Cary Academy Expands Financial Aid, Covers Costs for Many Families

Cary Academy detailed a major expansion of its Charger Promise financial aid program in an announcement on December 11, 2025. Beginning with the 2026 to 2027 school year, the program will cover the full cost of attendance for households with annual incomes under one hundred thousand dollars. The school also said families with higher incomes would be eligible for scaled tuition support, with some receiving assistance that covers as much as 96 percent of attendance costs.

School leaders framed the initiative as an effort to broaden access to independent school education and to address inequities that often make private schooling unattainable for many households. The head of school, Dr. Mike Ehrhardt, emphasized access and equity in communications about the change. The announcement reflects a significant shift for a Wake County independent school to reduce financial barriers for lower and middle income families.

The local public health implications are notable. Education is a core social determinant of health, influencing lifetime income, access to resources, and mental and physical well being. Expanding affordable access to a rigorous independent school may reduce financial stress for some families, support students who need stable learning environments, and potentially improve long term health and economic outcomes. For families who have weighed educational options against rising housing and living costs, knowing tuition can be affordable may alter decisions about schooling and employment.

For the community, the program could diversify the student body and create new pathways for students who previously lacked access to independent school programs. It may also prompt other private schools to reassess aid practices, and it raises questions for policymakers about equity, public resources, and school choice in Wake County. The details of application procedures, eligibility verification, and outreach to historically underserved neighborhoods will determine whether the policy achieves its stated equity goals.

As Cary Academy prepares to implement the expanded Charger Promise, monitoring enrollment patterns and the experiences of beneficiary families will be crucial. Local health providers, school leaders, and community organizations may find opportunities to collaborate on outreach and support so that the financial aid translates into sustained educational and health benefits for Wake County residents.