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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina

072123 Allen ErickARDEN — Canongate Catholic High School and the Diocese of Charlotte announce the appointment of Erick Allen as principal, effective July 1. He succeeds Sedrick Dellinger, who co-founded the school in 2013.

“This is a wonderful milestone – 10 years of fruitful leadership under our co-founder and first principal, Sedrick Dellinger, that has paved the way for Erick Allen as our next principal,” said Carlton Murrey, president of Canongate’s board of directors. “We are honored that both men have stepped forward to guide Canongate Catholic High School. It is an honor to support them in this eternal endeavor.”

A native of Horse Shoe, N.C., Allen is an adult convert who entered the Church in 2016. He brings decades of educational and leadership experience to his new role, having served in both private and public schools, and most recently served as a faculty member with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, an organization dedicated to assisting teachers and leaders in independent and diocesan schools. He has an undergraduate education degree and a master’s degree in English from Appalachian State University in Boone.

“I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to continue and to build on the 10-year legacy of rich Catholic liberal arts education that Mr. Dellinger, the teachers and the greater Canongate community have provided to the sons and daughters of the Church here in the mountains,” Allen said.

Founded by Dellinger and fellow Catholic Trent Codd in 2013, Canongate is an independent Catholic school that last year joined the Diocese of Charlotte Schools system as an affiliate. It remains independent, while diocesan leadership are responsible for reviewing and ensuring that all aspects of the school align with Catholic teaching.

Canongate is located on the campus of St. Barnabas Church in Arden, where it serves families in the Asheville region. It has 27 students enrolled for the 2023-’24 year in grades nine through 12.
Canongate’s culture is one of immersion and hands-on learning experiences in an individualized educational setting. The classical curriculum focuses on four “educational pillars”: wonder, attention, freedom and joy. The school’s motto is “Ex umbris in veritatem” (“Out of the shadows into the truth”).

— Catholic News Herald

Learn more about Canongate High School at canongatecatholic.org

CHARLOTTE — Enrollment season is here again for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte, which this year has a record number of students and is exploring possible expansion at several schools.

Sign up for the school system’s nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) officially opens Nov. 2, with parish-based schools following soon after.

“Our schools are thriving, as we continue to become a destination diocese for teachers and students,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic schools. “Families are spreading the word about the great education and faith-filled environments we offer across our 20 schools.”

More than 8,100 students enrolled in Catholic schools for the current 2022-’23 school year, an increase of 18 percent since the pandemic started in 2020. Interest in attending next year is expected to increase, so Monroe encourages prospective families to research schools they are interested in and begin the enrollment process as soon as possible.

Monroe said he was recently reminded of the impact of Catholic education.

Last month in Raleigh, Monroe met a man and through conversation learned his son had attended Charlotte Catholic High School. The son graduated with a solid foundation, the father said proudly, and is now doing well at The College of Charleston.

The man then pulled out his phone to show Monroe a photo of his son walking across the stage at Charlotte Catholic’s graduation in 2022. Monroe laughed when he noticed that he himself was also in the photo – shaking the son’s hand.

“He told me that choosing to send his son to Charlotte Catholic was one of the best decisions he’d ever made,” Monroe said.

“To meet one of our parents, and hear that, is a testament to what we do in our schools. We want parents to know we see each child as uniquely beloved by God, and we will help them succeed – not only in academics and careers, but also in their ultimate vocation and finding who God wants them to become.”

 
MACS schools (Charlotte area)

MACS is a family of nine Catholic schools in the greater Charlotte area. Online enrollment for the 2024-’25 school year for MACS begins Nov. 2. Apply and learn more at www.discovermacs.org/apply.

Prospective families can also contact the MACS Admissions Office at 704-370-3273 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 
Parochial schools

Outside the Charlotte area, 11 other Catholic schools in the diocese will soon begin enrolling students, at elementary, middle and high schools. Contact the specific schools to check for start dates and application details, and to schedule visits.

 

Affiliate

An affiliate of the diocesan school system is Canongate Catholic High School in Arden, which offers a classical education. More information is available at 828-712-8294 or at canongatecatholic.org

 

Financial aid
Scholarship opportunities and financial aid are available to qualified families, making Catholic education more accessible to all. Go online to: www.discovermacs.org/financialaid or call your local Catholic school to explore the best financial aid options for your family.

— Christina Lee Knauss

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