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The City Montessori School (CMS) Lucknow,
India, was founded in 1959 by a young visionary couple, Mr.
Jagdish Gandhi, a socially motivated Gandhian, along with his
wife Dr. (Mrs.) Bharti Gandhi, M.Ed., Child Psychologist. Rich
in enthusiasm, the devoted pair launched their first campus
on borrowed capital of three hundred rupees, housed it in rented
premises and began with only five students on roll. The young
couple had to face a myriad of initial difficulties in making
their vision a reality. Over the years, however, they have successfully
overcome these difficulties with unflinching devotion to their
original mission.
 The
husband and wife team were greatly inspired by the teachings
of Mahatma Gandhi. They wanted the school to be an instrument
for inculcating values of universal brotherhood and the cultivation
of virtues. The stirring call of Mahatma Gandhi and his disciple
Vinoba Bhave 'Jai Jagat' (Glory be to the World), became the
school motto. The school has since been true to its mission
and even today, Jai Jagat, is not only the CMS greeting and
slogan, it is also its guiding vision — to inspire children
and youth to think in terms of welfare of all the peoples of
the world.
In 1974, the Gandhis accepted the Baha'i Faith and Mr. Gandhi
dropped politics to work full time on education. The Baha'i
emphasis on recognition of the common elements of all religions
and the importance of cultivating values of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbukam'
began to be reflected even more strongly in the school curriculum
and activities. Soon the ideological commitment of the school
attracted the more discerning parents of the city who chose
to send their children to CMS.
The Gandhis were able to attract a dedicated team of principals
and teachers, some of whom were students and trainees in the
first teachers training college that the Gandhis had simultaneously
begun. Many of these early associates are still involved with
the institution in various capacities.
Today, CMS is the world's largest school in a city. It has
20
branch campuses spread over the city of Lucknow with over 32,000
students on roll. Its academic performance is the envy of all
with annual results of almost 100 percent of the students passing
with the first division or Grade 'A' marks. It is getting increasingly
known for producing citizens of quality and character.
Because CMS draws its large student body from all parts of Lucknow
and since many of its students enter the school at pre-school
age, the excellence of its students can only be explained by
a highly motivating, encouraging and nurturing environment.
Such an atmosphere engenders a climate of success in which ordinary
children begin to accomplish extraordinarily.
In the co-curricular activities too, the institution has begun
to make an impact in the recent years. This is reflected in
the extraordinary achievements of its students in all sports
and co-curricular activities, singing and other competitions
at national and international levels.
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