Head of School Message

What I love most about Cannon is how alive this campus feels. On any given day, I might see a kindergartner bravely sharing their art, middle schoolers leaning on one another during a tough project, or seniors laughing together during a spirited House Game activity. Those moments remind me that Cannon is about more than just academics — it’s a 360-degree approach to helping students grow in every area of their lives and preparing them for life beyond Cannon.

That growth is rooted in relationships and in the core values that we live out daily — Courage, Respect, Integrity, Passion, Kindness, and Teamwork. You see these values shine in small acts of care between classmates, in the determination of an athlete, in the integrity of a student owning a mistake, or in the teamwork that makes a performance stand out. These aren’t just words on a wall; they are part of the rhythm of school life, shaping who our students are becoming.

Woven throughout the Cannon experience is our commitment to adaptive expertise—the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and adapt with confidence in a changing world. You can see it in everyday moments on campus when a student tackles a challenge with curiosity or approaches a problem from a new angle. And you can see it in the lives of our more than 2,000 alumni, who carry these lessons into their communities and careers, whether it’s a graduate launching a business, creating art that inspires, or serving others with compassion. One of my greatest joys is hearing these stories or meeting alumni in person and almost immediately recognizing them by the way they carry themselves-- with confidence, character, and a sense of purpose.

Of course, none of this happens without the people who make Cannon feel like home. Families, teachers, alumni, and friends bring encouragement, energy, and laughter to every corner of campus. It’s this spirit of support that allows us to keep growing, to keep asking questions, and to keep challenging ourselves to be better.

The journey ahead is full of promise, and I’m grateful to be on it with you.
 

With gratitude,
Mike Drew
Head of School