BETWEEN the LIONS
Special Back-to-School Edition
August 1, 2025
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Dear ACA Families,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! It is with great joy and anticipation that we welcome each of you, whether you’re returning for another year or joining us for the first time, to what promises to be a powerful season of growth, community, and Christ-centered learning at Asheville Christian Academy.
There is a renewed sense of hope and energy on our campus, and it’s visible in so many ways. Construction crews are hard at work preparing our athletic fields, which will soon be vibrant spaces for student-athletes to train and compete. New furniture is being installed across classrooms and common areas, providing refreshed and welcoming learning environments for our students. We are also thrilled to welcome new families into our school community and introduce several new faculty and staff members who bring exceptional gifts and a deep love for Christ and Christian education.
We are excited—not only because of the visible changes on campus, but because of the deeper work God is doing in our hearts and in our school. This year, our theme verse is Deuteronomy 31:8:
“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
This is more than a comforting verse. it’s a powerful promise! As we enter a year of renewal and refocusing, Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us that we do not walk alone. No matter what lies ahead, the Lord goes before us. He is with us in the rebuilding, the learning, the teaching, and the growing. As a school, we are committed to keeping Christ at the center of everything we do, and this verse serves as both an anchor and a compass as we move forward together.
We’re grateful for your partnership, your prayers, and your trust. God has been faithful, and we believe He is preparing something beautiful for this school year.
With expectation and joy,
Jason Putnam
William Jason Putnam
Head of School
The 2025–2026 school year is almost here, and we’re so excited to welcome you back. We’re prayerfully expectant for all that God has in store for your child(ren) and grateful to partner with your family for the year ahead.
As you prepare, be sure to visit the newly updated Parent Page on our website — your central hub for important forms, documents, and event details. The Back-to-School section includes everything you’ll need for New Family Orientation and the Back-to-School Bash, both happening on Friday, August 15.
Completing the listed items ahead of time will help you make the most of the day — connecting with teachers, visiting with friends, and stopping by information tables with any questions, without feeling rushed.
You’ll also find helpful information and resources for the full school year, all in one place.
Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year
Alyssa Hudson
Lower School Faculty
Amanda Woods
Dir. Marketing & Communications
New Year, New Faces
We’re delighted to welcome new faculty and staff to the ACA community this year. Each one brings unique gifts, fresh perspective, and a shared heart for our mission. As you scroll below, we invite you to get to know the newest members of our team — and join us in thanking God for the ways He continues to provide for our school.
Liz Sinesi
Upper School Faculty
Jonathan Whitson
Middle School Faculty
Julia Marcy
Lower School Paraprofessional
Ethan Kerns
Lower School Faculty
Kasey Murray
Lower School Paraprofessional
New Year, New Spaces
Though recovery from Hurricane Helene is still underway, we begin this school year with visible signs of restoration and God’s faithful provision. Tennis and soccer field construction is now underway, and baseball and football projects are currently in the bidding phase. Across campus, we’ve installed new furniture in classrooms and offices, upgraded the Café serving area, and replaced flood-damaged interior doors — each improvement a meaningful step forward. We’re grateful for the progress and look forward to all that’s still ahead.
New Year, Same Mission
Seeking to serve Jesus Christ and uphold His Pre‑eminence, Asheville Christian Academy, in committed partnership with Christian parents, provides a Gospel‑centered education to shepherd and inspire Christ‑oriented lives within a community of grace and truth.
Featured Events
Wednesday, August 13
5:30-6:30pm
Join us for a Prayer Walk around the school.
Hosted by Moms in Prayer
Friday, August 15
8:30-10:30am
Learn the ins and outs of ACA!
Friday, August 15
12:30-2:30pm
Meet your teachers, see old friends, get your schedule, locker, and more!
Tandem Calendar
Calendar navigation: Click or tap on a date to view event details. Use arrows to view next month.
All School News
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Bus and Shuttle Service
We are excited to offer bus and shuttle service for the 2025-26 school year. The services are offered by semester and route.
The form link below is for parents who wish to reserve a seat for their child/ren every school day of the Fall 2025 semester.
Single day seats are offered via the School Pass app, when available,
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Habitat Dress Down Days
Help us fund our next Habitat Student Build! Every $35 donation goes entirely toward the building of a house for a family in need. Your donation allows the “subscribing” student or faculty member to dress-down the last Tuesday of each month of the school year, starting with our first dress-down day on August 26th.
Click link below. Select “Habitat for Humanity Student Build” from the drop-down menu. Please make a note of the names and grades of subscribing students.
You may also leave a check (made out to ACA) or cash at the front desk to the attention of Seth Rowe. Be sure to include a note of the subscribing student(s). If you have any questions about the build or the dress-down days, please contact seth.rowe@ashevillechristian.org
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Keep Your Carline Tags
Please keep your carline tags as we plan to use them for the 2025-26 school year.
DO NOT THROW OUT!
You can always email the transportation email if you need a replacement or have questions.
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Update the School Nurse this Summer!
Things to email to the school nurse over the summer:
1. Updated immunization records. NC immunization requirements may be found here: Immunization Requirements for K-12 Schools | Division of Public Health
2. Update to a student’s health and/or medications.
3. Updated medical forms such as Allergy Care Plans, Asthma Care Plans, Seizure Care Plans. All medical forms may be found here: Medication-Forms.pdf. Medical forms are good for one year. ACA cannot administer any medication to a student (prescription or over-the-counter) without a note from their healthcare provider.
Thank you!
Kristin Moyers BSN, RN
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Spirit Store August Hours
Mondays through August 11th, 1-3pm.
Friday, August 15th – New Family Orientation, 8:30-10:30am
Friday, August 15th – Back to School Bash, 12:30-2:30pm
August 19th & 20th – 7:45-8:30am & 11:45am-12:30pm
Regular Hours Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 7:45-8:30am & 2:45-3:30pm
If you have any questions, please contact us at thespiritstore@ashevillechristian.com.
Athletics & Fine Arts
Athletic News
Athletic Business Sponsorships
The ACA Department of Athletics will be setting up business sponsorship opportunities for the 2025-26 school year that include signage, game day announcements, team gear, etc. Contact Joe Johnson if interested.
Fall Sports Information
Tryout/Practice Start Date:
Varsity/Junior Varsity July 28 Parent Meeting Aug. 5, 5:15 pm ACA Gym
Middle School August 11 Parent Meeting Aug. 18, 5:15 pm location TBA
All athletes must have a completed physical exam and consent forms turned in to participate. Forms are available on the Parent Resources page of our website.
Sports physicals and permission forms must be completed and turned into Heidi Pieper, Athletic Trainer (heidi.pieper@ashevillechristian.org) before tryouts and practices begin.
Due to field construction, details on location, date and times will be available through team communication via Remind. Download the app to your cell phone or go online to remind.com and enter the appropriate code below to join the team communication and information stream.
Team Coach Email Remind Code
Cheer Kelli Hooper kelli.hooper@ashevillechristian.org @202526chee
Girls Tennis Will Wright wwillie23@gmail.com @2025gten
MS Football George Johnson george.johnson@ashevillechristian.org @dgkage
JV Football George Johnson george.johnson@ashevillechristian.org @dake77
V Football George Johnson george.johnson@ashevillechristian.org @efe7h69
MS XC Lisa Gamble lisagamble22@yahoo.com @gheaf3a
V XC Francine Hill francine.hill@ashevillechristian.org @g6s28yx
MS Soc Brandon Hair brandonlhair@icloud.com @25mssoc
V Soc Terry Hughes terry.hughes@ashevillechristian.org @7ccg4
MS Volleyb Amanda Woods amanda.woods@ashevillechristian.org @acamsv
JV Volleyb Laurin Whitaker laurinwhitaker@outlook.com @33gg28
V Volleyb Torri Render torri.render@ashevillechristian.org @33gg28
Director of Athletics: Joe Johnson joe.johnson@ashevillechristian.org
Asst Director of Athletics: George Johnson george.johnson@ashevillechristian.org
All athletes must have a completed physical exam and consent forms turned in to participate. Forms are available on the Parent Resources page of our website.
Sports physicals and permission forms must be completed and turned into Heidi Pieper, Athletic Trainer (heidi.pieper@ashevillechristian.org) before tryouts and practices begin.
Fine Arts News
We are excited to get started on our Upper School Fall Production, The Play That Goes Wrong (performance dates Oct. 2-4). This Tony Award winning play-within-a-play is a murder mystery where everything that could go wrong does, both on and off the stage. Cast and Crew applications are available now with auditions being held August 4th for any 9th-12th grade ACA student.
Students interested in auditioning or being part of our set crew and/or set build should email FineArts@ashevillechristian.org.
The Theatre Honor Society (ITS) will also host a Theatre Work Day on August 1st from 9am-3pm to prep the stage and begin building the set.
Upper School News
Dear ACA Upper School Parents,
I pray this summer has brought your family rest, renewal, and time to reflect on God’s presence. As we prepare for the 2025–26 school year, I want to thank you for your strength and unity through a challenging year. The damage from Hurricane Helene tested us, but God’s faithfulness carried us—and your support turned disruption into growth.
We celebrated the graduation of 61 seniors, each stepping boldly into God’s calling. Now, we welcome our incoming freshmen and 18 new students to the Upper School family, and we look forward to how God will use our Class of 2026 in leadership this year.
Our theme verse, Deuteronomy 31:8, reminds us that it’s not about what we must do, but what God is doing—He goes before us, stays with us, and will never leave us. Please join us in praying this promise over our students, faculty, and families.
Thank you for your faithful partnership. Your presence and prayers shape our community in lasting ways. We are grateful for you.
Dr. Richard A. Spurling
Head of Upper School | Associate Head of School
Upper School Freshmen (Class of 2029!) and New Student Laptop requirements:
• The laptop must be able to run the latest Windows or Mac OS.
• The laptop must be able to run the full version of the Microsoft Office Suite (Not just apps).
• The laptop must have a physical keyboard.
• The minimum screen size is 11.6 inches and above.
• The laptop should be able to record audio and video.
• The battery must last all-day. The battery life should have 6+ hours.
• The processor for Windows laptops must be an Intel Chipset Core I-series or AMD equivalent (Ryzen series).
• The processor for a MacBook must be an M series processor.
• The storage on the laptop must be at least 128 gigabytes of storage and a minimum of 4 gigabytes of RAM.
• Wireless adapter that supports standard 802.11ac or better
Note: iPads and Chromebooks are not approved devices. Depending on your student’s schedule, they will need to install the office suite, Adobe products, and Minecraft Education edition. These cannot be installed on iPads or Chromebooks.
If you have a question, don't hesitate to email techinfo@ashevillechristian.org. Questions about device issues, such as broken screens, battery issues, etc. will need to be handled by outside resources.
Save the Date!
New Upper School Student Orientation:
Monday, August 4th 9:00am-1:30pm
Guidance News
ALL FAMILIES:
Did you know that the Guidance Dept focuses on specific themes each year that are derived from our mission statement?
The ACA College Guidance Office, in conjunction with school administrators, faculty, and parents,
engages with students to explore their God-given abilities and dreams,
reviews the impact of their current choices on their future opportunities,
and presents essential information regarding college and career selection,
encouraging congruence between faith and life to be enabled to serve Christ in all areas.
Freshman Year: High School Transition and Initial Dreams
Sophomore Year: College and Career Orientation
Junior Year: College and Career In-depth Exploration
Senior Year: College Applications and Selection (or other plans)
Lower School News
CLASS PLACEMENT
I know everyone is anxiously awaiting their child’s class placement for the upcoming school year. Class placement announcement postcards will be mailed the week of August 4. We will also have class list information posted during our New Family Orientation and Back-to-School Bash. We are anticipating an amazing year in Lower School!
SAVE THE DATE - PARENT NIGHT!
Parents, please join us for Lower School Parent Night on Thursday, August 28 at 6 pm. This night is intended for parents only of PreK through grade 5 students. We will begin the evening with a brief meeting in the auditorium at 6:00 pm followed by the opportunity to visit your child’s classroom. This is one of our most important evening activities, as you will learn more about the ministry of ACA, your child’s teacher, and expectations for the upcoming year. We look forward to seeing you!
A limited number of childcare spots will be available. Click below to sign up.
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