Cannon School

We are new to the Charlotte area and this is our first year at Cannon. Moving two teenage boys to a new area and a new school was a very worrisome experience for us but our worries quickly dissipated once school started. The staff and students at Cannon were all very welcoming and friendly to all of us. The curriculum has appropriately challenged our children while giving them the environment to grow socially and academically. The boys love Cannon and we do too!
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to the Charlotte area, and so pleased to have found Cannon. Our children were enrolled at the premiere K-12 college prep school in our previous town and we hated to give that up. We have been grateful to find that our daughters have adjusted to the curriculum and social worlds of Cannon very smoothly. They are challenged, but are meeting the challenges well. Everyone is so friendly that my children already say they "love Cannon." With all of the changes that are going on in our lives, Cannon school is a real highlight!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our child's first year at Cannon School and we could not be happier. If you are looking for an organized middle school that will embrace, challenge and provide your middle school child with growth. Cannon School is SUPERIOR. Superior leadership by the Head of Middle School, the teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

This was our first year at Cannon and we couldn't be happier. I love the smaller classroom size. The lower school has great teachers. At our previous school, there was virtually no science program. The lower school science program is fabulous. I can't say enough good things about Cannon.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of educating the entire student has been declining at Cannon over the past 3-4 years. It is obvious that Cannon would like to be mentioned in the same breath as a Latin or Country Day but they fall way short of the more established private schools. Their athletics and arts programs have been on the decline since they changed leadership. We moved our children a year ago and are happy we did!
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon is a wonderful place. It's tougher than any public school I know, and the challenge is welcomed. I've been at Cannon for seven years now, and in my experience, the kids that end up leaving are the ones who are simply not up to par. For whatever reason, these students are either unwilling or unable to rise to the challenges that the superb faculty provide us with every day. Of course, there are always some dud teachers at any school, but for the most part, all of Cannon's are engaging, likable, and fun. I am a proud member of Cannon's Class of 2011 and feel confident that Cannon has prepared me well for college and beyond. Scoring 5's on two AP classes as a sophomore isn't my definition of 'average academics.'
—Submitted by a student

Our daughter has been at Cannon from 2nd through 6th grade. The facility is quite nice, and they offer a lot of extracurricular activities, music, theater, etc. However, Cannon simply isn't what they market themselves to be. The colleges and universities to which graduating seniors matriculate are mostly second- or third rate. The general atmosphere is one of conformism, and of submissiveness to the parents with the most money. The school markets itself extensively, then turns around and tells parents how much they have to donate in order to meet budget. The teachers are average at best; not 'bad', but just not what one would expect for the investment. I guess my overall opinion is that there is insufficient attention paid to kids as individuals, and little if anything in place to identify their strengths and help develop them. Bottom Line: to 'escape' public school, yes; for an exceptional education, no.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been going to Cannon for 7 years, and they love it. It's a safe, challenging but nurturing environment. The teachers are highly engaged and motivated, the standards are high, but they create a structure where the kids can learn to stretch (and smoetimes fail) in a very supportive environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon is a very safe place with highly motivated teachers. My daughter is learning and thriving. Worth every penny!
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon is an amazing environment for learning, socializing, and encourgement! Our students are true leaders in the community and in the classroom!
—Submitted by a parent

Our academic and student life programs 'go beyond' to prepare students for the future!
—Submitted by a teacher

Great college prep school and has all students' best interest at heart. The school is truly thinking about the right things.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a very well organized school. My kid is happy with her friends and teachers and so are we.
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon school has great teachers and coaches!
—Submitted by a parent

Cannon School continues to get better and better. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive -- and our kids love going to school every day. This school year is off to a great start. I have enjoyed meeting the new parents and students -- there is a great group of new families this year. I have to say, Cannon's focus on core values, community service/outreach, and learning how we learn is really making a difference in my children's attitudes toward school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Cannon School for the past 5 years and we plan to have her continue at Cannon until she graduates, five more years from now. We are extremely pleased with just about everything at Cannon. Our daughter has had incredible teachers and she has flourished. We were so pleased with the score she received on the Duke TIP SAT exam leading to state honors for her and about 20 other 7th graders at Cannon. The teachers really know their stuff and are passionate about teaching. The extracurricular activities are so many that she can't fit in all she'd like to do! We have not felt the homework in the middle school to be too demanding, nor have we seen anything to indicate a repressive, overly-strict discipline policy. The kids all seem happy there and our daughter and her Cannon friends are thriving. It's an outstanding school.
—Submitted by a parent

cannon school is a great school to put your kids in. its a safe and very good school to put your children in. Cannon school is the best!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

The lower school used to be a gem but it is now destroyed. I am somewhat relieved to read that people thought the atmosphere is cold and hostile. I thought it was just me and tried to shake it off. The school says that they value 'diversity' and every action proves that they do not.
—Submitted by a parent

I can not recommend Cannon. The lower school was a great experience for our daughter, but the middle school is terrible. We are pulling our child out at the end of the year. New management and new teachers that are sub-par make the middle school a poor choice. The middle school teachers yell and the kids have a silent lunch many days. My daughter has had been at Cannon since JR K, and we fully expected her to be there until high school. The middle school also gives extreme amounts of homework. There is no time to be a kid. There is at least one test every week and hours of homework are assigned each night. However, the lower school is great and I would highly recommend it. It has great teachers that make learning fun. The science teacher (lower school) is the best teacher I have ever seen. He makes science fun.
—Submitted by a parent

In Cannon, we have found a school where it is 'cool' for our daughter to be smart. Our daughter entered 9th grade this year coming from AG classes in public school where she excelled. The bar is definitely higher and the workload heavier. She is thriving although it is imperative that she be organized and self-disciplined. Our daughter has also played volleyball and now plays basketball. The coaching is excellent and even though she is new and one of the less experienced players, the coaches work with her with professional dedication andconcentrated interest. I see that same focus on the other teams as well. On a more academic note, we have found the teachers and administrators deeply committed to the success of each student.
—Submitted by a parent