Auckland House School aims at providing a sound education based on Christian Principles and inculcating values through the life and teachings of Jesus .It endeavours to promote the highest spiritual, moral, intellectual and aesthetic values. Special emphasis is laid on the development of a well-rounded personality, based on character, initiative and courtesy. Training in leadership and responsibility is an important part of the School's academic and co-curricular programme. In all things, an effort is made to live up to the School motto "Altiora Peto" : "SEEK THE HIGHER THINGS" which motivates us in our quest for perfection in all we undertake.

Auckland House School has a past worthy of notice. Lord Auckland, the then Governor- General bought the house in 1836, for the use of himself and his sisters. Later Viceroys moved elsewhere and the house was sold. The School authorities bought Auckland House in 1868. The project for starting a school to provide sound education to girls on Christian principles was initiated by the Rev. J.B.D' Aquilar in 1864. It was given a practical shape by a Church-related ladies group in Dalhouise who began collecting funds for this school which they wanted to be placed in Dharmamsala. However on the persuasion of Mrs. Cotton, wife of Bishop Cotton, it was founded in Shimla in the spring of 1866 at Holly Lodge on Jakhu. Two years later, the school authorities bought Auckland House and the name of the school was changed accordingly. The school began with 32 pupils and the the Head was Mrs. Mackinnon. The School shifted to its present site on the 6th of November, 1869, after extensive alterations and additions had been made to the building, including the School Hall. The early years were those of great struggle due to lack of funds and adequate staff. In 1904, Miss Strong from the Cheltenham Ladies College became Headmistress and brought with her several other Cheltenham teachers. At once the School became popular and was known as "The Cheltenham College of India". The days of trial, however, were not over. In 1905 an earthquake caused much damage to the School building and for a while the girls had to live in tents. Despite repairs, the building gradually became unsuitable for the purpose of running a school, and the Governors took the bold decision to pull it down and build a new one on the site. The boarders were temporarily shifted to Sterling Castle and Mr.Hotz began work in December 1920.The new building was ready by January 1921. From 1908 to 1952 the St. Hilda's Society, Lahore, provided the school with Principal's and other members of the staff. Chief among them was Miss Pearce who was the Principal from 1915 to 1936. while most of the pupils were of European descent yet quite a few were Indian too. In fact, Indian girls were encouraged to join the School and participate with their European school mates in all activities of the School. Another landmark was the expansion of the School campus to include the "Belvedere" estate which was acquired in 1962. This had become necessary due to the rising numbers, and the junior section of the School was shifted there. The School continued to grow and gradually strengthened its international image with a large number of boarders from all parts of the world. Auckland House School fulfils a great need in catering for the children of Indian parents working in many countries of Africa , Asia , Europe, and America. Also children of parents working in Armed Forces or in the Central Government who are liable to frequent transfers find a regular unbroken education by joining the 'boarding house'. The pioneering spirit of Auckland House School in providing wholesome education to girls has not diminished down the years. From being a small School of 32 girls, struggling for survival, Auckland House School, today, is pulsating with life. The struggle today is to restrict the number to less than the four figure mark in the face of the overwhelming demand for admissions.

Co-Curricular Activities

The School lays stress on extra-curricular activities, and sports form an integral part of the School Curriculum.

Annual Sports Days are held separately for various sections of the School with competitions of all kinds. Games include Hockey, Basketball, Badminton, Cricket and Table Tennis. Physical Education is one of the subjects taught in the School by a trained P.T.I. Regular hikes, excursions, picnics. camps, and mountaineering expeditions are arranged. In addition to the Inter-House competitions, School teams participate in local competitions and matches.

There are many clubs, each with their elected student office-bearers. In this way the girls are trained in self government and responsibility.

The School offers First Aid and Home Nursing. Other activities include Debates and Declamation contests in English, Hindi and Punjabi. Facilities are available for Piano, Sitar, Vocal Music, Dancing, Karate and Roller Skating lessons.

Current events are taught by means of a news-board, pamphlets, documentary films, quiz contests etc. and tests are held in the subject. The School has its own VCD, LCD., Plasma television, Stereos, Tape Recorders and Projectors etc. These are used for entertainment and instruction. Great interest is taken in the production of plays and concerts and a yearly Carnival is held for which the girls prepare very attractive handwork. In addition, the students enjoy special performances of acting, Indian classical dancing, music, conjuring etc. either in their own school hall or at other local institutions.

The School Magazine, The Auktimus (which began in 1969) became a major organ of students' expression. For some time it was brought out every month but then became an annual number. In 1984 The Auktimus began to sponsor the "Auktimus Merit Scholarship", an idea conceived by the then editor of Auktimus. Scholarships generated out of the funds raised by the Auktimus, were given to girls on the basis of their performance in competitive tests. As an institution of the Church of North India, AucklandHouseSchool also increased the number of freeships and concessions to deserving pupils.

The pioneering spirit of Auckland House School in providing wholesome education for girls has continued down the years.

Auckland House School has been among the first girls schools to provide activities like hiking and trekking, educational trips, karate, Computer Studies etc., for its girls. The students are encouraged to take whatever part they can in social service and self-help. They help and contribute to national causes and charities.

Our School Library provides academic resources for all the students and faculty. The library abounds inbooks, magazines, current literature and periodicals. The spacious reading-room can accommodate a large number of students. The fully computerised library is a great boon to the staff and children

Eco-Friendly Activities

The school has taken a step forward in making the students aware of environment related problems through a number of projects such as:

Having a Paper Re-Cycling Plant and a Loom for Re-Cycling Polythene. All the waste paper in the school is collected and recycled. Cards and bookmarks made of re-cycled paper are sold at the Annual School Carnival.

The School has taken a step ahead and started a project for Rain Water Harvesting. This apart from being environment friendly, also helps to tide over the water crisis in summer.

Solar Energy has been put to a fruitful use. The School has Solar Geysers which provide hot water to all the dormitories of Senior School. A Solar Flood Light has been installed at the School Gate.

Annual Events - Sports Day

Sports form an integral part of school curriculum.In order to ensure that each child participates in one event or the other, the school Sporting Events are spaced out through the year and divided into three sections. These are namely Junior Section, Middle section and Senior Section. The Junior Section Sports Day is held in April for class Nursery – II and the Middle Section Sports day for class III- VI and Senior Section Sports Day for class VII-XII are held in the month of September.

Annual Events - Founders Day

A time when Auckland House School pauses and celebrates its rich past and its promising future. It is also a time to reflect and take pride in our many accomplishments and to renew our commitments. It is traditionally a very important day in the school calendar when members of the school community and the ex-students meet and commemorate those who laid the foundation of the school. A formal Prayer Service is held in the school Auditorium which commences with the Principal's address and readings by ex-students interspersed with hymns. Thereafter ,the Old Girls enjoy a cultural programme which is followed by a match between the Old Girls and the present pupils. Thereafter a business meeting is conducted followed by lunch.The day's session eventually draws to an end with a nostalgic sojourn down memory lane.

Achievements

Auckland endeavours to provide the quality education and lays special emphasis on the development of a well- rounded personality based on character, initiative and courtesy. For this purpose our school fixture is packed with various inter-house and inter-school activities. The students have enthusiastically participated and have won various accolades at the state as well as the national level.

First and foremost, our academic results in the ICSE and ISC are always exemplary. We have been giving a 100% result and wish to continue doing so.

The students actively participate in the Inter-House competitions in the fields of Music, Elocutions, Debates, Sports, Art etc. We have also proved our mettle outside the confines of the school by participating in Inter-School Declamation, Debates, Elocutions, Art and Sports.

The school had introduced the Smart Class Programme to make learning more fun and interesting. The school also provides scholarships to deserving and needy students on a yearly basis. Despite such achievements and results, the school never hesitates from taking up new projects and challenges which speak volumes about the indomitable spirit of the Staff & Students.

The school has grown from strength to strength. It has carved a niche for itself in the field of education .Auckland House School the oldest English medium school for girls, dating back to the British era etched its mark on a Special Postage Cover. This honour was bestowed on the School at the District Level philately exhibition Simpex 2013. It is another milestone in the 147th year of its existence. Apart from winning various accolades, the institution has recently been rated among India’s top schools in the day, international and residency category, in a survey carried out by a Mumbai based publishing agency “The Pioneer”. Our school has been awarded A+++ by ‘The Pioneer’ survey as one of the best schools.

As part of our social awareness programmes the school has partnered with Disha Foundation , Delhi to fight for the rights of under privileged and marginalized women.

The school organizes Grooming Classes for the students.These are conducted to train the girls on table manners, communication skills, acquiring a dress sense and carrying oneself in public.

The Digital Learning magazine conducted an All India Survey of Schools and placed Auckland House School at number one in Himachal Pradesh in their December 2013 issue.The schools have been evaluated on the basis of its Reputation, Teachers’ Competency,Academic Excellence, Infrastructure,Students’ Development,Sports,Extra Curricular activities and Academic Performance.

The school has yet another feather in its cap by becoming the first girls school in the country to introduce Scuba Diving as an extra curricular Sport.179 girls completed the Foundation Course ,while 4 girls have cleared the Scuba Diving Open water Advance course in Thailand.

Life in Auckland House

Parents are strongly urged to send their children as boarders, since community life affords great opportunities for developing qualities of discipline, tolerance and neighborliness.

Fluency in English conversation is quickly attained in the boarding house and lasting habits of punctuality and tidiness are inculcated. Also, the child’s education is not disrupted by repeated transfers. The dormitories are spacious enough to accommodate more than 300 children. There are two Prefects in charge of each dormitory. Trained nursing sisters live on the premises and take proper care of the children. The school doctor visits the school at least once a week and more often if required and also makes an annual physical examination of all pupils. Medical records are maintained, as also records of the children’s height and weight. The pupils are inoculated against various diseases as required. The Aucky Kitchen The Housekeeper supervises the balanced menu and the preparation of food which is both nourishing and appetizing. The ample diet includes regular fruit, milk and eggs. Both veg and non-veg are provided. The Housekeeper and the staff member on duty at each meal looks after the children’s table manners and eating habits. School Uniform Uniform is compulsory for all school students. A detailed list of all uniforms and other clothing will be supplied to the boarders. For boarders all uniforms are provided by the school. Pupils are expected to wear the following: General For All Chocolate brown blazer with School badge and school necktie, brown shoes and brown socks, yellow ribbon or hairband. Summer Chocolate brown jersey. Girls : Chocolate brown skirt with yellow blouse, House or School Necktie Leave and Visitors Any pupil who is absent must bring a letter from the parent requesting leave of absence. Except in cases of sickness, leave of absence should be obtained in adv.

Admission Process

Admission Procedure for Indian Boarders

1. An Admission Test is conducted for Indian Boarders in the month of December.
2. In order to enroll an Indian Boarder the parents are required to send the School a Demand Draft of Rs. 1200/- towards payment of an Admission Form and a Prospectus, any time between Mid – August and the first week of  October for a Random Test to be conducted in the first week of  December.
3. Apart from the Demand Draft, kindly send complete details with regard to the class in which admission is sought, as well as the complete address with Pincode No. for correspondence and a valid functional Contact No.
4. After receiving the Form & Prospectus kindly fill up the Registration Form and return it with a Demand Draft of Rs. 1500/- towards Registration Fees. The child will however, only be registered on receipt of the appropriate Fees remitted by Demand Draft made out in favour of  the Principal, Auckland House School, Shimla.
5. Security Deposit is non refundable where admission has been granted and the student has failed to join.

Admission Procedure for Foreign / NRI Boarders

1. An Admission Test is conducted for Foreign / NRI Boarders in the month of March.
2. Overseas students parents need to send the School a Demand Draft of US $ 15.00/- towards payment of an Admission Form and a Prospectus any time between the first week of December to the first week of February for a Random Test to be conducted in the month of March.
3. Apart from the Demand Draft kindly send complete details with regard to the class in which admission is sought, as well as the complete address with Pincode No. for correspondence and a valid functional Contact No.
4. After receiving the Form & Prospectus kindly fill up the Registration Form and return it with a Demand Draft of US $ 50.00. /- towards Registration Fees. The child will however only be registered on receipt of the appropriate Fees remitted by Demand Draft made out in favour of the Principal, Auckland House School, Shimla.
5. Overseas students must possess a Student Visa as they need to submit their passports in the school. It is mandatory to register them with the Foreigners Registration Officer within fourteen days of entry in India.
6. Fees for Foreign / NRI students should be paid in equivalent Indian currency.
7. Security deposit is non refundable where admission has been granted and the student has failed to join.
8. Confirmation of Admission:
   • Admission is subject to the result of a Random Test and an Interview.
   • An original Transfer Certificate from the previous school duly countersigned by the respective State Education Department is required to be submitted within one month of joining the school or else the admission stands cancelled.

Kindly Note
The Admission Fee, Building Fund and Security must be paid in advance to complete the admission formalities. After the completion of the admission process, no fees will be refunded under any circumstance. All admissions will be based strictly on the merit of the candidate. Any effort to seek admission by offering a donation to the school or by some recommendation will debar a student from getting the admission.

Admission Procedure for Day scholars
The Admission Process is designed to enroll students exhibiting promise. A Registration Form is included with the Prospectus. Registration does not imply admission, but it is subject to the availability of seats and fulfilling of the specified admission criteria. The Registration Fee is non refundable.

Prospectus and Registration Forms are available on dates specified on the Notice Board on a cash payment of Rs. 1000/- (except Sundays) from the School Office only. The address and contact details are listed below:

Auckland House School
Elysium Hill
Shimla – 171001

Timing 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
(Kindly note that the school office remains closed between 1:00p.m. to 2:00 p.m for Lunch)

Registration formalities will be completed only at Auckland House School
Appropriate age for Admission for the Session 2020 – 2021
Nursery: The child should be born between - 01/09/2016 to 31/08/2017

Parents are requested to pay Rs. 1000/- for an Application Form and Rs. 1500/- as Registration Fees i.e a total sum of Rs. 2500/- while submitting the Application Form.

1. A parent or guardian of a new student seeking admission to Nursery must note:  that the   following documents are necessary at the time of Registration.

1. A self attested photocopy of the original Municipal Corporation / Cantt. Board/Gram Panchayat Birth Certificate.kindly note that the date of birth once entered in school record will not be changed for any resoans.
2. For Christians a copy of the Baptismal Certificate is to be attached as well.
3. A self attested Photocopy of the child's Aadhar card.
4. One recent passport sized photograph of the child.
5. A self-addressed and stamped envelope with the child’s name clearly written on it.

2.  Confirmation of Admission:

1. For classes L.K.G to IX Admission is subject to the result of a Random Test and an Interview.
2. Students joining U.K.G or above cannot be given confirmed admission unless a Transfer Certificate from their previous School duly countersigned by the respective State Education Department is submitted within one month of their joining the school or else the admission stands cancelled.
3. Security deposit is non refundable where admission has been granted and the student has failed to join.

Kindly Note
The Admission Fee, Building Fund and Security must be paid in advance to complete the admission formalities. After the completion of the admission process, no fees will be refunded under any circumstance. All admissions will be based strictly on the merit of the candidate. Any effort to seek admission by offering a donation to the school or by some recommendation will debar a student from getting the admission.