Getting your child admitted to a good school in India can feel overwhelming. Between forms, entrance interactions, and deadlines, one small but crucial piece often gets ignored: the request letter for school admission.
This simple, one-page letter is usually the first formal communication between you and the school. When written well, it creates a positive impression, shows your seriousness as a parent, and supports your child’s overall admission profile.
What is a request letter for school admission?
A request letter for school admission is a formal letter written by parents (or guardians) to the school principal or admissions office asking for a seat for their child in a particular class and academic year. It introduces your child, states clearly which class you are applying for, and politely requests the school to consider your application.
In India, schools often ask for this letter for:
- Nursery, LKG, and UKG admissions
- Primary classes (1 to 5)
- Middle and high school (6 to 10)
- Senior secondary (11 and 12), especially when changing schools or boards
Whether you are applying to a CBSE, ICSE, state-board, or international school, the structure and tone of this letter largely remain the same.
Why this letter matters for Indian parents
In metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai, popular schools receive hundreds of applications for limited seats. In such a competitive environment, a clear, respectful request letter for school admission helps:
- Present your child’s profile in a neat, structured way
- Show that you understand and respect formal school communication
- Highlight your child’s strengths beyond just marks
Many schools attach this letter to your application file, and teachers or administrators may glance through it before interactions or interviews. A well-written letter will not secure admission by itself, but it certainly supports your child’s chances.
Key elements of a strong request letter
A good request letter for school admission is:
- Concise (ideally one page)
- Polite and formal in tone
- Clear about who is applying and for which class
- Honest about your child’s strengths and background
Make sure you include:
- Parent’s name, address, and contact details
- Date of writing the letter
- Principal’s name, school name, and school address
- A clear subject line mentioning “request letter for school admission”
- Child’s full name, age, and current class
- Class/grade and academic year you are applying for
- Previous school details and a brief note on performance or behaviour
- Relevant strengths, interests, or achievements (academics, arts, sports, etc.)
- Reason for choosing that particular school
- Mention of attached documents (report cards, certificates, TC, etc.)
- A polite closing with gratitude and your signature
Standard format for a request letter for school admission
You can follow this simple structure when drafting your letter:
- Sender’s details (top left or right)
- Parent’s full name
- Full residential address
- Mobile number and email ID
- Date
- Example: 16 December 2025
- Receiver’s details (left side)
- The Principal
- Name of the School
- Full address of the school
- Subject line
- “Subject: Request letter for school admission to Class [X] for AY [Year–Year]”
- Salutation
- “Respected Principal,” or “Dear Sir/Madam,”
- Body of the letter
- Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and your child; state the purpose
- Paragraph 2: Mention your child’s performance, interests, and behaviour
- Paragraph 3: Explain why you chose the school and request consideration
- Closing
- A line expressing gratitude
- “Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely,”
- Parent’s name and signature
This format works well across boards and cities and is familiar to most school offices.
Sample request letter for school admission (Primary classes)
You can use this sample as a template if you are applying for primary classes like Class 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Subject: Request letter for school admission to Class 2
Respected Principal,
I, [Parent’s Name], parent of [Child’s Name], am writing this request letter for school admission to Class 2 for the academic year [Year–Year] in your esteemed institution. My child is [Age] years old and has completed Class 1 at [Previous School Name] in [City].
[Child’s Name] has shown keen interest in reading, basic mathematics, and classroom activities, and has received encouraging feedback from teachers regarding behaviour and participation. We are seeking admission in your school as we value your focus on strong academics, co-curricular exposure, and holistic development.
I am enclosing copies of the previous class report card, birth certificate, and address proof for your kind perusal. I kindly request you to consider this request letter for school admission and grant my child an opportunity to be a part of your school.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours faithfully,
[Parent’s Name]
[Mobile Number]
You can tweak this draft with school-specific details and your child’s actual interests and achievements.
Sample request letter for school admission due to transfer
If you are changing cities because of a transfer, it is important to clearly mention this reason.
Subject: Request letter for school admission to Class 7 (Transfer case)
Respected Principal,
I, [Parent’s Name], parent of [Child’s Name], request admission to Class 7 for my ward in your reputed school for the academic year [Year–Year]. I have recently been transferred to [City] from [Previous City] as part of my employment with [Company/Organisation Name], and our family will be residing at [Locality].
[Child’s Name] has completed Class 6 at [Previous School Name], a [Board Name – CBSE/ICSE/State Board] school, with good academic performance and active participation in sports and co-curricular activities. We are particularly interested in your school because of its strong academic record, emphasis on discipline, and value-based education.
Please find attached the previous school report cards, transfer certificate, and other required documents. I humbly request you to consider this request letter for school admission and provide my child an opportunity to continue education smoothly in your institution.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Yours sincerely,
[Parent’s Name]
[Mobile Number]
This format works well for parents in government jobs, IT, banking, defence, or any profession involving frequent relocations.
Sample email request letter for school admission
Many schools now accept admission queries and formal letters over email or school portals. Here is a concise email version of a request letter for school admission:
Subject: Request letter for school admission – Class 4 (2025–26)
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is [Parent’s Name], and I am the parent of [Child’s Name], aged [Age] years. I am writing this email as a request letter for school admission to Class 4 for the academic year 2025–26 in your esteemed school.
[Child’s Name] is currently studying in Class 3 at [Previous School Name], [City], and has shown consistent performance in academics as well as interest in [reading, art, sports, music – customise as needed]. We are keen to seek admission in your school because of its strong reputation and supportive learning environment.
Could you please share details about the admission process, important dates, and any interaction or entrance requirements for Class 4? I would be happy to share scanned copies of the previous report cards and birth certificate as required.
Thank you for considering this request letter for school admission.
Warm regards,
[Parent’s Name]
[Mobile Number]
You can paste this into your email client, personalise the details, and send it to the school’s admission email ID.
Writing tips for parents: Make your request letter stand out
Here are some practical tips to keep in mind when drafting your request letter for school admission:
- Keep it crisp: Aim for one page or a short email. Long, emotional stories are rarely needed.
- Use a formal tone: Avoid slang, shortcuts, and SMS-style language; keep it polite and respectful.
- Be honest: Do not exaggerate marks or achievements; schools value sincerity and accurate information.
- Highlight the child, not the parent: Focus on your child’s interests, habits, and attitude towards learning.
- Show alignment with the school: Mention 1–2 things you appreciate about the school—academics, sports, values, infrastructure, or teaching approach.
- Check grammar and spelling: A clean, error-free letter reflects care and seriousness.
- Mention attachments: Clearly state that you have attached report cards, certificates, and other documents.
Also, if you are writing for a school website or education blog and want it to rank well, make sure you use the primary keyword “request letter for school admission” naturally in:
- The H1 and H2 headings
- The introduction paragraph
- A few subheadings (where relevant)
- Image alt text (e.g., “sample request letter for school admission PDF”)
- The FAQ section
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. When should parents send a request letter for school admission?
Ideally, send it before or at the start of the school’s admission window. Many schools open admissions between October and January for the next academic year, so check the school website or notice board in advance.
2. Who should the letter be addressed to?
Address the request letter for school admission to “The Principal” or “The Head of School”. If you know the principal’s name, you can mention it, but it is not compulsory.
3. Can students write the letter instead of parents?
For higher classes, especially Class 9 to 12, some schools may appreciate a short application from the student as well. However, for primary and middle school admissions, the formal request letter is usually written by parents or guardians.
4. What documents should I mention or attach with the letter?
Most schools ask for copies of previous report cards, birth certificate, address proof, passport-size photographs, and, in transfer cases, the transfer certificate (TC). Always cross-check the list on the school’s official admission page.
5. Do all schools in India ask for a request letter?
Many private, CBSE, ICSE, and international schools do. Some government or budget schools may rely more on direct forms, but even there, a request letter for school admission can be useful if you are changing schools or applying mid-year.