| Established: | 1891 |
| St. Berchmans Higher Secondary School | |
| Other Name: | SBHSS |
| Grades: | 5-12 |
| Website: | https://www.sbhss.in/ |
St. Berchmans Higher Secondary School[1] [2] is an aided Catholic Residential School in the Kottayam district. Established by Mar Charles Lavigne SJ, the then vicar apostolic of Kottayam, in 1891, is one of the oldest Catholic schools in Kerala. The Archdiocese of Changanassery runs the school, which serves Grades 5 through 12. It has a sister institution in the name of St Joseph Girls Higher Secondary School in Changanasserry established in 1895.Later, in 1922, A college was established on the cornerstone laid by Mar Charles Lavigne by Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry on the same name, SB College Changanasserry, to provide higher education to the students of Malabar-Travancore region.
The boys' school was founded in 1891 by the French Jesuit Charles Lavigne, the first bishop of Changanacherry, as a residential (boarding) school.[3] Until 1997, students were admitted to Grades 5 through 10. In the 1998–99 school year, the school expanded to include Grades 11 and 12. Now the school's higher secondary studies include four science batches and two commerce batches. Built on a 10-acre campus with more than 3,000 students, St. Berchmans is one of the largest schools in Changanacherry. The school is part of the corporate management of schools in the Archdiocese of Changanassery.[4]
| 1 | Cardinal Mar Raphael Thattil[5] | Patron, Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Church[6] | |
| 2 | Mar Thomas Tharayil | Archbishop of Changanassery | |
| 3 | Mar Joseph Powathil | Chairman, Inter-Church Council for Education | |
| 4 | Joseph Mundakathil | Protosyncellus, Archdioces of Changanassery | |
| 5 | James Palackal | Vicar General, Archdioces of Changanassery | |
| 6 | Fr Manoj Karukayil | Corporate Manager | |
| 7 | Fr Christo Neriamparambil | Manager | |
| 8 | Dr Antony Mathews | Principal | |
| 9 | Fr Rojy Vallayil | Headmaster |
The school's library has more than 20,000 books and journals.
The career guidance cell of the school gives information to the students on education and career opportunities. Currently, St. Berchmans is the Kottayam district nodal center of student career and counseling.
All students attend an orientation program at the beginning of the academic year. Different batches of 100 students attend two-day seminars of various activities for the students to get to know one another and realize their potential. Parents also attend sessions.
St. Berchmans was founded as a residential school and continues to operate a boarding house for students whose families live far away.