Classical Education for Children PreK-8th – A Leading Christian School in Salt Lake City
As a parent, you have concerns about the influences shaping your children’s worldview.
At Carden, we understand the struggle to find a trusted school with traditional values and strong academics. We believe every child deserves to learn and grow in a joyful environment that nurtures them in character, knowledge, and wisdom. For over 50 years, we’ve focused on providing a classical education that develops the whole child. Our curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals of knowledge, enriched by a study of classic literature, grammar, history, and Latin.
Carden Memorial School
We are a non-denominational Christian school serving students Pre-K through grade 8.
50+
Years of Excellence
100%
Growth from Initial Student Body
Top 20%
Private School Ranking
11:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
PK-8th
Class Range
How to Join the Carden Memorial School Community in Salt Lake City
Schedule a Campus Tour
Meet with our head of school, tour your child’s classroom, and experience what makes Carden so special.
Apply for Admission
Begin enrollment by submitting an easy online application and scheduling a family interview.
Complete Registration and Enroll
Join the Carden family and watch your children fall in love with their new school.
Visit Carden Memorial School and Experience a Classical Christian School in Salt Lake City
Visiting Carden Memorial is a chance to witness the warmth of our dedicated faculty, the enthusiasm of our students, and the dynamic atmosphere of our campus. Whether you are a prospective parent, a curious community member, or an esteemed educator, we welcome you to explore everything that Carden Memorial has to offer. We look forward to your visit!
Parent Testimonials About Our Private School in Salt Lake City
At Carden Memorial School you can stop worrying about your children’s future, and instead, you can feel confident that they are getting the support and guidance they need to thrive in school and life.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Carden Memorial School
What makes Carden Memorial School different from other Christian schools in Salt Lake City?
Carden Memorial School stands apart from other Christian schools in Salt Lake City because of its consistent methods, strong academic focus, and clear character expectations. We teach students from Christian preschool through middle school using the Carden Method, a structured and intentional approach that builds confidence, focus, and foundational understanding.
Our students learn phonics, grammar, arithmetic, and history in a setting that encourages attention to detail and personal responsibility. Teachers follow a shared structure across classrooms, so children grow academically and socially with clear, age-appropriate goals. The school day includes memory work, careful reading, cursive writing, and thoughtful discussion, all shaped by Christian principles.
Families often tell us they choose Carden Memorial because it offers more than a temporary academic boost. They see long-term change in how their children approach work, communicate with others, and respond to challenges. This steady growth in both academics and character reflects the strength of our mission and the trust families place in our school.
Many Christian schools in Salt Lake City shift their teaching methods over time. Carden Memorial does not. For nearly 60 years, we have stayed committed to the same clear values and classroom routines that help children become capable and kind individuals. That consistency is one of the reasons families stay with us from preschool through middle school.
How does Carden Memorial School support students at every stage from Christian preschool through middle school?
Carden Memorial School gives families one place where their children can learn and grow from Christian preschool through Christian middle school. Each level is designed to prepare students for the next, with shared expectations for respect, focus, and quality of work. This helps children feel confident as they move through new challenges each year.
In Christian preschool, students are introduced to structure, early reading, and group behavior. Our teachers gently guide children to follow directions, speak kindly, and stay on task. These early habits create a strong foundation for success in the elementary years.
At the Christian elementary school level, students work toward mastery in phonics, arithmetic, grammar, and geography. Daily classroom routines help children take pride in their work, speak clearly, and think through questions with care. These lessons carry into Christian middle school, where students begin writing essays, analyzing texts, and solving more advanced math problems.
Throughout this journey, the instruction style and moral framework remain steady. Children know what to expect and how to succeed. Teachers work as a team, using consistent methods and language from grade to grade. This helps students build confidence and focus, rather than having to adjust to new systems each year.
Families value the fact that the entire Carden pathway, from preschool through middle school, provides unity, stability, and a clear sense of purpose. Children are taught to think carefully, speak respectfully, and live by Christian principles at every stage of their development.
Why do families in Utah choose Carden Memorial School as their Christian private school?
Families choose Carden Memorial School as their Christian private school because they want a calm, structured environment where children learn to think deeply, work responsibly, and live according to Christian values. For decades, our school has offered a clear and steady alternative to the fast-changing methods found in many other educational settings.
Carden Memorial is known throughout Utah as a school that holds high standards for both academics and behavior. We use the Carden Method, which emphasizes understanding over memorization, careful practice over guesswork, and kindness over self-interest. Students read classic literature, memorize poetry, and write daily in cursive. Math lessons focus on clarity, not shortcuts.
Our classrooms are quiet, respectful, and focused. Teachers lead with calm authority, guiding students through routines that develop attention, curiosity, and discipline. Families often comment on the change they see in their children’s confidence, work ethic, and ability to speak with clarity and purpose.
Carden Memorial is not the newest or flashiest option. We do not change our curriculum each year or follow trends. Instead, we rely on methods that have helped generations of students grow into thoughtful, capable people. Parents trust that the lessons their children learn here, academic, moral, and personal, will serve them long after they leave our campus.
This is what sets Carden Memorial apart from other Christian private schools in Utah. We give families a place where children can grow with purpose, surrounded by teachers who care deeply and expect the best from every student.
What kind of curriculum does Carden Memorial School offer as a Christian elementary and middle school?
Carden Memorial School offers a carefully structured curriculum that supports strong academic growth and moral development. As a Christian elementary and middle school, we emphasize mastery in core subjects including reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, science, and history. The Carden Method helps students learn to reason, express themselves clearly, and develop disciplined study habits.
In elementary grades, students build strong language and math skills through phonics, spelling, and arithmetic taught with daily repetition and step-by-step instruction. Middle school students move into more advanced grammar, essay writing, algebra, and laboratory science. Every subject is taught with purpose and connection to Christian principles.
Teachers at Carden Memorial follow consistent routines and classroom expectations, which create a calm learning environment. We prioritize fluency, memorization, and thoughtful discussion. Students do not rely on screens or guesswork; they are guided to understand what they read, solve problems by hand, and reflect on the meaning behind the lessons.
This approach supports both academic readiness and lifelong character traits. Carden Memorial students are known for their clarity of speech, steady work ethic, and ability to follow through. These skills prepare them for success in high school and beyond.
Does Carden Memorial School offer a Christian preschool program in Salt Lake City?
Yes, Carden Memorial School offers a Christian preschool program in Salt Lake City that introduces young children to foundational learning in a structured and loving environment. Our preschool classrooms are calm, consistent, and centered around respect, attention, and early academic development.
Students in the Christian preschool program begin learning phonics, simple arithmetic, memory work, and classroom routines. They are guided to listen quietly, follow directions, and speak kindly to their teachers and classmates. These habits prepare children for a smooth transition into Carden Elementary School.
The curriculum includes music, movement, nature study, art, and story time, all woven into a school day that reflects the values of Christian education. The preschool day also includes time for rest, snack, and outdoor play. Children are gently taught to take responsibility for their belongings and their behavior.
Many families in Salt Lake City choose the Carden preschool program because it combines early childhood learning with Christian values, taught in a setting that encourages both growth and security. The transition into kindergarten at Carden is seamless, with familiar faces, shared routines, and continued academic and character development.
How does Carden Memorial School help children grow in both academics and character?
Carden Memorial School supports student growth by combining strong academics with daily character lessons. As a Christian school, we believe that learning how to think and learning how to act are equally important. Students are taught to speak honestly, follow through on responsibilities, and treat others with kindness and respect.
Our curriculum challenges students to think clearly, express ideas in full sentences, and solve problems without shortcuts. At the same time, teachers guide them in habits of order, humility, and responsibility. These habits are reinforced through every part of the school day—from morning prayers to how students line up or speak in class.
Because our faculty share a common approach, students receive the same clear expectations from preschool through middle school. This helps them understand the connection between academic effort and personal integrity. We do not separate character education into a single class or assembly. Instead, it is part of everything we do.
Families often say they notice not only academic growth but personal change in their children: stronger manners, increased focus, and a deeper sense of responsibility. These results reflect the purpose of Carden Memorial School: to help children become thoughtful and capable individuals who serve others with clarity and care.
What values guide the Christian education at Carden Memorial School?
Carden Memorial School is guided by Christian values that shape both what we teach and how we teach it. Our goal is to help students grow in kindness, honesty, patience, humility, and responsibility, virtues that support both academic success and strong relationships with others.
These values are present throughout the school day, not just in religion class. Students begin the morning with prayer and reflection. In every subject, they are expected to listen carefully, speak respectfully, and work diligently. Teachers model calm authority and help children take responsibility for their words and actions.
As a Christian school in Salt Lake City, we believe in forming habits that will last. We do not rely on slogans or short-term rewards. Instead, we build long-term understanding through repetition, clear routines, and daily reminders of how to treat others and ourselves.
Parents choose Carden Memorial because they want their children to learn in an environment that supports both the mind and the heart. Our students are taught to think for themselves while learning how to live with integrity and service.
Is Carden Memorial School a good fit for families looking for Christian schools in Salt Lake City?
Carden Memorial School is a trusted choice for families searching for Christian schools in Salt Lake City. We offer a complete academic program for preschool through eighth grade, centered around strong moral teaching, traditional classroom structure, and consistent academic goals.
Families choose Carden Memorial because they value clarity, structure, and long-term growth. Our teachers are experienced and deeply committed to Christian education. We offer a calm learning environment where students are expected to do their best work and support each other.
Many of our families remain with Carden for multiple children across many years. They appreciate the results they see in both academics and personal development. Our graduates are well-prepared for high school and carry with them habits of focus, respect, and responsibility.
If you are looking for a Christian school in Salt Lake City that teaches both skill and character, Carden Memorial offers a clear, proven path for your child’s growth.
What is the Carden Method, and how does it shape learning at Carden Memorial School?
The Carden Method is a time-tested educational approach that guides all instruction at Carden Memorial School. It helps students master reading, writing, math, and thinking skills through step-by-step lessons, consistent repetition, and a strong emphasis on language.
At the center of the Carden Method is the belief that students learn best when lessons are presented in a logical order, with clear expectations and respectful teacher leadership. Teachers guide students to build strong habits in spelling, grammar, arithmetic, and memory. Each day is carefully planned to reinforce earlier learning while introducing new material with care.
This method also supports a deeper understanding. Students are not simply asked to memorize or complete tasks. They are expected to explain, describe, and think through what they are learning. Writing is taught from an early age using full sentences and correct punctuation, and math is taught in layers, building true mastery over time.
Families often say the Carden Method gives their children not only strong academic skills but also confidence, responsibility, and a quiet sense of discipline. This method has shaped the success of thousands of students over the years and continues to guide every classroom at Carden Memorial School.
How do students transition from Carden Memorial School to high school?
Students who graduate from Carden Memorial School are well-prepared for high school, both academically and personally. By eighth grade, they have strong writing skills, confidence in public speaking, and a solid foundation in algebra, literature, science, and American history.
In addition to academics, students leave with the habits and mindset needed to handle new challenges. They are used to working with focus, listening attentively, and treating others with respect. This helps them adjust quickly to the structure and pace of high school classes.
Our alumni attend a variety of private and public high schools in Salt Lake City and beyond. Teachers often comment on their clarity of thought, careful work, and ability to speak in full sentences. Many Carden graduates become student leaders and maintain high grades throughout high school.
Families appreciate that their children enter high school not only ready to succeed, but also equipped to make thoughtful choices and maintain strong personal values. The transition is not a leap; it is a continuation of the consistent habits and lessons formed at Carden Memorial.

