After a 40 year absence of Catholic secondary education in the Asheville area, Canongate Catholic High School opened September 4, 2013 with 14 students in 9th-12th grades. Currently, two full-time and six part-time teachers (67% advanced degrees) teach 18 students: nine freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors, and four seniors. The name of the school is based in the life of our patron saint, St. Margaret of Scotland, and refers to the name of the medieval castle road that connected to the grand church built in her honor. For us, the name is a perfect metaphor to describe authentic education. By way of the canon – the enduring works of art and literature, together with the Church’s scripture and its Eucharistic prayer – we find our path out of shadows into the truth.
As an independent Catholic school, Canongate is not directed or financially supported by the Diocese of Charlotte. Canongate’s first campus, occupied for one year, was located on Cane Creek Rd. between Fletcher and Fairview at the Korean Catholic Mission, and its second campus was in central Fletcher at 4110 Hendersonville Rd. In the Fall of 2019, Bishop Jugis approved for Canongate to relocate to St. Barnabas Catholic Church, starting January 1, 2020.