A VISION FOR OUR CAMPUS
A $26,000,000 Vision for Our Campus Improvements and Institutional Stability
A Vision of Beauty
An Example of Excellence
Beauty confronts purpose when our campus embodies the purposefulness that we expect from our students and reflects the beauty of the God that we represent.
This legacy is not just for our current students and teachers, though that is important – it’s to ensure that the beauty and purposefulness that we enjoy are established and secured for future generations.
Current Phase 2 Projects
1. Establish an Endowment: The Knights Fund | $5,000,000
> A $5 million endowment would provide $200,000 annually for mission expenses such as increasing financial aid, adding teachers, and improving salaries and benefits – all without increasing tuition.
> The discipline of having an endowment frees us to move missionally faster and with greater effect.
> Establishing an annual surplus for cash reserves is a practice we’ve disciplined ourselves to do as we know how important it is for the stability of our school!
2. New Competition Field: Synthetic Turf, Press Box, and Larger Bleachers | $1,500,000
> We are always calling our athletes to more, and our new field will back up and reinforce that call.
> Since our founding, we’ve accumulated 13 State Championships, 17 Runner-ups, and 40 of our graduates have committed to play at the collegiate level. Our athletes deserve a field that serves them well!
> Synthetic turf improves the speed of play and predictability of ball reaction and increases field use during rain periods.
> Lastly, this project includes a new press box and larger, more professional bleachers, making games a better experience for all.
3. Campus Improvements: Student Parking Lot + Stormwater System | $2,600,000
> Our current parking lot is full (at only 50 spaces) and our number of student drivers continues to increase. It is also gravel and poorly designed.
> 100 new paved spaces will be added to our parking lot (a 200% increase!), making space for everyone who needs it and keeping our school safe and efficient.
> Improving our stormwater system is essential for meeting our own needs as well as the Town of Cary’s requirements.
A Bold Vision for $26 million
Building on a Rich History
Phase 1:
$2.5 million completed!
> Theater Renovations: An elevator, additional seating, better technology, and an improved HVAC are the key enhancements made to our theater to reflect the purpose and beauty we expect in our performing arts program.
> The East Side Portico: 3rd-5th graders now have a place to eat lunch under a shelter and Upper School students no longer have to stand in the rain for carpool.
> Gym HVAC: An improved AC system keeps us cool and comfortable at Senior Assembly, Grandparent’s Day, and other fun events in our gym!
> Main Building Restroom Renovations: No part of our campus is insignificant – we even want our restrooms to embody the purposefulness of our mission and reflect the beauty of our God.
Phase 2:
$9.1 million by December 31, 2023
> Like many classical Christian schools, Cary Christian School’s story is one of small beginnings. It was incorporated in October 1994 after a group of parents were inspired by this educational model. A few months later, 152 people gathered regularly to pray and plan to launch the school. September 6, 1996 was the first day of school and when Hurricane Fran hit North Carolina. Eighty-four students began their classes in trailers. In the spring of 1997, CCS graduated its first two students.
> God continued to bless the school’s commitment to classical and Christian education, and five years later the graduating class had grown to ten. By year six, under the leadership of Larry Stephenson, God provided the school with accreditation through the Association of Classical Christian Schools, more growth, and land to combine three campuses into one location. Through a unified spirit, trusting in a vision for the future that God had revealed (and a lot of hard work!), students and staff moved into the new twenty-one acre campus at 1330 Old Apex Road. The building was erected in ten short months. In 2011-12, CCS launched plans to construct the Field House and updated technology was added to the classrooms. With over 850 students, Cary Christian School is currently the fourth largest school in the Association of Classical Christian Schools.
> The school has no more land and has no plans to relocate, therefore we must continue to be good stewards and maximize every square inch of the property that the Lord provided for CCS’ mission. We believe that God is bringing about extraordinary outcomes for our students and the future of our community at Cary Christian School. As we launch phase 2 of a capital campaign for campus improvements and institutional stability, we will see how “Beauty Confronts Purpose.”
Phase 3: (coming in the future)
Updated Playground
> Incorporating an impervious surface for more outdoor time and no muddy conditions after rain
> Building an updated playground
> Adding perimeter netting to better contain recess balls
Phase 4: (coming in the future)
Gymnasium
> Everyone will get a seat!
> No more 6:00am team practices
Phase 5: (coming in the future)
New Paideia Hall
Completed:
Theater Renovations
Completed:
East Side Portico
Completed:
Gym HVAC
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is leading the campaign?
> Robbie Hinton, our Headmaster, with support from our Board.
2. What factors went into determining that the school’s campus needs these improvements?
We want to be excellent stewards and maximize every square inch of the 21 acres that the Lord has provided to this school. We have no more land to incorporate and there are no plans to relocate, therefore we must consider what can be done to increase CCS’ institutional stability on this property. Underlying these planned improvements is a desire to continue to instill a transformational experience for everyone who steps onto this campus.
> An endowment can move the school forward, especially during economic and social change.
> Having a competition field with synthetic turf and lined for all sports means that changes in weather have less impact on our practice and game schedules. Currently, 8 fall teams and 6 spring teams use it for practices and games. The fall season will have over 350 uses; spring preseason and official season will have over 250 uses. This does not include house events or physical education classes. Larger bleaches and press box will accommodate many more fans and guests, becoming more of a hub for school community and fostering school spirit. We will also appreciate a better sound system from the announcer’s box.
> More parking spaces will allow student drivers to park in a lined, paved lot more efficiently and safely. This will more than double the current number of spaces we have in the gravel lot!
In phase 3, we can anticipate the following benefits to the school’s campus:
> A new playground with an impervious surface will eliminate mud and dirt on uniforms and tracking into the buildings. We can also provide greater safety with netting around the playground border to prevent equipment scaling over the current chain link fence.
In phase 4, a new gymnasium is crucial to accommodate seating for everyone!
Lastly, in phase 5, the new Paideia Hall will become an extension off the current Field House and could provide additional classrooms, dedicated space for music and art, a lunchroom, locker rooms, and a fitness room.
3. Are we trying to grow the school any larger than it is now?
> Cary Christian School is the fourth largest school in the Association of Classical Christian Schools. Enrollment is at 850, a record high! We cannot increase this number much now, however, we can continue to get better at what we do. Lowering the student-to-teacher ratio is important and impactful.
4. What is the fiscal health of the school before entering this campaign?
> Very strong. The school maintains a 25% cash reserve. Tuition covers 101% of operating expenses. An endowment will perpetually expand what the school can budget toward its goals.
5. How will the school community be kept informed of the campaign’s progress?
> We will keep the school apprised of the campaign’s progress through school communications, such as The Knightly News, ParentSquare, and special email updates.
6. Will tuition be increased because of this campaign?
> Tuition will not be impacted by this capital campaign. Tuition is designed to cover all operating expenses. A capital campaign is focused on what the school’s campus needs for it to remain successful leading into the future. Its financial goal is more sacrificially raised.
7. Will we raise most or all of the money before beginning the next phase?
> We will keep moving incrementally ahead as the money is raised for each phase. If we raise the $26 million quickly, we will be able to make all of these goals happen much sooner!
8. Why give even when your kids will not benefit from it?
> Nothing changes without education improving. We do not just want to hold the line from it getting worse in our country; we want to press ahead in preparing the next generations.
Ways to Give
Your gift today will empower strategic improvements to our campus that embody the purposefulness we expect from our students and reflect the beauty of the God that we represent.
Donate by Mail
Mail checks to:
1330 Old Apex Road
Attn: Development
Cary, NC 27513
Additional Options
Interested in discussing appreciated stock, corporate gifts, or matching gifts? Contact us below.
Drop a Line!
Questions? Reach out to Robbie Hinton at rhinton@carychristianschool.org or fill out the form below.