By 1893 Rabindranath turned his attention to Santiniktan school after withdrawing his attention from Swadeshi movement. Later on Rabindranath founded the Shantiniketan School in his father's Ashram at Shantiniketan with 5 students, one of the student being his own son Rathindranath,on 22nd Dec 1901.At first it was started with his meagre funds and no tuition fees were collected. It was located within two miles from the Bolpur Railway station on the 
East India Railway line. The school had the advantage of being situated in the heart of nature but not too far from the city. The girl's school was added in the year 1908. But it did not survive for more than a year owing to a tragic suicide of a girl student.It was started again in 1922, as a separate wing for girl.
East India Railway line. The school had the advantage of being situated in the heart of nature but not too far from the city. The girl's school was added in the year 1908. But it did not survive for more than a year owing to a tragic suicide of a girl student.It was started again in 1922, as a separate wing for girl.
About the foundation of School at Santiniketan, Prasanata Kumar Paul, author of Rabindra Jibani, gave the following information.
A book written by Dr. Zacharias titled Renascent India published in London in the year 1933 wrote that Brahmabandhab and his disciple Animananda started a school in Kolkata to teach the upper class Hindus about the old ideas and traditions of ancient India in 1901. A few months later Rabindranath joined them and subsequently requested them to shift the school to Santiniketan which in due course converted to Viswabharati University. Dr. Zacharias further stated that Brahmananda and Animananda had to quit the Ashram as the poet had strong influence on the students.
On learning this Ramananda Chattopadhyay, editor of Pravasi and The Modern Review, after interviewing Rabindranath expressed his opinion about the incident.This was published in Pravasi in Shravan issue of 1340 in the column "Bibidha Prasanga". The controversy was explained by Amiya chakraborty,the personal Secretay of Rabindranath in the following lines,
" Rabindranath said , in short, to inform that after the establishment of Ashram in Santiniketan Rabindranath met Brahmabandhab Upadhyay in Calcutta, who was reviewing successfully and efficiently some poetry of 'Naibedya' and other writings of Rabindranath. At this Rabindranath was pleased and was attracted to him. When they met each other Brahmabandhab expressed his willingness to join the Ashram with one of his friend, Animananda since he had past experience of serving in such a institution because they were conversant to the ideals and purpose of Ashram. Rabindranath invited both of them to join. Rabindranath was not acquianted with Animananda. So long as they were in Santiniketan their service were beneficial to the Ashram."
