Private and charter schools in the area are also set to start classes. Here’s a roundup:
Cannon School
CONCORD — Classes at Cannon School, 8015 Poplar Tent Road, begin Monday.
The school will host a new-student orientation from 8:30 to noon today and a middle school back-to-school night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
The private, co-educational school is for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. About 800 students from seven counties attend Cannon.
Cannon emphasizes five core values: courage, teamwork, respect, integrity and passion.
Cannon School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Southern Association of Independent Schools.
The athletic program includes 40 teams such as cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming, baseball, golf, softball, track and field and lacrosse.
Matt Gossage is head of school.
For more information, call the school at 704-786-8171 or visit the website at www.cannonschool.org.
North Hills Christian School
SALISBURY — More than 300 students began classes Wednesday at North Hills Christian School.
The school at 2970 W. Innes St. is a co-educational, non-denominational, college-preparatory day school for students in junior kindergarten through high school.
North Hills was established in 1967 and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
The school has a competitive athletic program that offers varsity sports including basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, volleyball, softball, and baseball.
The middle school participates in the PAC-8 competitive athletic conference. Middle school offerings include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, volleyball and baseball.
Clubs and activities for middle and high school students include National Honor Society, History Club, Junior Civitan, Seriously Gaming, Robotics Engineer-ing, Praise Band and “Great Books” Club.
Private instruction for guitar, voice, violin, flute and piano is available for an additional charge.
North Hills also provides a comprehensive offering of Advanced Placement and honors classes for middle and high school students.
After-school and before-school care and summer day camp are available.
Matt Mitchell serves as head of school, and Leslie Pullen serves as associate head of school.
For more information, contact Nikki Eagle, director of recruitment and retention, by e-mail at neagle@northhillschristian.com or by phone at 704-636-3005 ext. 109.
Rockwell Christian School
ROCKWELL — Students at Rockwell Christian School, 401 Depot St., Rockwell, will return to class Monday.
Rockwell Christian School is Christ-centered for pres-school through 12th-grade students. There are weekly chapels, Bible classes and curriculums, and emphasis on a Biblical world view in all areas of life.
The school’s sixth through 12th grades offer individualized instruction that also includes some traditional classes, online classes and courses in computer applications, digital art and graphics, language skills, reading comprehension, vocabulary and speed.
Individualization makes it possible for advanced students to have a dual student status — high school and college — simultaneously.
But the setting is also well-suited for the academically challenged student.
School athletics include girls volleyball and basketball and boys soccer and basketball.
Students at the school can compete in two fine-arts competitions throughout the year and have an opportunity to join the American Christian Honor Society.
Before- and after-school care is available.
Dr. John Houghton is the school’s administrator.
For more information, call 704-279-8854 or visit the website at rockwellchristianschool.com.
Sacred Heart Catholic School
SALISBURY — About 250 students from Rowan, Cabarrus, Iredell and Davidson counties will begin class Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic School, 385 Lumen Christi Lane.
The school will host a parent orientation at 6 p.m. Monday and a classroom visitation from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday.
Sacred Heart, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students, invites all children and is composed of many different nationalities and Christian affiliations.
The school employs 37 employees — 22 full-time teachers, seven part-time teachers and eight staff.
Classes and teachers have been added this year to accommodate school growth. The school continues to offer small teacher-to-student ratios in math and language arts.
Sacred Heart offers an advanced curriculum in language arts, math, science and social studies and computer technology, similar to AIG in public schools.
Other subjects taught include religion, Spanish, handwriting, art and music.
In August 2009, Sacred Heart moved to a new 100-acre campus with 21st century classrooms, including SMART technology with laptops, iPads, interactive boards, document readers,and classroom surround sound.
Middle school students are able to choose elective courses, such as advanced art, sports management, computer repair, literary magazine, Math club and Dolphin TV.
Subject curriculums are based on the N.C. Common Core Curriculum, but enhanced and extended by Charlotte Catholic Diocesan school standards.
The school has 16 different athletic teams including soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cheerleading, golf, softball, cross country and track and field.
Sacred Heart Catholic School is fully accredited by AdvancED of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Diocese of Charlotte.
Frank Cardelle is the school’s principal.
For more information, call 704-633-2841 or visit their website www.salisburycatholic.org.
Salisbury Academy
SALISBURY – Salisbury Academy will kick off its 20th school year Wednesday with a new curriculum focus and new faces to complement the school’s history of strong academics, community and core values.
The school will host a fifth-grade parent orientation at noon Monday and a family drop-in from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday.
Salisbury Academy provides quality, child-centered education to a diverse student body of junior kindergarteners through eighth graders.
The co-educational, independent school welcomes back about 160 students this academic year.
The academy is a member of the Core Knowledge Network and Foundation, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
The school is continuing to accept students for enrollment in classes which are not yet full. Tuition assistance is available for families who qualify.
Faculty and staff join in teaching the students through Core Knowledge curriculum and virtues. Educators weave the monthly virtue into lessons, activities and weekly chapel assemblies.
A new goal for strengthening curriculum this year will be teaching for current global awareness and critical thinking.
The school schedules weekly professional development opportunities, including sessions by Catawba College Associate Professor of Teacher Education Dr. Cyndi Osterhus, who will provide Salisbury Academy faculty training on developing critical thinkers in the 21st century.
Along with the Core Knowledge curriculum, Salisbury Academy offers enhancement classes including Spanish, computer, library, music, physical education and art. Students at the Academy benefit from experiential learning with several field trips throughout the year.
Student activities at Salisbury Academy include Battle of the Books, Math Counts: Math Competition Team, N.C. Ecological Studies, Duke University Talent Identification program Talent Search, and Going Green Garden Club Community.
Sports include volleyball, cross country, soccer, tennis, pep squad, cheerleading, basketball, golf and track.
Clubs include LEGO robotics, karate, guitar, gardening, sport workout and music.
Salisbury Academy offers after school care and afternoon clubs for students each week during the school year.
Diane Fisher is the head of school.
For more information about Salisbury Academy visit www.SalisburyAcademy.org or by calling 704.636.3002.