Soaked in tradition, set in gothic-style buildings, spread over acres of land, these boarding schools have educated generations of pupils and given them a lifetime of memories.
St Paul's School, Darjeeling
Founded in 1823 in Calcutta, transferred to Darjeeling in 1864.
Former students fought in both World Wars. One Victoria Cross, Kirti Chakra.
Actress Vivian Leigh [Gone with the Wind] born on campus.
Motto: Moniti Meliora Sequamur - Having been advised, let us follow higher things.
Notable alumni: Hotelier Biki Oberoi, Scientist Rustom Roy, late Chogyal of Sikkim, Dabur Chairman Anand Burman, Lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani, Pundit-Politico Swapan Dasgupta.
Films shot: Main Hoon Na, Burfi, Jagga Jasoos, Mithya.
La Martiniere College, Lucknow
All boys school. Established in 1845 according to French General Claude Martin's will.
He set up 2 other schools in Calcutta and Lyon, his birthplace.
Motto: Labor-et- Constantia - By Labour and Constancy.
Notable alumni: IAF Heroes Keelor Brothers, Novelist I Allan Sealy, Editor Vinod Mehta, Director Muzaffar Ali, Actors Ali Fazal, Amit Sial, Host Roshan Abbas.
Its alumni have won 1 Maha Vir Chakra, 5 Vir Chakras, 1 Shaurya Chakra.
Films shot: Kim, Shatranj ke Khiladi, Gadar, Madam Chief Minister, Gunjan Saxena.
Woodstock School, Landour
Founded in 1854, 1st international boarding school in Asia.
At 6,500-7,500 feet, provides gorgeous view of the hills and Shivalik range.
Co-ed. Draws students and faculty from around the world.
Notable Alumni: Nayantara Sahgal, Gita Mehta, Tom Alter, Stephen Alter, Kate Forbes, Scotland's deputy first minister.
St Joseph's School, Darjeeling
Established in 1888. Founded by Father Henri Depelchin who started St Xavier's Colleges in Calcutta and Bombay.
Motto: Sursum Corda, meaning 'Lift up your hearts.'
Notable Alumni: Admiral R L Pereira, Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, late king of Nepal, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, former king of Bhutan, Michael Ferreira, World Billiards Champion, Darryl De Monte, writer-journalist.
Films shot: Mohabbatein, Main Hoon Na, Yaariyan.
St Joseph's College, Nainital
Founded 1888.
Situated on a hill overlooking Naini lake, one of the most scenic schools with its gothic buildings.
Motto: Certa Bonum Certamen - Fight the good fight.
Notable alumni: K C Pant, Rajendra Singh, late RSS chief, Lt Gen Zameeruddin Shah, Naseeruddin Shah, Sajib Wazed, Sheikh Hasina's son.
Films shot: Masoom, Koi Mil Gaya.
Sherwood College, Nainital
Founded 1869.
Spread over 45 acres at 6,837 feet in a picturesque setting of hills and valleys.
Co-ed since 1973.
Motto: Merat Quisue Palmam - Let each one merit one's prize.
Notable Alumni: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Major Somnath Sharma, 1st recipient, Param Vir Chakra, Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, 1st IAF Chief, Jim Corbett, Amitabh Bachchan, Kabir Bedi, Dalip Tahil.
All Saints College, Nainital
All-girls school, established in 1869.
Present campus is spread over 36 acres, sister school of Sherwood College.
Motto: 'Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'.
Wynberg-Allen School, Mussoorie
Established in 1888.
Co-ed.
Motto: Excelsior - Onward and Upward from Henry Longfellow's poem.
Notable Alumni: Saeed Jaffery, Sunil Mittal, Olympian Elizabeth Davenport, Jitendra Singh.
Films shot: Badhai Do, Ghar ka Chirag.