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About Us

A Small and Special Enclave

Pursue your greatest potential

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.

Asheville School
Our Story
Asheville School is for those who dare to be extraordinary.

For those who are unable to pack themselves into neat boxes or stay in their lane. Those who pursue a higher life with limitless possibilities.

We cannot predict your future, just as we could not predict the futures of other great thinkers and doers and creators who have found themselves on our campus. So, we will teach you all we know to be true. You will learn about classic literature and chemistry. Art, music, and physics. The sweet alchemy of a banana and sugar. The twisting trails and towering trees that frame our campus. The constellations over Mount Pisgah.

The power of friendship. The rewards of being curious and receptive and open. To believe that you belong here—just as you belong everywhere.

It is a privilege to learn and live in this small and special enclave among ancient mountains, and your role in our community is vital. You will graduate a truer, braver, wiser version of yourself. And what you share with others will be something unique. It will be you.

In four years, you will teach us more than we could have imagined. You will say the same of us.

Asheville School
Our Storied History
1900

Asheville School is founded as a school for boys with 53 students spanning grades 5 through 12.

1903

The campus’ second building, known simply as “The School,” (Mitchell Hall today) is built. It contains all classrooms and laboratories, administrative offices, a large study hall, and a theater.

1918

Students create the Pisgah Challenge as a way to challenge themselves during the height of the Spanish Flu epidemic.

1926

Asheville School is sold to Pittsburg industrialist Walter P. Fraser.

1930

Alumni are able to buy back the school and operate it as a nonprofit institution.

1960

The Asheville School banana makes its first appearance and becomes a dessert staple and rite of passage.

1968

First students of color are enrolled.

1972

Asheville School becomes coeducational, with girls admitted as day students.

1986

Girls are offered on-campus housing as boarders.

1990

The first girls’ dormitory, Kehaya House, is dedicated.

1996

Asheville School is named to the National Register of Historic Places.

2000

Asheville School celebrates its centennial.

2018

Recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for integration of technology into the curriculum through 1:1 MacBook Air program.

2019

Newly built Athletics stadium is dedicated to Mr. J. Flint McNaughton, ’82.

2020

Winterim Program created and offered to provide students and faculty the opportunity to explore interests not offered during the traditional academic program.

Our Vision
A global community pursuing lives of meaning and service.
Our Mission

Asheville School is a diverse and nurturing community that challenges and supports the mind, body, and spirit of our students by developing their resilience, intellect, and character.

Our Values
Personal Excellence

Excellence is striving for personal growth, a desire to discover and explore possibilities, and the courage to see opportunities in challenges. We foster critical and creative thinking skills in diligent pursuit of personal excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, mountaineering, and service. We challenge students to continually seek to understand how their decisions and actions impact their own lives and the lives of others.

Inclusive Community

We intentionally seek different perspectives and foster equity. Our community is stronger when each individual’s voice is a valued and respected part of the conversation. We grow through exploration, understanding, and respect for the differences and similarities that are the foundation of the most essential piece of the Asheville School experience – our community.

Perseverance and Resilience

Success involves hard work, dedication, and the courage to overcome barriers. Students learn to handle disappointment with grace and flexibility and move forward with renewed focus and fortitude.

Life-Long Curiosity

A life-long love of learning is rooted in curiosity. We collaborate and challenge one another to discover different ways of thinking, to pursue interests, and to explore opportunities to develop our mind, body, and spirit. We encourage a hunger for learning, enduring curiosity, and a profound interest in the people and world around us.

Spiritual Reflection

Spiritual reflection opens the door to a greater understanding and appreciation of oneself, others, and the connection to something greater. Rooted in our nondenominational Christian heritage, we welcome students of all faiths and beliefs and encourage everyone to explore spiritual connection through multiple pathways, striving to embark on a meaningful and life-long spiritual journey.

Our Head of School

Making his return to campus, our ninth Head of School Dr. Anthony Sgro (’84) is excited to propel the school forward while keeping sight of our mission.

Leadership

Our leadership team is committed to challenging, supporting, and championing students during their time at Asheville School.

Sarah Bednar
Sarah Bednar

Director of Athletics and Afternoon Activities

Innes Boland
Innes Boland

Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives

Ray Edmond
Ray Edmond

Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Michael Heyward
Michael Heyward

Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management

McNair Johnson
McNair Johnson

Director of Academic Affairs,

Humanities Department

Ashly Maag
Ashly Maag

Director of Philanthropy

Lauren Northup '03
Lauren Northup '03

Director of Marketing & Communications

Radar Onguetou
Radar Onguetou

Director of Community Engagement, Diversity, and Belonging,

Assistant Boys Varsity Basketball Coach, Assistant Boys JV Tennis Coach

Jonathan Schwab
Jonathan Schwab

Associate Head of School

Dr. Anthony Sgro '84
Dr. Anthony Sgro '84

Head of School

Board of Trustees
Margaret
Margaret "Meg" Bradley

Trustee

Rev. Canon Dana Corsello P '22
Rev. Canon Dana Corsello P '22

Trustee

Walter Cox, Jr. '72, P '06
Walter Cox, Jr. '72, P '06

Trustee

Gaither Deaton P ’22
Gaither Deaton P ’22

Trustee

Guy Dixon '90, P ’23, P ’27
Guy Dixon '90, P ’23, P ’27

Trustee

Elizabeth Ewing '93

Trustee

Dr. Casey Gallagher '87
Dr. Casey Gallagher '87

Trustee

Lara Glass P '19
Lara Glass P '19

Co-Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dr. José González '85, P '20, P '23, P '25
Dr. José González '85, P '20, P '23, P '25

Treasurer of the Board of Trustees

Miya Gray '93
Miya Gray '93

Trustee

Alex Hagan '83
Alex Hagan '83

Trustee

Janet Ley P '22
Janet Ley P '22

Trustee

Morgan Mischer Warth '05
Morgan Mischer Warth '05

Trustee

Marcellus Parker '00
Marcellus Parker '00

Trustee

Dexter Perry '87, P '22
Dexter Perry '87, P '22

Trustee

Oliver Prince, Jr. '71, P '00
Oliver Prince, Jr. '71, P '00

Trustee

Mary Robinson Hervig '02
Mary Robinson Hervig '02

Trustee

Dr. Hyde Russell '91, P '22, P '24
Dr. Hyde Russell '91, P '22, P '24

Trustee

Scott Shealy '84, P '19, P '21
Scott Shealy '84, P '19, P '21

Co-Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees

Thomas Shores, Jr. '85, P '20, P '23
Thomas Shores, Jr. '85, P '20, P '23

Chair of the Board of Trustees

David Stover '75, P '11
David Stover '75, P '11

Trustee