Board Message

Dear Cary Academy Community,

In its 20+ years, Cary Academy has established a reputation as one of the leading schools in the Southeast. Our results speak for themselves: an outstanding reputation among top colleges around the US and a stellar admissions rate to UNC-Chapel Hill; three alumni named in Forbes “30 under 30;” award winners in speech, debate, robotics, mathematics, programming, and Science Olympiad; state champions in cross country, tennis, wrestling, and swimming; and visual and performing arts programs that are second to none.

The Cary Academy culture promotes intellectual curiosity and risk-taking. We motivate students to think analytically, speak confidently, and develop the strong interpersonal skills necessary to become effective, compassionate leaders. Our students’ lasting success comes from being inculcated in this powerful environment.

This is why it is so exciting to announce our first ever Campaign for Cary Academy: #SuperChargingNextGenInnovators.

Our Campaign supports the school’s current Strategic Plan and needs identified in a compressive master facilities planning process. The work to realize this vision began with smaller scale projects like replacing heavier, fixed classroom furniture with higher, rolling tables and chair — to give better flexibility for teachers and students to adjust the room to meet the learning objectives. The renovation of our old Lecture Hall in Berger Hall was the first large scale project to bring these same goals to a big community space.

The new science center is the next step in our plans, which will then unlock even more renovation in the Upper and Middle School buildings. We piloted these flexible learning spaces when we created a new college counseling suite last year.

Why Now?

All members of our community benefit from the strength and reputation of Cary Academy. Against the backdrop of intense competition, it is crucial that we take steps to ensure that CA remains a preeminent independent school in the eyes of current and future students, prospective faculty and staff, and colleges and universities.

  • Cary Academy is positioned well, with 96% of respondents in our feasibility study holding positive views of the school. We are:
    stable financially, holding solid cash reserves with no debt and an enviable endowment for need-based financial aid;
  • led by accomplished Leadership Team and a committed Board of Directors;
  • known and valued by parents and colleges for its ability to develop students of exceptional character, intellect, and initiative who make meaningful contributions to the world.
    Why You?

Our Founders ensured that CA began with a physical plant that has served us well for two decades. Now we seek to break through to a new level of aesthetic excellence and classroom capacity that will boost our educational influence for the next twenty years. During our early outreach, nearly 50 families have stepped up to support this effort. We’re thrilled to announce our first ever Campaign for Cary Academy: #SuperChargingNextGenInnovators. Cary Academy makes a difference for each of our students – so that each will be difference makers for life. To whom much is given, much is expected. During The Campaign for Cary Academy – we invite the rest of the CA community to be part of this exciting legacy of discovery, innovation, collaboration and excellence so that this NextGen can reach previously unattainable heights!

Monica Udell
Board Chair

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