Skip To Main Content
About Cannon
a Journey of Growth page headline

Established in 1969 in Concord, North Carolina, Cannon School is a nationally accredited, independent, coeducational college preparatory school serving students from junior kindergarten through grade 12.

 

 Click on a stat to learn more about Cannon School

Mission, Vision, & Values

Our new mission statement is a clarification of who we are as a school community—one that nurtures all relationships in order to engage each individual learner in finding his or her own path to growth.

Head of School Message

Head of School Mike Drew shares his thoughts on the Cannon School community and our future.

Our Campus & History

Founded in 1969, Cannon School has grown into a dynamic learning community rooted in tradition and forward-thinking values. Our 65-acre campus provides the space and spirit for students to explore, thrive, and grow inside and outside the classroom.

Diversity, Belongingness, & Engagement

We believe that diversity, belonging, and engagement are essential to a thriving learning community.  Learn more about how we cultivate an inclusive environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Leadership & Boards

Cannon’s leadership includes the Board of Trustees in addition to the directors and division heads who guide our programs and daily operations. Together, they uphold the mission, character, and long-term vision of the School.

A Community of Learning

Cannon School is known throughout the Charlotte region for delivering a world-class education in a caring and safe environment, where students engage deeply in academics, arts, athletics, and character development. Our diverse community includes families from Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, Salisbury and University City, and the Lake Norman towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, and Mooresville.

At Cannon School, we believe students don’t need to fit in—because here, they belong. We pride ourselves on living out our mission each day - Cannon School nurtures relationships at the heart of learning and engages the learner in a journey of growth.

We believe relationships are the foundation of a meaningful education. They foster a deep sense of belonging that supports each student’s journey of growth—creating a vibrant community where every learner can thrive. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our culture, programs, and what makes Cannon such a special place to learn and grow

Committed to nurturing the whole child, Cannon offers a complex academic program within a supportive community where each student is known valued, and empowered to grow

A History of Excellence

The history of Cannon School is rooted in vision, community, and a deep commitment to education. Founded in 1969 by a group of forward-thinking parents in Concord, North Carolina, the school began as a bold idea: to create an independent learning environment that nurtured both academic excellence and strong character. What started in a historic home has grown into a thriving junior kindergarten through Grade 12 college preparatory school, serving students from across the greater Charlotte region. From its earliest days, Cannon has remained dedicated to developing confident, compassionate leaders—anchored in tradition, yet always looking ahead.

A HISTORY OF CANNON

Click the Timeline to View

Cannon is more than just my school – it's a place where I feel I truly belong. This feeling of connectedness is one that I hope everyone here gets to experience, and one that I will most certainly miss after graduation. But wherever I go after I graduate in May, I also know I will always be welcome back.Upper School Student

Our Commitment to Diversity, Belongingness, and Engagement:

Many Individuals, Many Perspectives;

One Mission, One Set of Core Values;

Knowing We Belong Here.

Our Individual Agreements:

We listen, learn, and grow.

We read and think critically to seek understanding.

We model and practice curiosity.

We welcome and engage in difficult conversations.

We value proximity and practice perspective-taking.

We question ideas; we nurture people.

Our Community Agreements:

We seek fairness.

We embrace and celebrate different cultures.

We confront and address behavior that is
harmful and hurtful.

We use processes that ensure identities do not
predict outcomes.

We explore decisions together, inclusive of
many perspectives.

We welcome all voices and share our experiences.

MISSION:

Cannon School nurtures relationships at the heart of learning and engages the learner in a journey of growth.
 

VISION:

Cannon School envisions a world of wholehearted and adaptive contributors.

Lower School Students

CORE VALUES

Courage:  Willingness to take risks, be innovative, and embrace change
Integrity:  Knowing and doing what is right
Passion:  Enthusiasm for excellence

Respect:  Valuing self as you do others, their differences and their property
Teamwork:  Cooperating, communicating, and collaborating to achieve a common goal
Kindness:  Taking the time to care for others

Our core values guide us in how we treat each other and live together as a community. 

 GO BEYOND


These two simple words say everything about a Cannon School education. They go right to the heart of the school’s passion for excellence and readiness to embrace change. They speak to our students' desire to stretch themselves beyond their comfort zones and exceed expectations in all that they do. They encapsulate the myriad ways that teachers inspire in their students a lifelong love of learning. Our school motto uses the mission statement and our core values as its base and captures the spirit and energy that inspire faculty, students, staff, and parents at Cannon.