One of the first items of welfare work taken up at Adyar was the education of the poor and the deprived; for soon after the Founders came to India, Colonel Olcott began the pioneering work of establishing free schools for boys and girls from the lowest strata of society.  After his death, two of these schools were aptly named Olcott Memorial Schools. They were later merged into one school catering for children in the Adyar area.

This school, which was started by Col. H.S. Olcott, is located in the south eastern part of Besant Gardens, Adyar. It provides free education for underprivileged children, both boys and girls.  They are given free textbooks and uniforms, and the government also provides a nutritious breakfast, and a nourishing mid-day meal for every child.