India’s Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai continues to shine on the global education stage, ranking fifth among schools outside the US and UK in the 2025 HSBC Hurun Education Global Highschools list. Founded in 2003, it is also one of the youngest schools to feature in the rankings.

The report emphasizes schools’ performance based on alumni university destinations, co-curricular development, and institutional reputation. With 190,000 students across the 180 ranked schools, only 0.6% of those listed are from India, underscoring the school’s elite standing.

In a media statement, Rupert Hoogewerf stated, “The list recognizes schools adding the most value to students’ futures. India’s presence through DAIS highlights the global competitiveness of select institutions in the country.”

Dhirubhai Ambani School joins a select group that includes Seoul International School, Chinese International School (HK), and Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (Malaysia) in representing Asia outside China.

In a global assessment of elite high schools, the HSBC Hurun Education Global High Schools 2025 report has named Westminster School in London as the world’s best high school for the third consecutive year. The annual ranking, now in its third edition, evaluates the top 180 independent schools across 11 countries based on university placements, co-curricular development, and institutional reputation.

The list reflects a shifting but still concentrated landscape of educational excellence. The United States and the United Kingdom together accounted for 85% of the world’s top highschools, with the US leading at 45% and the UK at 40%. However, China emerged as a strong contender, ranking third with 16 schools—up from 13 last year.

“The number of Chinese students studying abroad fell last year, but there are still nearly one million,” said Rupert Hoogewerf, Chairman and Chief Researcher of Hurun Education. “Interestingly, with 16 top-ranked highschools, Chinese families are finding viable options closer to home—avoiding time zone issues and maintaining cultural continuity.”

Among the standout institutions, Westminster School maintained its dominance with over 40% of graduates entering Oxbridge. St Paul’s School rose to second place, while The Dalton School in New York dropped to third. Notably, Winchester College returned to the top 10 and was named the world’s best boarding school, surpassing even Eton College and Phillips Andover.

“These rankings offer forward-looking insights for families planning their children’s international education,” said Kai Zhang, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC Asia, in a media statement. “Destinations like Hong Kong and Singapore are becoming increasingly attractive for their proximity and cultural alignment with Asian families.”

The report also revealed evolving trends in school environments and demographics:

>> 70% of the schools are co-educational, with a growing shift among historically boys-only UK schools admitting girls.

>> 51% offer boarding options, while half remain day schools.

>> The average school size was 1,050 students, with 140 graduating each year.

>> The average age of these schools is 204 years, with some—like King’s School, Canterbury—tracing roots back over a millennium.

Meanwhile, India’s Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai ranked 5th among schools outside the US and UK, continuing its position as a global outlier in quality private education from the subcontinent.

Despite steep tuition fees—averaging $63,000 annually for boarding schools—demand for places remains high. However, the UK’s recent addition of VAT on private school fees has prompted concerns, with schools like Winchester now costing over $80,000 per year.

Another key theme this year is the integration of creative thinking and AI literacy in education. “There is a real push toward STEAM, adding ‘Arts’ to STEM. Schools are under pressure to future-proof education and prepare students to thrive in the 2050s,” Hoogewerf added.

With data drawn from university destinations, co-curricular achievements, and alumni impact, the HSBC Hurun rankings offer more than a leaderboard—they reflect the evolving priorities and challenges in elite education worldwide.

Mukesh Ambani, the country’s richest man, had announced a mammoth donation of $18 million to his alma mater, Mumbai’s Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), on June 6.

Ambani, who is chairman and managing director at Reliance Industries, had been in attendance at a book launch event for Divine Scientist, a biography on Prof. Man Mohan Sharma, Ambani’s ex-teacher and cherished mentor.

Addressing a packed audience at ICT, Ambani said he was invested in ICT’s long-term growth and success in all fronts; advancing research, education, and ideals that Prof. Singh stood for, that is knowledge, sustainability, and nation-building. Sharma, who is professor in chemical engineering at ICT, had been the first engineer from India to be elected as a fellow of the Britain’s prestigious Royal Society.

“This is my Guru Dakshina (offering) [to Prof. Sharma],” Ambani said. Prof. Sharma has had a considerable influence upon him in shaping his professional journey, as well as principles, that led to Reliance’s growth.

In an anecdote he shared with the public, he said, “Prof. Sharma told me, ‘Mukesh, you have to do something big for ICT.’ I replied, ‘Sir, just tell me what to do.’ And he said, ‘Announce $18 million to ICT unconditionally.’ I’m very, very pleased to do that today.”

In the 1970s, Ambani was student at ICT, then known as the University Department of Chemical Technology (or UDCT). He had chosen ICT over an admissions offer at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.