academics

Lawrence School serves students V – XII. Starting with class VII we have four divisions of students in each class with 25 – 28 children in each division. The school follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). To fulfil the mission to educate children in an extraordinary way, the school has developed the following academic goals.

• Achieve outstanding results in the CBSE Class XII Board.
• Provide the students with the widest range of academic opportunities as global change and advancement may dictate.
• Support the student with academic, cultural, social, moral and psychological guidance.
• Provide diverse and sound learning facilities and infrastructure including hardware, software, laboratories and learning materials.
• Provide students with a progressive teacher support team to ensure students receive quality education.
• Provide students with a creative and participative pedagogy and well-trained teaching team.

Lawrence School Sanawar Awards and Achievements

Many popular organizations have classified the school as one of the best residential schools in India. In 2003, The Tribune classified the school as one of a few elite public schools in India that catered for “an upwardly-mobile landed and commercial elite.” The school is an international member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference located in England.

The Lawrence School Sanawar is also a member of the Round Square Conference, which is an international association of about eighty schools that exchange students amongst each other. Notable member schools include The Doon School, Mayo College, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Aiglon College (Switzerland), Ballarat Grammar School (Australia), Deerfield Academy, Chadwick School (both in USA), Wellington (England) and Gordonstoun (Scotland).

Lawrence School Sanawar General Facilities

The most important teaching block is ‘Birdwood,’ which also houses Barne Hall. Plays, shows, films, lectures, etc. are also regularly accommodated in this building.

• Central dining hall
• Indoor sports complex
• Solar heated swimming pool
• Squash courts
• Parker Hall – learning resource centre
• Computer with internet facilities

Lawrence School Sanawar Sports Facilities

The school provides a multitude of games and sports on campus, including cricket, hockey, soccer, basketball, squash, tennis, badminton, table tennis, athletics, swimming, gymnastics, rifle shooting, and boxing. All supported by quality equipment.

Lawrence School Sanawar Admission

All boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 16 will be considered for admission to The Lawrence school Sanawar regardless of social status, religion, or nationality. The School, located in a green part of nature, is named after the Sanawar hill where it is situated.

One is struck by the wonderful greenery of the 139-acre property when driving down the narrow winding road. The large stone buildings – with large Georgian windows, broad stone steps, two cannons, and a ‘buggy’ – are reminiscent of the time of the British Raj. There are some set eligibility criteria fixed for admission.

Lawrence School Sanawar Admission Eligibility

The age criteria for admissions to these classes are as follows:

Lawrence School Sanawar Admission Process

The procedure for joining The Lawrence School is outlined below:

The application period to seek admission to the school runs until the second week of November each year.

Children interested in admission into Classes V (approximately 20 girls and 45 boys), Class VI (approximately 5 girls and 10 boys) and Class VII (approximately 10 girls and 15 boys) can submit their application for admission.

The online Common Entrance Test for each of these classes is scheduled in the third week of November each year.

The entrance tests will take place at Sanawar, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kathmandu and Dubai.

All online tests for the subjects of English, Hindi, Mathematics and General Science will be conducted.

Admission for new children into Classes VIII, IX, and XI can only be considered against specific vacancies in line with limited applications received in each class.

Admission is not available for entry into Classes X and XII. Registration for one year cannot be carried over to a different year, so please keep this in mind.

Lawrence School Sanawar Admission Application Form

• The school office will have the registration forms available for collection.
• They can also be downloaded from the School’s website (www.sanawar.edu.in).
• The completed registration forms must be posted or faxed to the School.
• However a child’s name will only be registered when the appropriate fee has been remitted through Demand Draft or online mode
• Online transfers should be made payable to The Headmaster, The Lawrence School, Sanawar at the State Bank of India, Sanawar (Branch Code: 50199, IFSC Code: SBIN0050199).
• You may also pay fees through UPI.
• Additionally, the School will require a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate.
• Should the child be proceeding from a previous school, you will be required to provide a Transfer Certificate at the time of admission.

Lawrence School Sanawar Fees

The Lawrence School fees is ₹11,85,400 however the complete fee structure is listed in the table given below:

Fees For Existing Students

Fees payable by students leaving after CBSE exam

Lawrence School Sanawar Alumni

The Lawrence School has several notable alumni that include:

• Sanjay Dutt, actor and producer
• Saif Ali Khan, actor, heir of last reigning Nawab of Pataudi
• Preity Zinta, actor
• Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab
• Omar Abdullah (born 1970), former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
• Sukhbir Singh Badal (born 1962), former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab president, Shiromani Akali Dal
• Dushyant Chautala, Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana
• Chander Mohan, former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana
• Navin Chawla (born 1945), former Chief Election Commissioner of India
• Maneka Gandhi (born 1956), Union Minister Child and women welfare, environmentalist and animal welfare activist
• Jetsun Pema, Queen consort of Bhutan
• Rao Inderjit Singh (born 1951), politician, Union Minister of State for Defence Production
• Sonny Mehta, publisher and editor-in-chief of Alfred A. Knopf
• Jehangir Wadia, managing director of GoAir and Bombay Dyeing
• Ness Wadia (born 1970), managing director of the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation

Conclusion

Lawrence School, Sanawar, remains a Himalayan stronghold of indomitable spirit, where 1847’s benevolent vision flowers into 21st-century greatness. In pine-clad heritage, it shapes tough leaders through CBSE rigour, expansive extracurriculums, and compassionate counselling, faithful to “Never Give In.”

With best rankings, a legendary admission heritage, and alumni who mold nations, Sanawar goes beyond education, creating lifelong connections and international reach. For those who are looking for a life-changing hilltop journey, this top co-ed boarding gem of Himachal Pradesh awaits as an eternal symbol of courage and elegance.

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