Mission statement
FMCS works with the home and the church to academically train and spiritually nurture students to become productive citizens in society and impact others for Jesus Christ.

History
Fort Myers Christian School (FMCS) was established in 1979 by First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida. This picture shows the school as seen from Colonial Boulevard in 1979.

We are very thankful for the leadership of Pastor David Deaton of First Assembly and our first Principal, Pastor Rick Heers, who had the vision to reach Southwest Florida students and families for Jesus Christ through Christian Education.

We are also very thankful for God’s blessing over the years and for all the Principals, Pastors, School Board members, faculty and staff who have dedicated their lives to lead our young people to “become productive citizens in society and impact others for Jesus Christ.”

Past Principals
All the principals of our school have been a blessing!

Pastor Richard Heers Our Founder, serving 1979 – 1988

Dr. Charles Kendrick 1988 – 1989

Mr. Dale Moncrief 1989 – 1995

Pastor Shelton Gwaltney 1995 – 2004

Mr. Mel Mitchell 2004 – present

Past Yearbooks
For snippets of FMCS yearbooks, going all the way back to the school’s first one in 1979-80, please visit Miss Jay J. Shrader’s  30th Anniversary page.

Accreditation/Membership
Fort Myers Christian School (FMCS) was established in 1979 by First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1987, FMCS has been a FULLY ACCREDITED PK3-8th grade school through the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), and the Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC), (www.fkconline.org) (The only other school in Fort Myers accredited with FCIS is The Canterbury School; in Naples: The Community School of Naples, Seacrest Country Day School, and Royal Pam Academy).

Today, FCIS evaluates and accredits independent schools throughout Florida. As one of the nation’s largest organizations of independent schools, it represents 73,000 students in 159 member schools. The Council assures that each school maintains high standards and independence of character without political, financial, or bureaucratic pressures. (From www.fcis.org )

In March of 2007, an accreditation team conducted their five year re-accreditation review. We are happy to announce that our school has passed and will continue accreditation through 2012!

We are also members of Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), (www.acsi.org). Currently ACSI serves over 5,300 member schools in approximately 100 countries with an enrollment of nearly 1.2 million students.

Philosophy
FMCS exists to cooperate with Christian parents to teach and train their children according to God’s Word. FMCS seeks to integrate the truth of Scripture into every aspect of the curriculum and school program and to nurture the development of Christian character in each student.

It is our goal that each student be academically and spiritually successful, and we believe this can only be fully attained through a combined effort of the home, school, and church. The personal philosophy of each family is important, as parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education. We exist to provide a Christian education for children of average and above average aptitude and ability.

FMCS embraces a traditional approach to the elementary and middle school curriculum. Strong emphasis is placed on phonics, critical thinking skills, study habits and a disciplined approach to learning.

We are thankful for positive feedback:

Parent Praise: January 2010
(My daughter, elementary) has been on the Lee County softball league for two years now. Recently a league flyer went out into the homework folders and she was anxious to start again. Try out day came and I think she was a bit nervous because she was going into the 9-12 yr old team. While she was waiting in the dugout to bat, she witnessed to a girl. She asked if she knew about Jesus Christ and what he had done for her. The little girl smiled and “Yes of course I do, but I can’t talk about it at school because we get in trouble”. She and my daughter went on about their tryouts and later she asked me about FMCS vs Public. She was questioning why she would “get in trouble”. The little girl and (my daughter) had gone to school/daycare with each other since they were three, but this year moved from FMCS to public school for financial reasons.  The little girl KNOWS JESUS because of FMCS. For any parent that’s questioning our school because of financial issues, I would ask “what is too much money for a Christian education”? My opinion is that we pay now, or our kids will pay later.  I will say that it is the “family responsibility” to teach the word of God primarily,  leading by example. However, do we want our kids to grow up and learn about God or do we want them to go to school and not be able to talk about their views because they will get in trouble from their teachers? The times have been changing, but little things like this REALLY puts it into perspective. I thank God that (my daughter) felt good enough to share God’s word and minister to someone in such a random way. We told her that we were VERY PROUD! Thank You and FMCS for providing such a sound quality Christian education.

Parent Praise: For the Learning Resource Program
I just wanted to take a moment to say how much the learning resource center has helped my child. We feel that the level of instruction has helped in so many ways. First, in a small setting the teacher can really know the child and how he or she learns best. That alone has helped a great deal. Second the communication between the other teacher and the LRC teacher has been key. The teachers let her know what they are teaching and what to review. In turn, the LRC teacher lets us; the parents know what needs work and what is improving. Third, being a smaller setting takes away the overwhelming feeling for our child. She is more comfortable asking for help. If you are not sure if you should do it ask yourself this- what would you want for yourself if you were the child that needed extra help? Go for it, you (and your child) will be glad you did!