Philosophy

Christ Methodist Day School was established on the belief that each individual is a child of God, a unique expression of His will.  We, the staff, faculty, and parents, are committed to the task of helping each child develop his/her full potential academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.  It is our goal to help each child learn from the concept that God planned and created this world and all that is in it.  Such a Christ-centered environment should equip the child to meet the challenges of later years from a Christian perspective.  Christ Methodist Day School believes that learning is enhanced when the home, school, community, and church work together.

Mission Statement
Christ Methodist Day School is dedicated to quality Christian elementary education for boys and girls.  We promote spiritual development, academic excellence, social responsibility, and personal integrity.

Vision
Our vision is for all students at CMDS to develop into:

  • Students who embrace the love of God as demonstrated by the life and sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ, and who strive to grow in spiritual maturity as they follow Him.

  • Students who take responsibility for excellence in their own learning by pursuing academic challenges, and who learn to think critically and creatively under the guidance of nurturing and qualified teachers.

  • Students who value and respect diversity, and who treat others with the love of Christ.

  • Students who conduct themselves with honesty and integrity.

Beliefs

  • Each student is a unique creation of God with spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social needs.

  • Children's talents and abilities are acknowledged and reinforced allowing each student to develop spiritually and scholastically.

  • Each student is encouraged to develop a sense of Christian values toward family, school, society, and self.

  • Developmentally appropriate teaching methods and challenging expectations allow students to reach their potential as independent learners.

  • Students are provided learning opportunities in a safe and stimulating environment.

  • Learning is enhanced in a Christian atmosphere where there is a cooperative effort among church, teachers, parents, and community.

  • We believe in a learning environment which respects ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity.

History

On Sunday, June 26, 1955 Christ United Methodist Church was formally organized.  Six hundred charter members meant that there would soon be a large membership in the children’s division, so the church decided to look into establishing a day school to educate boys and girls during the week.

After discovering that the area served by Christ Church did not have a coed Christian school, an investigative committee decided that "a school where boys and girls could have daily help in understanding the greatness of God and His love, while teaching the Christian way of life" would add much to Memphis and the surrounding community.

In September 1958, after a year of study and hard work, Christ Methodist Day School first opened its doors with three kindergarten classrooms. The basis behind the development of Christ Methodist Day School (CMDS) has been one of planned growth. Over the past five decades, CMDS has gradually grown to include grades PreK through sixth, before and after care, parents day out program, a day care center, and a music academy.

Since its inception, the school has had four headmasters, including Mr. Steven T. Jackson, who has led CMDS since July 1, 2002. Jackson was preceded by: Mr. David Fox, who served from 1983 to 2002; Mr. Sam Drash, who served from 1974 to 1983; and Christ Methodist Day School’s first headmaster, Mrs. Ella McVean, who served from 1958 to 1974.