BETWEEN the LIONS
July 22, 2026
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Dear Asheville Christian Families and Students,
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer! As we move through July, I wanted to take a moment to check in and encourage you to make the most of these final few weeks before the start of another school year.
Summer always seems to pass quickly, and the first day of school will be here before we know it. Until then, I hope you will continue to enjoy this special season—spending time together as a family, slowing down when you can, making memories with friends, traveling, exploring, and finding time for meaningful rest.
Here at Asheville Christian, we are busy preparing for another great year. There is much to look forward to, and we are excited about welcoming our students and families back to campus soon. In the coming weeks, be on the lookout as important back-to-school information begins flowing from the school. These communications will include details and reminders to help your family prepare for a smooth start to the year.
For now, enjoy these last few weeks of summer! Be present with one another, soak up the longer days, and make the most of this time together. The rhythms and routines of a new school year will arrive soon enough.
We are praying for our families and students and eagerly anticipating all that God has in store for Asheville Christian in the year ahead. We cannot wait to see you back on campus soon!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Dr. Jason Putnam
Head of School
Recovery Updates
Recovery efforts continue to move forward. Most of the progress has happened behind the scenes as our team works through planning, permitting, and design. The Track & Field project is being rebid following an extended permitting process, while dugout plans are being finalized ahead of permit submission. The baseball clubhouse is currently in the design phase, and we're gathering quotes for the sidewalks connecting our athletic fields and bleacher pads. We also anticipate construction on the cross-country course beginning soon. We're grateful for your continued patience and support as we work through each step of this recovery process.
Featured Events
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Bus Service & Shuttle Sign-Ups Now Open!
Registration is now open for ACA’s South Asheville Bus Service and the ACA Shuttle for the upcoming school year!
South Asheville Bus Service
Location: Biltmore Park (First National Bank ATM Parking Lot)
Schedule: Afternoon service begins Wednesday, Aug. 19 (first day of school). Morning service begins Thursday, Aug. 20.
ACA Shuttle (Fastest Pick-Up!)
Location: Swannanoa Ingles parking lot on US 70 (just around the corner from school)
Schedule: Afternoon service begins Wednesday, Aug. 19.
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Class of 2027: Senior Portraits Coming Soon!
Calling all rising seniors! Mark your calendars for Senior Portraits, taking place on campus:
Dates: Wednesday, August 12 & Friday, August 14
Location: ACA Campus
What You Need to Do: Check your school email starting Wednesday, July 22 for details and your link to sign up for a portrait time slot.
Make sure to schedule your spot early so you don't miss out!
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Aftercare Registration Now Open for the 2026-27 School Year!
Need reliable, safe, and fun after-school care for your student?
Registration for ACA’s Aftercare program is now open!
Designed to support our working families, Aftercare provides safe indoor and outdoor play, plus a daily snack.
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Save the Date: Back-to-School Bash!
Monday, August 17
Mark your calendars! Our Back-to-School Bash is the perfect way to kick off an exciting new school year.
Come meet your teachers, reconnect with friends, explore your classrooms, and take care of any last-minute back-to-school business before the first day of classes. It's a fun, relaxed opportunity for the entire ACA community to gather, celebrate, and start the year off together.
More details, including times and activities, will be shared soon. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to campus!
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Join Us for the Seussical, Kids Final Performance! 🎭
You’re invited!
Our talented Musical Theatre Camp students are hard at work and they will soon be ready to take the stage for their showcase performance of Seussical, Kids!
When: Friday, July 31 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: ACA Campus
Admission: FREE!
Come support our young performers and enjoy a wonderful show! Cash-only concessions will be available for purchase, so be sure to bring a little extra cash for treats. We can't wait to see you there!
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ACA Fall Production Auditions
When a teenager's fate hangs in the balance, twelve jurors must decide whether justice has truly been served. As tensions rise and assumptions are challenged, one courageous voice reminds the group that every life deserves careful consideration.
Whether you're interested in performing on stage or being part of the set build and tech crew, we'd love to have you!
Open to ALL 9th-12th grade students; no experience is necessary!
To audition or sign up for the crew, email director, Erin Lindberg, at erin.lindberg@ashevillechristian.org by August 6. Audition materials will be available beginning July 24.
Come be part of an unforgettable production—we can't wait to see you there!
Auditions: August 12-13
Time: 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Location: ACA Auditorium
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Rooted In Dependence: Danielle Teague, ACA Bible Teacher
In this episode, of Stories Rooted in Faith, Deborah Stuart sits down with ACA’s Danielle Teague, an upper school Bible teacher whose classroom is a space for deep transformation. Danielle shares her personal pursuit of dependence on Jesus and how she actively uses her love for God’s word to make disciples of the next generation.
From navigating profound seasons of personal loss to witnessing the way God redeems pain for His glory, Danielle offers a powerful look at what it means to point students toward His unwavering faithfulness. Her passion for scriptures and discipleship shines through in every story, every interaction, and every moment captured in this episode.
This is the story of a teacher who embodies beauty from ashes and dependence over self-sufficiency. Don’t miss this inspiring episode.
Watch or Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
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Become a Family Mentor - Make a Difference!
Are you passionate about our school community? Have you been part of the ACA family for at least two years? We need your experience and enthusiasm!
Our Family Mentor program pairs seasoned ACA families with those new to our school. As a mentor, you’ll be a friendly face, a helpful guide, and a go-to resource for a family just starting their ACA journey.
Share your wisdom, answer questions, and help new families feel at home faster. Your support can make a world of difference during a time of transition.
Ready to make an impact? Sign up today to become an ACA Family Mentor! Email ptf@ashevillechristian.org for more details or to volunteer.
Thank you for considering this meaningful way to serve and strengthen our wonderful school community. We appreciate you!
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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Save Big on School Uniforms – Lands' End Sale!
It’s time to start thinking about school wardrobe essentials! Lands’ End School Outfitters is running a limited-time Back-to-School promotion running July 21–28. The more you spend, the more you save:
Save $25 on orders of $150+
Save $50 on orders of $200+
Save $75 on orders of $250+
Simply use code REPORTCARD75 at checkout to claim your discount (and enjoy free standard shipping on orders $99+). Take advantage of this sale to check uniforms off your summer to-do list early!
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Spirit Store Summer Hours & Uniform Exchange
The ACA Spirit Store summer hours are as follows:
• Closed during June
• Mondays, July 13–August 10: 1–3 p.m.
• Monday, August 17: 8:30 a.m.–Noon
• Wednesday, August 19: 7:45–8:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Families may also donate gently used ACA CampusWear items or receive store credit to use toward other gently used uniforms in the Spirit Store. To participate, simply bring clean uniform items to the second floor of the Upper School outside the elevator, complete the Clothing for Credit form provided, and leave the items on the hangers available.
Please note that store credit cannot be issued for used t-shirts or PE uniforms. Families are asked not to donate ACA logoed clothing to local charities for school safety purposes.
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2026–2027 Parent Calendar
The 2026–2027 Parent Calendar is up! Families can begin planning for key dates including the Back to School Bash (August 17), the first day of school (August 19 – noon dismissal), holidays, parent nights, Winterim, Spring Break, and end-of-year events like Baccalaureate (May 28) and Graduation (May 29).
Please note:Middle School Parent Night has been moved from September 3 to August 31 and will now be combined with Upper School Parent Night.
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Car Tag Reminder
Please do not throw away your car tags at the end of the school year. These tags can be reused for the following school year. If you will need additional car tags please email us at: transportation@ashevillechristian.org
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Save the Date: ACA Homecoming Weekend
Mark your calendars for October 2–3 and join us for an unforgettable Homecoming weekend! We’re bringing our school community together for two days filled with fun, fellowship, and school spirit.
What to look forward to:
🏈 Sporting Events
🍔 Tailgating & Food Trucks
🎪 Carnival Activities
…and much more!
More details and a complete schedule of events will be shared soon. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
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Save the Date: Friday, Oct. 2
ACA Sporting Clays Tournament
Save the date for Friday, October 2, 2026, during Homecoming Week and Grandparents Day!
This special event is open to all ACA parents, grandparents, friends, and supporters.
Now accepting event sponsorship.
We look forward to gathering together at the Biltmore Sporting Clays Club for a memorable day of community and celebration.
Parent Teacher Fellowship
A Year Well Spent — Thank You!
What a year it has been! From big events to behind-the-scenes help, our ACA community showed up beautifully. Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and talents in any capacity this year — it truly makes a difference. Take a moment to relive some of the highlights:
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Want to Get More Involved Next Year?
PTF is one of the best ways to stay connected, build friendships, and invest in the ACA community — and we'd love to have you! Whether you're a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, there's a place for you.
Sign up below to let us know you're interested in helping with activities for the 2026-27 school year or stop by the PTF table at the Back-to-School Bash.:
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Save the Date: All School Prayer Walk
As we prepare to kick off a new school year, we invite our entire ACA community to come together in prayer!
Sponsored by Moms in Prayer, this all-school gathering is a wonderful opportunity to lift up our school, teachers, staff, students, and families for the year ahead.
Date: Thursday, August 13
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: In front of ACA
Whether you can stay for the whole time or just a few minutes, we would love to have you join us as we cover our school in prayer!
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Welcome Back Social
Kick off the new school year with a cup of coffee and great conversation!
Join the PTF for our Welcome Back Social on Wednesday, August 19, from 8–9 a.m. in the library following morning drop-off.
Whether you're new to ACA or a returning family, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents, reconnect with friends, and start the school year in community.
All grade-level parents are welcome—we'd love to see you there!
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Support ACA through Shop ’n’ Give programs!
Last year, your qualified purchases with our affiliated retailers through the Shop-n-Give Affinity Programs benefitted ACA last year in cash back and products valued at $6,346.57! We were able to purchase a middle school ball cart, tables, and PE equipment.
Some of our participating partners are Ingles, Lands’ End, Harris Teeter, Box Tops and Office Depot.
For more information on how to participate, please visit the PTF section of the ACA website or click the link below.
Athletics & Fine Arts News
Fall Sports Start Dates & Important Information
Varsity Sports (Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Girls Golf, Girls Tennis):
Start Date: August 3
Times: TBA via Remind and Tandem
Middle School Sports (Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Soccer):
Start Date: August 10
Times: TBA via Remind and Tandem
All athletes and families are encouraged to join their team’s Remind group for the most up-to-date communication regarding schedules, practices, and important announcements:
Varsity & JV Volleyball – Torri Render | torri.render@ashevillechristian.org | Remind: @33gg28
MS Volleyball – Shannon Whitson | shannonmccotter1982@gmail.com | Remind: @acamsv
Varsity Soccer – Terry Hughes | terry.hughes@ashevillechristian.org | Remind: @7ccg4
MS Soccer – Brandon Hair | brandonlhair@icloud.com | Remind: @26mssoc
Varsity Football – George Johnson | george.johnson@ashevillechristian.org | Remind: @efe7h69
MS Football – George Johnson | george.johnson@ashevillechristian.org | Remind: @dgkage
Varsity Cheer - Brittany Meiners | bmeiners13@yahoo.com | Remind: @202526chee
Varsity Girls Golf (Gr. 7–12) – Michael Hicks | michael.hicks@ashevillechristian.org | Remind: TBA
Varsity Girls Tennis (Gr. 7–12) – Coaching staff TBA | Remind: @2026gten
JV Girls Tennis (Gr. 7–12) – TBA | Remind: @ek6bk3
Varsity Cross Country – Francine Hill | francine.hill@ashevillechristian.org | Remind: @g6s28yx
MS Cross Country – Lisa Gamble | lisagamble22@yahoo.com | Remind: @gheaf3a
Important Reminder:
All athletes must have a completed sports physical exam and parental consent form submitted prior to tryouts and practices.
To request a packet, please contact heidi.pieper@ashevillechristian.org.
ACA Athletic History
Interested in ACA athletic history? Help us continue building our athletics archive, now displayed on the touchscreen in the East Athletic Upper School hallway within the new trophy cases. We are seeking action photos of all athletes, past and present, as well as team and championship photos. Some of this content was lost in the flood, and your help is greatly appreciated.
Have questions or materials to share? Please contact Joe Johnson, Director of Athletics, at joe.johnson@ashevillechristian.org.
International Student Homestay Program
Would You Consider Hosting an International Student Next School Year?
At Asheville Christian Academy, we are committed to fostering a diverse community that values cultural exchange and understanding. Through our International Homestay Program, we welcome students from around the world.
As a host family, you will receive a $1,000 monthly stipend to help offset hosting costs. More importantly, you will have the opportunity to provide a warm, loving, and nurturing home for a student far from their own family. This experience is more than just a cultural exchange—it’s a chance to build lifelong connections and friendships while reflecting Christ’s love and compassion.
What Is It Like to Host an International Student?
Hear firsthand from three ACA host families by clicking here.
For more information about the International Student Program, please contact Deborah Stuart at Deborah.Stuart@ashevillechristian.org
Thank you for considering this meaningful opportunity!
Guidance News
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Spots Still Left! ACT Test Prep Bootcamp
Juniors & Sophomores: Sign up for Test Prep Bootcamp, July 27-29, https://tutorsacrossamerica.com/actcourse/, scroll to the camp at ACA and use code GOLIONS for ½ off!
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AP Test Scores Are In!
Students who took AP classes last year: Scores are available from College Board.
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Upper School Schedules
Schedules are still being tweaked. Final schedules will be available at the Back to School Bash.
You’ll have a chance to make changes with Mrs. Boer, if needed.
