A Compass for Cary Academy’s Future

Strategic Plan

2025–2030

Cultivating a learning community where purpose thrives, opportunity is accessible to all, and wellness and equity are foundational. Empowering every student and educator to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives and shape a more just, innovative, and sustainable future.

Strategic Plan 2025-2030

Charting Our Course

For nearly thirty years, Cary Academy has pioneered a bold path in education, guided by our mission as a learning community committed to discovery, innovation, collaboration, and excellence (DICE). These principles have shaped a culture of curiosity, growth, and forward-thinking learning.

Looking ahead, we will lead with curricular and programmatic innovation, shift the student experience toward purpose-driven authenticity, and center equity and wellbeing as essential to a thriving learning community. We strengthen the systems that support access, affordability, and professional growth, broadening our impact and ensuring all community members are empowered to thrive.

Cary Academy middle school students using a microscope to explore specimens in science lab class.

Analyzing water samples in Middle School science.

Cary Academy graduate hugging teacher during 2025 commencement celebration while holding diploma.

Celebrating with a well-earned hug at Commencement.

Setting Our Bearings

Guided by three interconnected strategic bearings aligned with our core values of respect, integrity, compassion, and equity (RICE), we present a clear vision: to cultivate a learning community that empowers students and employees to be not only among "the best in the world, but also the best for the world."

Bearings

Cary Academy student holding a water sample jar during science field study at a local pond.

Bearing #1

Curiosity to Impact

Reimagining Learning with Purpose and Possibility

Cary Academy students sharing smiles and connection during Middle School Community Day outdoor event.

Exploring empathy through storytelling in the sixth grade.

Goal

We will pioneer more curiosity-driven, purpose-fueled learning experiences that prepare students to become humane stewards, ethical changemakers, and adaptive leaders who thrive in a rapidly evolving, globalized, and AI-influenced world.

Cary Academy upper school student writing on whiteboard during collaborative science or math class activity.

Experimenting with light and lasers on X Day.

Cary Academy students leading a Model UN conference presentation in a classroom setting.

Hosting CA's first on-campus Model UN conference.

Why it matters

In a rapidly changing world, educational success must be defined beyond traditional academic metrics—not only by preparedness for college and careers, but by readiness to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. Anchored in our tradition of academic excellence, we will empower students to design dynamic, personalized learning journeys that reflect their passions, values, and aspirations. By integrating learning with life- and social-emotional skills, we prepare students to navigate complexity and lead with empathy, not just to meet the future—but to boldly shape it.

Student presenting 8th Grade Capstone project at Cary Academy, discussing research findings with teachers and parents.

Presenting science capstone discoveries to faculty.

Key directions

Cary Academy students enjoying music and sunshine during Quadchella outdoor festival on campus lawn.

Build a Whole School Purpose Learning Framework and Infrastructure

Vertically align academics, experiential learning opportunities, social-emotional learning, and life skills to support a holistic 6-12 learning journey that prioritizes purpose formation, student agency, and future readiness.

Cary Academy student conducting a science experiment with test tubes and pipette in a research laboratory.

Expand Personalized Learning Pathways

Develop systems that empower students to pursue individualized educational journeys rooted in exploration, reflection, and pursuit of purpose. Expand opportunities for interdisciplinary, experiential, technological, and advanced studies, and rethink graduation requirements to support diverse paths.

Middle school students collaborating on laptop during Cary Academy Anti-Racist Day classroom activity.

Reimagine Student Engagement Beyond Achievement

Center joy, discovery, genuine student leadership, and authentic engagement in academics, co-curricular, and extracurricular life, prioritizing purpose above performative box-checking

Cary Academy student conducting hands-on environmental research surrounded by tall plants during fieldwork.

Integrate Sustainability Across Campus Life

Embed environmental literacy across the curriculum, campus operations, and design to foster stewardship, systems thinking, and impact awareness. Assess sustainability efforts to lay the groundwork and build capacity for ongoing emphasis in years to come.

Cary Academy students hugging and smiling outdoors during Charger Cup school spirit event.

Bearing #2

Thrive Together

Building a Connected Community Rooted in Wellness and Equity

Cary Academy students collaborating and laughing while mixing ingredients during X-Day hands-on learning activity.

Goal

We will nurture a joyful and empathic culture of wellbeing, connection, and inclusion where every member of our community feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow and contribute authentically.

Cary Academy middle school baseball team in action during a home game on the athletic field.

Cary Academy student performing on stage in school theater production of Hadestown with full cast ensemble.

Why it matters

Educational excellence is inextricably linked to emotional, social, and physical wellbeing; it is inseparable from issues of equity. When balance, empathy, and equity are prioritized, individuals flourish—and so does the broader community. By creating space for honest dialogue, shared accountability, and deep connection, we lay the foundation for a more equitable, resilient, and compassionate learning environment.

Cary Academy students performing a fun skit during Winter Pep Rally in the school gym with classmates cheering.

Key directions

Cary Academy students celebrating Lunar New Year with traditional Chinese dragon dance on campus quad.

Advance Equity as a Defining Practice

Build on our historical commitment to equity by expanding programming, curriculum, and assessment philosophies through measurable initiatives that embody our core values and elevate inclusivity and equity as central to the Cary Academy experience.

Cary Academy faculty, students, and parents collaborating in workshop session during strategic planning meeting.

Foster a Culture of Shared Accountability

Continue ongoing equity training and foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and mutual responsibility.

Cary Academy student training with coach in fitness center as part of athletics and wellness program.

Design for Wellbeing and Balance

Align schedules, systems, and practices to support a culture of personal wellness and ethos of environmental responsibility. Prioritize students' development of self-awareness, self-regulation, and advocacy skills, and cultivate a campus-wide ethos of care.

Cary Academy students participating in a Dinner and Documentary discussion panel sharing insights and reflections.

Expand Voice and Agency

Create meaningful opportunities to give students, faculty, and staff deeper agency in shaping the systems, policies, and practices that inform their experience.

Cary Academy middle school student working on classroom activity with supportive teacher during first day of class.

Bearing #3

Opportunity and Empowerment

Setting a New Benchmark for Impact, Accessibility, and Faculty and Staff Satisfaction

Cary Academy students exploring snowy streets during experiential learning trip to Switzerland.

Enjoying the snow during a learning excursion to Youth Forum Switzerland.

Goal

We will build innovative, equitable, and sustainable systems that expand opportunity by increasing access and affordability for students and by investing in meaningful professional growth for faculty and staff, extending the reach and impact of our mission.

Cary Academy 9th grade students roasting marshmallows around a campfire during class trip outdoor activity.

Sharing s'mores and laughs on a class trip to Camp Skelton.

Cary Academy middle school students proudly displaying their painted denim art projects during X-Day creative workshop.

Modeling handmade denim designs on X Day.

Why it matters

At its core, education is about opportunity: to learn, to grow, and to lead a purposeful life. Excellence demands that every member of our community, regardless of background or role, have access to the resources and support necessary to thrive. By lowering barriers to entry and investing in our employees, we can foster a more inclusive, empowered community and set a new standard for independent education.

Cary Academy student signing up for robotics club at school club fair event showcasing Charger spirit and teamwork.

Signing up for robotics during the Upper School club fair.

Key directions

Cary Academy teacher leading classroom discussion while writing on whiteboard during business and entrepreneurship class.

Lower Financial Barriers

Increase financial aid to support a more socio-economically diverse applicant pool, explore a path towards truly need-blind admissions, and broaden additional support to ensure all students can fully engage in CA’s offerings. Normalize open, destigmatized, respectful dialogue around access and affordability within our school community.

Cary Academy student collecting sweet potatoes during a community service gleaning project in North Carolina.

Extend Our Reach and Impact

Deepen and broaden partnerships for innovation, expand learning delivery models, embed environmental sustainability, and optimize our use of space and time to serve our students better and reach a broader, mission-aligned population.

Cary Academy students surrounding and cheering with a teacher during a joyful assembly in the gym.

Empower Professional Purpose

Reimagine compensation and benefits to reflect the full value of exceptional talent. Explore creative financial incentives, non-traditional benefits, and flexible, individualized career pathways. Consider how roles might evolve to support innovation, life-phase flexibility, and long-term engagement and retention.

Cary Academy graduate in blue cap and gown embracing family member after graduation ceremony on campus.

Fuel Lifelong Learning

Redesign professional development systems to promote agency, purpose-driven growth, accountability, and impact at every stage of an employee’s career.

Navigating our journey

Guided by our bearings, we’re turning vision into impact. Follow along as our community brings Cary Academy’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan to life through stories of progress and purpose.

Designed for Discovery

A year-long strategic planning journey, shaped by voices across the Cary Academy community, lays the groundwork for a bold new chapter.