Upper School at Asheville Christian

Explore a private Christian high school where students learn intentionally and develop a heart to follow Christ

Grade 9 to Grade 12

Your teen is now in a very crucial stage of growth. And as a parent, you’re feeling a lot of things! Perhaps it’s a little bittersweet recognizing that your once-little child is now in their teenage years. They’re starting to embrace independence — and have opinions about what they stand for. And you know there’s so much of the world that competes for their attention. More than ever, you’re concerned about the things your teen is learning, and you want to find a school that will reinforce the values you’ve worked so hard to instill at home.


At ACA, we’re here to partner with you. As a private Christian high school in Asheville, NC, we help prepare teens to follow Christ, learn intentionally, and love others through service and leadership. Discover how your teen can thrive here.

 

Program Details

Explore our college-prep upper school program for grades 9 through 12

As you consider the best private Christian high school, you likely have some things on your checklist: an engaging environment where your teen can discover their gifts, a strong curriculum where they can be challenged and supported, and a caring community that reflects your family’s values. At ACA, we desire the same things for our students.

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    Biblical Integration

    Every part of our academic instruction and school culture is aligned with God’s Word. High schoolers at ACA develop a desire to fulfill the Lord’s calling in their lives.

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    Well-Rounded Education

    To us, your teen’s educational journey isn’t just a single path. We believe that each student has their own gifts and talents, and we provide various opportunities for them to grow.

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    Welcoming Atmosphere

    Students experience a sense of belonging in our school because we strive to keep a culture of love, kindness, empathy, and respect. Your teen will feel safe, welcomed, and celebrated.

Day in a Life

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to be an ACA upper school student. In this sample weekly schedule, students engage in either a core subject or elective for every period.

  • Period 1 or 2

  • Convocation/Break

  • Period 3 or 4

  • Period 5 or 6

  • Chapel or Advisory

  • Lunch

  • Period 7 or 8

Portrait of a Graduate

Asheville Christian Academy fosters graduates who:

  • Follow Christ

  • Learn Intentionally

  • Restore Culture

  • Communicate Effectively

  • Serve and Lead

Discover more about how we prepare students to be ready for more.

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See if ACA is the right fit for your teen.

As you consider private Christian schools in Asheville, NC, we invite you to take a closer look at ACA! We offer:

  • Personal tours for families

  • Shadow visits for students

 

Distinctives

Discover what makes the Upper School at ACA a rewarding experience

We know that teens stay engaged when they have opportunities to incorporate the use of their senses (sight, hearing, movement, and touch) in learning. This is why we implement a multisensory approach — even at the upper school level. The result? We find students who love to learn and have a deep understanding of how subject matter connects to real-life situations.

College-Prep Academic Track

Your teen will be immersed in a curriculum built to prepare them for college and beyond. We offer college preparatory classes, 13 AP classes, honors classes, and a dual enrollment program (upper school students can earn up to 37 college credits with Colorado Christian University).

Guidance and Support

Thinking of a future path can be intimidating without the right support. At ACA, we provide students with personalized college guidance where they can talk to our counselor and ask for advice about applications, test preparation, career exploration, and more. In addition, a Life Counselor is also available on campus for advice on personal and academic concerns.

Enriching Extracurriculars

Upper school life is exciting at ACA because students enjoy community while they develop important life skills. 

We have plenty of clubs for your teen to join, such as:

  • National Honor Society

  • Mu Alpha Theta  (Math Honor Society)

  • Tri-M (Music Honor Society)

  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Cultural Diversity Club

And electives, including:

  • French & Spanish

  • Symphonic Band

  • A variety of art classes, including Ceramics

  • Strength & Conditioning 

  • AP Music Theory

  • AP Psychology

Award-Winning Athletics

Is your teen a budding athlete or someone passionate about sports? ACA provides many opportunities for them to develop their athletic gifts, including fall, winter, and spring sports teams.

Fall

Football (Boys)/ Cheer (Girls)
Volleyball (Girls)
Soccer (Boys)
Cross country (Co-ed)
Tennis (Girls)
Golf (Girls)

Winter

Basketball (Boys & Girls)
Swimming (Boys & Girls)

Spring

Tennis (Boys)
Golf (Boys)
Baseball (Boys)
Soccer (Girls)
Track and field (Co-ed)


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College Preparation

Setting the stage for college and career success

From freshman to senior year, ACA equips students to plan ahead and discover potential paths in college, career, ministry, or military.

 

9th Grade

Our freshmen kick off their preparation by working one-on-one with the counselor to refine their resume and start their college or career search. Plus, they’re asked to attend a presentation that guides them to succeed in attending their choice colleges.

11th Grade

Juniors start looking into SAT and ACT test prep boot camps, and they’re also encouraged to take these examinations during the year. They're excited to attend college fairs and start preparing for their Rising Senior College Prep presentation. Our 11th graders also begin requesting recommendation letters from teachers and staff.

12th Grade

Our 12th graders get a taste of the college experience through their capstone senior course, in which students are required to have a comprehensive research paper and provide an oral defense. During this year, they’ll start applying for colleges, visit their top choices, and start signing up for scholarships and FAFSA.

10th Grade

During sophomore year, students start reviewing resources about how to pay for college. At this time, they’re also encouraged to take the PSAT, and to review their college and career goals with their counselor to see if they’re on track. College visits also begin for 10th graders.

Where ACA Graduates Go

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Appalachian State University

Covenant College

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Greenville University

Clemson University

North Carolina State University

Liberty University

Montreat College

Student Stories

Hear what students have to say about upper school at ACA

 “My experience in ACA’s Upper School was nothing short of exemplary. Year after year, the accumulated benefits of deep community, challenging academics and athletics, formational fine arts opportunities, and a sincere institutional commitment to spiritual growth and development led to an incredibly rewarding Upper School experience, which I still reflect upon and cherish.”

-Santiago F., ACA Upper School Graduate, Class of 2019

Contact us today.

As you consider the best private Christian high school for your teen, we’re glad to answer any questions you may have! Please reach out to Brenton Benware, our Director of Admissions, at (828) 581-2208 or brenton.benware@ashevillechristian.org.