Cannon School

Cannon is an amazing school! When I first enrolled as a sophomore in high school it helped my academics take a 360. I started with barely a 2.5 GPA and graduated with close to a 3.5. Besides the improvement I saw in my GPA my sense of accomplishment and self confidence sky rocketed. The staff, and students as well help attain a family-like atmosphere allowing everyone to feel like family. Although at times it may seem like it involves a lot of "keeping up with the jones'", it is worth a lifetime to look beyond that flaw. I have never lost sight of my dreams because of the confidence I gained at Cannon and the support I still receive to this day at 21, from former teachers and college counselors. Cannon truly changed my life and I think its worth while for everyone to give it a shot!

My son transferred into Cannon as an 8th grader this year, and it's been a great experience. I could not be happier with this choice! My son actually enjoys school again and loves being challenged in the classroom. The staff, coaches, teachers and support personnel have been fantastic to him and were welcoming from the beginning. I only wish he would have entered in the 7th grade. Kudos to Cannon
—Submitted by a parent

Our family moved to NC one year ago (from the Northeast) and was faced with the very big decision of finding the "right" school for our 3rd, 6th and 9th grade children. We looked at public, private and parhochial options in the greater Charlotte area. It was at Cannon that we, and our children, felt most welcome. Cannon took a sincere interest in getting to know our children and helping them with their mid-year transition. Moreover, it was at Cannon that we felt our children would not only be challenged academically, but asked to expand beyond their comfort zones and to consider the world around them. I commend Cannon for looking at the whole student and helping each student become not only well schooled, but adaptive experts who will be able to face the changing world that lies ahead of them. This overall "whole person" adaptive educational approach starts in the lower school and continues through the upper school. It is a wonderful partnership at Cannon between the leading administration, well qualified, caring teachers, parents and students that make this an ideal school. I recommend Cannon most highly and without reservation!
—Submitted by a parent

We couldn't be happier at Cannon. I do not know any different as we started in Jr K. My kids are upset if they have to miss school. There are a few teachers who have moved to Cannon from the public school system and they have said that they couldn't be happier and that Cannon is "SIMPLY THE BEST". They should be the advocates for the school b/c they have seen it from both sides.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a 3rd year Cannon Family. While the move from public to private was a very difficult decision for our family, it was absolutely the right choice. Cannon School was the right choice. My eighth grader has been learning and growing as a person and student more each year since he started at Cannon. My 4th grader is new to Cannon this year and is happier at school than I have ever seen her, even while we came from an excellent elementary school that we loved. Teachers and administration care and truly get to know your children and help them find ways to shine and become well-rounded student s and people. Raising good students and people is a team effort at Cannon and my kids love going to school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are planning on moving our children out of Davidson Day School to Cannon. I have read many of the reviews and would like to know if any parents can compare the two schools and what we may expect at Cannon.

This school has figured out school administration. It seems to me that much care and thought has gone into making this a place where the students are able to learn. Leadership makes a school and Cannon seems to be led well. The students in highschool are engaged and fairly serious about their work. That is saying something for a school in a state where "dumb is cool" and football rules.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child is an excellent student and never has any issues and you are very wealthy (or work there) then this school can be a decent place. If you are different than anyone at a wealthy GOP fundraiser than you will be out of place here. My kids attended and the stress to fit in can unbearable when money got tight.
—Submitted by a parent

Ugh! Cookie cutter academics hiding behind arrogance. We are moving on to a private school closer to home that really challenges kids by making them think for themselves.
—Submitted by a parent

My child spent 13 years at Cannon. I am of the view that the best way to accurately measure a school's value is how a child performs at the next level. After having his pick of highly selective colleges and universities, he has moved seamlessly into a successful college experience. He is set to graduate in less than 4 years with a double major, all the while holding multiple leadership positions at the school. Interestingly, his grades in college are higher than his grades at Cannon. While some may point to that as a drawback, I see it as confirmation of the quality of the preparation he received at Cannon. To the teachers and staff at Cannon my only message is, simply, thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 17th year at Cannon School. We have two children who have graduated and gone on to college, and one child currently in the eighth grade. All three children started at Cannon in Junior Kindergarten. Our oldest children applied to very competitive Universities and were accepted everywhere they applied. We cannot imagine a better place for our children to go to school. All of the qualities parents and students look for in a school are at Cannon. Our relationships with the staff, teachers, and coaches have been and are wonderful. Their doors have always been open to any needs or concerns.
—Submitted by a parent

I have rated this school so low because the process of handling issues to do with my child which I presented to them has left me with a very bitter taste in my mouth. Rather than listening and trying to find a solution they arranged a confrontation with the teacher who declared to my wife and I that we did not know our child and were making things up. I was left bereft and angry and my wife broke down in floods of tears. I was a very strong advocate of what I thought was a very very good school, but their attitude towards parents who have something to complain about leaves a lot to be desired. I am very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a new family to Cannon School. We did extensive research before choosing Cannon for our son. We are pleased with our decision. The Cannon community has welcomed our family from the start. After experiencing a discouraging year at his previous school, our son is back to being his talkative, intellectually curious self. He is involved in sports, enjoying art, and thriving in math. He feels that his course work is relevant, and he is motivated to work at a higher level. Thank heavens! This was a difficult move for us, as we have been strong advocates of our public schools. Cannon is also expensive. In the long run, we feel that his success at this time is imperative to his future success. We will do what we can to provide the best education for our children. I appreciate the staff, students and families who have helped make this transition successful. Thumbs up to Cannon!
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon School has an appropriate blend of academic rigor and support, opportunities for a range of students in the arts and athletics, and a well established service learning program. Our children love it at Cannon. I'd recommend Cannon to anyone who is interested in finding a great school and a great community. The leadership and faculty at Cannon are professional and friendly. And the bus drivers are awesome!
—Submitted by a parent

Of course people who are currently attending Cannon will defend their decision and give it a glowing report. DUH! Who would write "My child is currently enrolled at Cannon and we think is is below par"?? We did NOT enjoy our years at Cannon at all & I would not recommend it to my worst enemy. Anyone who removes their child is instantly accused of not being able to afford it or having a child who is lacking in some way. We removed our child because Cannon was lacking in many ways and they didn't deserve our child. There are many social issues at this school and academics takes a back seat as parents constantly try to one-up eachother. We thought it was ridiculous and since removing our child she has flourished and matured in ways that she would not have, had we chosen to remain at Cannon. Thank God we came to our senses!

I am so pleased with Cannon. We decided to move our son from a well known Christian school in Huntersville, because the academics were not challenging and athletics were lacking leadership. We hesitated because Cannon was farther away, if you are concerned about it being a little more of a drive don't be it is worth it!
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon is better than the area public schools. While it is missing from the Wall Street Journal's best private school list (which is ranked by Ivy matriculation), no other NC schools are on it either. As far as the college matriculations, 2010 was a good or bad year depending whether you think Chapel Hill is top tier--sixteen students went there. No one went to the Ivy League (nor to Stanford, MIT). But students went to UC Berkeley, Northwestern, Duke and Carnegie Mellon. We may need to examine where we as parents went to college instead of putting all the blame on Cannon.
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to Cannon School this year. Our child is very happy and wouldn't change a thing at this point. He is being challenged daily. The teachers seem very caring and excited about our child education. We will be back next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon has far exceeded our expectations! Cannon is a warm and nurturing community where we, as parents, are treated like partners with the school. From the Head of the School, who is a strong leader and a wonderful role model for the students, to every teacher and administrator we've had the opportunity to work it, it's been a real pleasure. Our child has truly blossomed this year, gaining more confidence than ever. Cannon's model of adaptive expertise or teaching the students how to draw on their knowledge to invent new procedures for solving unique or fresh problems, rather than simply applying already mastered procedures, will ensure Cannon's students are ready for the ever changing world we live in. In sum, Cannon is a wonderfully unique community of excellent administrators, teachers, parents and students where students are challenged and supported and able to pursue a vast array of opportunities and experiences to suit their interests. There are so many important choices that we as parents must make for our children. On a daily basis, we can see first hand what an excellent choice we made in choosing Cannon for our child!
—Submitted by a parent

We have had 2 children at Cannon School since 2001, and we are exceptionally pleased with the education our children have and are receiving. The Cannon curriculum and environment have allowed our children to find their interests and talents. It has been great to see how these interests and talents have allowed our children to grow into self-confident, secure and well-rounded young adults!
—Submitted by a parent