History
The Academy first began in 1952 as Memphis Christian School. It was initiated through the efforts of many dedicated Christians who envisioned a school where the Bible could be taught along side academic subjects.
During its first year, Memphis Christian School met in the Normal Street Church of Christ building with Mrs. Worth B. Powers as the first principal. The next year, the school moved into the King mansion at 1000 Cherry Road (now the Harding University Graduate School of Religion).
In 1957, Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, assumed control of the school and the name was changed to Memphis Harding Academy. The following year, the high school moved to the present building at 1100 Cherry Road.
Separating from Harding College in 1978, the Academy became an independent school under the direction of its own board of directors. Also at that time, the Academy took on its current name, Harding Academy of Memphis, Inc.
In 1991, the Little Harding Cherry Road program, now Early Childhood-Cherry Road, was initiated to serve families of 2- and 3-year olds looking for a strong early childhood development program in a positive, supportive Christian environment.
The Academy has a long history of operating neighborhood elementary programs in the educational buildings of churches of Christ throughout Memphis. In 1996, the Academy opened the first stand-alone elementary facility in Cordova at 8350 Macon Road. The Early Childhood Cordova program was started in January of 1997 in the north wing of the new building.
Today, the secondary campus consists of well-equipped classrooms, two state-of-the-art computer labs, a modern library, a 1500-seat auditorium, and athletic facilities that include three gymnasiums, a football and track stadium, lighted tennis courts, and soccer, softball and baseball fields.
On August 12, 2001, Harding expanded the Cordova campus with the addition of a 54,000 square foot building to house grades one through six. This building, at 8360 Macon Road, is adjacent to the first stand-alone campus, which now houses the Harding Early Childhood and kindergarten programs.