In order to achieve the intelligent lighting and energy-saving in academic buildings,the intelligent lighting system for classroom is designed based on C51 single-chip, including the measurement of sunlight intensity circuit, pyroelectric infrared body measurement circuits, the remote control to transmit and receive circuit, the digital adjustable electronic ballast, lamp and matching software. The system is controlled by C51, through the RS-485 and RS-232/485 communication interface with the PC adapter circuit to complete communication, realizing monitoring the state of every classroom and setting of operating parameters. System testing shows that it meets the design specifications, and meets the lighting requirements of academic buildings.