Asheville School Photo #0 - Asheville School is for those who dare to be extraordinary. It is a privilege to learn and live at Asheville School, a small and special enclave among ancient mountains.

Asheville School

360 Asheville School Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
previous
Asheville School Photo #1 - Asheville School is for those who dare to be extraordinary. It is a privilege to learn and live at Asheville School, a small and special enclave among ancient mountains.
next
Asheville School Photo #1 - Asheville School is for those who dare to be extraordinary. It is a privilege to learn and live at Asheville School, a small and special enclave among ancient mountains.
Asheville School Photo #2 - A rigorous academic curriculum is the cornerstone of the Asheville School experience. Expectations are set high for our students, because we believe in what they can achieve and in the merit of the challenge it takes to get there.
Asheville School Photo #3 - Since its founding in 1900, generations of students have looked within themselves and discovered the mettle required to succeed at this school.
Asheville School Photo #4 - Live and learn alongside classmates from all over the world. Students from 25 countries and 16 states call this place their home away from home.
Asheville School Photo #5 - On this storied campus, students forge connections, build character, and grow beyond the confines of their imagination.
Asheville School Photo #6 - The heart of our experience is analog connection, and you'll discover there is so much to see when you stow your phone during the academic day. Learn to be present and engage in the scene around you, enjoying its color, its sound, its people-all here, together.
Asheville School Photo #7 - Our feet are planted in one of the world's most ancient and biodiverse locales. This place - our backyard, our classroom - is pure magic. We are renewed with each changing season. Its peace, its calm, and its wonder are always here to welcome us.
Asheville School Photo #8 - Why is pure, unabashed fun underrated in education? On our campus, it is essential. Our joy stems from painting our faces blue on game day, indulging in a sugar-laced banana, and cruising down snow-dusted hills, shrieking like children. Release your insecurities and revel in the delight of it all.
Asheville School Photo #9 - We believe that spiritual reflection opens the door to a greater understanding and appreciation of oneself, others, and our connection to something greater. With its quiet serenity and ethereal stained glass windows, the William Spencer Boyd Chapel has long been a beloved spot on campus since its completion in 1928. Its doors are always open.
Asheville School Photo #10 - Be it on stage or behind the easel, the arts dare our imaginations to soar. Asheville School's fine arts program uncovers a student's inner artist and sharpens their understanding of theory and technique.
Asheville School Photo #11 - Teamwork, sportsmanship, and commitment define Asheville School athletics. On fields, courts, and in swim lanes, student-athletes continue to develop character as they proudly represent their school and their team.
Asheville School Photo #12 - Asheville School's mountaineering program makes it possible for students of all interests and skill levels to experience the joy and thrill of outdoor adventure, under the guidance of seasoned instructors.
Asheville School Photo #13 - Pursue your greatest potential at an intentionally small co-ed boarding school.
An intentionally small co-ed boarding school set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, our supportive community is a place where all are known and valued.
In their time on our campus, students develop strong character and essential life skills through a rigorous academic curriculum and robust co-curricular offerings.
They leave here ready to shape a changing world.
Our picturesque home along 300 idyllic acres is a safe haven where students learn and thrive both in and outside of the classroom. Framed by mountains, criss-crossed by walking paths, and dotted by pines, it is a place where we feel inspired, connected, and welcome.
This special stamp of soil is more than a picturesque learning environment; it defines our experience.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 297 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,450
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,660
  • Acceptance rate: 40%
  • Average class size: 13 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Asheville School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Asheville School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1900
1906
Campus Size
300 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
297 students
315 students
% Students of Color
15%
26%
% International Students
22%
20%
% Students Boarding
75%
70%
Average SAT Score
1307
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1170 - 1350
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
13 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
37
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
34%
71%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$69.2 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$74,450
$66,250
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$44,660
$35,600
Tuition international students
$74,450
$57,650
% Students on Financial Aid
35%
40%
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
63%
-
Acceptance Rate
40%
60%
Director of Admissions
Michael Heyward
Megan Markovic
Associate Director of Admissions
Derry Roberson Babaoff

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
37
18
Courses
Advanced Topics in Mathematics (Advanced), American History (Advanced), American Literature (Advanced), Art Portfolio Development (Advanced), Biology (Advanced), Biology (Honors), Calculus AB (Advanced), Calculus BC (Advanced), Chemistry (Advanced), Chemistry (Honors), Computer Science A (Advanced), Economics (Honors), Environmental Science (Advanced), French II (Honors), French III (Honors), French IV (Honors), French Language (Advanced), French Literature (Advanced), Physics (Honors), Physics 1 (Advanced), Physics C (Advanced), Precalculus (Advanced), Precalculus (Honors), Quantitative Reasoning 1 (Honors), Quantitative Reasoning II (Honors), Spanish II (Honors), Spanish III (Honors), Spanish IV (Honors), Spanish Language (Advanced), Spanish Literature (Advanced), Statistics (Advanced), Studio Art III: Advanced Art (Honors)

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
36
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Bird Watching Club, Black Student Union, Chess Club, Christian Fellowship, Cinema, Cooking Club, Cycling, Design Club, Forensics, Gay Straight Alliance, Hoste Society (tour guides), International Club, Martial Arts Club, Math Club, Microlending, Mitchell Cabinet (Service Club), Multicultural Club, Peer Tutoring, Photography Club, Robotics, Student Activities Committee, Student Council, Table Tennis Club, The Ashnoca (Student Newspaper), Theatre Performance

Arts and Music Programs:
Chapel Choir, Chorus, Dance, Drama, Handbell Choir, SongCraft, Studio Art, The Blue and White (Yearbook), The Review (Literary Magazine)

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Equestrian, Mountaineering

College Matriculation

Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)

School Notes

  • Founded in 1900, Asheville School is one of the few remaining true small boarding schools in America.
  • This is a nurturing community, where our students and faculty genuinely know one another - thanks to family-style seated meals, senior chapel talks and century-old traditions.
  • We offer a rigorous college preparatory program. Many of our graduates are accepted to the most prestigious schools in the country. In fact, the majority of our recent graduates are attending colleges and universities Barron's rates as "highly selective" and "most selective."
  • We teach 21st century and timeless skills - critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity - in a traditional setting, where students are known and loved.
  • Our acceptance rate is 40 percent, and we have alumni in all 50 states and in about 35 countries around the world.
  • Our 300-acre campus, with pastoral fields encircled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, is nestled in the city of Asheville, North Carolina. In fact, Architectural Digest named Asheville School the most beautiful private high school in North Carolina in 2018.
  • Asheville School accreditations: NAIS, TABS, SACS
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Amy "Bellamy" Young 1987 - Amy "Bellamy" Young is an actress best known for her role as First Lady Mellie Grant on ABC’s political drama series Scandal.
    • Pete Dye, Jr. 1944 - Dye designed world-renowned golf courses, including Oak Tree in Oklahoma City, The Johns Island Club in Vero Beach, the Harbortown Golf Course in Hilton Head, The Saw Grass Course in Ponte Vedra and the Ocean Course in Kiawah.
    • Jose Gonzalez 1985 - In 2017, Gonzalez was appointed as Mexico's Minister of Finance under President Peña Nieto. He previously served as the CEO of Petróleos Mexicanos, more commonly known as PEMEX.
    • Charles Ries 1968 - Charles Ries was the U.S. Ambassador to Greece from 2004-2007. He served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs from 2000-2004, overseeing U.S.-European Union economics, energy, and public diplomacy.
    • Frederick F. Wherry 1990 - Wherry is a professor of sociology at Princeton University. He serves as the department representative for the Department of Sociology, and he has served as vice-president and president of the Social Science History Association.
    • Jennifer Pharr-Davis 2001 - In 2011, Jennifer Pharr-Davis set the record for the fastest thru hike of the Appalachian Trail with a time of 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. She has written two memoirs: Becoming Odyssa and Called Again.
    • James Hormel 1950 - James Hormel was the first openly gay person to serve as a United States Ambassador. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1999 to be the Ambassador to Luxembourg. He is the grandson of George A. Hormel, founder of Hormel Foods.
    • Levin H. Campbell 1944 - Honorable Judge Levin H. Campbell was confirmed to serve on the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in 1972. He served as Chief Judge from 1983 to 1990 and assumed senior status in 1992.
    • Perla Haney-Jardine 2015 - Perla Haney-Jardine is an actress best known for her roles in Steve Jobs (2015), Future Weather (2012), Spider-Man 3 (2007) and Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004).
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Asheville School cost?
Asheville School's tuition is approximately $74,450 for boarding students and $44,660 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Asheville School?
The acceptance rate of Asheville School is 40%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
Who are famous alumni from Asheville School?
Asheville School famous alumni include: Amy "Bellamy" Young 1987, Pete Dye, Jr. 1944, Jose Gonzalez 1985, Charles Ries 1968, Frederick F. Wherry 1990, Jennifer Pharr-Davis 2001, James Hormel 1950, Levin H. Campbell 1944 and Perla Haney-Jardine 2015.
What sports does Asheville School offer?
Asheville School offers 25 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Asheville School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is Asheville School's ranking?
Asheville School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most sports offered and High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for Asheville School?
The application deadline for Asheville School is Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2005
5.00
Sewanee: The University of the South
Asheville School is situated in the most beautiful area of the country. My dorm looked out over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nothing could have been better for a teenager to wake up to. . .

Class of 2006
5.00
Emory University
Required Afternoon Activities made our campus pretty special. You were forced to sign up for either a sport, music, theater, or art to take up your afternoons. It was pretty beneficial because it. . .

Class of 2006
5.00
Harvard University
What really sets Asheville School apart are the teachers and how much they care about the students. I have never seen or heard tell of another faculty as devoted to their students and to helping. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
Submit Review for Asheville School
Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

Recent Articles

Boarding School Myths
Boarding School Myths
This article debunks common myths about boarding schools, addressing misconceptions about wealth requirements, diversity, student life, school types, and family communication. It provides valuable insights for families considering boarding school education and highlights the modern realities of these institutions.
A Partnership of Three
A Partnership of Three
This article explores the three-way partnership between the school, parents, and students in boarding school education. It outlines the obligations and responsibilities of each party, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and commitment to ensure a successful boarding school experience.
Admissions Checklist For Boarding School Applicants
Admissions Checklist For Boarding School Applicants
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed checklist for boarding school applicants, covering key aspects of the admissions process such as testing, recommendations, interviews, and financial aid. It also includes additional information for international students applying to U.S. boarding schools.

Featured Schools

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 297 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,450
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $44,660
  • Acceptance rate: 40%
  • Average class size: 13 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 10 / Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Request Information

Quick Links