What would you do with your time if you were given a day every month to explore any interest? What curiosities would you pursue? What passions would you discover? What opportunities would you seize?
That’s precisely the concept behind Cary Academy’s X Day—a designated day each month when students are free to explore ideas, interests, and activities beyond the classroom. Not only are the opportunities nearly boundless—X Day activities need not be offered by or connected to CA in any way, shape, or form—but the programming comes from students themselves.
“We want the sky to be the limit,” offers Danielle Johnson-Webb, Director of Equity and Community Engagement. “At CA, we pride ourselves on being dynamic, on challenging students to ‘own their learning.’ X Day is the very embodiment of that philosophy. We’re giving students the latitude to explore their interests, the flexibility to choose how they spend one of their days, and the dedicated, unscripted time to make it happen.”
With guidance from the Center for Community Engagement, any student can propose and plan X Day activities, which are made available to other students through a monthly signup. For Johnson-Webb, the learning that happens in that discovery and planning process is nearly as important as what happens during the proposed activity itself.
“That we empower students to seek out learning opportunities that are meaningful to them, that we instill in them the independence and initiative to do so, that we demonstrate the value of open-ended discovery—it is a crucial part of the CA experience; it is what sets CA apart,” offers Johnson-Webb.
“When students are in the driver’s seat, they cultivate important skills that serve them long after they leave CA—self-awareness, empathy, leadership, perseverance, resiliency, time and project management, and an authentic passion for lifelong learning, to name a few.”
X Days are (nearly) limited only by student curiosity and initiative. Students have used X Days to start new clubs, mentor peers, study music, perform community service, improve athletics rankings, participate in community dialogues, practice mindfulness and yoga, work on long-term academic projects, pursue research with local universities, and even learn to sail. Read on to learn how some Chargers used X Days last year.
Electo-Rama
Anna-Sophia Polge, ‘25, Eliza Gayer, '25, and Gray Arndts, ‘25, collaborated with faculty to create an X Day that offered students an immersive experience in understanding the 2024 election. The day featured a guest professor who provided insights into North Carolina politics and the presidential race.
Participants explored the voting
process, engaged in hands-on research comparing candidates' stances on key issues, and took part in thoughtful discussions.
Stop-motion Animation Exploration
Led by Tara Viswanath, ‘28, students dove into the world of stop-motion filmmaking. After watching tutorials and analyzing examples, participants planned their stories, built sets, and used iMovie to create their films. After an end-of-day screening (with popcorn, of course), reflected on what they learned and how they might improve next time.
AI Ethics Workshop
Audrey Song, ‘26, and Gray Ardnts, ‘25, developed a thought-provoking X Day where students explored the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. After an insightful session on the diverse uses of AI, followed by a discussion with a Duke University professor, students collaborated to draft a policy proposal for AI use within the Cary Academy community.
URISE STEM Workshop
Club leaders CA’s Underrepresented Individuals in STEM club (URISE), Maya Gupta, '25, Caitlin Smith, '24, and Asha Gupta, '24, designed and led an impactful workshop for elementary-aged students at nearby Reedy Creek Elementary School that offered a variety of activities combining STEM exploration with creative arts, teamwork, and leadership development.
Financial Literacy Workshop
Dylan De Ycaza, '25, and Naiel Tuccu, '24, used X Day to design a comprehensive financial literacy workshop for their Upper School peers, which covered essential topics like budgeting, managing credit, investing, and planning for retirement. Real-life investors from Fidelity participated, offering students practical advice and real-world insights.
Fuel for Speed: Pre-Run Nutrition Workshop
Finn Miller, '26, and Thomas George, '24, invited local sports nutritionist Ella Schowochert to offer a workshop on optimizing pre-run nutrition on X Day. Students learned how the right foods can boost mental focus, enhance endurance, and improve overall performance. The session offered practical tips, including quick and effective snack options to keep runners fueled and ready to excel.
Affinity Group Expansion
Student leaders of the African American Affinity Group have used X Day to support their members better and forge community connections. They have expanded meeting times and bridged the formerly siloed Upper School and Middle School affinity groups to enable peer mentorship opportunities aimed at improving the student experience.
Expanded Service Opportunities
Students in the Upper School have logged an impressive 130+ hours of service learning during expanded X Day offerings that allow them to pursue service opportunities that align with their interests.
Wilderness Club Expansion
X Day has dramatically increased opportunities for the popular Upper School Wilderness Club. Typically only able to enjoy three excursions a year, the club now explores local state parks on a nearly weekly basis.
Gun Violence Prevention Workshop
Maren Fleshman, '26, Raya Jung, '26, Pranav Ravulapati, '25, Aanya Lunani, '26, Yul Choi, '26, and Bemnet Samson, '26, worked in collaboration with faculty to invite students to engage in a meaningful discussion about gun violence and its prevention. Participants explored root causes of gun violence and proposed solutions, working together to draft bills and debate their merits. The session concluded with a vote on the most effective proposal, offering students the chance to develop real-world solutions to a critical issue.