Cary Academy Announces Charger Promise:
Full Cost-of-Attendance Coverage for Families Earning $100,000 or Less
Groundbreaking Initiative Expands Access and Affordability in Independent Education in the Triangle
Cary, NC, December 11, 2025 — Cary Academy is taking a bold step to redefine access and affordability in independent education. Through its expanded Charger Promise initiative, the school will now provide 100% coverage of the full cost of attendance—including tuition, dining, transportation, before-care, and extended-day programs—for families with a combined household income of $100,000 or less*.
In addition, Cary Academy will offer scalable, need-based support for a wide range of family income profiles above that threshold, with 50% to 95% of the cost of attendance covered, depending on individual circumstances. Together, these enhancements mark what is believed to be the most comprehensive affordability initiative of its kind among independent schools in the Southeast.
Launched quietly last year, Charger Promise has further expanded in the 2026–2027 academic year, for which applications are currently open.
“Access to an exceptional education shouldn’t depend on a family’s financial means,” said Dr. Mike Ehrhardt, Head of School. “Charger Promise is a tangible expression of our strategic commitments to expanding access and opportunity. We’re redefining what affordability looks like in independent education and proving that excellence and equity can—and must—go hand in hand.”
Charger Promise is made possible through the leadership support and contributions of Holly and Travis May, both alumni of the Class of 2005, and long-time supporters of Cary Academy’s commitment to expanding socio-economic diversity. In 2025, Holly May founded Exponential Scholars, a nonprofit that creates life-changing opportunities for gifted youth in underserved North Carolina communities.
“As a Cary Academy student coming from rural Chatham County, I needed and benefited from financial assistance. I know firsthand how transformative this school can be,” said Holly May. “Cary Academy was the delta in the trajectory of my life. Through Charger Promise, we hope to open that same door of possibility for other students whose potential should never be limited by circumstance.”
Cary Academy has long been committed to alleviating the financial burden of independent school education. Last year, the school awarded more than $3.1 million in need-based financial aid, meeting 100% of demonstrated need for 128 students.
The expanded program builds on this foundation by addressing not only tuition but the broader costs of participation. All students receiving financial assistance also have access to Discovery Stipends—annual grants designed to remove barriers to deeper engagement and exploration. Stipends range from $500 to $1,500 for Upper School students, and up to $300 for Middle School students, supporting non-tuition expenses such as academic competitions, specialized activities, or enrichment opportunities.
Taken together, Charger Promise and the new Discovery Stipends ensure that every eligible student can access the full spectrum of opportunities that define a Cary Academy education.
For more information about Cary Academy and its affordability initiatives, visit www.caryacademy.org/withinreach.
*Assumes asset profile consistent with that income level.
About Cary Academy
Founded in 1996, Cary Academy is a learning community for grades 6–12 dedicated to discovery, innovation, collaboration, and excellence—preparing students not only to meet the future but to shape it boldly. Guided by its community values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and equity, the school cultivates a learning environment where purpose thrives, opportunity is accessible to all, and wellness and equity are foundational.