Based on the vision of Dr. David and Katherine Friesen, in 1980 a small group of respected leaders from the Mennonite community explored the viability of starting an independent Mennonite elementary school in Winnipeg.

In 1981, Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary Schools opened its doors in a rented wing of Lansdowne School with an enrolment of 48 students. Its purpose was to provide an example of how God should be included in everyday school life and how faith could be nurtured within a school setting. It invited students from all walks of life, backgrounds, denominational affiliations, academic and social abilities to join.

WMES grew quickly from its humble beginnings. The following year, it entered a lease agreement with St. James-Assiniboi School Division for the vacant Columbus School. In each of the ten years at that location the enrolment increased and academic programs expanded. In 1992 WMES moved to Bedson School to meet the need for increased space. The addition of Grade 7 and 8 expanded the Bedson campus to a full K to Grade 8 facility.

In 1994, WMES expanded again by purchasing a second campus. Agassiz School in the Fort Garry area now serves students in K to Grade 6.

In 2008 we added an "M" to our name to recognize the thriving Middle School Program that exists at our Bedson location in St. James. Today, WMEMS has grown to become a school of approximately 400 students. Still, it holds true to a commitment made many years earlier, to provide quality Christ-centered education to all young children who attend.