Thales Academy, Cary Academy planning to hold in-person classes

Officials at Cary Academy and Thales Academy believe the schools can open safely.

Laura LeBlanc knows exactly where her daughter, Hannah, will be on July 20.

"We did spring remote learning, and for our 6-year-old, it was not a great experience for her because that is not the best way that she learned," LeBlanc said.

Thales Academy, Hannah's private school, will offer both online and in-person classes.

“Thales Academy is thrilled to open our schools on time for the 2020-21 school year. We strongly believe that providing an in-person educational experience is of utmost importance for the wellbeing of our students and families,” Holly Clark, a spokeswoman for Thales Academy, wrote in an email.

Clark said supporting working parents was a big factor in the decision to offer in-person classes.

“Returning to school will help students to continue progressing academically and socially, will promote positive mental health and will allow our working parents to focus on their obligations to their employers,” said Clark.

Thales Academy said it has an extensive protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including daily temperature checks and symptom surveys, social distancing, frequent hand washing and no shared supplies.

Just a few weeks later, on Aug. 12, Cary Academy will open too.

"Regardless of whether or not we are going to open fully or partially or are we going to be virtual, school will still go on in the fall, and so we started with what we could control and we've worked our way through since then," said head of the school Dr. Mike Ehrhardt.

"We may bring in an entire grade level, or we may be doing different activities, lots of sports and clubs," said Ehrhardt.

Both academies will require teachers and students to wear masks in accordance with local and federal guidelines.

Even though the schools are different, the two share the same goal of learning safely.

That goal is good enough for LeBlanc.

"Think about what is best for your family -- you're your best advocate -- and then do that," she said.