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9th grade at Camp Skelton in canoes

Mission, Philosophy, and Values

To say that we’re passionate about cultivating self-directed and bold life-long learners who make meaningful contributions to the world is an understatement (some might say we’re a little obsessed). Every day we strive to uphold and embody our mission, philosophy, and values, holistically preparing our students in mind, body, and character to confidently pursue their curiosity and thrive in today’s changing world.

“As a member of the Cary Academy community, I am responsible for acting with respect, integrity, and compassion.”

CA Community Values Statement

Our Mission

Whether it’s a course offering, an extracurricular activity, a building project, a technology platform or a community endeavor, every decision we make is guided by our mission, our indelible commitment to discovery, innovation, collaboration, and excellence (or DICE in CA-speak). It’s what motivates our faculty and staff, inspires our students and their families. And it’s how we prepare you to take on the world as the very best version of yourself.

Discovery

Cary Academy sparks the curiosity to question assumptions and the courage required to explore ideas that make a positive impact on the world.

Innovation

Cary Academy leads through bold and creative strategies, connecting ideas with technology to forge new realities.

Collaboration

Cary Academy nurtures local and global interactions, encouraging strong relationships and enriching lives.

Excellence

Cary Academy recognizes excellence as the meaningful growth that results from the dedicated pursuit of individual and shared goals. Excellence is about becoming the best version of ourselves, individually and as a community.

We Believe

Our Learning Philosophy

How do we bring our mission to life? It’s all a function of our core beliefs about teaching and learning.

At CA we believe

  1. Learning is an iterative and interdependent process.
  2. Taking risks, embracing struggle, and developing resilience are essential to deep and life-long learning.
  3. Individuals must develop self-awareness as learners and take ownership of their learning**.
  4. Clear, ongoing, and timely feedback elicits self-­reflection and drives growth.
  5. Physical, social, and emotional balance is essential for learning and wellbeing.
  6. The most impactful learning occurs where people, disciplines, and ideas connect to address human and community needs.
  7. Inclusive environments create a secure and affirming culture that enables both the individual and the community to flourish.
  8. Excellent teaching is the foundation of an outstanding learning community.

**“Own your learning.” It’s a phrase you’ll hear repeatedly at CA. That’s because we believe that students learn best when you play a significant role in shaping your own educational journeys.

You might notice that this website is written in the first person—that we’re talking to you, our prospective students. That’s why; at CA, you’re going to own your learning journey and be granted a significant degree of voice and choice around what, how, and when you learn. What better time to start than the present?

Handshake ceremony
Handshake ceremony

Our Values

We hold our community to a high ethical standard. Whether engaging in a classroom debate, facilitating a difficult conversation, facing-off on the field, or engaging with our larger local community, CA students pledge to act with respect, integrity, and compassion.

And in typical CA fashion, students were the ones who identified these values and developed the pledge! Respect, integrity and compassion are critical to our commitment to community and collaboration, to hearing all voices and perspectives, and to becoming the best we can be.

Pictured: A time-honored tradition, our annual Handshake Ceremony kicks off every year.

Jordan Lee Class of 2005

“I credit Cary Academy’s rigor for my public speaking skills, networking capabilities, and study habits that were key to my success at college and in my early career. I made lifelong friends during my time on the athletic fields, while studying abroad, and during extra-curriculars. Cary Academy taught me “how to learn” and I’m forever grateful to the teachers, coaches, and advisors that helped to shape my educational experience.”

Jordan Lee

Alum, Class of 2005

Library from quad

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Portrait of a Graduate

Committed to our core values, you’ll graduate as a bold, self-directed, lifelong learner. An exceptional creative and critical thinker. An adept team player. And compassionate and respectful leader of integrity. You will join an engaged network of alumni who continuously embrace their curiosities and passions to make meaningful contributions to the world. What exactly does that mean? Explore our interactive Portrait of a Graduate graphic to learn more.

DISCOVERY

Critical Thinker

  • Uses various types of reasoning as appropriate to the situation
  • Gathers, analyzes, and evaluates evidence, arguments, claims, and beliefs
  • Considers major alternative points of view
  • Recognizes how parts of a whole interact to produce overall outcomes in complex situations
  • Synthesizes information and makes connections within and across disciplines
  • Interprets information and draws conclusions based on the best analysis
  • Reflects critically on his or her own learning experiences and processes

Self-Directed Learner

  • Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a commitment to learning as a lifelong process
  • Develops self-awareness as a learner and adapts his or her learning strategies
  • accordingly
  • Plans, prioritizes, and manages efficiently to achieve the goals of specific projects or problems
  • Seeks out opportunities to apply newly acquired knowledge and skills to further his or her understanding
  • Takes deliberate and intelligent risks and learns from the outcome
INNOVATION

Creative Thinker

  • Employs a range of strategies and techniques to generate and develop new ideas
  • Transfers Knowledge and skills with ease to unfamiliar situations
  • Considers new and diverse perspectives and incorporates group input and feedback
  • Identifies and asks significant questions that lead to better understanding
  • Acts on creative ideas to make tangible and useful contributions to projects or problems
  • Demonstrates perseverance and passion and views setbacks as opportunities to learn

Skilled and Responsible User of Technology

  • Employs digital technology, communication networks, and electronic resources to access, manage, evaluate, and integrate information from a variety of sources, including multilingual sources
  • Understands and practices the ethical use of technology
  • Selects and utilizes the most appropriate media and formats to convey information and ideas effectively to diverse audiences
  • Harnesses technology to increase productivity and support problem-solving and decision-making
  • Recognizes the need to balance the use of technology with time “unplugged”
COLLABORATION

Adept team Player

  • Cooperates effectively with others to generate knowledge and understanding, solve problems, and produce creative works
  • Contributes actively and assumes shared responsibility for collaborative work
  • Values the individual contributions made by each team member
  • Responds with an open mind to different ideas and values
  • Demonstrates a willingness to make necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal
  • Recognizes the benefits of both giving help to and receiving help from peers as a means of furthering understanding

Clear and Effective Communicator

  • Articulates thoughts and ideas appropriately using oral, written, graphic, and nonverbal communication skills
  • Listens carefully to identify underlying emotions, attitudes, and intentions and decipher meaning
  • Asks questions to clarify assumptions and gain deeper understanding
  • Interacts appropriately and respectfully in diverse environments, including multilingual settings
EXCELLENCE

Model of Respect, Integrity, and Compassion

  • Understands and appreciates similarities and differences between the customs, values, and beliefs of their own cultures and the cultures of others
  • Takes responsibility as a global citizen and acts with the interests of the local and world community in mind
  • Demonstrates empathy and generosity and promotes equity and social justice
  • Functions as responsible steward of both his or her immediate surroundings and the larger environment
  • Serves as positive role model by striving to do his or her best at all times

Capable Leader

  • Is motivated to serve without need of recognition
  • Sees the gap between the present and the possible and acts as a catalyst for positive change
  • Uses interpersonal and problem-solving skills to influence and guide others
  • Seeks out and takes advantage of the strengths of others to accomplish common goals
  • Exercises power and influence in an ethical and responsible manner
  • Stands by his or her convictions in the face of obstacles
  • Recognizes and creates opportunities for inspiration
Strategic Planning

Looking Back, Charging Ahead

Strategic Planning