CJM Dehradun - A history

Convent of Jesus and Mary, situated in the idyllic surroundings of the Doon Valley, is a day school for girls is a proud member of the vast CJM family that has branches all over India and the world. The school stands for academic excellence, development of skills and character formation.

The origins of The Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Dehra Dun can be traced back to the months of winter in 1895 when the Waverly Convent Nuns from Mussoorie had come to Dehra Dun. They opened a half-yearly school in the valley for European children, returning to the hills of Mussoorie with the approach of summer.

Responding to the requests of the residents of Dehra Dun a full fledged school was opened officially on 01 February, 1901 with fifteen students on roll. The school was named St. Joseph’s Day School and had as its first Principal, Mother St. Isabel. Soon after, on 28 February,1906 , the children of this school had the privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales, later Queen Mary of England. Boarders were admitted in 1914. The school steadily earned recognition and its first pupil went to Agra for the Preliminary Cambridge Examination in 1918. A feather in the school cap was the scholarship won by Gladys John for standing first in U.P in 1928.

By this time the school had realized that it was necessary to educate Indian students of Dehra Dun. The first Indian nun to be inducted at the school was Sister Maria Laetitia Lobo in 1935. She is retired and now residing at CJM Agra. A separate school for Indian children was opened in 1938 under the guidance of Mother Ursula Neary. It was named St. Francis School and provided the elite of Indian society with quality education.

Our country’s Independence in 1947 brought about changes that have contributed significantly to make the school, as we know it today. Firstly the boarding facility was discontinued. Secondly, St Joseph’s school and St. Francis School were merged to form the present Convent of Jesus and Mary, a school recognized as a High School with 390 students on roll. With the environment more settled, CJM sent its first batch of students for the Senior Cambridge Examination in 1949. In 1975 the mode of examination was changed to ISC and ICSE.

The House system was introduced in stages during the forties, thereby generating among the students a healthy spirit of competition, qualities of leadership, a sense of responsibility and better organization. In the seventies, democratic elections were held for the first time to select the school council. 

The school kept pace with the changing times, enhancing the syllabus with new subjects as they became relevant and continued to provide a judicious mix of academics and other activities. Sports were encouraged and Sports Day was always a regular school function. To accommodate the greater strength of the school, new buildings and facilities were added as required, contributing to its current form.

Over time, the school acquired a reputation as an institute favoured to provide value-based education to girls, endearing itself to the Dehra Dun public by educating its daughters. Today, like a sturdy oak tree, the institution with its red brick building has become a part of the town’s heritage. The characteristic red blazers and red dupattas of the CJM girls are affectionately recognized by all and accepted as local culture.

The school continues with its efforts to provide up-to- date facilities, and the guiding spirit at all times is St. Claudine Thevenet, the Foundress of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary. A woman, who as early as 1818, believed in forming ‘women of faith …. ….. women capable of earning a living by their honest labour’. The founders of the school, since the beginning rightly envisioned that educating a girl meant educating a family. This was a required approach towards developing a better society. 

CJM has been committed to this mission now for a Century! In the year 2009, the school completed a hundred and eight years. May the legacy of our Mother Foundress continue to endure for evermore, blessing and benefiting all who come in its fold.