Monica Rodriguez began her tenure as Head of School of The Montessori School of Raleigh and Carolina Preparatory Academy in July 2020.

Monica earned a B.A. in Spanish at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College. She began her teaching career at Near North Montessori School in Chicago before moving to Morgan Park Academy, where she held positions as Dean of Academics, Director of Global Studies, Assistant Upper School Principal, Director of Academic Summer Institute, World Language Department Chair, and Upper School Spanish teacher during her eight year tenure with the school. Prior to coming to MSR, Monica was the Director of the Upper School at Latin School of Chicago where she oversaw a division of 80 faculty members and 475 students grades 9 -12.

In addition to her work at MSR/Carolina Prep, Monica is a board member of Chicago Montessori School and West Suburban Montessori School and has served on the ISACS Accreditation Team. She is affiliated with Sigma Delta Pi Collegiate National Spanish Honor Society, American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and Association Montessori International.

At Carolina Preparatory Academy (Carolina Prep), we believe real-life learning works. There is a palpable energy one feels when visiting our school: from hearing High School students engaging in complex geopolitical discussions, to watching Middle School faculty teach outdoor survival skills on our 40-acre Durham campus—everything we do is rooted in our commitment to educating and preparing our students for an increasingly complex and connected world. 

Carolina Prep's International Baccalaureate (IB) programs offer a robust continuum of education that distinguishes us from any other school in the Triangle, and we are the only independent school offering the Middle Years Programme (grades 6 - 10) and Diploma Programme (DP) continuum in North Carolina.

We are, in fact, a school focused on the academic, social, and emotional development of students in Middle and High School. The IB Learner Profile guides students to become balanced and reflective thinkers, risk takers, effective communicators, and principled, knowledgeable, and inquiring young adults.

At Carolina Prep, we are able to prepare our students for an unknown future. Our mission is not solely dedicated to being a college-preparatory institution; rather, we pride ourselves on being an institution that prepares our wonderfully diverse student body for life. We are confident that Carolina Prep graduates enter adulthood as prepared, responsible, self-disciplined, and contributing citizens poised to serve and shape their communities and world.

Thank you for your interest in Carolina Prep. I encourage you to further explore our website to learn more about our school and all that Carolina Prep can provide your child.

Sincerely,
Monica Rodriguez
Head of School