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Portrait of a Graduate
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
How to Apply
Meet Your Admissions Team
Heather Clarkson, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Sharice Chandler, Associate Director of Admissions
Sequenta Blackman, Admissions Coordinator
Marlene Sanchez, Admissions Assistant
Our Campus
Conveniently located in Cary, North Carolina—between Raleigh and Durham—our campus offers 65 beautiful acres for your inquisitive mind to roam. Our well-equipped classrooms and open learning spaces are primed for innovation, featuring flexible furnishings and technology that facilitate collaboration and discovery.
Highlights include a state-of-the-art video production facility, a well-appointed makerspace with 3D printers, a multimedia discovery studio, a 15,000 square foot athletics complex, a 500-seat theater, a world-class 22,000 square foot Center for Math and Science, a full-service community café, and a hammock hangout (BYOH).
Japanese Garden
Just past the Middle School, a hidden gem. Our Japanese garden offers a lovely and quiet spot for reflection.
Middle School
North of Berger Hall, our Middle School offers a nurturing learning environment organized by grade level. Students have easy access to recreation thanks to the adjacent field and tetherball court. It’s also where you’ll find our full-time school nurse.
Learning Amphitheater
Tucked in a shady spot just adjacent to the Admin building, our learning amphitheater offers a low-key outdoor learning space perfect for discussion or studying.
Athletics Complex
Opening up behind the Fitness Center, our huge Athletics Complex features an Olympics-quality MONDO track (the only one in the southeast), three athletic fields, well-played softball and baseball diamonds, and tennis courts. Overlooking the track, our Field House offers stadium seating and concessions, making it the perfect place to take in the action, as well as offering a flexible space for physical education classes.
Fitness Center
Across the Quad from the Administration building, the Fitness Center features our newly renovated strength and conditioning suite, gymnasium, dance studio, and locker-rooms.
Center for Math and Science
Opened in 2019, our 22,000-square-foot Center for Math and Science is a world-class facility featuring Upper School math classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories, a greenhouse, large makerspace with 3D printers, and meeting spaces. It also houses our second gymnasium, the CMS gym (yeah, you can make a joke about science and math being a sport here—we won’t mind.)
Café and Student Store
Head to the Admin building to grab a latte or salad to go at our new café (it’s a popular community hang-out and study spot) or score some Charger swag or even a student-designed and produced product at the student store. Together, they serve as a learning lab for our budding entrepreneurs.
Library
Newly renovated in 2020, our library features forward-thinking design that promotes collaboration and discovery. Located in the Administration building, it houses our excellent collection and offers a community gathering space and quiet glass-enclosed study rooms with large displays.
Administration Building
Presiding over the Quad, our stately Administration building houses our Head of School’s office, as well as the Admissions, Business, Communications, Development, and Information Services departments.
Dining Hall
Next to Berger Hall, our Dining Hall offers cooked-from-scratch, healthy, and delicious lunch options sure to please your palate.
Upper School
South of the Quad, the Upper School offers flexible classroom spaces, a student collaboration lounge (or Collabolounge in CA-speak), and college counseling suite. It is also the home to our Center for Community Engagement.
The Quad
The groomed grounds of our picturesque Quad provide a community space for gathering, hanging-out, and studying (and, of course, the occasional spike-ball tournament).
Berger Hall
At the heart of campus, Berger Hall offers a 500-seat theater (for community gatherings and performances alike), a black-box theater, music and art studios (including pottery studio), multimedia Discovery Studio, and plenty of room for artistic instruction and practice.