News

The winter athletic season at Carolina Day School was marked by impressive growth and achievement across various teams. Let's take a closer look at their achievements through the eyes of our coaches.
 

Wildcat teams representing 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th-grades wowed the judges with their creative solutions. CDS brought five teams to the competition, and every single one qualified for the state tournament on March 22 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Four teams earned first-place finishes, while the fifth secured second place—a remarkable achievement!

Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious educational initiative supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts. Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) can apply in 28 categories of art and writing, and our students’ creativity and excellence stood out, earning them prestigious Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention awards.

Dr. Michael Lomuscio will join Carolina Day School in July as our new Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs, Head of School Brett Fuhrman announced this week.

Dr. Lomuscio is in his fourth year as the dean of studies at ‘Iolani School in Honolulu, where he leads academic initiatives, supports faculty development, and ensures that every student is positioned to thrive. He also writes a newsletter on independent education.

At CDS, Dr. Lomuscio will enhance our comprehensive PreK-12 academic programming, cultivate an inclusive and dynamic learning experience in all disciplines, and encourage excellence across our four divisions.

In honor and loving memory of CDS parent Hank Thompson, John Ferrell recently established the Hank Thompson Scholar Athlete Financial Aid Endowment & Award at Carolina Day School. This endowment will support need-based financial aid to CDS students who participate in the athletic program. 

Recently, parents had the opportunity to experience the excitement of our middle school mini-course program firsthand. Held each Wednesday, these innovative courses go beyond traditional classroom learning, inspiring students to explore their passions, discover their strengths, and grow as leaders.

The 3rd annual Asheville’s Got Talent brought together students from Carolina Day School, Christ School, and Asheville School for an unforgettable evening of music and performance on Saturday, February 8, at Diana Wortham Theatre. Four talented Carolina Day acts, who earned their spots after excelling in the school’s Wildcats Got Talent showcase, took the stage to represent CDS in this city-wide celebration of student artistry. Carolina Day’s Jalena Raine (Salazar) ’25 delivered a breathtaking rendition of Lana Del Rey’s "Million Dollar Man," earning first place in this year’s competition.

CDS proudly celebrated senior Caroline Barton '25 and her commitment to continue her cross country and track career at Princeton University. This special event honored Caroline’s exceptional achievement and recognized her as she prepares to join one of the nation’s top Ivy League programs. 

Gatorade announced Caroline Barton '25 of Carolina Day School is the 2024-25 Gatorade North Carolina Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. This is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The award distinguishes Barton as North Carolina’s best high school girls cross country athlete

CDS is proud to congratulate alumna Sarah Arison '02 on her recent appointment as the youngest President of the Board of Trustees at MoMA. At just 39 years old, Arison has already made a significant mark on the arts world, and this new role underscores her ongoing commitment to supporting and advancing the global arts community.

Our students have shown incredible resilience this fall, navigating the college application process and overcoming the challenges of Hurricane Helene. As we head into a well-deserved break, let's take a moment to celebrate their progress and focus on their well-being. Read on for a snapshot of their achievements and how we can support them in finding balance during this busy time.

We are thrilled to celebrate Carolina Day School's very own Jan Brabham, a dedicated sixth-grade teacher, and her incredible journey featured in Wofford Today. Jan recently returned to Lesotho, where she first taught as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1988. Accompanied by her son, CDS alumnus Keefe Kalil '24, their visit became a powerful moment of connection and service.

This fall, Carolina Day School's athletic teams demonstrated resilience and spirit amid a season interrupted by Hurricane Helene, which forced the temporary closure of school and suspension of athletics. Guided by the CDS core belief to "embrace challenges and persevere," our Wildcats remained determined, achieving remarkable successes and inspiring our community with their dedication and tenacity. Let's take a closer look at their achievements.

Carolina Day School is pleased to announce that David Hertzinger will continue serving as the Interim Upper School Principal through the 2025-26 school year, extending his initial appointment by an additional year.

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through Asheville and Western North Carolina, leaving significant damage in its wake, and forcing Carolina Day School to close for several weeks. 

In the wake of the Hurricane Helene disaster that left many in the Greater Asheville area struggling, Carolina Day School mobilized swiftly to support the community's recovery. Led by a group of dedicated CDS staff and in partnership with the Town of Biltmore Forest, the City of Asheville, and Buncombe County, the school launched a two-week initiative to host an essential item distribution site, helping approximately 2,000 affected families with the help of over 300 volunteers.

Dr. Diane Milner, Principal of the Key School has announced her decision to retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. This decision marks the conclusion of a remarkable tenure at Carolina Day School, where she has served since founding Key School in 1997 with just two students.