An exclusively English medium school, CMS is setting new standards in the education of children in the 21st century.
It is the world’s largest city-school with 20 campuses in the city of Lucknow. It caters to the education of over 32,000 students from Montessori to Classes X and XII (ICSE & ISC Boards). Nearly two-thirds of its students are children in the pre-primary and primary classes from 6 to 10 years. Over 80% of CMS students in higher classes have been studying here even before the age of ten. CMS has a Girls' Degree College at the LDA Branch on Kanpur Road, Lucknow. It offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science courses.

A Comprehensive Education
CMS education offers a motivating and inspiring environment and opportunities for every child’s comprehensive development– body, mind, heart and spirit. Ordinary children begin to perform extraordinarily in such a motivating environment. They are supported in their individual interests and challenged to their highest potential.
There are several reasons for CMS students’ success on all fronts. In particular, CMS has laid a clear and consistent vision from its beginning which is, “to inspire every child to become both good and smart,” with more emphasis on building the inner tools of success for life. CMS believes that children perform better and excel in all arenas of human endeavors in a joyful and peaceful environment.

CMS Provides:
Positive reinforcement of capabilities inherent in every child. An unparalleled range of hobbies and clubs. Free enrichment classes for students weak in any subject. Highest level of global exposure through international events, camps, and competitions both at CMS and overseas. Frequent and effective interactions between home and school.
An environment of mutual understanding and discipline. CMS students are known for their good conduct and respectful behavior.

CMS History

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

CMS Advantages

1. Creates a climate of encouragement to facilitate all-round development of every child.

2. Cultivates qualities essential for a spiritually satisfying career and profession.

3. Develops leadership and problem-solving skills with positive attitudes.

4. Endeavors to make every child the light of the world.

5. Emphasize the importance of spiritual and moral education over material education.

6. Fosters self-discipline, self-esteem and self-reliance in the child.

7. HELPS shape a global mindset to become a world citizen.

8. Promotes respect for all religions, values of co-existence, tolerance and non-violence.

9. Strives to make every child visionary, compassionate, true to self, good and smart.

10. Trains the child in high moral and ethical values and instils godly aims in every child.

Total Education

"At CMS, we encourage children to strain every nerve to achieve both material and spiritual accomplishment."

Rich display of talents
Annual Function and Class Presentations provide opportunity to every student to express himself/herself in English. This builds additional confidence in children. Every child of every class from the pre-primary classes up to degree level goes on stage and expresses himself /herself in words, songs, dance or skit.

Unleashing Creativity
From astronomy to computer science, CMS provides literally hundreds of opportunities to its students to discover their talents and share them with others.

Annual Days
From the youngest to the eldest, CMS has provided every vent for children's creativity, which is honored and celebrated with opportunity for expression by all children through displays for parents at annual events such as Annual Parents' Day, Annual Sports Day, Annual Art and Craft Show, Annual Science and Computer Exhibition, and the like.

Focus on Quality
With its focus on quality in education, CMS, Kanpur Road Branch has pioneered the concept of Students' Quality Control Circles (SQCC's) through which students can realize their full potential and seek quality of excellence in everything.

National and International Competitions
To build a healthy competitive spirit and confidence, CMS constantly encourages its students to take part in a wide variety of national and international competitions such as NTSE, the International Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geography, Robotics and other International Olympiads at CMS and abroad.

International Events
Through 23 international events, accounted to be the largest number organized by any school in the world (a Guinness World Record), CMS supports the academic interests of its students and provides them opportunities to gain additional confidence and international exposure. Such an exposure highly motivates a student.

Overall Development

Excellence in All Things implies making pursuit of quality and excellence a habit. It also implies that one must cultivate purity of heart, fine manners and humility.

Global Understanding means developing an international perspective and a global vision to inspire one to become a true citizen of the world.

Universal Values are values like honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, hard-work etc. that are extolled in all religions. These are necessary qualities that are central to a life of fulfillment, not only for the individual but also for society.

Service to the World implies that we should not busy ourselves in our own concerns or the concerns of our countries alone. We must fix our thoughts upon those goals which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of all.