By Jason Asbury, Senior Director of Academics
Miami Country Day School proudly celebrates a historic milestone: for the first time, our school has been accepted as a chapter of the prestigious Cum Laude Society. This achievement reflects the strength of our academic program, the exceptional dedication of our faculty, and the scholarly accomplishments of our students.
Founded in 1906 and modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, the Cum Laude Society is among the most respected academic honor societies for secondary schools worldwide. Its mission is to recognize and celebrate outstanding scholastic achievement while promoting a culture of intellectual curiosity and integrity.
The Society’s motto — Areté, Diké, Timé — translates from ancient Greek to “Excellence, Justice, Honor.” These enduring values reflect the spirit of scholarship and character that define both the Cum Laude Society and Miami Country Day School.
Today, nearly 400 secondary schools across the United States and around the globe host Cum Laude chapters, including institutions in Canada, England, France, Spain, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Jordan, and Switzerland. Membership represents national recognition of a school’s academic distinction and commitment to rigorous scholarship.
Why This Matters
Becoming a Cum Laude Society chapter is more than an honorific designation. It affirms the strength and trajectory of Miami Country Day School’s Upper School program and underscores the culture of academic excellence that defines our community.
Membership in the Society allows us to formally recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholastic achievement. Induction highlights not only academic success but also intellectual engagement, integrity, and commitment to learning — strengthening a culture where scholarship is celebrated.
Cum Laude distinction is widely respected by colleges and universities, providing another meaningful credential for students as they pursue higher education.
Most importantly, the Society’s emphasis on excellence, justice, and honor resonates deeply with our mission. This new chapter reinforces those ideals across our campus and elevates the standard of scholarship for all students.
A Milestone for Our Upper School
“This recognition affirms the strength of our academic program and the extraordinary work happening in our classrooms every day,” said Michael Culley, Upper School Director. “Our faculty’s commitment to rigorous instruction, thoughtful mentorship, and continuous improvement has elevated student achievement and strengthened our culture of scholarship. Being welcomed into the Cum Laude Society is a meaningful acknowledgment of that collective effort.”
What’s Next?
This year, we are especially proud to induct our inaugural class of Cum Laude Society members. These students will be the first in school history to carry this distinction, marking the beginning of a meaningful and lasting academic tradition at Miami Country Day School.
Congratulations to our faculty, students, and parents for helping Miami Country Day School reach this important milestone. We look forward to honoring the best of what academic excellence means here, and, in the years ahead, to celebrating many Cum Laude inductees who will carry forward the legacy of Areté, Diké, Timé.
