The concept of the Sainik School originated in the visionary mind of Late V K Krishna Menon, who was our Defence Minister in the early sixties. He felt that a school with rudiments of a military way of life, in each State of our country, could go a long way in building up an infrastructure for in-take into the National Defence Academy. He was also of the view that such institutions would serve as an ideal Alma-Mater for the hardy, intelligent sections of the boys, hailing especially from the rural areas of our country. Moreover, the high levels of physical, mental and intellectual attainments needed for induction into the Officer Cadre could not be nurtured in the common schools, mainly because of the lack of infrastructure facilities.

Sainik School Kazhakootam came into being on 20 Jan 1962, in a few barracks lent by the Army at Pangode, Trivandrum. At the inception a total of 120 students joined the school in Classes V, VI, VII and VIII. Six months later Class IX began with 12 students. Present strength is approximately 600 Cadets from Classes VI to XII. Girl cadets began to be inducted from the academic section 2021-22 and at present there are 20 girl cadets in the school. The Founder Principal was Lt Col B K Somaiah. The first Headmaster was Sqn Ldr Babu Lal and the Registrar was Capt TVS Nair.