Nestled amidst the sylvan splendour of the Shivalik foothills lies a sleepy hamlet called Dagshai. The name Dagshai emerged from `Dag-e-Shai' as prisoners were branded on their foreheads and kept here. During the British rule Dagshai was famous for its jails where German and Irish prisoners were kept during world wars.

Located ideally between Chandigarh and Shimla, at a height of 6000 ft above the sea level, Dagshai is one of the oldest British Cantonments in India. It was established in 1847 by the British. The remnants of the European regiments which served here can be seen. Some of them are installed with plaques describing their crests and the year served. Dagshai is famous for its wild flowers during and after the rainy season. The whole area brightens up with wild growth of flowers.

Barely 28 kms away from Kalka and 50 km from Chandigarh on the Kalka-Shimla highway (NH-22), Dagshai provides an ideal location for an educational institution. The picturesque hill is free from noise and pollution.

The Army Public School, Dagshai took shape in June 1986. It was inaugurated by Lt Gen H Kaul, the then GOC-in-C Western Command. It was established with the aim of providing quality education to the children of the Armed Forces. However, a small percentage of seats has been reserved for civilians and NRIs also.

The Army Public School, Dagshai is a residential co-educational English medium school, affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE, Delhi). It is also a member of the Indian Public School’s Conference (IPSC) and is the first of its kind to be set up by the Army. The school prepares the students of class X for the All India Secondary School Examination and those of class XII for the All India Senior School Certificate Examination.

The school campus is spread over 50 acres. The school is maintained as a happy and harmonious blend of the best in public school’s traditions. The main emphasis is on an all-round personality development of a child. This is being done by introducing innovations in teaching-learning process.

The school provides excellent library facilities. It is well stocked with books numbering over 8000. The school subscribes many magazines and newspapers.

All sports and games are encouraged here with professionally trained coaches to guide the students. The school has a well-equipped gymnasium, a table tennis hall, a paddock for horse-riding, a squash court, a cricket pitch and basket ball courts.