Cannon School

5801 Poplar Tent Road

Concord, NC 28027

30 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 25, 2024

Both of my children have been at Cannon School since Junior Kindergarten. As a former educator, I felt some anxiety sending them into today’s educational landscape. I wanted them to experience what I had as a child—a place where teachers and staff truly know and care about each student. Cannon School is not just an institution; it’s a community. My children have also found wonderful friends here, and through friendships with other parents and engaging in the various programs Cannon offers, I’ve found lifelong friends as well. I am incredibly grateful for the personal attention my children receive and for the way they are seen and celebrated for who they are. With the new leadership in place, I am confident Cannon is on course for its best chapter yet.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2024

Our son has now been at Cannon School going on two years. Having moved countries and settled in North Carolina, the process of selecting an independent school in the area was daunting. It was the personal touch that the Admissions team added to our acceptance that made us instantly know we had made the right choice. His 3rd Grade teacher at the time, showed him nothing but love, kindness and respect while working with him to adjust and adapt to his new surroundings. Daily I am reminded that the passion and kindness the faculty show towards students makes Cannon a special place.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2024

As a parent of four Cannon graduates and the grandparent of 2 current Cannon students, I have a broad perspective on what makes this community special. Relationships, core values, and a faculty that cares deeply about teaching and learning.
Submitted by other on November 13, 2023

Its all about the image at Cannon School. They also have a history of calling in students in class with no warning nor any time to call their parents and ambushing them with multiple teachers for questioning when they have been accused of something or when that student does something that may make the school look bad. These things could have nothing to do with any violation or rule breaking, but just not make the school look as good as it wants to. The college counseling the school brags about is an absolute joke and provides little to no help.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

Cannon earns 2 stars from me only due to the number of extracurricular activities they offer (clubs, engineering lab, sports, student leadership opportunities, etc.) Their academics are extremely poor as there is very little curriculum. Students spend their time on youtube learning subjects given the lack of teacher quality and a total lack of a robust curriculum. Wealthy parents send their average kids to Cannon. Cannon does not successfully matriculate to Ivy league or any strong Northeast university. Oftentimes there is a toxic culture between the facility and parents with the students stuck in the middle. Save the tremendous cost, the entitled student environment, the overall lack of educational resources to prepare students for college, and the declining culture. There are even strong charter schools now matriculating to strong NC universities. Recently they've even had campus security issues.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2022

I can’t say enough good things about Cannon School! My daughter is in 5th grade and loves it! The curriculum is challenging but the teachers provide help where it is needed and help all students to succeed. There are a ton of after school programs, music and sports to get involved in. It really is a special place!
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2022

I do want to take time and acknowledge some of these reviews. I have been at the school with two biracial children in 1st and 3rd grade for two years and we have never experienced anything but pure love from every student and faculty member. Teachers are next level amazing!! Teachers help children flourish academically and emotionally. My family and I all agree this is the best school on the planet. My kids fly out of the car in the morning and ask me not to pick them up to early at the end of the day. The parents here are so involved and work so well together. We love Cannon and are so proud to be a part of this community.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2022

Cannon states that it is a nurturing, and highly effective school for all learners, but I would have to disagree. My experience with this school has been of great disappointment in their attention to challenging the gifted learner. Also, the student that has the country club look and wealth is treated with respect and Administration will turn a deaf ear to their bullying tactics, but if you don’t look like others, you are an easy target with Administration not supporting you. I give all situations a fair non-bias chance, but as an educator myself, I am very disappointed with this school for my family member and do not recommend it .
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2021

Our child attended Cannon for 4 years. Cannon has developed quite the reputation for turning a blind eye to multiple incidents of bullying. Several families (ours included) left this school for this exact reason. Cannon prides itself on "character building" but ignores the mistreatment of students of color-racist jokes and comments are swept aside and the students of the wealthiest donors literally get away with whatever they want so long as the checks funnel in. The Cannon culture is a toxic mix of wealth, ignorance and an administration that lacks integrity.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2021

We have three children there—and have attended for 12 years so far. If you value critical thinking, community, core values, and adaptive expertise—look no further. A fantastic school—that truly continues to get better and better as the years go by. Dedicated faculty—lots of opportunities for growth for your children—and it’s not just all academics—the school has fantastic Arts, PE, Sports and extra curricular programs. Cannon has been a partner, in raising our children.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2020

One word: Horrible. They are run like a business rather than a school. The prior head of school was fantastic, but the new head of school has turned Cannon into an elitist school that says the right things, but acts differently. If you want your kids to go to an elitist private school, send your kids to Providence Day, Country Day or Latin as at least they'll get a better education from those schools too.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2020

Great school! We love everything about cannon - great environment that fosters a love of learning and growth .
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2020

As a parent who did not go to private school as a kid, I must say I am impressed by the school overall. I did go to one of the best public schools in the state but I still feel my education would have been vastly superior had I graduated from Cannon. It is head-and-shoulders above 95% of the public offerings in the Concord/Charlotte area. After touring Cannon as the first private school we looked at, we toured other schools and ultimately returned to Cannon for a second tour/open-house. We were drawn to the warm/open community that the teachers/parents/administrators have created there. Everyone involved with Cannon in some way are completely invested in the success of every child (including alumni, retired teachers and parents, not just those currently on Cannon's payroll). It felt like the right place then and still feels that way 3 years later.
Submitted by student on March 28, 2019

Awesome for any learner. Children with learning disabilities may have trouble though
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2018

All kids are welcome here. The teachers are awesome. There is just something special about this place.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2018

Our children have grown a great deal during their years at Cannon. Teachers nudge them. Coaches nudge them. Students are encouraged to try things they might not be comfortable about trying. They are encouraged to take risks. And they are supported when they come up short.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2017

I was sad to have to pull my children out, but Cannon misrepresents itself by having great support for their students. They are more focused on bullying the parents out of donating more money than they are on preventing the children from bullying.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2016

I have always appreciated the quote about perfection being a mathematical concept, as opposed to a human condition. No school is perfect. But it’s my opinion that Cannon strives to do right by its students and their families, and way more often than not, they get it right. They value intention and reflection, which guides the growth of both the students and faculty alike. While we have been at Cannon for years now, we have lived in more than one region of the US and have experienced both public and private schools as a result. My perspective has been two-fold, as both a teacher and parent. I have great empathy for any parent who has a negative experience, but in my own professional life, I have also been witness to parents who could or would not see their role in the situation. As with much of life, things are rarely black and white. An online review, good or bad, is rarely a complete picture. Are there clique-y kids and adults here? Some, as there are in nearly any environment. But the vast majority are kind, open, enthusiastic and proud to be an active part of life at Cannon School. In my experience thus far, the administrators strive to develop best practices for their school and my children have had loving, passionate teachers whose support has allowed them to grow and thrive both inside the classroom and out. If you are looking for a community of lifelong learners who aim to go beyond, you should visit the campus and talk to the folks you see there. It really is a wonderful place.
Submitted by other on January 11, 2016

Image, Image, Image. That is the name of the game at Cannon School. The reality is that while they operate under the facade that they are top notch academically, it is really comprised of average/above average students with parents who can afford the the tuition. It is not an ideal environment for highly gifted children, as they would "stand out", and at a school like Cannon, blending in is preferable. There are some wonderful teachers at Cannon, but mixed in with the wonderful are some horrible. Parents tend to be close-knit which can be a good thing, but parents are unwilling to "admit" and discuss with each other if something is wrong, as parents choose the "image" of the school rather than focusing on what's really going on inside the four walls. So, if asking Cannon parents how they feel about the school, take it with a grain of salt. Instead, call a few school / learning experts around town to get their unbiased opinion and advice. If you're looking for an academically serious private school that is worth that level of tuition, you need to drive to Charlotte.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2014

Cannon school is a place where our children have thrived. The academics, athletics, and arts programs rival the best in the nation and the faculty and staff Go Beyond on a daily basis to support our children and help them reach their goals.