When Trey Murphy III, ’18, returns to Cary Academy as this year’s Commencement speaker, he comes not just as an NBA standout but as someone profoundly shaped by a community that nurtured his drive, steadiness, and sense of purpose long before he took the national stage.  Ask him what he remembers most from his time […]

Outside Katie Taylor’s and Marcella Brideson’s sixth-grade language arts and world cultures classrooms, students have spilled into the hallway, clustered around tablets and draft pages, peering over one another’s shoulders.      One group debates color palettes. A warm orange, someone argues, feels more inviting. Another student isn’t convinced; it competes with the photographs. Across […]

How one seventh-grade awakening became the foundation for a career spent helping students discover their own.  You might call it a full-circle moment.  Long before Lucy Dawson became Cary Academy’s Middle School Dean of Students—and long before she helped shape a seventh-grade humanities experience known for its intellectual depth, interdisciplinary connections, and student-centered care—she was […]

Charlotte’s path to purpose started in MaLi Burnett’s biology class, where she worked as a teaching assistant during her sophomore year. The role would evolve into co-designing and leading an “Ecology at CA” Discovery Term, during which Dadd learned about native and invasive species and environmental design principles through field trips to botanical gardens and parks. She applied her newfound knowledge by collaborating with peers to design and construct a wildlife pond behind the Center for Math and Science, now used as a real-world interactive lab for studying aquatic ecosystems.

College and career readiness have long been the cornerstone goals of independent schools, with rigorous academics taking center stage.  Indeed, CA is renowned for its exceptional academics and student outcomes. By many polls and metrics, we are topping the charts and living our mission of academic excellence. Our students represent us at internships in ways […]

In February, we welcomed Trey Murphy III, ‘18, shooting guard for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, back to his home court to retire his varsity basketball jersey. Murphy was joined by fellow alums, family, friends, and the entire CA community in a spirited celebration of his exceptional legacy. Emceed by the late Josh Rowsey, ‘09, […]

IN SEPTEMBER, CARY ACADEMY WILL LAUNCH A YEAR-LONG PLANNING PROCESS FOR A NEW FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO TAKE EFFECT IN THE 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR. Building on the comprehensive efforts of our previous plans, the strategic planning process offers an opportunity to think creatively about how we can continue to best live our mission as a […]