Parents & Families

The Parent Portal will take you to secure resources for parents. This is the hub of school resources and where you will find archives of email communications, calendars, daily schedules, access to college counseling resources, grades, and more. Periodically, the school will send a newsletter that includes important reminders and links -- please make sure that we have a working email for each parent or guardian who needs to receive these newsletters.

Throughout the year, you will also receive occasional emails from the College Office, the Student Life Office, or other school departments. Make sure that you regularly check your email and keep us updated on any changes to your contact information.

2022-2023 School Supplies List

• Pens, pencils, erasers (with a pencil bag/pouch) 
• Starter supply of paper (lined and graph) 
• 3-ring binders: D ring with clear cover pocket on front (1.5") 
• A few spiral notebooks 
• Assignment book (the Asheville School Planner will be available in the bookstore upon arrival) 
• Seat cushion for desk chair 
• Ruler 
• Backpack (wide enough to carry a few textbooks and binders at the same time) 
• Index cards (3 x 5) for flash cards or a box of blank flash cards
• Laptop cover for MacBook Air 
• Calculator – TI-83+, 83+ Silver Edition, 84+, or 84+ Silver Edition

Many of the items listed are available in the School Store for purchase. 

Mathematics Department Calculator Policy

Calculators are an essential tool for most math and science courses at Asheville School. All Asheville School students are required to have a Texas Instruments calculator of model 83+ or 84+ (any version of those basic models). Students are required to have the calculators in class with them each day unless otherwise noted by the teacher.

All new Asheville School students receive a 13” Apple MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and a 256 GB Hard Drive on opening day. This computer will come preloaded with Microsoft Office 365, and all students will use it for their classwork. Families will not be asked to pay for these laptops.

If a student would like to bring another computer to use in addition to the school provided laptop, it must be cleared with the technology department. Read the technology handbook for more information: https://www.ashevilleschool.org/technology/handbook. 

Select Your Room to See the Layout

The 2022-2023 Packing List is forthcoming. In the meantime, we invite you to review last year's packing list to familiarize yourself with the packing needs for your boarding student. 

Boarder Packing List

For returning students, the course selection process begins in February when teachers review their students’ academic records and make recommendations for the following year. Students then review these recommendations with their advisors, at which time they can request alternative courses if necessary.

In May, parents can review and approve those courses within the School Portal.

As new students are enrolled over the spring and summer, our Registrar will review their previous transcripts and standardized test scores and, based upon that information, make an initial recommendation for appropriate courses. For placement into some math classes and upper level foreign language classes, new students might need to take an online placement test; our Registrar will contact those students individually with specific instructions.

Student class schedules will be available in the Parent Portal -- usually some time in July.

Over the summer, our Registrar will be working to build the academic schedule; adjustments to that schedule and to class enrollment will continue right up until the first day of school to ensure that sections are balanced and that students are enrolled in the appropriate courses. For that reason, student schedules are subject to change up to (and even just after) Opening Day.

After classes begin, all students will have the opportunity to modify their schedules if necessary. That process requires the input of the student’s advisor, the relevant teachers, and the student’s parents. The “Drop/Add” window closes after the first mid-trimester grades are released in late October.

An important component of Asheville School’s dress code is to enhance self-esteem and a culture of respect among students.

Consistent with its policy prohibiting discrimination, Asheville School supports its students who identify as gender fluid. To that end, students are expected to dress consistent with the dress code that reflects their gender identity.

While we are not a uniform school, we expect our students to treat their attire as such. For this reason, the School has established four dress codes. Students will be dismissed from class or activities if their standard of dress does not adhere to the dress code.

The School has four categories to its dress code: Classroom Dress, Relaxed Classroom Dress, Casual Dress, and Spirit Dress.

2022-2023 Dress Code Policy

The Day Student experience differs slightly from the traditional Boarding Student requirements; however, our Day Students are required to partake in activities outside of the academic day. 

Please view our Day Students FAQ to familiarize yourself with Day Student expectations. 
Day Student FAQ

The Warner Arms Health Center is located on the first floor of Anderson Hall. The school’s doctor visits the infirmary on Mondays and Fridays, and a nurse is on duty at all times when school is in session. The school's nurses approve and record all medical appointments for both day and boarding students, and the nurses are responsible for dispensing all medication.

The school employs an on-campus, full-time professional school psychologist who is available to students, families, faculty and staff for the purpose of assisting with various emotional and social concerns that may arise.

Short-term, individual counseling is provided by the school psychologist and can be obtained by self-referral or through consultation with another community member. Should more extensive or longer-term counseling be needed, the school psychologist coordinates the referral to an appropriate outside professional and arranges for transportation to the practitioner’s office.

The school psychologist subscribes to a policy of confidentiality in all dealings with persons who seek help, though safety concerns provide an exception to such a policy. When issues regarding safety arise, the confidentiality policy will defer to safety concerns.

The Learning Center is a resource for students and teachers. We work with students on developing their organizational and study skills in an effort to help them become independent learners. We also provide daily help in specific subjects.

For most students, the Learning Center is a voluntary resource. Students may be assigned for a period of three weeks to 10 months, depending on their progress. These students come in daily during their free period and work with the Learning Center staff.

Most students stop in for help with:

• Math
• College essays
• Lab reports
• English papers
• Study skills
• Time management

The goal of the College Office is to support, inform, and encourage students and their families as they navigate the exciting, complex, and ever-changing process of college admissions. We educate students and families about the nuances of admission, advise students about appropriate and interesting college options that best suit their needs, and support students as they successfully complete the application process. 

Check out the College Office Page.

All new students receive an Apple laptop on Opening Day as part of the school's 1-to-1 laptop program. Student laptops are pre-loaded with Microsoft Office. Robust wireless access is available across campus for students, faculty members, alumni, and guests. Besides the school-issued laptops, students have access to an iMac computer lab in the Library. All dorm rooms are equipped with high-speed Internet connections and wifi access. SMART Boards are equipped in most classrooms. Apple TV devices support Airplay from teacher laptops and iPads.

Technology Handbook