Admissions — The Learning Centre · Mangaluru
Admissions · AY 2026–27

The right school
for the right child.

We do not select only top performers. We look for curiosity, persistence, and openness to growth. The process is designed to find the right fit — for the child and for us.

Book a campus visit

The best way to understand what we have built here is to walk through it. Meet the teachers. Let your child feel the environment. Ask hard questions.

WhatsApp to Book → Call: +91 84312 33720
Age 3
ELC begins — Playgroup & Montessori
Grade 12
Karnataka PU Board + CFAL coaching
1 : 5
Student-to-staff ratio in PU coaching tracks
4 rounds
Admissions process — curiosity over scores
Three programmes · One ecosystem

Which programme are you
applying for?

The Learning Centre Trust runs three distinct institutions. Each has its own admissions process. Choose the one that applies to your child.

Age 3 to Grade 6 · Montessori
ELC — Early Learning Centre
Montessori from Playgroup through Grade 3. Cambridge-Montessori blend from Grade 4. Kottara Cross Campus. Focus on discovery, not performance.
Admissions for ELC →
Grade 7 to Grade 10 · Cambridge IGCSE
TLC School — Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE with integrated CFAL Foundation. Math Circles, Nuffield Science, Olympiad preparation. CFAL Campus, Kavoor.
Admissions for TLC School →
Grade 11 – 12 · Karnataka PU Board
CFAL PU College
Karnataka PU Board with integrated JEE / NEET / KCET coaching. PCMB and PCMC streams. Approved by Dept. of Pre-University Education, Govt. of Karnataka.
Admissions for CFAL PU →
The four-stage process

What happens when you apply.

The admissions process is designed to understand the child — not to filter for marks. Every stage is a conversation, not a test of performance.

01
Inquiry & Campus Visit
Submit an inquiry through this form, WhatsApp, or by calling us. We will invite you for a campus visit — a walk through ELC or CFAL, a chance to see classrooms, meet teachers, and ask everything you need to ask. Bring your child. This is not a formal interview.
02
Academic Entrance Assessment
A brief written assessment in Mathematics and Science — appropriate to the grade your child is applying for. This is not a selection filter for top performers; it is a tool for understanding where the child currently is and how we can best serve them.
03
Psychometric Evaluation
A structured conversation and activity session that assesses curiosity, persistence, and openness to growth. Developed with our academic team over many years. No preparation needed. No right answers. The child who is genuinely curious and willing to try is the child we are looking for.
04
Interview & Offer
A final conversation with the admissions team. Submission of required academic documents. Admission offer issued within 5 working days. Fee payment confirms the seat.

Why a psychometric evaluation?

The entrance test tells us where a child is. The psychometric evaluation tells us who a child is. A student who scores 90% but has no curiosity will plateau. A student who scores 65% but asks relentless questions will grow beyond what any score predicts. We are building an institution for the second kind of student.

admissions-campus.jpg 1800 × 2400px · families on campus visit · warm morning light
AY 2026–27 key dates

When to apply.

Applications are open throughout the year for most grades. Seats are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis after the admissions process is complete. Do not wait for a specific window.

Applications open
Now · Year-round
No fixed application window. Seats available until filled.
Preferred joining
June 2026
Start of AY 2026–27. Mid-year admissions possible where seats exist.
CFAL PU College
March – May 2026
Applications for Grade 11 open after SSLC / ICSE results. Apply early.
Pragati Programme
April 2026
Free JEE / NEET coaching. Separate application. 60-question entrance test.
Documents required

What to bring.

1.Previous school reports (last 2 years)
2.Birth certificate or Aadhaar card
3.Transfer Certificate (TC) from previous school
4.Passport-size photographs (4)
5.Parent / guardian ID proof
6.Caste certificate where applicable (for Pragati)

All documents can be submitted as originals or self-attested photocopies. We will verify originals on the day of admission.

Frequently asked questions

Questions we hear most often.

Do you accept students who haven't studied the Cambridge curriculum before?
Yes. Students joining from CBSE, ICSE, or state board schools are admitted regularly. The academic assessment helps us understand where the student is and what additional support they may need in the first term. We do not require prior Cambridge experience.
What is the difference between TLC School and CFAL? Are they the same?
They are different institutions within the same Trust. ELC covers ages 3 to Grade 6. TLC School covers Grades 7–10 under the Cambridge IGCSE. CFAL covers Grades 11–12 under the Karnataka PU Board with integrated JEE/NEET coaching. All are on the Kavoor campus except ELC, which is at Kottara Cross.
My child is in Grade 11 elsewhere and wants to transfer mid-year. Is this possible?
Mid-year transfers to Grade 11 are possible only in exceptional circumstances and depend on seat availability. Contact us directly at admissions@tlc.edu.in to discuss your specific situation. Grade 11 transfers require a Transfer Certificate and the first-term marks sheet.
Is there a hostel or boarding facility?
A residential facility is being developed as part of the CFAL campus expansion. It is not yet operational. Students currently commute from across Mangaluru. We can connect you with trusted PG accommodation options near the Kavoor campus on request.
What is the Pragati Programme and how is it different from regular admissions?
Pragati provides 100% free JEE and NEET coaching to high-potential students from low-income backgrounds — from government and aided colleges in Mangaluru. It has its own separate application process: a 60-question entrance test, an essay stage, and selection of 30 students per cohort. There is no fee of any kind. Apply through the Pragati page or email admissions@tlc.edu.in with subject "Pragati Application".
My child has a learning difference (dyslexia / ADHD). Can they still apply?
Yes. We encourage you to share this information during the inquiry stage. Our small batch sizes and individual attention model means we are better placed than most schools to support students with learning differences. We do not have a dedicated special needs programme, but we have supported students with a range of learning profiles effectively. Please speak to the admissions team directly.
Can I speak with a current parent before applying?
Yes. We can connect you with current parents on request. Ask for this during your campus visit or when you call. We believe the most honest assessment of any school comes from the families who are already part of it.
Begin your application.
Fill in your details and we will call you back within 24 hours to schedule a campus visit and discuss the next steps.
Or reach us directly.
Admissions office+91 84312 33720 · Mon–Sat 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
General enquiries+91 6360238816
Emailadmissions@tlc.edu.in
ELC CampusKottara Cross, Mangaluru — elcindia.org
TLC / CFAL CampusKavoor Road, Bejai, Mangaluru 575004