Top CBSE Schools in India That Promote Performing Arts Education

In modern times, academic excellence is no longer enough. Because there is someone who is efficiently managing both academics and extracurricular activities, and is always considered a better student than the one who only focuses on studies. Parents and teachers are recognising the importance of performing arts education. This is the holistic education that includes music, dance, theatre, and creative expression as an important aspect of a child’s overall development. Many CBSE schools across different cities in India are now consciously integrating performing arts into their curriculum. This step is taken to nurture confidence, emotional intelligence, creativity, and communication skills.To help you pick the right school for your child, here is a curated list of top CBSE schools in India that strongly promote performing arts education while focusing on your child’s overall personality development. Orchids The International School is a leading example of how CBSE schools can smoothly integrate performing arts into a student-centred learning environment. Besides its experiential and STEM-powered pedagogy, Orchids places a strong focus on an effective arts and crafts curriculum. Be it painting, dance, music, drama and mime or pottery, weaving and public speaking, the institution encourages the power of imagination to unlock creative potential in every child. Artistic expressions are a part of everyday learning and not merely regular extracurricular activities that are considered once a month or once every two months.The school’s diverse arts and crafts syllabus is thoughtfully designed and curated to stimulate self-expression, collaboration, confidence and personality growth. Dedicated activity spaces are available with trained instructors, while a wide range of performances are carried out periodically, allowing students to explore myriad art forms across grade levels. This, in turn, also motivates them to find their inner calling and hone their inherent skills. After all, it is important to find your interests and go-to activity while focusing on overall development. By combining performing arts with academics, life skills, sports and social-emotional learning, Orchids nurtures well-rounded individuals. With everything available, there is something for every student, considering different individual personalities, hidden talents and likes. This ultimately helps in developing students who are confident, adaptable and expressive. The holistic approach demonstrates how performing arts can play a key role in shaping future-ready learners.Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, is widely known across the country for its strong emphasis on cultural education alongside academic excellence. The school offers training in Indian classical and contemporary dance, instrumental and vocal music, and dramatics, making performing arts an important part of student life. Students regularly participate in inter-school cultural competitions, national-level festivals, and more that provide stage exposure. What sets DPS R.K. Puram apart is the discipline and rigour with which arts education is approached. Performing arts are treated as a serious pursuit, encouraging students to develop confidence, understand time management, and teamwork. These experiences help in shaping their overall personality and enhance communication skills that are needed in the real world. The Heritage School is known for its learner-centric approach, where performing arts play an important role in education. Music, movement, drama, and storytelling are a part of classroom learning to support emotional development and understanding. Students are encouraged to express ideas creatively, often using music to explore academic themes. The school believes that artistic expression enhances empathy and teamwork. Regular performances give students opportunities to present their work, helping them gain confidence and build stage presence.Sardar Patel Vidyalaya is known for promoting Indian performing arts and cultural traditions. The school places strong emphasis on classical music, dance, and theatre, while simultaneously encouraging students to appreciate and preserve India’s artistic heritage, while developing performance skills. Students have the guidance of trained mentors and participate regularly in cultural programmes focusing on both technique and expression. This ultimately helps foster discipline, cultural sensitivity, and self-confidence, making it an ideal choice for families looking for a balanced modern education, tradition and creativity.Vidya Valley School integrates performing arts deeply into its holistic education model. Students are encouraged to participate in music, drama productions, and movement-based activities, allowing them to explore creativity from an early age. The school considers performing arts as a way to build emotional intelligence, communication skills, and collaborative thinking. Regular stage events ensure students gain hands-on experience in performance and teamwork. Overall, it is a good school to help students express both on stage and off the stage.Modern School holds a legacy of nurturing talent across academics, sports, and the performing arts. The school has structured programmes in Indian and Western music, dance forms, and dramatics, with experienced faculty and dedicated practice spaces. Students participate in cultural assemblies, annual productions, and inter-school competitions, gaining varied performance and stage exposure. The school’s emphasis on balancing studies with artistic pursuits is the key for holistic development of your child. Greenwood High understands that performing arts are an essential pillar of a student’s development. Through choirs, theatre groups, dance troupes, and instrumental music training, students are encouraged to explore different interests and enhance confidence. The school uses arts and creativity to strengthen leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Regular cultural events allow students to perform in front of diverse audiences. This ultimately helps them build stage presence and expressive skills for both personal and academic growth.National Public School, Indiranagar complements the strong academic framework with the right exposure to performing arts from a young age. Students are encouraged in music, dance, and drama through structured activities and cultural celebrations and not just made to focus on studies. While academics are a core focus, NPS ensures students have enough opportunities to develop creativity. Participation in inter-school competitions across different domains and annual cultural programmes allows young learners to build confidence and improve artistic expression within a disciplined academic environment. Overall, this is one of the top schools in India for not just performing arts education but also education.DAV Public School promotes performing arts as a way of life to enhance cultural awareness and self-expression. Music and dance are an important part of school events, assemblies, and competitions. This offers students consistent opportunities to perform individually and as a team. The school’s emphasis on Indian cultural values, combined with modern education practices, helps students develop confidence and expressive ability. Performing arts activities also encourage teamwork and emotional growth, along with academics, for a balanced learning experience.In CBSE schools that prioritise performing arts, music, dance, and theatre are more than creative aspects; they are developmental tools for students. Regular engagement with performing arts helps students build confidence, enhance emotional awareness, and improve communication skills that are needed even off the stage.Through structured arts education, students learn discipline, teamwork, and self-expression while also strengthening memory and focus for academics. Performing arts also offer a healthy balance to academic pressure, with kids being able to learn something new and relax their minds when they are not studying. In modern CBSE schools, these experiences play a crucial role in nurturing self-assured learners who are well prepared for different paths of life.When evaluating CBSE schools that promote performing arts education, parents should look beyond annual performances and cultural days. It is important to go through the school’s regular commitment to the arts.Consider whether the school offers:Balance is the key. Schools that integrate performing arts into everyday learning without ignoring academic foundation in the growth years tend to offer a sustainable educational experience for students.