ARDEN — 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