Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School (GSL) celebrates the centennial anniversary of its preschool campus, originated as Miss Lee’s School of Childhood in 1924.
Located in the heart of Central Gardens in Midtown, the historic Miss Lee’s was opened for girls and boys in kindergarten through sixth grade, by a local teacher named Eva Lee.
Courtesy of Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School
Miss Lee's School of Childhood circa 1924
For 50 years, Miss Lee’s thrived, expanding by multiple grades and reaching its greatest enrollment in the 1970s. However, a decline in enrollment in the 1980s, led to Miss Lee’s eventually closing its doors in 1986. As a response, GSL’s Board of Trustees acted to acquire the property, renovating and reopening the campus that year. Subsequent renovations allowed the preschool to grow, now serving more than 100 students on Miss Lee’s campus today.
In November 2023, GSL announced the addition of Little Saints — 18- to 23-month-old class launched in August 2024 — a grade level expansion from its previous 2 years - Grade 8 model. The inaugural class filled quickly, giving families an earlier entry point to the GSL experience and providing a younger age group with a nurturing, safe, and loving environment designed to ignite curiosity and develop foundational skills.
According to Dr. Andy Surber, head of school at GSL, the time was right to consider adding a younger grade level with the 100th anniversary and continuing enrollment demand. “Our team spent a great deal of time assessing the needs of our community and strategizing enhancements for our in-demand early childhood program,” says Surber. “We see this strategic move as critical to maximizing the Preschool’s potential, and it gives us the opportunity to serve more families of young children throughout the Memphis area. Quality early childhood care and education are vitally important to families, and we are eager to serve the community in this way.”
Cynthia Hill, head of preschool, and her team spent the spring and summer preparing current preschool classrooms and planning the program for the younger grade level at Miss Lee’s.
“Our Preschool has long been noted for the loving and inclusive coed atmosphere, and also for our philosophy of play with a purpose,” says Hill. “From the earliest ages, we build an environment that nurtures curiosity, fosters growth, and prepares our students to become creative problem solvers, confident lifelong learners, and responsible citizens in their communities and the world. We are excited about growing to serve our community, and couldn’t be prouder to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Preschool!”
GSL welcomes submissions of historic Miss Lee’s memorabilia for its permanent archives from any former students and teachers associated with the original Miss Lee’s (prior to GSL’s acquisition in 1986). Families wishing to donate historic Miss Lee’s memorabilia may mail or deliver items to the Grace-St. Luke’s School Office at 246 S. Belvedere Blvd., to the attention of Marci Woodmansee.
Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School is a coed, independent school serving children from preschool (age 18 months) to eighth grade. To learn more, visit gslschool.org.