An Evening of Excellence at CDS: Honoring Scholarship and Leadership
Last night, our campus was filled with pride and celebration as the Upper School community came together for a special evening honoring academic achievement and intellectual growth. The night began with the induction of the newest members into the Cum Laude Society, the highest academic honor a secondary school student can earn. Reserved for students who graduate at the top of their class, Cum Laude membership affirms a sustained commitment to scholarship, integrity, and intellectual curiosity. The evening concluded with the Upper School Awards Ceremony, where students were recognized for their excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Together, these events reflected the depth of scholarship and character that define the Carrollwood Day School experience.
Carrollwood Day School recently celebrated a significant academic milestone with the induction of its sixth class into the Cum Laude Society. This distinguished honor recognizes students who have achieved at the highest academic levels during their time in secondary school. Founded in 1906, the Cum Laude Society was created to celebrate scholastic excellence and modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious collegiate honor society. With the guiding principles of arete, dike, and time—excellence, justice, and honor—the society honors students whose academic records reflect intellectual curiosity, integrity, and a sustained commitment to learning. Today, fewer than two percent of all secondary schools in the United States hold a Cum Laude charter. Out of approximately 27,000 public, private, and charter schools across the country, only 382 have earned this distinction. Carrollwood Day School became one of them in December 2019 and inducted its first group of students the following spring. Since then, CDS has recognized a total of 96 students through this esteemed society.
Eligibility for individual membership is based on rigorous academic criteria. Juniors must rank within the top 10 percent of their class, and seniors must fall within the top 20 percent. It is the highest academic honor a student can earn at the secondary level, affirming that they graduated at the top of their class, a distinction that carries weight well beyond high school and into college and professional pursuits. During the 2025 Cum Laude Society induction ceremony, each senior honoree received their official Cum Laude certificate. These students will later be recognized again at graduation, wearing the Cum Laude pin on their gowns to symbolize their academic achievement. The celebration also welcomed newly inducted members from the Class of 2026, recognizing the top scholars from the current junior class. As Carrollwood Day School continues to uphold a tradition of excellence in education, the Cum Laude Society remains one of the school’s most significant academic honors. It serves not only as recognition of students’ accomplishments, but also as a testament to the enduring value of scholarship, character, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
The following students from the Class of 2025 have earned membership into the Cum Laude Society by ranking in the top 20 percent of their senior class, demonstrating exceptional academic achievement and intellectual distinction.
Leo Ahluwalia
Brooke Bergin
Aaron Bradley
Jai Dehra
Mariam Gouda
Jennifer Makris
Benny Ortega
Adassa Pinhasov
Rohan Patel
Isabella Ragan
Audrey Royer
Sophia Viera
The following students from the Class of 2026 have earned induction into the Cum Laude Society. These students represent the top 10 percent of their junior class, exemplifying a strong commitment to academic excellence and scholarly integrity.
Alexa Akel
Evan Cowan
Caroline Cromwell
Isha Dham
Reese Evans
Riley Huls
Anika Iyer
Ella McNamara
Arjun Patel
Paula Santana-Steininger
Alice Sutton
Avery Wallace
Following the Cum Laude Society induction, Carrollwood Day School continued its celebration of academic achievement with Upper School Awards Night. This special evening served as a meaningful tribute to the Class of 2025, recognizing students for their outstanding accomplishments, character, and contributions throughout their Upper School journey. Surrounded by family, faculty, and friends, seniors were honored with a variety of awards that highlighted their academic excellence, leadership, service, and dedication to the CDS community.
The evening was a powerful reminder of the dedication, intellect, and heart our students bring to their academic journeys. As we celebrated their accomplishments, we also looked ahead with excitement, knowing these young scholars will continue to lead with purpose and curiosity. It was a night that truly captured the spirit of excellence that defines Carrollwood Day School.