Dear MSR and Carolina Prep Community,
As we close out the first quarter of the new school year, we remain inspired by all our community accomplished together last year. We celebrated 50 years in education, were named the Best Private School in Raleigh, rebranded Carolina Preparatory Academy, brought back much-loved events including Fall Festival and the Gala, debuted Carolina Prep Project Week with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru, and celebrated our seniors’ acceptances into some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country.
It was a year of growth, pride, and momentum that underscored the testament of what our community can accomplish when we invest in the mission of MSR and Carolina Prep.
Your generosity powered so much of what made 2024–2025 exceptional. Total giving was up more than $80,000 from the prior school year, which was led by tremendous participation and support from our volunteers, parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends. Whether you donated on GivingTuesday, sponsored our 50th Anniversary Gala, gave to help our community further promote safety initiatives, or pledged funds to the Annual Fund directly, you helped ensure that each of our MSR and Carolina Prep students received an exceptional education that is preparing them to lead authentic and fulfilling lives.
As we look ahead, your continued support remains essential. The needs of our students grow with every passing year and so do the opportunities. From expanding access and investing in our teachers, to enhancing programs that spark curiosity and purpose, every gift helps us sustain and strengthen what matters most. Together, we can build on this momentum and ensure MSR and Carolina Prep remain vibrant, forward-thinking schools for generations to come.
Our ultimate mission and purpose remains constant: to provide a safe and premier learning experience for students from 15 months to 18 years. Everything we do is guided by our mission, and also by our core values of Community, Respect, Integrity, and Love of Learning.
Your generous philanthropic partnership year after year makes this possible. When all of us donate, our students flourish, adults lead with skill and heart, and our community works together toward something extraordinary.
Thank you for your generous support of MSR and Carolina Prep. We hope you see your impact on every page of this publication.
With gratitude,
The Montessori School of Raleigh
In October, we were honored to be voted Raleigh’s Best Private School
This recognition celebrates our vibrant community, the dedication of our teachers, and the achievements of our students who carry forward MSR’s
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Congratulations to Ratledge Anderson inaugural Excellence in Teaching Awards. Their passion, skill, and commitment make an extraordinary difference in the lives of our students every day.
Monica Rodriguez Brendan Kiel, MD Head of School President, Board of Trustees
When flooding forced the closure of Building B, our students and guides showed remarkable resilience by moving into the Humanities Building at the Brier Creek Campus for much of the year. They quickly adapted, made the space their own, and returned to Building B ready to pick up right where they left off at the start of 2025.
Building B
Raleigh’s Best
Community Events
This year we celebrated the return of beloved traditions and the growth of new ones. After many years, the Fall Festival returned Brier Creek Campus and brought joy to families across our community. We hosted our second Families Game Night, a new favorite, while Garden in the fall and spring continued the tradition of coming together to beautify our campuses and build community.
Student Performances
Our students shared their talents and hard work with the community through music, theater, and athletics. The Suzuki Violin Program performed at the North Carolina Symphony in the fall and held their annual spring recitals, showcasing the dedication of young musicians and the joy of making music together. On stage, the LMC Players performed The Secret Garden, bringing creativity and collaboration to life in a memorable production. In athletics, our teams competed in cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and tennis, demonstrating perseverance, teamwork, and school spirit throughout the year.
Assemblies
This year we introduced monthly assemblies, creating meaningful opportunities for students to come together as a community to reflect on historical events, celebrate diverse cultures, and mark important academic milestones such as Convocation. These gatherings strengthened connections across our campuses and highlighted the values that define our school community.
Head’s Advisory Council
This year we launched the Head’s Advisory Council bringing parents together to share perspectives and strengthen the partnership between families and school leadership. Their voices will continue to help school leadership navigate the changing educational landscape and help shape the future of MSR and Carolina Prep.
three months, parents, faculty, and staff worked together providing valuable insight and recommendations that will inform Carolina Preparatory Academy’s growth.
Through the Montessori Parent School Association (MPSA), parents played a vital role in supporting our community by organizing events such as the All-School Breakfast, supporting school-wide events like the MSR Gala and Fall Festival, and coordinating the valuable work of our Room
MPSA
announced the rebranding of our middle and upper school from MSR to Carolina Preparatory Academy. This new identity reflects our focus on global engagement, environmental studies, service learning, and college readiness through the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
Commencement, we honored their achievements, resilience, and growth as they prepared to take the next step in their journeys. Members of the class will continue their education at colleges and
Kasen Frame, Oxford College of Emory University
Peru Trip
Students in grades 8 - 12 traveled to Peru for an unforgettable cultural and service-learning experience, returning with new perspectives and lifelong memories. This trip was the launch of Project Week, an innovative approach to the student experience that will take place every spring
Shelton, New York University
Gregory, Wilmington
Gullotto,
Hilscher, University of Innsbruck, Auburn University
Wilmington
Elyse Lujan, The University of Alabama
Chapel
Carter Preble, NC
Noah Robinson, NC
Zayn Masri, UNC
Alyosha Netrebko, UNC
Chapel Hill
Brendan O'Loughlin, UNC
Hill
State University
State University
Juliana Segal, New York University
50th Anniversary
Artistic Tribute
To honor Dr. Maria Montessori’s enduring influence, students in our Lower Elementary classrooms created original Folk Art portraits of Dr. Montessori, a selection of which now hangs in our halls as a reminder of MSR’s commitment to Montessori education and values.
The Montessori School of Raleigh celebrated a milestone 50th anniversary. Five decades of nurturing independence, curiosity, and compassion in students in early childhood through grade 12. Throughout the year, our community reflected on MSR’s journey from its founding in 1974 to the vibrant, dual-campus community it is today.
50th Gala
50th Anniversary Video
Story Map
MSR Art Specialist Dee Lewis created a 'story map' celebrating the 50th, which showcased the school's campuses and what each academic area symbolizes and represents. The piece was presented at the Gala and now hangs in Building A's entryway at MSR.
We captured the voices of our students, faculty, and parents in a short video that shares a little bit about what makes The Montessori School of Raleigh special and unique. You can view the video using the QR code below.
The community came together for a joyful and elegant Gala that brought parents, alumni, faculty, and friends together to celebrate MSR’s rich history and bright future. The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and passion that showcased the strength of our community and its generosity.
An Interview with Excellence in Service Award Recipient
Krystin Knox
It was the calm environment and independence of young children in the Toddler and Children’s House classrooms at The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) that first attracted Krystin and Rob Knox to apply to the School when their son, Ryan, was three years old. Fast forward to May 31, 2025 and Ryan and his fellow classmates walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas at Commencement.
Krystin was also honored at Commencement 2025, receiving the inaugural Excellence in Service Award, which celebrates a parent who has lived the values of MSR–respect, integrity, community, and love of learning–through acts of service during their tenure at the School.
What are your fondest memories at MSR? There are so many! The relationships built with teachers over three-year cycles and knowing the deep care each person had about my child’s growth and development; summer camps and athletic events through the years; the blue bags of Ryan’s Toddler and Children’s House years; and, the lasting friendships I continue to have with the families I met in the parking lot and at events through the years at MSR.
What is your favorite MSR event? Fall Festival–it’s a time for the whole community to come together.
Favorite place on MSR’s campuses? The gym–it was built during our time at the School and it’s become a space for everyone.
What adjectives would you use to describe the MSR community? Inclusive, compassionate, wholesome (with an emphasis on whole child).
What has a Montessori education provided your child? The balance between independence and teamwork, collaboration, and the importance of being part of and contributing to a larger community. There’s also a recognition and appreciation for the beauty in people, especially the celebration of every individual’s unique qualities.
What has the International Baccalaureate (IB) program provided your child? The rigor of the IB program has challenged and helped him know the benefits of hard work, struggle, and grit. He’s also received placements for higher-level college courses at Auburn University, setting him on an academic path that he’s excited to set out to achieve.
What is the legacy of an MSR education that you see through your child’s experiences and accomplishments? In moments where I witness my son in adult situations, he confidently acts on his own accord, and I know that his abilities are a direct reflection of both the teachers and academic and life lessons he received at MSR. Ryan isn’t just a student who learned to read or pass tests or play sports; he is a well-rounded human–a kind, happy person–and so much of that credit is due to the exceptional experiences he had at MSR.
What is your advice to newer members of the MSR and Carolina Preparatory Academy communities? Enjoy what this experience is and be engaged in the community throughout your family’s journey. And, attend Commencement each year–witnessing the outcomes of the School’s students as they transition to adulthood is a testament to the Montessori and International Baccalaureate education they receive.
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2025 - 2026 Philanthropic Priorities
Your generosity helped us surpass our fundraising goals and launch new traditions that brought our community closer during the 2024-2025 school year. This year, we’re building on that momentum with a renewed focus on participation, connection, and impact.
Special Efforts
In addition to the MSR and Carolina Prep Annual Fund, we will also invite support for specific priorities throughout the year, including efforts to enhance our school’s safety and security measures on both campuses and support Carolina Prep’s continued growth.
MSR & Carolina Prep Annual Fund
Our top philanthropic priority this school year is the MSR & Carolina Prep Annual Fund. This fund makes everything possible. It sustains our classrooms, supports our teachers, and ensures that every student experiences inspired learning, a safe environment, and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
The generosity of our community brings the full MSR & Carolina Prep experience to life. Each gift, no matter the size, directly supports the people, programs, and spaces that make our schools so special. When all parents and grandparents participate, they help ensure our students have everything they need to learn, grow, and thrive both now and in the years ahead.
The Gala Returns April 2026
We’re excited to host a Gala once again in April 2026. More than just a celebration, the Gala is one of our most important fundraising events of the year, bringing families and friends together in joyful support of our MSR and Carolina Prep students. More details to come soon.
Together, our community provides for every child. And because each family has it own passions, you can direct your gift to the area that inspires you most. Your support can meet MSR and Carolina Prep’s area of greatest need, extend tuition assistance, enrich extracurriculars an field trips, enhance campus safety and security, or invest in faculty professional development and growth.
2025 - 2026 Important Dates
November 3–16: Book Fair with Quail Ridge Books
November 21: Grandparents & Friends Day
December 2: All-School Breakfast
December 2: GivingTuesday
January 13: State of the School
Impact Report
Production
Editors: Liz Keadle, Derek Spahr
Design & Production: Darren Farrell
Photography: Evan Pike, Alex Boerner, Darren Farrell
Printer: Metro
Productions
January 22: Re-Enrollent Begins
February 6: Families Game Night
March 6: International Day
April 10: Grandparents & Special Friends Ice Cream Social
April 18: MSR & Carolina Prep Gala, 6 - 10 p.m. Prestonwood Country Club
April 24: Spring Garden Day
May 30: Commencement
