Complete Pre-Application
A member of the Admissions team will process your Pre-application within one (1) business day and send you a confirmation email with your unique application username.
Complete Application Form
A complete application form* includes the following:
- Applicant Information
- Family Information
- School and Testing Information
- Parent Statement
- Student Statement
- Signature
- Application Fee ($85)
*Submission of your application form and fee is one step in the applicant file and initiates your applicant record. This record will allow our Admissions team to most effectively assist you throughout the application process. If this fee poses a hardship for your family, please contact the Director of Admission at 919-228-4550.
Optional Video – Upper School Applicants Only
Upper School applicants are encouraged to submit an optional short video, expressing how their talents and background could benefit the Cary Academy community. While not required, video submissions help our Admissions team get to know you. Further instruction can be found within the applicant questionnaire.
Optional – Financial Aid Application
Applicants seeking financial aid must submit a separate, confidential, complete, and accurate online financial aid application through TADS (Tuition Aid Data Services) by the financial aid application deadline of January 15, 2021. Applications for financial assistance are accepted after the deadline, however funding is not typically available for late applicants.All aid decisions rest solely with the Cary Academy Financial Aid Committee.
Download our Financial Aid Policies and Guidelines PDF for more information.
Financial Aid Worksheet
Financial Aid Worksheet (in Spanish)
Schedule Visit and Interview*
We encourage you to schedule your visit and interview day as early as possible. Spaces fill quickly and our Admissions team may be unable to accommodate all requests before the first consideration deadline.
For families outside the Cary, Raleigh, or Durham areas, accommodations can be arranged. Please contact admissions@caryacademy.org.
* Visit and interview days cannot be scheduled until your completed application form has been submitted.
Schedule Testing
Cary Academy will not offer the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) on-site for the 21-22 admissions season. This year, applicants have the option to take the ISEE or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) at-home, at a Prometric Test center, or at a school that is hosting one of the exams. Candidates must complete the ISEE or SSAT test on or before the first consideration deadline. Test dates must be scheduled three (3) weeks in advance with SSAT or the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). Testing accommodations are available, but don’t delay – special circumstances must be scheduled four (4) to six (6) weeks in advance. A copy of the ISEE / SSAT test results must be uploaded with the application.
To register, please visit one of the following sites:
ERB-ISEE Admissions Test
School Code: 344646
Register for ERB
SSAT Admissions Test
School Code: 2138
Register for SSAT
Complete Your Application File
Submit Supporting Documentation
All applicants are required to submit three (3) years of academic transcripts — including the current academic year. Grade reports should be uploaded with the application.
Applicants are also required to submit two (2) confidential recommendation forms from academic teachers. One must be completed by a current teacher, while the other can be completed by a recent teacher within the past two (2) years. No more than one (1) additional, non-academic recommendation can be submitted as well.
Final Documents
Three (3) years of academic transcripts, including the ongoing year
Two (2) confidential recommendation forms from academic teachers
One (1) additional, non-academic recommendation (optional)