Written By: Gouri Ghosh

The Indian education sector seems to be the center of attention, with K-12 school franchises emerging among the most lucrative and appealing avenues for investment. Given the growing positive attitudes of parents and communities toward high-quality schools, demand is surging, prompting a sudden rise among investors eager to start their own schools. With the effort of setting up a school from scratch posing some challenges, picking the right K-12 school franchise can definitely prove beneficial.

A K-12 school franchise provides aid to investors through an organized curriculum, standard brands, training, and operational support. This reduces risks associated with starting a new school and assures good quality education for students.

This blog shall guide you through the best K-12 school franchises, K-12 school franchise costs, and how to own a successful school in India.

What is a K-12 School Franchise?

The K-12 school franchise is an arrangement whereby a reputable school allows individuals and organizations to open a school under its name. The franchisee is taken care of in the areas of infrastructure, curriculum, teacher training, and operations while adhering to the directions given by the franchisor.

Reasons to Invest in a K-12 School Franchise

Some of the reasons to invest in a K-12 school franchise are as follows:

• Demand: Due to population growth and the current interest in education, there is a constant demand for good schools since parents want only the best for their children.
• Trust of Name: Well-established brands are preferred by parents for schools.
• Lower Risks: The franchisor delivers guidance in order to lower the risk of failure.
• Higher Returns: Huge returns are offered by school franchises due to their lucrative nature.

For the selection of the best K-12 school franchise in India, appropriate study and understanding of franchise cost, demand around the area, and franchise reputation are necessary.

The Top 10 K-12 School Franchises in India (2025 Edition)

Here is a brief overview of the best K-12 school franchises in India ranked on the basis of brand reputation, franchise support, and investment requirements.

1. DPS (Delhi Public School)

•  Franchise Cost: ₹2-5 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE

 Why Choose? One of the most prestigious school brands in India, with decades of academic excellence. 

Delhi Public School (DPS) is renowned for its rigorous academics, well-experienced faculty, and holistic development of children. With over 200 branches in India and abroad, DPS offers a proven model for school franchising. Franchisees receive training, infrastructural support, and marketing support.

Challenges: High-entry barriers with very high quality.

2. Mount Litera Zee School

•  Franchise Cost: ₹60 lakh - ₹2 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE

 Why Choose? A good network associated with modern teaching methodologies and digital learning.

Mount Litera Zee School is hosted by Zee Learn, one of India's leading education companies. The franchise offers innovative teaching methodologies, digital learning solutions, and child-centric education. The franchisees benefit from the marketing of the brand, teacher training, and operational support.

Challenges: Requires strong country marketing for establishing in competitive regions.

3. Bachpan Play School 

• Franchise Cost: ₹12-50 lakh
• Board Affiliation: CBSE

Why choose? Low investment with a decent ROI suitable for Tier 2 and Tier 3.

Bachpan Play School, together with its K-12 counterpart Academic Heights Public School, offers the franchisee a well-structured curriculum with strong support. A franchise for investors who want to join the education sector via a well-known brand with low costs.

Challenges: Not premium compared to some other brands.

4.EuroKids School

•  Franchise Cost: ₹30 lakh - ₹1 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE, ICSE

 Why a good option? Strongly established in preschool and K-12 with very good structured business model.

EuroSchool provides a state-of-the-art education program while focusing on skill development. This franchise provides training, curricular support, and guidelines for infrastructure and offers an attractive proposition for investors with high hopes of launching a successful quality school.

Challenges: Needs a very strong management team for proper operations. 

5. Orchids International Schools

•  Franchise Cost: ₹2-3 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE, ICSE

 Why Choose? A technology-driven school with smart classrooms and a unique learning approach.

Orchids International Schools merge technology with education in an advanced approach-evident in their AI-powered curriculum, robotics lab, and experiential learning. The franchisees are offered substantial operational and academic support.

Challenges: More investment than the majority of school franchises.

6. Podar International Schools

•  Franchise Cost: ₹1.5-2.5 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE, ICSE

 Why Choose? An established name in education with over 90 years of experience.

Podar International Schools have a good and structured curriculum, professional teacher training, and huge brand support. The school has performed excellently in holistic education along with extracurricular activities. Their franchise model seems attractive for investors who plan to establish an education business of eternal value.

Challenges: Operations are associated with a higher cost and higher infrastructure requirements.

7. Ryan International Schools

•  Franchise Cost: ₹3-5 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE

 Why Choose? A well-known school brand, global presence, and strong alumni network.

Ryan International Schools has been one of the reputed names in education for over four decades. Leadership and character development along with an engaging and comprehensive curriculum have developed into a legacy. Their franchise model includes training, marketing support, and a vast alumni network of partnering institutions.

Challenges: Requires high investments and strong and active management.

8. Shemford & Shemrock Schools

• Franchise Cost: ₹75 lakh - ₹1.5 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE

 Why Choose?

Shemford & Shemrock Schools offer preschool and K-12 franchise opportunities. There is immense potential in providing comprehensive teacher training programs and modern infrastructural support. All schools promote activity-based learning with a student-centric approach.

Challenges: Competition with other established brands. 

9. GD Goenka Public School

•  Franchise Cost: ₹2-5 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE

 Why Choose? A luxurious brand with world-class infrastructure.

GD Goenka Schools are well known for their quality education, modern methods of the teaching process, and the incorporation of global trends in their education. Their franchise model comes with a complete teacher training program and a structured curriculum for its students.

Challenges: High initial investments need to be made.

10. VIBGYOR High Schools

•  Franchise Cost: ₹2.5-4 crore
•  Board Affiliation: CBSE, ICSE

 Why Choose? Focuses on the aspect of experiential learning and robust extracurricular activities.

VIBGYOR High Schools are developed towards inculcating life skills while laying strong emphasis on co-scholastic activities. Their franchise model involves operational support along with a marketing strategy.

Challenges: Need huge investments for infrastructure and marketing.

Future of K-12 School Franchise Prospects in India

The education sector has been changing with great rapidity in India. Several trends suggest that it will continue to be a growing demand for K-12 school franchises beyond 2025.

1. High Demand for Quality Education

Parents are gradually opting for institutions that boast modern teaching awarded international accreditation. Since most families are now nuclear and due to the increased number of working parents, there is an increasing demand for structured schooling.

2. The boom in digital education

Smart classrooms, e-learning platforms, and AI-enhanced education are changing the landscape in school systems. Many K -12 franchises are integrating digital tools to the attraction of students and their parents.

3. Government support for education

India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has acknowledged private sector participation in the field of education. It is also promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in education, thus giving new opportunities to franchise ventures.

4. Skill-based learning trends

There is a shift from traditional rote learning to skill-based learning and experiential learning. Schools providing STEM programs, robotics labs, and entrepreneurship education have become popular among parents. These trends in K-12 school franchises offer opportunities for a strategic and future-proof business move for the investor. 

Conclusion

The choice of the best K -12 school franchise in India will depend on various factors, including investment capacity, location, and long-term objectives. Each K-12 school franchise mentioned above has its own advantages and drawbacks.

When looking to own a school with a K-12 school franchise, conduct informed research on the options available and report to the franchisors for detailed investment plans. The right choice could mean the difference between success and failure and into the rewarding and highly profitable business of running a K-12 school franchise. 

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.