Cannon School
{{Short description|Prep school in Concord, North Carolina, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2007}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Cannon School
| former_name = Cabarrus Academy
| image = Go Beyond tranparent.png
| image size = 200px
| motto = Go Beyond
| established = {{start date and age|1969|p=1}}
| type = Private
| headmaster = Michael Drew[https://www.cannonschool.org/about-cannon/meet-our-new-head-of-school# Meet Our Next Head of School]. cannonschool.org. Retrieved Dec 29, 2019.
| address = 5801 Poplar Tent Road
| city = Concord, North Carolina
| zipcode = 28027
| country = United States
| athletics conference = NCISAA
| mascot = Cougar
| colors = Maroon and gold
{{color box|#98002E|border=silver}}{{color box|#C4BB98|border=silver}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.cannonschool.org}}
| coordinates = {{coord|35.4089|-80.6735|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = North Carolina#USA
| enrollment = 1045
| ceeb = 340879
| us_nces_school_id = 01012842
}}
Cannon School is an independent, nonsectarian, college preparatory institution serving students in junior kindergarten through grade 12.{{cite news|title=Cannon School to host open house|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/120811-edu-Cannon-School-hosting-open-house-qcd|accessdate=9 December 2011|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=8 December 2011}} Cannon School is located in Concord, North Carolina in Cabarrus County, on a {{convert|65|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus on Poplar Tent Road near the Cabarrus–Mecklenburg county line.
History
Cannon School was founded in 1969 as a segregation academy named Cabarrus Academy, immediately following court rulings mandating the desegregation of North Carolina public schools.{{Cite journal |last=Edmonds |first=Matthew C. |date=November 2020 |title=The Private School Pivot: The Shrouded Persistence of Massive Resistance in the Black Belt and Beyond |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/history-of-education-quarterly/article/abs/private-school-pivot-the-shrouded-persistence-of-massive-resistance-in-the-black-belt-and-beyond/3A8D5962A128010771C4F84DDA659C1D#access-block |journal=History of Education Quarterly |language=en |volume=60 |issue=4 |pages=455–486 |doi=10.1017/heq.2020.45 |issn=0018-2680 |via=Cambridge University Press|url-access=subscription }}
The school was located in the historic downtown Concord residence of local textile entrepreneur J.W. Cannon. The school initially served students in grades 1-10. Upon opening, the school had 75 all white students, but neither a cafeteria nor a gymnasium. Tuition was $750. Headmaster Herman Butrick claimed that black students would have been admitted, but that none had applied.{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Jerry |last2=Covington |first2=Sam R |title=Private schools include buildings old and new |publisher=Charlotte Observer |date=September 7, 1969}} In 1970, the IRS found that the school had a non-discriminatory admissions policy and was thus eligible for tax-exempt status.{{cite news|date=October 8, 1970|newspaper=Record & Landmark|location=Statesville, NC|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/4141133|via=Newspapers.com|page=13|title=Rulings Revealed}}
In 1994 the school relocated to its current {{convert|65|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus in the northwestern corner of Cabarrus county, and in 1998 Cabarrus Academy was renamed Cannon School.
Originally a school for junior kindergarten through eighth grade, Cannon expanded throughout the 1990s and graduated its first senior class in 2002. (Note: First "new" senior class. As Cabarrus Academy, the school did graduate seniors in its earlier years.)
The school enrolled approximately 1045 students for the 2024–2025 school year.{{cite news |last=Groover |first=Jessica |date=22 August 2011 |title=Cannon School opens with higher enrollment |url=http://www2.independenttribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/cannon-school-opens-higher-enrollment-ar-1322398/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127183341/http://www2.independenttribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/cannon-school-opens-higher-enrollment-ar-1322398/ |archive-date=2013-01-27 |accessdate=9 December 2011 |newspaper=Concord-Kannapolis Independent-Tribune}}
Academics
Cannon School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools{{cite web |title=Institution Summary |url=http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=21759 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405212503/http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=21759 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |accessdate=9 December 2011 |work=Advanc-ED.org |publisher=Southern Assoc. of Colleges and Schools}} and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.{{cite web |title=SAIS Member Schools (search) |url=https://m360.sais.org/frontend/search.aspx?cs=204 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009005701/https://m360.sais.org/frontend/search.aspx?cs=204 |archive-date=2011-10-09 |accessdate=9 December 2011 |work=sais.org |publisher=Southern Assoc. of Independent Schools.}}
The school offers Mandarin Chinese classes in the Middle School and Upper School. Cannon School has developed a sister school exchange program with Tianli International School of Luzhou, Sichuan, China. Each year, since 2004, local families host Chinese students and teachers in their homes during week-long visits to Cannon School and other points of interest around the Carolinas.{{cite news|last=Groover|first=Jessica|date=5 February 2010|title=Chinese students share culture with Cannon School|newspaper=Concord-Kannapolis Independent-Tribune|url=http://www2.independenttribune.com/business/2010/feb/05/chinese-students-share-culture-cannon-school-ar-74066/|url-status=dead|accessdate=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126003243/http://www2.independenttribune.com/business/2010/feb/05/chinese-students-share-culture-cannon-school-ar-74066/|archive-date=2013-01-26}}
Notable alumni
- Jaden Bradley {{mdash}} college basketball player{{cite web |title=Jaden Bradley College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jaden-bradley-1.html |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Vicky Bruce {{mdash}} professional women's soccer player[https://davidsonwildcats.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/vicky-bruce/4302 Vicky Bruce - Women's Soccer - Davidson College Athletics]. Retrieved Aug 17, 2020.
- Harrison Burton {{mdash}} NASCAR Cup Series driver for Wood Brothers Racing{{cite web |last1=Utter |first1=Jim |title=NASCAR Next driver Harrison Burton expands his 2017 racing schedule |url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/nascar-next-driver-harrison-burton-expands-his-2017-racing-schedule-866399/866399/ |website=Motorsport.com |date=18 January 2017 |accessdate=12 August 2019}}
- Austin Cindric {{mdash}} NASCAR Cup Series driver for Team Penske, 2022 Daytona 500 winner, and 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion
- Jarell Eddie {{mdash}} professional basketball player[https://247sports.com/Player/Jarell-Eddie-19232/high-school-31066/ JArell Eddie, Cannon School, Small Forward - 247Sports]. 247sports.com. Retrieved Mar 6, 2020.
- Carter Faith {{mdash}} country music artist{{cite web |last1=Faith |first1=Carter |title=country music artist |url=https://www.carterfaith.com/ |access-date=Feb 9, 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Education in Cabarrus County, North Carolina|state=autocollapse}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Schools in Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Category:Private high schools in North Carolina
Category:Private middle schools in North Carolina
Category:Private elementary schools in North Carolina
Category:Preparatory schools in North Carolina
Category:Educational institutions established in 1969