In the quiet upazila of Bhaluka in Mymensingh, an international standard boarding school is transforming the lives of Bangladeshi students and capturing national attention. Haileybury Bhaluka, the country’s first fully residential British-curriculum school, is not just offering education; it’s fostering ambition, innovation, and global citizenship in the heart of rural Bangladesh. Affiliated with Haileybury UK, a prestigious institution founded in 1862, the school offers the British National Curriculum with a focus on academic excellence, character development, and 21st-century skills. The sprawling, purpose-built campus features modern classrooms, fully equipped science and innovation labs, sports complexes, pastoral care facilities, and green spaces designed to encourage inquiry and creativity.
Haileybury Bhaluka gained nationwide recognition when it launched a $15 million Academic Excellence Scholarship Fund in 2023. This fund offers full and partial scholarships to exceptional students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, providing access to world-class education that was once unthinkable for many. The scholarship initiative has created a wave of enthusiasm across the country. Thousands of students apply each year, sitting for the rigorous Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) and going through an intensive interview process. Those selected are not just bright, they're ambitious, driven, and eager to learn.
One of the defining moments of the school’s recent journey was its collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University in June 2024. Hosting the MIT and Harvard Leading Edge International Student Conference, Haileybury Bhaluka welcomed over 100 students from Bangladesh, India, and the UK. Participants worked on cutting-edge projects such as underwater robotics, AI-powered assistive devices, and pollution-mapping sensors. The experience culminated in a Quidditch-style (harry Potter’s series’ famous game’s name) underwater robotics competition, combining fun with technical innovation. MIT’s Edgerton Center awarded official certificates, adding a prestigious feather to every student’s academic cap. “This was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” said one student. “I never thought a school in Bangladesh would give me the chance to work on real-world science projects with global mentors.”
“This was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” said one student. “I never thought a school in Bangladesh would give me the chance to work on real-world science projects with global mentors.”
Behind the glossy achievements and infrastructure lies a more personal story of students who are changing their lives through sheer effort and opportunity.
“Now, I’m learning robotics, debating in English, and dreaming of studying at Oxford,” says a student, one of the school’s full scholarship recipients. “Being at Haileybury Bhaluka pushes me to work harder every day. I feel like my future is finally in my hands.”
That student’s story is echoed across the campus. Whether from city suburbs or rural districts, students are embracing the rigorous academic culture and the nurturing support system of the boarding model. The campus functions 24/7, offering not just classes but structured study hours, personalized mentoring, mental health support, sports, music, and even weekend community service projects.
In October 2023, Haileybury Bhaluka became the first school in Bangladesh to be recognized as a “Centre of Safeguarding Excellence” by The Safeguarding Alliance, UK. This international recognition speaks to the school’s commitment to student safety, well-being, and ethical leadership. The school has also launched B-SAFE (Bangladesh Safeguarding Alliance for Educators), a national initiative to raise awareness and training around child protection across all Bangladeshi schools.
In April 2023, Haileybury Bhaluka received its formal recognition from the Mymensingh Education Board, a milestone that marked the beginning of its formal operations. Since then, the school has built strong ties with local communities, engaging in outreach programs, environmental campaigns, and skill-building workshops for underprivileged youth. During Earth Day, students led tree planting drives, waste management workshops, and sustainability pledges, underscoring the school's values of global responsibility and environmental stewardship.
The Haileybury model blends British educational principles with local relevance. Students follow a rigorous curriculum including Mathematics, Sciences, English, Humanities, and Foreign Languages. The emphasis is not just on grades, but on developing independent thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and compassionate leaders. From interactive whiteboards to 3D printers, the classrooms are equipped with modern tools that bring learning alive. Teachers, many with international backgrounds, guide students with a mix of structured lessons and exploratory projects. The house system builds a sense of community, responsibility, and healthy competition. Most importantly, students say they feel inspired.
As Bangladesh pushes for global competitiveness in education, Haileybury Bhaluka is setting a bold new benchmark. By blending international standards with inclusive access, the school is challenging old assumptions and proving what’s possible when excellence is made accessible.
Already, many of its students are preparing for IGCSE and A-Level exams, aiming for scholarships at top universities worldwide. Some are building digital startups; others are engaged in social impact projects in their home communities. While still in its early years, Haileybury Bhaluka’s long-term vision is ambitious. The leadership aims to expand capacity, strengthen global partnerships, and develop a national teacher training institute that will spread best practices to schools across Bangladesh.
As the sun sets behind the tree-lined campus, students gather in study halls, preparing for the next day of discovery. In this quiet corner of Mymensingh, the seeds of a brighter Bangladesh are being sown, one inspired student at a time.
Sheikh Mehzabin Chitra is a University Correspondent of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh Post, and a final year honours student of the Anthropology Department of the institution.
