Montfort School is a residential institution with a glorious history dating back to 1st June 1917. The history of Montfort School is in essence a cyclic poem written by time on the memory of Brothers, Staff, Students , Parents and everyone associated with it; a history of vision, ideas, and hard work of its pioneers and their successors.
The school had a very modest start with three pioneers from France: Bro. Omer, Director, Bro.Henry Gabriel and Bro. Stanislaus.
Soon Bro. Omer had to join the armed forces in his country, and hence Bro. Eugene became the school’s established founder, and served Montfort for over 30 years, ‘Bro.Eugene Memorial’ is an eternal tribute in remembrance of Montfort’s ‘Man of Destiny’!
Initially, Montfort was a European School founded during World War I, under uncertain circumstances. From uncertainity, today it has reached great heights of certainity, thanks to the toil and labour of all concered. Beginnning with George Spitteler, the first students to build its glorious history, fashioning “enduring links of one long chain”.
The period between 1936 and 1942 were glorious years in the history of Montfort, with Bro.Eugene Mary as the Principal and Bro.Eleazar as the Vice -Principal – the former planted, the latter watered and God nurtured. It was during this period that the school chapel was built and consecrated.
In June 2002, six girl students were admitted to the higher secondary classes as day scholars. From the academic year 2003- 2004, separate boarding facility was made available to girl students. Sr.Marie Louise Trichet was closely associated with the Montfort Brothers at the time of their founding three centuries ago. This boarding is called Marie Louise Trichet ( MLT) home and it is situated at Carmel Lynne on Lechler Road. The property was acquired in December 2002 from Mrs.Macedo. Presently, a newly constructed, magnificent building was inaugurated in the year 2022, which houses all the girls of Stds III to XII.
In September 2003, the Centenary of the arrival of the Montfort Brothers to India was celebrated with grandeur. The then Defence Minister of India landed by air touching our school playground. The presence of eminent personalities, Superiors, Past Principals, Old Students, Parents and well-wishers made this occasion solemn and memorable.
In March 2004, “Bonnie Nestie Cottage” abutting MLT was purchased from Mrs. & Mr. Purushotham. In April 2007, “The Melrose”, a bungalow adjacent to MLT that belonged to late Mr. CE. H. Gunter was acquired. The three properties together provide 3.5 acres of land with three bungalows, which is sufficient to accommodate about 100 girl students. They have separate playfields, a large indoor games hall, beautiful gardens and orchards. In 2007 girl students were admitted to the junior section, that is, from Std. III to Std.VII. Montfort thereafter became a full-fledged co-educational institution.
In 1975, a property named ‘Mayfield’ was purchased and buildings were constructed to start the higher secondary classes. Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, Yercaud Province decided to start a new ICSE board. This pioneer project was initiated by Bro. George K. J in the year 2008-2009 and finally took shape in April 2010 having all modern infrastructure and facilities. Montfort School (ICSE) follows ICSE syllabus upto Std. X and ISC for Grades XI & XII.
The Indian Certificate Of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools all over India come under the Inter State Board for Anglo Indian Education. Every Anglo Indian Institution has its own history, tradition, ethos, background, administrative system and fee structure. But the common factor among these schools is English Medium Instruction. These Schools also have permission for Religious Instruction. Earlier the students in Anglo Indian Schools were prepared for Cambridge School Examination. After Independence, all these schools opted for ICSE Examination, except Tamilnadu where A.S.L.C Examination is conducted by Tamilnadu Education Department.
In 1950, the makers of the Constitution of India, for obvious reason, not only provided for the nomination of two Anglo Indian M.Ps to the Lok Sabha and one Anglo Indian M.L.A to the State Legislatures, but also gave special rights to the Anglo Indian Schools Under Articles 29(1) and 30(1) of the Constitution of India. No other Schools in India are enjoying these rights. However, in Tamil Nadu due to the recent changes in Education policies and approaches, we had to make alternative arrangements for the benefit of foreigners and students speaking other languages. As a result, the Brothers of St.Gabriel, Yercaud Province decided to start a new ICSE school in the Mayfield compound which has hitherto housed the Junior Section of the Montfort A.I.School.
Montfort can boast and be proud of its various facilities scattered all over its sprawling campus. Montfort has produced numerous outstanding personalities in all walks of life – Leaders, Soldiers, Battle Heroes, Freedom-Fighters, Ambassadors, Politicians, Priests, Bishops, Sportsmen, Olympians, Entrepreneurs, Social Workers, Research Scholars, Scientists and Nation Builders.
She has withstood the test of time and shadow of changes for a century and is proudly galloping towards a new realm of excellence in the Third Millennium with ‘Virtue and Labour’ and ‘Heaven for her guide’. The Academic year 2026-2027 continues to shine the glory of the 110th year.