Cary Christian School

Cary Christian School: This an christian school first, then academic. I have found, with four children currently enrolled, that it is academically challenging. Many families tend to leave because of two reasons. First, because it is too challenging for their child. Secondly, the social interaction between the males and females is not enough for them. The focus of this school is Christ and academics. Those that find this a challenge leave. This school is not for everyone. We are at this unique, " Classica,l" school because, as of now, we are very pleased with the results. Our child made the top 5% in the Duke Tip Program and is socially active, in this school, with the other like minded families. No school is perfect but this one fits our Christian family well and is academically challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

Despite sobering warnings, we enrolled our 2kids, who happen to be the compliant & high achieving type (thank you God). We soon began hearing a steady stream of troubling reports about what was& was not happening in their classes. I finally sat in on 1of my son's mid school classes& 1of my daughter's HS classes (The handbook says CCS supports this but they seemed put out when I asked I was even told parents never do this). What I saw, in the younger class, was a group of unusually willing, even eager students being stifled& at times even shut down by their teacher. In both classes I was struck by the lack of any real interest& ability in the teacher & this while on their best for me. Now the worst part When I reported these things& a separate instance of abuse by a teacher, the accusations AGAINST ME began to fly. The staff s "You think your kids are perfect!" response morphed into You re a menace to the school (& maybe even a stalker!). Stomach-turning stuff no doubt. Anything to hide the inappropriate conduct of the staff. Of course we left the school & we thanked God. While there are some lovely families at CCS, I don't think they understand what this school really is.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is currently a high school freshman at Cary Christian School, and her experience since kindergarten at CCS has been very positive. We value the Christian worldview, the rigorous academic standards, and the emphasis on written and oral communication. We also appreciate the recent focus on augmenting high school offerings and look forward to continued improvements in the areas of math and science. There are many extracurricular opportunities available in both athletics and fine arts. We have been very impressed with the quality of drama and concert choir training and performances.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three children in this school and it has been a blessing to our family. The learning environment is top notch and our children are challanged daily to learn and grow mentally and spriritually. There are many activities offered that provide variety of extracurricular opportunities. We have been very happy with this school over the last nine years.
—Submitted by a parent

Cary Christian School is an excellent school both in its focus on a Christian worldview and a classical education. As you can see from the other reviews here, there is room for improvement. However that is the case in all schools and in society in general. There are less than perfect students, teachers, administrators, and families at CCS, just as there are at other schools. In spite of that, CCS shines in the areas that many parents have a concern with, including academic rigor, order in the school and classroom, and the overall atmosphere of learning. Take note of the tone of complaints about the rules and the uniforms. Our experience has been that such families are not generally on board with the CCS model and vision, so they tend to complain about it and want to change it. CCS is not like other private schools in the area and it is unashamedly so. It is not for everyone. Most families that we have seen leave have done so for less academic rigor, a greater chance for their child to play a sport, or for fewer rules of other private or public schools. If you are considering CCS, do not commit to the school unless you understand the model and can support it honestly.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has an extremely strong Logic, Rhetoric and writing program as well as teaching the students how to explain themselves, how to present and defend whatever point, subject, topic they are discussing, etc. The atmosphere is reverent towards Christ and is service minded. The Math and sciences are getting stronger as the school seeks excellence in this area as well..
—Submitted by a parent

Cary Christian provides an academically challenging environment coupled with a Christian world view. The student body is comprised of talented young people who strive to achieve excellence in their academic, athletic, and social lives. My two sons have attended for several years and we cannot be happier with their development as young men preparing to attend college and face real life challenges. The administration is top notch and the faculty is composed of skilled teachers with a genuine passion to help students learn.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two sons in school, one in 3rd grade and the other in 1st grade. They both started in K, and they both love to go to school. In addition to the Biblical world view and classical education system, we are delighted with how the teachers are empowered to hold students accountable. The children are truly being educated and it harkens back to yester-year when we expected more of students in school. We are excited to partner with CCS to raise our boys into young men who will be well equipped to be good citizens and contribute to the world.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not sure about grammar school grades but middle and high school educational and conduct standards (of the staff) are sadly low, overall, with too few bright spots. My 3 childrn somehow managed to always get the 'A's but that doesn't change the fact that the process was often arbitrary and capricious with some students unfairly treated. Some remarkably incompetent and unprofessional teachers linger on, year after year, with little or no real accountability from Administrators/ principals or the Board...and some of these can be nearly vicious if you catch them on a bad day. Bottom line...this is a nominal Christian school that has simply lost its way, from top to bottom. The real puzzle is why so many parents would give this school 3, 4, or even 5 stars and seem completely oblivious to the realities (even as it relates to their children.)
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has been going to the Phonics school for two years and really loves the teachers and fellow students. After any school holiday, she is happy and excited to go back to school. While sometimes challenging, she thinks school is fun. We have been happy with the academically challenging environment. The class room is structured and children are encouraged to learn appropriate behavior which has positive benefits in all aspects of her life. We appreciate the fact that children from K through 12th grade are all within the same school and interact with each other.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school in middle school. I had some amazing teachers here, and some really awful ones. since there are no set consequences for breaking the rules, it is all up to the staff s discretion. if a teacher doesn t like you they often will pick on you and look the other way for other students. The principle and many of the teachers use intimidation to make you behave. The academics were challenging but if you struggled academically several of the upper-class men tutor younger students at reasonable rates. each grade was split into about 3 groups of 20 and each group went to classes and ate lunch together. If you end up with your friends, it s great. End up with a bad group all year and it will make you miserable. There are too many rules at this school. The polo s must have only 1 button undone, the shirts must be tucked in,, NO cell phones can be turned on or they will take them for 2 weeks, no ipods ever, no music except classical can be played at school. The principle disbanded a bible study in the school because it was co-ed and the young girls should learn from their fathers not other men. He made the girls and boys separate and have different bible studies.

Cary Christian School is a great learning environment! Your children will grow in wisdom and stature as they progress throughout the K-12. We have three students that have been at the school since Kindergarten and are very pleased with the support of the staff in training and nurturing our children in subject matter and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—Submitted by a parent

Loved the K-5 program, middle school and high school academics are good, but focus is on doctrine, not on academics. We had 3 children attending CCS, all of them A students. Financial difficulties which caused us to re-evaluate our school choice. We withdrew the 2 older ones, the school refused to re-enroll our 3rd one. Also refused to return us the extra money we paid in, even though immediate replacement was found (8 new students arrived the month we left). If you are looking for a loving, nurturing place for your K-5 student, I can recommend the school for K-5, but not beyond. Love and nurturing stops at 5th grade. Middle school is about instilling fear and guilt. Insular and close minded. Principal does not address parental concerns. Half a class was in lunch detention throughout the year. Children are advised not to mingle, make friends with non-Christians. We left. School refused to return our money, also refused to re-allocete it to cover the tuition for our attending child. Please draw your own conclusion. In spite of all, I believe it is a good place for K-5. Still surprised that neither the board nor the superintendent did act in good faith. Questionable ethics.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Cary Christian School for a few years in high school. I did not appreciate it at the time because I was a rebellious teenager, but looking back I cannot tell you how blessed I was. The Biblical curriculum and the selfless dedication of the teachers left a lasting impression on me and showed me a kind of Christianity that I had never seen before: one that was not hypocritical and that stood against sin while still loving the sinner and pointing him to Christ for salvation. If CCS does not go off the deep end (and I see no indication that it will) then my children will probably spend all their school years at this school. If you want your children to sit under teachers who will love them, pray for them, and maintain very open lines of communication with you, please take this school into consideration. I think your family will be just as blessed as mine!

I had three children attending this school. K-5 teachers and principals are fine, although when grading papers they tend to have too much emphasis on handwriting, sometimes crossing out correct answers because the numbers are not formed "correctly". They start teaching Latin in third grade but after fifth grade the kids don't have a chance to continue studying it. It seems a waste of time. Same goes with other languages; two years of Spanish and two years of ancient Greek in high school. No continuation, no choice, basically no selection. All subjects are predetermined without a say from the students or parents. No advanced classes for students with potential. Middle and high school principals' morals are questionable. We spent six years in this school, paying tuition but not once were asked for our opinion, even when we left they didn't care to ask why.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children that attend Cary Christian School. I struggled for a long time with a schooling option that was the right fit for our family, we tried public school in 2 different states & even tried home schooling. We were blessed 5 years ago to be introduced to Cary Christian & have been extemely happy ever since. I have children in elementary, middle & high school & can say that the academics are top notch. Kids are encouraged to excel. Athletics are great & the spiritual guidance is incredible to witness! Teachers are excellent & caring & the staff & administration is wonderful. I would recommend Cary Christian to any family!
—Submitted by a parent

This school seems great from the outside , but there are multiple 'cliques'. My child comes home crying sometimes because he/she is humiliated by her 'clique' he/she hates this school and begs me to homeschool her/him.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been consistently impressed since our son (who is now in the fifth grade) has been in kindergarten at CCS. The education he has received is top-notch, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the staff has been loving. We are so thankful that we discovered CCS over 6 years ago.
—Submitted by a parent

As my family was in the military for many years, I have lived all over the United States and have always been blessed to attend Christian schools. Cary Christian High School has challenged me the most of any in both academics and my walk with the Lord. The teachers are strong in their faith and their subject areas, encouraging us to strive for excellence for the glory of God. Cary Christian School is such a blessing.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent school, we are well pleased.
—Submitted by Montie, a parent